The 27 best football podcasts you need to listen to - from dressing room secrets to the game's funniest stories
In fact, it's likely that most people will spend more of their lives listening to musings on the beautiful game than they will actually watching it. Whether it's tuning into the musings of former pros, hearing dressing room tales from back in the day, or transfer insiders offering up the latest insight, there's a podcast for every type of football fan.
Here at FourFourTwo we've run through the pick of the bunch. Heavyweight hosts Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards are joined by an equally heavyweight conveyor belt of footballing icons, journalists and celebrities on a regular deep dive into the beautiful game.
WHY IT WORKS Football's biggest talking points are dissected by three of the most respected pundits around. Legendary guests tell stories from their careers, while big names in other fields - from journalist Fabrizio Romano to New York mayor Zohran Mamdani - have shared their own insights.
The regular ribbings of Big Meeks are worth tuning in alone. Former Soccer AM host Max Rushden and newspaper columnist Barry Glendenning chew the fat with their fellow journalists and other famous faces.
WHY IT WORKS The Guardian 's selection of expert writers - from Serie A aficionado Nicky Bandini to Bundesliga devotee Andy Brassell - offer sharp analysis, inside scoops and hot takes that few other pods can rival. Rushden keeps the banter ticking along smoothly with his trademark wit and energy.
One for those interested in a wide range of leagues and exploring deeper analysis. Steve Bracknall (a comedy character played by Chris McClure, brother of Reverend and the Makers frontman Jon) leads a cast of larger-than-life footballing creations.
WHY IT WORKS One of the few mockumentary football pods. The series follows Bracknall, the assistant manager of fictional Sunday League side Royal Oak and self-proclaimed saviour of grassroots football, raging against any form of tactical or technological modernisation.
VAR, false nines and inverted wing-backs come in for particular flak. Real guests (Robbie Williams among them) play along, straight-faced.
Former Manchester United, West Brom and Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster. WHY IT WORKS The ex-England gloveman and keen cyclist shares first-hand insights into the modern world of top-flight football, while major guests have included Ian Wright, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Troy Deeney.