The Failed Footballer

The Socceroos are pulling massive TV audience numbers…the World Cup’s already claimed its first manager…and somehow, our Socceroos young guns might be the fastest players on the planet.  This episode, I catch up with Socceroos 2022 World Cup Qualifying hero, Andrew Redmayne - the goalkeeper who famously used his “jelly legs” technique in a penalty shootout that saw Australia through to this World Cup.   He tells us what actually goes into saving penalties at an elite level - how much of it is preparation, how much is instinct and how much of it is just luck.  We get into that Peru shootout, the mind games, and how it feels knowing you’ve literally changed football laws off the back of one moment.  We also chat the 2026 Socceroos - whether we’ll beat the USA, what needs to change tactically, and some of Redder’s favourite memories in green and gold.  Plus, a quick whip around the tournament - Tunisia have already sacked their manager Sabri Lamouchi after one game, France are looking seriously strong, Haaland’s finally off the mark and Cape Verde have just produced one of the all-time defensive shifts.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Socceroos World Cup win over Türkiye in their opening round match is one of the biggest wins in Australian soccer history. This new generation of young players is looking like the real deal.  Türkiye dominated the game with 72% possession, twice as many shots on target and endless pressure. They rattled the post and Patrick Beach had a blinder to keep the Socceroos in it. But at the end of the day Australia took their chances, and walked away with the win. So today Olan Tekkers is trying to figure out what actually happened. He's joined by ARN Sports Reporter John Bric who is there on the ground in Vancouver. They discuss that ridiculous Nestory Irankunda moment and whether Tony Popovic cooked up a tactical masterclass...and whether the Socceroos will be exposed against better teams.  Tekkers wonders if the Socceroos play against Spain or Argentina, will they survive? Then we look ahead to the Australia vs USA game and whether the Aussies should stick to a defensive set up or go harder for the win. Regardless, it was a huge win. A lot of noise. And some big questions about what comes next. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The World Cup has officially kicked off, and I’m doing what I do best: pretending I’m qualified to talk about it. First up, I'm saying it how I see it...Ronaldo is finished. I know that may upset a few people, but look - someone had to say it. Portugal are better off if he doesn't play, let alone start. In the opening game there were three red cards - were they all soft? Did VAR get it right or wrong? Then, i'm joined by Matilda's and Brighton defender Charlie Rule, who actually knows what she's talking about. We get into what World Cup pressure actually feels like when you’re the one wearing the badge, how early players start thinking about a World Cup cycle, and what separates the ones who get called up from the ones who stay there. (I must've missed the memo). Charlie gives her thoughts on which teams she thinks are built for this tournament and adds her pick to our Ultimate All-Time World Cup XI.  We also react to some truly tragic World Cup anthems that are doing the rounds right now and honestly, some of them feel like a crime. Then we throw to our sports reporter John Bric who's there in Vancouver giving us the on-the-ground vibe: the fans, the noise, the ticket prices...they are insane.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode of The Failed Footballer is what happens when World Cup fever, actual fever and a touch of delusion all collide at once. I chat to Adam Peacock, the voice of Stan Sport’s football coverage and one of the most trusted voices in Aussie football, and he immediately starts dropping wild World Cup predictions. England to win, a surprise pick for player of the tournament and how much the heat will affect the best teams. Then Santo and Ed, football commentators and hosts of the beloved World Cup Fever on SBS, rolled in to talk about the 48‑team “first actual World Cup,” the fact Santo had to Google a country, and the unbelievable stat that twelve sets of brothers are playing at this tournament - with almost half representing different nations.  I also learned the Socceroos once had a minesweeper clearing the penalty area during a WC Qualifier during the Vietnam War. Meanwhile today’s players complain about the grass being too long... We get into whether England can survive the American heat, why this Socceroos squad has something about them, and if red cards should be axed entirely (which sounds fun until you imagine Pepe with no rules). It’s football, nonsense and pure World Cup delirium as we count down to the opening game.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I failed as a footballer - my words, not yours. But that doesn't stop me from having an opinion...or a podcast. In this first episode of The Failed Footballer, I OlanTekkers kick off the World Cup with a mix of chaos, confidence and conviction. Before a ball is kicked in Canada, Mexico and the US, I lay out my predictions - who's going to win it, who's going to bag the most goals and which young star is going to be this year's James Rodríguez. I sit down with someone who did make it: Socceroos legend and A‑League head coach Mile Sterjovski. A man who’s lived the grind, the doubt, the World Cup pressure and the responsibility of guiding the next generation. Together we break down the Socceroos squad, give advice to young players, debate the tactical identity and explain what it will take to get the Socceroos out of the group stages. Finally, I throw across to my mate and ARN sports reporter John Bric, who’s flying to North America to follow every Socceroos game live. John gives us his predictions, his on‑the‑ground expectations and the wild story of how one footballer went from 4,000 followers to 3.5 million in a week (currently sitting at 4.9m). Insanity. The Failed Footballer is your front‑row seat to all the action from Canada, Mexico and the US, as we follow Australia (and England) through the group stage (fingers crossed) and beyond. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He failed as a footballer, but luckily you don't need to have made it to have an opinion. OlanTekkers knows football, and with some expert guests he takes you through the biggest stories, the best goals and all the results from this year's World Cup. This is your front‑row seat to all the action from Canada, Mexico and the US, as we follow Australia (and England) through the group stage and beyond. This show is not affiliated with FIFA or Football AustraliaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.