Ranks FC - A Football Podcast

Champions League Takeaway returns to talk all things from Tuesday's action from Matchweek Four in the UCL - starting with Manchester United's unheralded comeback against Roma, PSG hitting Villarreal for six, big wins for Barcelona, Bayern and Inter, and everything else.

In a return to a Ranks FC classic, we take a look at some of the managers under pressure around Europe and assess whether their respective clubs should hold fire or think about pulling the trigger on a change...as well as discussing Harry Kane winning the Ballon d'Or!

Champions League Takeaway returns to talk all things from Wednesday's action from Matchweek Three in the UCL - including a brilliant battle between Bayern and Arsenal in Munich, Real Madrid's continued resurgence against Leipzig, another miserable night for Michael Carrick and United, and everything else!

Champions League Takeaway returns to talk all things from Tuesday's action from Matchweek Three in the UCL - starting with the marquis game of this week between PSG and Barcelona where the reigning Champions made a statement in Paris. We also talk Liverpool and Napoli's 4-3 wins, a tricky draw for Atleti, some big wins for Man City & Roma, and more.

Champions League Takeaway returns to talk all things from Wednesday's action from Matchweek Two in the UCL - including an old-school comeback for Real Madrid, big wins for Liverpool and Aston Villa, PSG putting a clinical 45 minutes on as they took City to the sword, Betis and Porto giving us a show, and much more.

Champions League Takeaway returns to talk all things from Tuesday's action from Matchweek Two in the UCL - including big wins for Arsenal and Barcelona, Bayern getting stunned in Norway, Tresoldi's hat-trick against Inter as Club Brugge punished the Nerazzurri's slack defending, and yet another tough night for Michael Carrick as Manchester United were soundly beaten by Atleti.

With the return of club football on the horizon, we take a look at the big storylines we should all be keeping an eye on over the course of this weekend and beyond!

On Tuesday, the Premier League released a damning statement accusing Manchester City of systematic cheating, 'sham' deals and refusing to co-operate with their enquiry around 115 charges levelled against the club's financial conduct over the best part of a decade - and we're left wondering, what happens now?

It's the longest international break we have ever seen, so it feels like a good time to get stuck in! We talk through the biggest and most interesting stories to keep an eye on during these next couple of weeks...

With a month or so of the season under our belts, there have been some players who have lit up their respective leagues in the first few games - we go through them to pick out our standout candidates, from the great and the good to the slightly more unheralded.

Your third and final helping of Champions League Takeaway this week, with the final six games of the opening matchweek, containing heaps of mad storylines, big wins for Bayern and Manchester United, and Como's arrival on the biggest stage!

Welcome back to Champions League Takeaway, your second helping of UCL goodness for this week, looking back at all of Wednesday night's action from the competition's opening round of games!

Champions League Takeaway returns for another season, looking back at all of the action from Europe's Premiere Club Competition, where Real Madrid and Jose Mourinho got back to winning ways, Erling Haaland kept scoring, Troy Parrott's legend keeps growing, and Aston Villa finally scored a goal!

Well, that was a ride, wasn't it? A British transfer record equalled, a year after it was set; chaos abounding across the Premier League and beyond; an attempted transfer hijack that didn't come off; and so much more besides. We break down a mad Deadline Day!

There is under a week left in this summer's transfer window, and there still feels like a lot to do for some of the world's biggest teams. We take a look at the big deals that will define these final days of transfer business.

Now we're rolling. The Premier League is back this Friday, so it's time for our annual Preview Show where we take a look at who the runners and riders are in the Title Race, the European battle, and the scrap for survival across all 20 teams!

Just like that, a new La Liga season is upon us and we're here to preview the new campaign - from the title race between Barcelona and Real Madrid, to the European teams this season, and the promoted sides - all of whom have phenomenal history at the top level.

Dean takes a look at the Premier League Big Six to see where the big movements might come between now and the end of the transfer window - cutting through a lot of noise to predict the major deals might land for the PL's biggest clubs.

With the World Cup now firmly in the rear view mirrors, we take a look at some of the biggest, best, and our favourite deals that have taken place in the transfer market both with the tournament going on and once it was wrapped up!

Nobody covered the World Cup like Snapback Sports' Casey Settleman, who went to a game every day that the World Cup was on. Casey joined Jack to talk through a host of mini-rankings from the World Cup that give a real feel for life on the ground.

With the World Cup all wrapped up, we thought we'd bring you an extract from our full breakdown of the ending of the tournament on our Patreon, discussing Spain's win over Argentina and the legacy that this tournament will hold...

The World Cup Final is set for Sunday, as Spain and Argentina, continental champions of Europe and South America respectively, meet in New Jersey. We break down what we're expecting from the showpiece event!

With just eight teams now remaining in the World Cup, some big guns and all three of the hosts have fallen before the sharp end. We take a look through some of the biggest disappointments in this tournament so far...

We're back to take a look a look over the Round of 32 and ahead to the Last 16 of the FIFA World Cup!

After both the USA and England secured their place in the Round of 16, with wins over Bosnia & Herzegovina and DR Congo respectively, we analyse both teams in some detail to give our thoughts on what we've seen so far,,,

We're back after the second round of World Cup games to look back through some of the stock risers and fallers in terms of nations' performances, as well as looking at a number of players who might have put their name up in lights, and what their transfer situations look like this summer.

Now that every nation at this summer's World Cup has played their first game, we take a look through who has impressed us, which favourites look red hot, the stars who have stood out, and which countries have serious questions to answer in their second game...

The World Cup is a mere day away, so here's the final one of our four preview shows, finishing up with Groups J to L - including holders Argentina, a Portugal side desperate to crown a golden generation, Thomas Tuchel's new-look England, as well as Colombia, Croatia, Austria, Algeria, and newcomers Uzbekistan and Jordan!

It's time to get into full World Cup mode, so here's the third of our four preview shows, continuing on with Groups G to I - including two of the outright favourites in Spain and France, as well as some dark horse stories in Norway, Senegal, Belgium and Uruguay, and some newcomers such as Cape Verde for good measure!

It's time to get into full World Cup mode, so here's the second of our four preview shows, continuing on with Groups D to F - including the final host nation with the USMNT, and also looking through a couple of favourites and dark horses in Germany, the Netherlands, Japan and Ecuador!

So, with domestic matters concluded, it's time to get into full World Cup mode, so here's the first of our four preview shows, starting with Groups A to C - including two host nations in Mexico and Canada, and the must successful team in World Cup history in Brazil.

Over on our Patreon we drop a weekly Postbox guided by our members, answering their questions and responding to the weekend's action. Here's a taster of what we get into, talking the Champions League Final where PSG beat Arsenal on penalties to go back-to-back...

Welcome back to The Truth! Sam and Dougie are back for one final time this season to take a look at the transfer rumours which have lit up the rumour mill as soon as the domestic season came to a close...

The Champions League Final is in just a few days, with Arsenal looking to build on their Premier League success against reigning European Champions Paris Saint-Germain, who are looking to become just the second team to go retain the trophy in the UCL era...

Jack & Dougie sit down to examine three of the biggest managerial stories of the last few days - Pep Guardiola's reported departure from Manchester City, Xabi Alonso being confirmed as Chelsea's next manager, and the return of Jose Mourinho to Real Madrid...

Welcome back to The Truth! Sam & Dougie are back in the studio and today they are examining the players with the best comeback stories this season...

We're under a month from the World Cup and there's serious thought starting to go towards it. Before the squads come in, we take a look at potential paths to the latter stages for the host nations and some of the favourites!

Welcome back to The Truth! Sam & Dougie are back together and today they're taking a look at some outlandish transfers which could shock the world this summer...

It's Champions League Takeaway, looking back at all of the action from the Second Legs of the Semi Finals where PSG got the job done against Bayern and Arsenal reached their first Champions League final in the last 20 years...

Welcome back to The Truth! Sam & Dougie are back together and today they're making their choices for who they think the managers of Chelsea and Manchester United should be as we head into the next Premier League season...

It's Champions League Takeaway, looking back at all of the action from the First Legs of the Semi Finals where PSG triumphed 5-4 over Bayern in a game for the ages, and Atleti drew 1-1 with Arsenal in Madrid with no shortage of controversy.

Welcome back to The Truth! Sam & Dougie are back together and today they wade into the big debate of who should be the Premier League's Manager of the Season...in a conversation that's more nuanced than perhaps it has been in recent years!

With the end of the season now looking like a sprint, we take a look at some of the big storylines that will define how this plays out and is remembered, from title races and European battles to relegation scraps and individual records...

Welcome back to The Truth! Sam & Dougie are back in the studio, and today they're taking a deep dive on why Arsenal's attack is currently struggling to produce at the crunch time of the season for the Gunners...

It's your second helping of Champions League Takeaway for the week, looking back at all of Wednesday's action from the Second Legs of the Quarter Finals!

It's your first helping of Champions League Takeaway for the week, looking back at all of Tuesday's action from the Second Legs of the Quarter Finals!

Welcome back to The Truth! Sam & Dougie are back together and after they triumphed at the Bernabeu for the first time in 25 years, today they're asking the question - are Bayern Munich currently the best team in Europe?

It's your second helping of Champions League Takeaway for the week, looking back at all of Wednesday's action from the First Legs of the Quarter Finals!

It's your first helping of Champions League Takeaway for the week, looking back at all of Tuesday's action from the First Legs of the Quarter Finals!

Welcome back to The Truth! Sam & Dougie are back in the studio and today they're taking a look at some club stalwarts departing in the summer - and how said clubs go about finding replacements for the irreplaceable...

With the World Cup field of 48 teams now completely set, we dive into the chaos of the final playoff games and then into the now completed groups to take a look at where the different narratives and excitements are.

With this international break heralding the beginning of the sprint for home in the race for trophies and much more, we take a look at 10 players who are under pressure in different ways as we get to the business end of the season...

Welcome back to The Truth! Sam & Dougie are back in the studio and today they wade into the big debate of who should be the Premier League's Player of the Season...as well as picking the MVP from each of the other Top 5 European Leagues!

It's your second helping of Champions League Takeaway for the week, looking back at all of Wednesday's action from the Second Legs of the Round of 16!

It's your first helping of Champions League Takeaway for the week, looking back at all of Tuesday's action from the Second Legs of the Round of 16!

Welcome back to The Truth! Sam & Dougie are back in the studio and today they're taking a look from a more positive spin on this season - picking out three players each who they feel have taken a major step forward in their careers this season!

It's your second helping of Champions League Takeaway for the week, looking back at all of Wednesday's action from the First Legs of the Round of 16!

It's your first helping of Champions League Takeaway for the week, looking back at all of Tuesday's action from the First Legs of the Round of 16!

Welcome back to The Truth! Sam & Dougie are back in the studio and today they're taking a look at three teams whose seasons are on the verge of spiralling into something deeply disappointing, and the managers who might be in trouble because of them...

With 99 days to go ahead of the World Cup, we decided to take a look at the big storylines that might end up determining the direction and the history of the tournament ahead of us

Welcome back to The Truth! Sam & Dougie are back in the studio and today they're taking a look at the increased use of set pieces to score goals across the Premier League this season, and whether it has a detrimental effect on the watchability of games...

It's your second helping of Champions League Takeaway for the week, looking back at all of Wednesday's action from the Second Legs of the Playoff Round!

It's your first helping of Champions League Takeaway for the week, looking back at all of Tuesday's action from the Second Legs of the Playoff Round!

Welcome back to The Truth! Sam & Dougie are back in the studio and today they're taking a look at which clubs are the best at plucking hidden gems in each position to fulfil their needs, to sell on to the elite, and to set themselves up as top of the class...

Champions League Takeaway returns in earnest to look at the first legs of the Playoff Round, as the Knockout Stage of the competition begins with plenty of drama and plenty of goals...

A few thoughts on the incredibly grim scenes in the Benfica-Real Madrid game on Tuesday night...

Welcome back to The Truth! Sam & Dougie are back in the studio and today they're taking a look at the increased use of set pieces to score goals across the Premier League this season, and whether it has a detrimental effect on the watchability of games...

There are plenty of players who fans dub with the 'underrated' tag, but which players in the Premier League are genuinely not given the credit they deserve for what they're putting together?

Welcome back to The Truth! It's been a while, but Sam & Dougie are back refreshed and ready to go for 2026 after an extended winter break and to kick things back off we're taking a look at the questions which will define the rest of this season...

We take a look back at a relatively quiet Deadline Day and an interesting window as a whole, examining some of the best deals, some of the more bizarre ones, and some of those you may have missed.

It's your final Champions League Takeaway of the League Stage as it came to a chaotic conclusion on Wild Wednesday - headlined by more special moments for the Special One against his former club!

It's your second helping of Champions League Takeaway for the week, looking back at all of Wednesday's action from Matchday 7 - and also a broader view of the competition so far.

It's your first helping of Champions League Takeaway for the week, looking back at all of Tuesday's action from Matchday 7!

It's time for the first episode of 2026 and with the January Window now in full swing, Sam Tighe is back in Jack's absence to work through the big storylines with Dean Jones...talking not only transfers, but the big managerial changes at Chelsea and Manchester United as well!

We round 2025 off with a New Year's Special - taking Hot Takes from our loyal listeners and working through them, looking backwards at 2025 and ahead to what promises to be a very special 2026.

Welcome back to final episode of The Truth for 2025, where Sam and Dougie are discussing some of the players who might be in high demand in the January transfer window, as well as some who need a move desperately at this point in their careers...

In the words of Noddy Holder, "it's Chriiiiiiiiistmas!" and so we thought we'd take the time on this Christmas Eve to drop some presents under the trees of managers from across the biggest clubs on the European scene, for a bit of a laugh and a discussion about what they'd really want from Santa in this festive season...

Welcome back to The Truth, where Sam and Dougie are discussing the future of Xabi Alonso, which feels as up in the air as ever at Real Madrid - and where the club might go next if they were to decide on making a change...

Dean's back on Transfer Business in today's episode, looking at a variety of storylines for both players and managers in the upcoming January transfer window that might end up defining the next period of their careers, for better or for worse...

Welcome back to The Truth, where Sam and Dougie are discussing which of the non-traditional Big Six sides have the best chance of securing Champions League football this season...

It's your second helping of Champions League Takeaway for the week, looking back at all of Wednesday's action from Matchday 6!

It's your first helping of Champions League Takeaway for the week, looking back at all of Tuesday's action from Matchday 6!

Welcome back to The Truth, where Sam and Dougie are discussing Arsenal being title favourites in the Premier League, as well as looking through their nearest challengers to see if we're in for a serious title race this season in England's top flight...

With the January Transfer Window closing in fast, we take a look through the big storylines brewing in what could be a very important window for certain clubs...

Welcome back to The Truth, where Sam and Dougie are discussing the next generation of superstar midfielders emerging, analysing just how good they could end up being, and wondering about their potential futures and where they might end up...

It's your second helping of Champions League Takeaway for the week, looking back at all of Wednesday's action from Matchday 5!

It's your first helping of Champions League Takeaway for the week, looking back at all of Tuesday's action from Matchday 5!

Welcome back to The Truth, where Sam and Dougie are discussing how much of a role luck plays in the Premier League season, and how Sam's new Luck Index ranks how sides this season have fared in terms of being lucky or unlucky...

With the field now starting to look more complete for next summer's World Cup, we dissect a few of the teams with designs on winning the whole thing, and some Dark Horses who you should have your eye on to cause some upsets!

Welcome back to The Truth, where Sam and Dougie are discussing the relegation scrap in the Premier League and predicting who comes out of this smelling of roses, and who is in danger of sliding into the Championship...

As the November International Break allows us a chance for a breather, we take a look at some of the young players who have emerged as key stars for their clubs across the course of this season so far...

Welcome back to The Truth, where Sam and Dougie are discussing Real Madrid under Xabi Alonso - where a couple of big losses both domestically and abroad leave some question marks about what has been on paper a pretty sublime start so far...

It's your second helping of Champions League Takeaway for the week, looking back at all of Wednesday's action from Matchday 4!

It's your first helping of Champions League Takeaway for the week, looking back at all of Tuesday's action from Matchday 4!

Welcome back to The Truth, where Dougie and Jack are discussing Sunderland's hot start to this Premier League season - the best from a newly promoted side in 17 years. Is this too good to be true, or does it suggest the Black Cats have just got almost everything spot on?

There have been some teams punching above their weight, and others who have returned to the top table unexpectedly this season - we take a look into those sides who currently are on course for more than they expected before a ball was kicked, and whether it's sustainable

It's your second helping of Champions League Takeaway for the week, looking back at all of Wednesday's action from Matchday 3!

It's your first helping of Champions League Takeaway for the week, looking back at all of Tuesday's action from Matchday 3!