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00:00:01
Daily Women's Football Episode 115: Lionesses win, Japan Believe and managerial changes
7 Plays15 hours ago
Join Catherine and Georgie for a chat about the latest international window including THAT game at Wembley, Japan's triumph over the USWNT in the She Believes Cup and Matt Beard leaving Liverpool.
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Transcript
Introduction and First Collaboration
00:00:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome to Beyond the Pitch, a daily women's football podcast brought to you by the Global Sports Podcast Network. I'm Catherine and this is a really special episode because I'm joined by Georgie and we've never recorded together before.
00:00:20
Georgie
I know, how exciting.
00:00:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Georgie!
00:00:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
How are you?
00:00:23
Georgie
Finally, the stars have aligned.
00:00:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
i know.
00:00:25
Georgie
I'm splendid. How are you?
00:00:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
I am also splendid, especially after some of the things that we're going to talk about. Um...
00:00:33
Georgie
I know, it's been a good week, hasn't it? it been a good week for everyone involved.
00:00:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes.
00:00:38
Georgie
Exciting.
Podcast Topics Overview
00:00:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Apart from Carla Ward, but we'll get to that. um
00:00:42
Georgie
Oh, wow.
00:00:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
In today's podcast, we'll be talking about the international break and that game. I'm, of course, talking about Slovenia versus the Republic of Ireland. No, not. I'm talking about England and Spain.
00:00:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
um The She Believes Cup and Japan's historic win to end the US's run of She Believes titles. I think it was five in a row. And we'll finish off with the news of Matt Beard's departure from Liverpool and the news that the WSL, they're considering scrapping relegation, which seems to have come out of nowhere.
00:01:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
um
00:01:12
Georgie
Wild.
00:01:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know.
International Break Highlights
00:01:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
But let's start with the international break. So what an international break. Some massive results, some standout performances. To summarise just a few of the bigger results, England drew with Portugal 1-1 and everyone said that we'll exit the Euros at the group stage.
00:01:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Then England beat Spain and everyone said we're going to win the Euros.
00:01:32
Georgie
Yes. yes
00:01:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Scotland showed progress but had two losses ah very narrow losses it must be said one nil to Austria and then 2-1 to the Netherlands ah the Dutch drew with Germany and then narrowly beat Scotland the Republic of Ireland suffered their worst defeat in over 10 years losing 4-0 to Slovenia and a harsh welcome to international football for Carla Ward Georgie which games do you want to pick out which did you watch?
00:02:02
Georgie
Oh, all of them. I watched every single one.
00:02:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:02:05
Georgie
um No, I wish. I do wish that I um i could say as such. um I had a very busy week, so i caught I caught very little of them, but I have been trying to keep on top of the of the highlights, obviously. Love a highlight reel.
00:02:18
Georgie
um Yeah, good. Good all round, really. Obviously, I mean... Shall we just start with the elephant in the room? It's England, Spain. Come on. I have to say, i did watch bits and pieces of the England-Portugal game.
00:02:34
Georgie
Oh, oh, I say, oh, so, oh, I didn't go in with too high hopes, but come on.
00:02:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
mean, the Portugal game, the first half was really good. um It was really good. The second half, though, we just felt we just seemed fatigued, sloppy. I have a i have ah feeling that they were kind of putting everything aside for the Spain game and they were kind of conserving all their energy and saying,
00:03:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
all right, we've got this one nil at Portugal, let's just let's just cope with that and then let's just go and really put our all into Spain, which in hindsight, yeah.
00:03:09
Georgie
Yeah.
00:03:12
Georgie
Which they did.
00:03:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-mm.
Analyzing England's Strategies
00:03:15
Georgie
Yeah, yeah. But it's interesting how how it can differ so significantly without without too much change. I know there was some change in players, but not too much.
00:03:26
Georgie
Didn't look like there was a huge change in tactics either, but how the difference in performance you can get. I know it is... Yeah, I know it's it's the end of February. It's bang on the run up to the end of the season. People are tired. People are mentally trying to do stuff for their club, for their country at the same time.
00:03:42
Georgie
um But yeah, what a huge difference from the second half against Portugal to straight off the bat for Spain. It was it always looked confident, always looked convincing.
00:03:53
Georgie
um And i yeah, i'm I'm so pleased. I thought it was going to be an absolute drubbing match.
00:03:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, think I think everyone did, to be fair. And i mean, ah quite a few people I've seen online. that's People are very hesitant to compliment England.
00:04:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
They don't want England to to do well.
00:04:12
Georgie
No, especially English.
00:04:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
No one does, especially English people. yeah
00:04:15
Georgie
yeah
00:04:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
So a lot of people are saying, oh, well, Spain could have scored 10, though. And I think, well, if you're saying that they could have scored 10,
Defending Player Contributions
00:04:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
then that's not just luck when they haven't scored 10.
00:04:29
Georgie
o When they didn't exactly yet.
00:04:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's not just luck. That is a good defensive performance. And I think people tend to put a lot too much stock nowadays in because everyone wants to play possession-based, fluid attacking football. People forget that half of the game is defending.
00:04:42
Georgie
Mm-hmm. Yep.
00:04:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
And a good performance doesn't just...
00:04:44
Georgie
yep
00:04:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
The issues with Portugal, even back to Germany at Wembley, attacking-wise, that was a good performance, even if the defence was non-existent in that game.
00:04:56
Georgie
ah Yes, quite.
00:04:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:04:58
Georgie
Yeah, but no, it seemed that they it all came together and um I was pleased to see that Lucy Bronze put in a good performance because she must have been carrying that World Cup final um for a while now.
00:05:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh yeah.
00:05:12
Georgie
So go on go on, hon. Love to see it. um What else, Catherine? What have you been watching? What are your tops?
00:05:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Well, i just a couple of a couple more things on that game. I've seen quite a few people criticising Jess Naz and I listened to ian Wright and Steph Horton's podcast this morning and they kind of went in on Jess Naz a little bit.
00:05:32
Georgie
Mm.
00:05:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think there's an issue with Jess Naz because people seem to say she's not scoring, therefore she's not in form. And I think, well, that I don't think she's that kind of forward.
00:05:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't think she's there to score 10 goals. I think she's there for her pace and she tracks back.
00:05:50
Georgie
Mm.
00:05:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know we'd need to shout out Lauren James for her tracking back.
00:05:56
Georgie
Yeah.
00:05:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
But just now she also she puts in such a defensive shift. She has the pace that she can really get in behind the opponent's defence. But she also tracks back and does a really good job defensively. So I yeah, I feel like there's a bit of unfair criticism leveled at Jess Naz.
00:06:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I just wanted to say that.
00:06:12
Georgie
Yeah, fair enough. I, am yeah, I don't have any strong opinions either way, to be honest. um on on I think there is, we're still coming off the back of trying to find really a direct replacement for Ellen White, aren't we?
00:06:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Oh, yeah.
00:06:25
Georgie
Where it is out and out striker, or up the front all the time. you know, you get the ball to her in the box and she'll bang it in the net.
00:06:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:06:31
Georgie
And
00:06:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:33
Georgie
We just don't have anyone in the current setup that has that direct comparison. So yes, I think it's unfair to look at someone like Jess Naz or even Lester Russo or whoever with that same lens and maybe that's what they're doing.
00:06:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:06:44
Georgie
But um she's she's just a baby.
00:06:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah She just story.
00:06:47
Georgie
She'll be fine.
Challenges in International Football
00:06:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
She will be fine. The other game I wanted to pick out, well, there's two. One is Carla Ward, Slovenia and Republic of Ireland.
00:06:57
Georgie
mm ouch
00:06:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah I mean, what an introduction to international football.
00:07:03
Georgie
Yep.
00:07:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I mean, I don't even know what to say about it.
00:07:06
Georgie
yeah
00:07:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
I i haven't didn't watch the full game. I watched the highlights. It was just a poor performance across the pitch. You can't get away from that.
00:07:17
Georgie
Yeah, was it was it a good I didn't see this one I have to admit did was it was a good performance from Slovenia. Is there something to be said there
00:07:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes I mean I think it was kind of both that the Republic of Ireland were poor enough that they made Slovenia look good and Slovenia did play reasonably well but I mean I didn't even I didn't think there was much wrong with the tactics I know Katie McCabe was in a slightly different position than usual ah but
00:07:44
Georgie
Yeah.
00:07:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it just... ah every It's one of those games where every single player lost their individual battles. yeah It was just not a good day for that.
00:07:59
Georgie
4-0.
00:08:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:08:00
Georgie
Yeah, that's not the debut you hoped for, is it?
00:08:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
No. um And the other one I wanted to just pick up on quickly was the Netherlands and Scotland. Because the Netherlands are so weird at the moment. They...
00:08:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know if you watched back in October, November, they played the US. And the first half, they played the US off the pitch. they were No one could beat them in that half.
00:08:24
Georgie
Yep.
00:08:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah I mean, with Miedema, van der Donk, and Ward back. Of course, van der Donk now is injured, but she was then. And they just looked untouchable. as it It was and incredible.
00:08:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
And the US barely got a look in. And to do that to a team like the US s is...
00:08:42
Georgie
Yeah.
00:08:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah. But then they have these moments, like from large parts of the game against Scotland, they were 1-0 down and they they didn't seem to really push for a goal and they just seemed a bit um blunt, would be word.
00:09:02
Georgie
Mm-hmm.
00:09:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And that the same, even though they ah beat...
00:09:03
Georgie
Yep.
00:09:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Who did they beat just before? Oh, no, they drew with Germany. Yeah.
She Believes Cup and Team Performances
00:09:12
Georgie
Yep. Which is a fair result.
00:09:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
that
00:09:15
Georgie
Yep.
00:09:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
It is a good result.
00:09:16
Georgie
Yep.
00:09:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I wonder if because the head coach is leaving after the um Euros and it's a very weird situation because so Nigel de Jong is the head of the Dutch FA or director of football, something like that.
00:09:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he hasn't said why they decided not to renew his contract.
00:09:35
Georgie
Hmm, interesting.
00:09:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
There's lots of rumours. Some people are saying that the players want a more progressive coach and um there's lots of rumours that they want a female back in because of course they had Serena before and a lot of people saying they want another female head coach but then the only real female head coach who's Dutch with the UEFA Pro licence is Renee Slegers hmm hmm hmm
00:09:46
Georgie
Right. Of course.
00:09:59
Georgie
Ah, I can't have her.
00:10:04
Georgie
Interesting. Yeah, I mean, you see see quite a lot where yeah you can see countries trying to put the investment, trying to put the time to to grow their women's team and, yeah, and taking weird approaches to do it is, that I guess that's what they're trying to do because, yeah, they have had some really good results.
00:10:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
nela
00:10:22
Georgie
they had They didn't have the best run to the World Cup or or even the Euros, really.
00:10:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:10:29
Georgie
I know we're getting on to that a bit now, but um yeah, who knows? is It's interesting, though, that it is it's gone from our we must have like top tier coach and invariably that used to just um automatically go to men.
00:10:45
Georgie
And now they're like, no, it has to be.
00:10:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
want a woman.
00:10:48
Georgie
yeah Like here for it. Go on.
00:10:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, i will get this to this later, but I have a feeling, I don't know why, but I think that the Matt Beard situation is something similar. I think they want a woman.
00:11:00
Georgie
Okay, spoiler alert.
00:11:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
I will say
00:11:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah So over in the States, the She Believes Cup has been going on with four nations taking part. We've had the US, Colombia, Australia and Japan. It was a tough tournament for Australia, who lost every game and conceded quite a lot of goals.
00:11:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, a celebratory one for Japan, who lifted the trophy for the first time.
00:11:20
Georgie
Yep.
00:11:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
They beat Emma Hayes, US national team in the final game, two one to claim the win. After a dominant tournament, saw them score 10 goals and concede only two. So have you seen any of the games or highlights from that one?
00:11:38
Georgie
I've seen some highlights, yeah, and I have to say, very impressed by Japan.
00:11:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:11:43
Georgie
ah They looked great the whole time. um i mean, obviously, got off to a got off to a great start by smashing Australia 4-0 in the past.
00:11:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank yeah
00:11:55
Georgie
shot So shocked. You just throw things on the floor. um Yeah, 4-0 in the first game.
00:11:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:12:01
Georgie
um I did not see that coming against Australia. I i probably would have said, i i didn't really think about it, but i probably went in being like, Japan are the favourites to that game. But 4-0 favourites, you know, that's um that's not what we expected. I feel like, yeah, the um the Australia team has just been getting stronger and stronger and that was not...
00:12:20
Georgie
The whole tournament was not a strong performance from Australia at all Something has gone has gone awry there.
00:12:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
no
00:12:27
Georgie
um
00:12:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
mean, how long have Australia been without a permanent head coach for now? Must be nearly a year.
00:12:35
Georgie
is it? Well, it's starting to show if it's been that long because, um yeah, they need some structure.
00:12:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:12:42
Georgie
they need They need a purpose. It just felt like a lot the time they're just running around, individual players playing individual games,
00:12:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:12:51
Georgie
nothing Nothing really fitting together at all. um i know that they did get one goal against Colombia. That's it.
00:13:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
the only goal they scored, I think, in the tournament. I'm not sure. Mm-hmm.
00:13:04
Georgie
Yep, I think that was, I think that is that is right. um Came from Hayley Rasso. um But yeah, sorry Australia, didn't do it for me. um USA, yeah, you know, I am i'm somewhat invested with the with Emma Hayes, um having a look, and it looked like she was trying a lot of, she was using the the tournament for what it's for, right, to try different things, and um different formations and see see what sticks a again against top tier other teams um and she did that I didn't didn't pull off that well did it but don't blame her looked good still could it could have worked there was just few things that fell apart and
00:13:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, could.
00:13:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
don't know. I mean, when I think of Emma Hayes, the one thing that I've kind of loved about her Chelsea team and her US team at the Olympics is that she has really has the knack of getting the wins even with really average performances. Like Chelsea last season, i remember lots of 1-0s and the performances not being...
00:14:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
anything spectacular, but but always coming off with that win.
00:14:14
Georgie
Yep.
00:14:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I just think this tournament, yes, I think absolutely she was using it to introduce younger players. However, just one interesting stat for you, because I love stats, that's my thing.
00:14:27
Georgie
Love a stat.
00:14:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
England starting 11 against Spain was actually younger in average age than the US is against Japan.
00:14:32
Georgie
Huh. That is a fun stat.
00:14:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, which I just find interesting because there's a narrative that
00:14:37
Georgie
Thank you.
00:14:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
the US for using the she-believes to introduce younger players. There's also a narrative that um England pick favourites and only start with older players. We actually had a younger
00:14:52
Georgie
Yeah, interesting. yeah ah that but Yeah. I mean, you've got me there. What can I say? I'll shut up. But I think maybe yeah maybe not just younger, but like less experienced.
00:15:05
Georgie
I don't know.
00:15:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes, I think that's it.
00:15:06
Georgie
i don't know. Yeah.
00:15:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think that's it. I think that's what Japan have done really well. i was looking at their team and looking at that squad that played against the old the starting 11 that played against the US.
00:15:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Many of the key players in that team under 25, Maika Hamano, Fugino Nagano, Yui Hasegawa is only 28. So she's still likely to be going for the 27 World
Competitive Gap in Women's Football
00:15:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
cup as is Yamashita.
00:15:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
She's only 30. For a goalkeeper, she may still be going then. 27 World Cup going to be interesting.
00:15:36
Georgie
Oh yeah.
00:15:40
Georgie
Oh, yeah, definitely. ah Yeah. And I think, yeah, with with the international break with the Nations League friendlies, qualifiers, whatever, whatever just happens, you know what? No idea.
00:15:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Even Leah Williamson said on the She's a Baller interviewed her after the match.
00:15:50
Georgie
no idea what's going on.
00:15:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
She was like, I know the Nations League important for something, but I couldn't tell you what.
00:15:58
Georgie
Nobody knows. ah think you might qualify for something.
00:16:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes.
00:16:01
Georgie
um Well, the Olympics, famously. But anyway, let's not talk about that.
00:16:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:16:05
Georgie
um the um the The gap is closing, right? The gap is closing between between what's ju traditionally been you know the the higher, more skilled, more...
00:16:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:16:15
Georgie
whatever nations um Slovenia is beating Republic of Ireland Japan is well they've always been a top team but to beat USA probably wouldn't have had that going um Colombia even i mean yeah I haven't really touched on them yet good for them I mean they had a fantastic World Cup as well so it's um not super surprising but it's good to see them continue to compete
00:16:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know. Yeah.
00:16:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:16:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:16:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. And I think you can see that with the Nations League scores that we've had over the past week or so. Very, I mean, apart from Slovenia, not many really big score lines. It's been close, two ones, three ones, a few draws.
00:16:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
um The gap is closing.
00:16:58
Georgie
Yep.
00:17:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think with Portugal as well, people forget they had a really good World Cup. They've been on the up. um They have some very talented players, as we have found out.
Talent Retention Challenges
00:17:11
Georgie
Yes.
00:17:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, yeah, I did want to point out one player for the US was Lily Johannes, who plays for Ajax. She's half Dutch. I think she was born in the US, lived in the US until she was 10 and then moved over to the Netherlands.
00:17:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I watched the Eredivisie quite a lot. I've seen her with Ajax. She is brilliant.
00:17:32
Georgie
Mm.
00:17:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
But my question is, with her now kelly playing quite a prominent role for the US national team, for the good of the Eredivisie, what length should Ajax be going to keep her, knowing that they tend to be a league where all the big players, Jill Ward, Vivian Miedema, start there and then move forward?
00:17:52
Georgie
yeah
00:17:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I think they should be doing everything possible to keep her in the Eredwiese, if not at Ajax.
00:18:00
Georgie
Yeah, interesting. Interesting take. um
00:18:04
Georgie
Yeah, they should. but i mean, you think of the European women's leagues and you think of what the competitive ones and... um Eredivisie is not the one that comes for first to to mind, is it? um And yeah, if they want to become a competitive league, if they want to become a destination for um top level elite female players to to come and play, then yeah, they need to keep her. They need to use her as a, you know, like a showcase for what's possible, for what can be achieved and that it is a top place that you can play and and stay at that top level.
00:18:41
Georgie
Will they be able to do so? it's it's not I'm not entirely certain.
00:18:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Not when child C exists.
00:18:47
Georgie
Well, quite, they're just snapping everyone up. But there's also you know it is ah is a good it's a good question for Lillian for anyone who's playing in those, in the in the smaller inverted commas leagues. The lesser known um is, you know,
00:19:05
Georgie
Do you want to be the star player of the Eredivisie or do you want to be on the bench for Chelsea? And I guess, do you know what, some people do want to be the star.
00:19:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:19:12
Georgie
If you if she's still getting the game time, she's she likes she likes the culture there, she likes the team, she likes the people she plays with and she's getting to play for the US national team as well. Why not stay there?
00:19:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:19:24
Georgie
Depends what you're looking for.
00:19:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
I completely agree. Stay there, Lily. We would love to keep you in Europe.
Zencastr Promotional Segment
00:19:31
Georgie
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00:19:47
Georgie
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Matt Beard's Departure from Liverpool
00:19:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Our last topic. So on Thursday, Liverpool announced that Matt Beard would leave Liverpool immediately and assistant Amber Whiteley would take charge on an interim basis.
00:20:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
little bit of context for ah Liverpool. They've won four of their six games in 2025, losing to Manchester City and Leicester. They've scored 11 goals and conceded seven, four of which came against Manchester City.
00:20:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
They're seventh in the WSL. They're still in the FA Cup. They face Arsenal. very soon on the 9th of March. So like, what's your take on this? I was flabbergasted.
00:20:29
Georgie
ah Yeah, i am i was so surprised when I said, yeah, it popped off on the group chat, didn't it? And I was like, pardon? what why is
00:20:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:20:37
Georgie
It makes no sense at all to me whatsoever. i i you know You just listing off those things just now, you're like, okay, if you'd ask me where they are, I might have said probably higher than seventh of the table um because I felt they've actually been having a really strong season.
00:20:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:20:52
Georgie
Maybe they've had some um results go not go their way that maybe I thought just assumed that they did and maybe that's where they slipped. But still, seventh... is not bad.
00:21:03
Georgie
It's a very strong position to be in. um They're only just below Tottenham. You've got Brighton and then you've got the top four that you'd expect. That's a very strong position to be in for the WSL with the team that they have. I know that they've lost a few of their key players as well. So I i really, I think Matt Beer's been doing a great job. I'm...
00:21:24
Georgie
shocked what's gone on there and also the word immediately not at the end of the season not after the fa cup or what immediately what has gone on
00:21:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
me too yes man
00:21:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah I mean that's my question why not wait until after this big Arsenal game. Why put your team in a position where they don't know who their permanent head coach is going into a massive game like that?
00:21:43
Georgie
yeah
00:21:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's just...
00:21:49
Georgie
yeah
00:21:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Besides that, Liverpool, they have a big name, but they don't have a big budget. Certainly nothing compared to Chelsea, Arsenal, even, well, Man City.
00:21:55
Georgie
next
00:22:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
So why they getting rid of the manager? It feels like they're just putting the kind of... the league position wanting to be top four we're not top four we're going to blame the manager and yet the investment hasn't been there to support him
00:22:15
Georgie
yeah if you're going to Yeah, if you're not going to back your managers with finances, with you know or at least trust to do over multiple seasons, then what are you there for? um What's he expected to do i'm I'm really...
00:22:32
Georgie
I really wondered I wish that they could tell us what they expected of him what what has he not done what were what more did they want from him that he has not delivered this season which part of me does make me wonder you know and i haven't seen any press releases from Liverpool the club so they they might have already done this but it's like what are the reasonings is it something more sinister is it a hashtag me too
00:22:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
hmm
00:22:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, all they have kind of said, i looked at ah the statement, all they really said was that they feel like it's the best decision for the team running forward. Their first announcement said Liverpool Football Club can confirm that Matt Beard will leave his post as manager with immediate effect.
00:23:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then they went back, um they said a bit more... I'm just trying to find this, what they said.
00:23:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
um i mean, they've been very nice about him. There's lots of posts on social media wishing you all the best for the future, ah sharing highlight reels.
00:23:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
It doesn't seem like there's anything sinister.
00:23:40
Georgie
Yeah.
00:23:43
Georgie
no
00:23:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:23:44
Georgie
No, I haven't seen anything like that. it just, it really does feel that odd and that sudden, you know? um Obviously, I hope not. So I'm salacious.
00:23:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
No. And
00:23:55
Georgie
And it probably is just a business decision for whatever reason that might be. But what weird.
00:23:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think you're right as well.
00:24:00
Georgie
Weird.
00:24:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Immediately, whenever coaches are released immediately, I think, well, there must be something that they're doing that's actually kind of having a negative impact on the team that they need to be let go straight away.
00:24:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:24:12
Georgie
Yeah. or you know, a board decision has been made and he's, he disagrees, you know, breakdown of communications, breakdown of trust, has he told them just to where to put it because they're trying to make him do something ah he doesn't want to do.
00:24:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah, yeah. yeah
00:24:26
Georgie
his Yeah.
00:24:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean he was not on my bingo card for the first managerial change of the 2025 I have to have admit Gareth Taylor was
00:24:34
Georgie
Right, yeah. Yeah, well, yeah, I've been still clinging on.
00:24:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
know yeah
00:24:38
Georgie
Yeah, I mean, you could have even used, you could have waited for Arsenal to, you know... ah i've i've seen I've been there and I've sat there not that long ago. Was it the start of this season or the start of last?
00:24:49
Georgie
um At the Emirates, Liverpool beat Arsenal 1-0 and Arsenal were clueless.
00:24:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:24:54
Georgie
So it's not even... I was about to say, just wait for the Arsenal game, lose terribly, and then use that as an excuse to sack him, right? Yeah.
00:25:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
well At least get that game out the way.
00:25:05
Georgie
Yeah, but there's no guarantee, you know, they'll probably they'll probably put on a great performance and Arsenal will be in trouble um now now that this has happened.
00:25:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:25:13
Georgie
But we're weird, weird, weird, weird.
00:25:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
My question is, they're not saying anything, but it's a very similar situation than we have with the Netherlands where, I mean, Andries Jönkren wasn't dismissed. They just decided not to renew him.
00:25:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
But that seat has come as a surprise because he's done fairly well um over the past couple of years. i mean, yes, they had a disappointing World Cup run, but they had a host of injuries. Jill Ward, Vivian Miedema being out, ah Daniel van der Donk as well.
00:25:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
So he's done okay, I think, given the circumstances. But that came as a shock because the KMVB essentially gave no reason and they're refusing to give reasons.
00:25:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
They just say, no, we're not telling you why.
00:25:55
Georgie
No, that's it.
00:25:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah But the big rumour there is they want a female coach.
00:25:57
Georgie
Oh, the secrecy.
00:26:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I just wonder if, because there's been quite a few noises around the number of female coaches we have in the game, in the WSL.
00:26:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
And the Netherlands have, well, they haven't said it, but the rumour there is that they want another, they want a Serena Vigman 2.0 is what they say.
00:26:10
Georgie
Yep.
00:26:18
Georgie
Don't we all? Don't we all?
00:26:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm saying you're not having her back. people
00:26:24
Georgie
No, quite.
00:26:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But Yeah
00:26:27
Georgie
Well, we'll see what what happens to Liverpool for the rest of the season. Hopefully they still have a good run in it.
00:26:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah ah Last thing wanted to talk about ah new thing today They're talking about relegations Being scrapped for the WSL Where's this come from?
00:26:43
Georgie
Yeah.
00:26:46
Georgie
Where has this come? The same place as the sacking of Matt Beard, I think.
00:26:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
The same place as Matt Beard
00:26:50
Georgie
Completely...
WSL Relegation Proposal Discussion
00:26:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah
00:26:53
Georgie
Completely... completely
00:26:59
Georgie
I don't know what the word is, bonkers, absolutely bonkers, if in in my opinion.
00:27:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
but
00:27:03
Georgie
um i know that they're touting it, you know, they they want it to, um you know, increase the profile, sustainability and profitability of women's football, it says, um and to expand...
00:27:15
Georgie
the WSL and the Championship. It's like, okay, yeah, cool. Expand the WSL and the Championship. Absolutely fully on board. But you have to fund those clubs correctly in order to allow for that expansion.
00:27:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:27:30
Georgie
And also the whole point of relegation and and promotion is to promote the profitability and um stature of the of the game by increasing competition.
00:27:41
Georgie
If you've just got the same teams playing each other week in, week out, year in, year out, with no threat of loss of money or funding or status or whatever, what are you playing for?
00:27:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Exactly.
00:27:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
And
00:27:54
Georgie
What's the point?
00:27:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
also, like, the championship has become incredibly competitive, and I think that's because they're all vying for promotion.
00:27:58
Georgie
Hmm.
00:28:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
The top clubs, Birmingham City, London City, Lioness, as they say, their aim is to become a WSL team. They shouldn't just be handed that.
00:28:08
Georgie
Yeah.
00:28:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's a great thing for the championship that it's become so competitive.
00:28:14
Georgie
Absolutely. And you'll just.
00:28:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
What happens their motivation when there's no promotion? They're just like, okay, well, we'll just stay here.
00:28:22
Georgie
Yeah, exactly. And it will just it will all it will settle out. You'll have. you'll have whoever's top of the championship right now, which I should know, but I don't. And they'll sit there, you know, and they'll just be top of the championship for the rest of their lives. it's like, well, now what? What's going to happen there?
00:28:36
Georgie
um You know, get all those like wonderful stories of, you you see, seeing Palace come up this season and seeing, you know, the Reddings and the Birminghams go up and down.
00:28:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
I
00:28:47
Georgie
And it's like, yeah, you, that's what you want. And you want to, you see it in the men's game. You see, you you know, your Wrexhams, which is an extreme example, but their ability to climb so quickly, and so highly, so quickly, that's what
Episode Conclusion and Banter
00:29:00
Georgie
you want to see. you don't want to just see the same people stuck or indeed fall.
00:29:04
Georgie
Stoke, I'm looking at you. You know, I'm, yeah, I'm, ah I, you poor, poor guys.
00:29:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Poor Profters.
00:29:10
Georgie
Yeah. This is what you want to see. This is what makes the WSL, this is what makes the championship, what makes all the the national leagues. This is what makes English football exciting, competitive.
00:29:24
Georgie
Yeah. I don't know.
00:29:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
don't do it don't do it don't do it but what a good place to end on just saying don't do it please well it's been a pleasure um where can people find you online
00:29:27
Georgie
Don't do it, WSL. Don't do it.
00:29:37
Georgie
Absolutely. Indeed.
00:29:44
Georgie
and ah somewhere somewhere have somewhere over the rainbow oh yeah
00:29:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Somewhere. Or somewhere.
00:29:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Somewhere. I'm still at Wembley. That's where I am. I'm still at Wembley as the goal against Spain went in, and that moment. I'm going to live in that moment for a while.
00:30:02
Georgie
beautiful we can all hold we can all hold that moment
00:30:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, I was in the press area and you're not allowed or you're not supposed to be supporting either team, you know, obviously. But then when that goal went in, half the press area couldn't help it. We all just went, yay!
00:30:20
Georgie
ha Yes, right. Yeah, he can't can't stay neutral.
00:30:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like, you couldn't help it. You had to. What game? All right. Well, we'll see you all next time. you all? ah Welcome you all next time to the next episode of Beyond the Pitch.