Give Him Some MO!

[00:00:00] Pep's lost 5 in a row, Liverpool march on to the top of the table and the Amirim era has begun at Man United.

[00:00:06] Welcome to The Corner Flag, I'm Amogh.

[00:00:08] And I'm Rishi.

[00:00:16] Welcome to The Corner Flag everybody and welcome to The Corner Flag.

[00:00:19] All the way from Singapore, my dear friend Rishi Budrani.

[00:00:23] How's it going my man?

[00:00:24] What's going on man? Thanks for having me Amogh.

[00:00:26] So good to connect with you again after such a long time man.

[00:00:29] Absolutely.

[00:00:30] It's always great to connect after Liverpool has just won.

[00:00:33] I love coming out of the woods.

[00:00:37] My team has just won man.

[00:00:39] Yeah, no that is precisely the reason why I wanted you here.

[00:00:44] Not because nobody else was available.

[00:00:48] I know right?

[00:00:49] I mean I had to, I finished looking all over India and then I had to go all the way to Singapore to be like

[00:00:54] Is there anybody who's free?

[00:00:56] Alright Rishi, Liverpool fan, cool, come on, let's go.

[00:00:58] Bro, I mean I'm taking time out specifically from finishing up my wallpaper.

[00:01:03] You know I had one patch left and you're like

[00:01:06] Hey Rishi, will you be on the show with me?

[00:01:08] I'm like okay, you know I'll finish this up later.

[00:01:10] But that can wait.

[00:01:11] It looks like that patch on your wall is walking alone.

[00:01:15] It is.

[00:01:16] Oh wow, wow.

[00:01:18] We're going there huh?

[00:01:19] Yeah, we're going there.

[00:01:20] See those are the small joys that me as a Man United fan have to deal with.

[00:01:24] There's very little that gives us joy and happiness these days.

[00:01:28] Even with a new manager.

[00:01:30] Are these the jokes of the new era?

[00:01:32] Yeah.

[00:01:33] These are the jokes of the new era that have been the jokes of the previous eras.

[00:01:37] All the way up till Van Gaal and Moez.

[00:01:40] So these jokes keep getting recycled.

[00:01:43] It just never ends.

[00:01:44] It's the same old story.

[00:01:46] All the time.

[00:01:48] You know I feel there is hope.

[00:01:50] Don't worry.

[00:01:51] I feel there is hope for the devils yet.

[00:01:55] Yeah.

[00:01:56] Don't be too upset about it.

[00:01:59] You know maybe the good times will come back.

[00:02:00] Maybe the theater of dreams.

[00:02:02] I'm sorry.

[00:02:03] I can't even say it with a straight face.

[00:02:04] Yeah you can't.

[00:02:05] I'm trying so hard.

[00:02:06] I'm trying so hard to go like.

[00:02:09] It could you know.

[00:02:10] It could.

[00:02:11] Yeah.

[00:02:12] The thing is.

[00:02:13] It's been what.

[00:02:15] Seven.

[00:02:16] Eight years.

[00:02:16] Maybe.

[00:02:16] I don't even know.

[00:02:17] Ten years.

[00:02:18] It just feels like an eternity.

[00:02:20] The hope is lost Rishi.

[00:02:21] The hope is all gone.

[00:02:23] It's not there anymore.

[00:02:25] And very frankly speaking.

[00:02:27] All the United fans are going to be listening to this and watching this.

[00:02:29] It's the hope that kills you.

[00:02:31] It's right.

[00:02:31] We mentioned that in the previous episode.

[00:02:33] Absolutely spot on.

[00:02:35] Hope kills you.

[00:02:35] Don't hope.

[00:02:36] It's not worth it.

[00:02:37] Are you one of those fans who feels like you need to be watching the game?

[00:02:43] Or do you have some kind of superstition?

[00:02:45] Like no no no.

[00:02:45] If I watch then we're going to lose.

[00:02:48] Or I have to watch and therefore we're going to win.

[00:02:50] Funny enough right.

[00:02:51] Like a lot of times this has happened where I haven't watched a United game.

[00:02:55] And they've won like 3-0, 4-0 whatever.

[00:02:59] Absolute decisive victories.

[00:03:01] And there are times when I watch after those games.

[00:03:04] I'm like okay cool.

[00:03:05] I have some time now.

[00:03:06] I'll watch.

[00:03:06] They're playing well as well.

[00:03:08] And they'll lose.

[00:03:09] There are times when I've missed the first half and they've been winning.

[00:03:13] And then I've started watching in the second half.

[00:03:14] And they've let in three goals.

[00:03:16] So I feel like me watching United is definitely a problem.

[00:03:20] Causing them to lose.

[00:03:22] Yeah.

[00:03:22] And I'm sorry.

[00:03:23] I'm sorry United fans.

[00:03:26] But no matter how much I try to switch off.

[00:03:28] I just can't.

[00:03:29] For some reason I just cannot.

[00:03:31] Yeah man.

[00:03:32] Maybe it's about letting go.

[00:03:34] You know what I'm saying?

[00:03:34] Yeah.

[00:03:35] I mean no disrespect to the United fans man.

[00:03:37] Just let the team play man.

[00:03:39] Just detach.

[00:03:39] I completely detach myself.

[00:03:41] It's okay.

[00:03:41] If they lose, they lose.

[00:03:42] If they win, they win.

[00:03:43] It's all good.

[00:03:45] But we'll get to United in detail in a bit.

[00:03:48] We shall start off with your team Rishi.

[00:03:51] Southampton, which is also for a long time has been termed as Liverpool B-side.

[00:03:56] Because of the sheer number of players that you have picked out from their squad.

[00:04:03] Rescued.

[00:04:04] Rescued is the right word.

[00:04:07] But Southampton gave Liverpool a bit of a scare, man.

[00:04:11] They're in the relegation zone, Southampton.

[00:04:12] They're not really playing well.

[00:04:14] They're probably definitely going to go down.

[00:04:16] But they gave Liverpool a scare.

[00:04:18] Were they bottom of the table at the start of the game?

[00:04:21] Yeah.

[00:04:21] They were, right?

[00:04:22] Yeah.

[00:04:22] Yeah.

[00:04:23] So, when I was seeing some of the action that was going on, you know, I think, first of all, Liverpool fans have become so cocky.

[00:04:33] I mean, I say that about myself and all my people that we've started calling it slot ball.

[00:04:38] You know what I'm saying?

[00:04:39] That's how much we believe in the football that Arna Slott is actually playing with the boys there.

[00:04:46] Yeah.

[00:04:47] But I think the new style of play lends itself a little bit more to these kind of gaps in the back to let, you know, some of these things go through, right?

[00:04:56] Yeah.

[00:04:56] Which was very different than how Klopp used to play, which was like a high press that you don't give the opponent a chance to breathe.

[00:05:02] Yeah.

[00:05:02] I think with Slott's football, there's a bit more intricacy to it and maybe that opens the players up to a bit of vulnerability.

[00:05:12] Right.

[00:05:12] I think Southampton, and make no mistake, they played good football, I think, Southampton.

[00:05:17] The two goals they scored were, I mean, the first goal that Armstrong scored was actually very good, I thought.

[00:05:22] Yeah.

[00:05:22] Yeah.

[00:05:23] But the problem is, you know, with Southampton, what I've realized is this season and under Russell Martin, they're very dogmatic about the kind of football that they want to play.

[00:05:33] And we saw that with the companies Burnley also when they had that one season back in, which is they wanted to play out from the back.

[00:05:40] They wanted to play one touch, two touch football and all that is great.

[00:05:43] Philosophically, all that's great.

[00:05:44] But when you are a team that has just been promoted to the Premier League, it's not going to work out because you just don't have the players for it.

[00:05:51] And you don't have the players who can match up to that level of the Premier League yet.

[00:05:54] It's not like you'll never have it.

[00:05:56] You'll have to build to it.

[00:05:57] But you can't just go from dominating the championship with a certain style of football and expecting that same style to work in the Premier League.

[00:06:05] And that's exactly what's happening with Southampton as well.

[00:06:08] Credit to the coach, he's very, very sure about the type of football he wants to play and he's sticking to it.

[00:06:14] But at what cost?

[00:06:15] Because it's definitely going to, you know, cause Southampton to be relegated.

[00:06:20] I mean, I don't know if there's a turnaround coming, but yeah, it seems a little bleak.

[00:06:26] We're 12 games in now? 13 games?

[00:06:30] It was a good performance from the outfield players of Southampton.

[00:06:36] I thought, but oh my God, Alex McCarthy and goal had a nightmare.

[00:06:40] Like his positioning was all over the place.

[00:06:43] Even for like Salah's goal, there's no reason why he should have charged.

[00:06:47] He missed a few punches when he went up for corners.

[00:06:49] It was just, he was just not in it.

[00:06:52] You know, the first, I think in the first waves of attack, he was making some good saves and you kind of felt like,

[00:06:58] oh, okay, is he going to frustrate Liverpool tonight?

[00:07:00] And then very quickly that changed, you're right.

[00:07:02] Like focus might have been issue.

[00:07:06] That penalty on the other end though.

[00:07:09] Did you see, I think Robertson was the one who gave it away, right?

[00:07:12] Yeah.

[00:07:14] So, and this has come to a new level in the Premier League now, right?

[00:07:18] The performances of the acting have reached new levels now, you know?

[00:07:25] They're just like, what?

[00:07:26] No, I didn't know.

[00:07:28] Outside.

[00:07:29] Ref was outside.

[00:07:30] The guy with a straight face can tackle the fella, like, you know, bring him down,

[00:07:35] like at least a yard off from the penalty box and goes like,

[00:07:38] what ref was outside?

[00:07:38] What are you doing?

[00:07:39] Come on.

[00:07:40] Forcing the ref to go and VAR this shit.

[00:07:43] I mean, it was clear.

[00:07:44] But yeah, I mean, to me, I found that really funny because they are obviously playing a very different game,

[00:07:49] you know?

[00:07:51] Traditionally, Premier League hasn't been so whatever.

[00:07:53] It's been more clear cut, in my opinion at least.

[00:07:55] Yeah, yeah.

[00:07:56] No, and the thing is, it's also, players need to realize that VAR exists and there's so many cameras,

[00:08:02] like even outside of VR, even if VR was not a thing.

[00:08:05] We are currently in 2024.

[00:08:07] Broadcast has never been better.

[00:08:09] Like we can see if we choose, if we, the audience, the fans choose that we want this,

[00:08:15] I'm sure all these broadcasters will shove cameras up people's noses.

[00:08:21] Like you can see every nostril hair of every player if you want that kind of detail.

[00:08:26] You're not going to get away with these random decisions.

[00:08:30] Well, you know, while that is 100% true, I agree with you.

[00:08:34] And you know, even if, let's say your broadcast cameras fail, you've got 40,000, 50,000 fans.

[00:08:39] Everybody's got their mobile phone on at any point in time, you know, from a different angle.

[00:08:44] But I don't know if you recall this incident.

[00:08:46] I want to say it was in a World Cup qualifier.

[00:08:49] I think, did it happen to India?

[00:08:51] India's team versus Qatar?

[00:08:56] I stand corrected, but it was a World Cup qualifier.

[00:08:58] And I think the ball had clearly gone out of place.

[00:09:00] Yes.

[00:09:01] On the byline.

[00:09:02] India-Katar.

[00:09:03] Right?

[00:09:03] Yeah.

[00:09:04] And the ref didn't call it.

[00:09:05] The multiple cameras didn't call it.

[00:09:07] The goal stood.

[00:09:08] Yeah.

[00:09:09] So sometimes, I mean, okay, I don't know.

[00:09:11] There's a lot of claims there, you know, allegations of corruption and all that.

[00:09:14] But maybe, maybe, I mean, I think the Premier League is beyond all that.

[00:09:18] But you never know, right?

[00:09:20] Sometimes, like sometimes, the psychology of the moment, you can sway.

[00:09:24] People still think they can do that, right?

[00:09:26] Yeah.

[00:09:26] Still get hope.

[00:09:28] Actors gonna act.

[00:09:29] That's the thing.

[00:09:30] Footballers gonna try and get whatever advantage that they're gonna get.

[00:09:34] Can I tell a true story about a...

[00:09:36] Oh, sorry to interrupt.

[00:09:37] No, no.

[00:09:37] Go for it.

[00:09:37] Go for it.

[00:09:38] I recently played in my first Open tournament after years.

[00:09:42] Okay.

[00:09:43] For those of you who are interested, this is called the Sindhi Soccer tournament in Singapore.

[00:09:47] Oh, foo-foo-foo-foo.

[00:09:49] Is that a very, very niche group of people?

[00:09:56] Or is that like...

[00:09:57] You mean Sindhi's playing football?

[00:10:00] Yeah.

[00:10:00] Because Singapore is not the biggest country in the world.

[00:10:05] It is quite a small country.

[00:10:07] You can...

[00:10:07] I feel like...

[00:10:08] I've been there and I feel like I can walk from one end of the country to the other.

[00:10:12] I wouldn't be able to.

[00:10:13] Yeah, you could.

[00:10:14] Yeah.

[00:10:15] Theoretically, you could, right?

[00:10:16] So, there's that.

[00:10:18] Then there's the Indian population in Singapore.

[00:10:21] Then there's the Sindhi population within the Indian population in Singapore.

[00:10:25] Then there's the Sindhi population that plays football.

[00:10:27] Yeah.

[00:10:28] So, it was a great tournament for all 12 of us.

[00:10:32] You know, it was...

[00:10:35] What is it?

[00:10:35] Three a side?

[00:10:37] Three a side.

[00:10:38] Oh, man.

[00:10:39] And you just have to hit a cone.

[00:10:41] That's all.

[00:10:42] No, no.

[00:10:43] Okay.

[00:10:43] So, in the family, right?

[00:10:45] Ever since I was a kid, this has been a tournament we look forward to every year.

[00:10:48] Like my cousins and all will come together and we have a team name.

[00:10:51] We're called the Lolos.

[00:10:53] Okay.

[00:10:53] Please elaborate on the etymology of that team name.

[00:10:57] If you're a fan of this very old Hollywood film called Race the Sun, they had this Hawaiian...

[00:11:07] It was based on a true story of the Hawaiian solar car team.

[00:11:11] It was a high school.

[00:11:12] A Hawaiian high school that sent a team of students to compete in Australia for the World Solar Car Championships.

[00:11:20] Okay.

[00:11:20] And the underdogs, so to speak, in that community were called the Lolos.

[00:11:27] Okay.

[00:11:28] So, my cousin, who was the captain of the team, he went, you know, we are the underdogs.

[00:11:32] Nobody expects us to win.

[00:11:33] You know, we are a bunch of middle class poor people from Badok.

[00:11:37] A neighborhood in Singapore.

[00:11:39] Yeah.

[00:11:39] So, you know, we're going to show all these rich Sindhis with their businesses and their overseas education that, you know, we can kick the ass at football.

[00:11:48] So, that was the whole...

[00:11:49] That is the etymology of the term.

[00:11:51] Okay.

[00:11:51] Okay.

[00:11:52] So, recently I came back after many years now.

[00:11:55] It's all changed.

[00:11:56] I'm past 40.

[00:11:57] I'm not supposed to be playing in the open category.

[00:11:59] But, you know, my boys convinced me like, come on now.

[00:12:01] You can do this.

[00:12:02] Come, come.

[00:12:03] So, we're in a quarterfinal match, right?

[00:12:06] Right.

[00:12:06] And this is what happened, right?

[00:12:09] I'm the centre-back.

[00:12:10] All right.

[00:12:10] The last man at this point.

[00:12:11] Right.

[00:12:12] The striker has the ball and my keeper has rushed out.

[00:12:17] Okay.

[00:12:17] My keeper has rushed out and instinctively, I go and cover the goal.

[00:12:21] Yeah.

[00:12:22] I go and cover the goal.

[00:12:23] Yeah.

[00:12:23] Striker sees the keeper out.

[00:12:25] He plays it down hard to the left.

[00:12:29] I dive and save the ball with my hand on the line.

[00:12:33] I take a call.

[00:12:34] Right.

[00:12:34] It was clear for me.

[00:12:36] It was clear for my team.

[00:12:38] Yeah.

[00:12:39] But, for some reason, the spectators in the crowd were like, ref, come on.

[00:12:45] It hit his chest.

[00:12:46] It hit his chest.

[00:12:48] Because the ref immediately started pulling out a red card.

[00:12:51] Yeah.

[00:12:51] And I just didn't say a word.

[00:12:53] I let the fans argue with the ref.

[00:12:58] So, it's my players arguing with the ref.

[00:13:00] And then the fans going, ah, ah, ah.

[00:13:02] And in the end, the ref gives me a yellow and a penalty.

[00:13:05] I'm like, wow.

[00:13:08] You got away with non-literal murder there in football.

[00:13:11] Horrible.

[00:13:12] It was horrible.

[00:13:13] It was.

[00:13:15] If Leo DiCaprio was there, Scorsese was there, they would be like, get this guy.

[00:13:20] Get this guy.

[00:13:22] The sequel to Irishman called Sindiman.

[00:13:27] Oh, man.

[00:13:28] Horrible, man.

[00:13:29] Fantastic.

[00:13:29] Yeah, I just wanted to share that because, you know, we're talking about penalties and

[00:13:32] acting and all that.

[00:13:33] Yeah, yeah.

[00:13:33] No, but it was Salah also who ended up scoring a penalty on the other end.

[00:13:40] His first goal also was an Alex McCarthy error, I felt, which is the error that I was

[00:13:45] pointing out where he rushed for the ball when there was no reason to.

[00:13:49] But Salah is in a bit of a weird space with Liverpool, man, Rishi.

[00:13:53] Because there has been talk about his contract extension for a while since the season began.

[00:13:59] That's been, you know, a topic of discussion.

[00:14:04] They were not sure how they were going to carry on with Arne Slott, but clearly things are

[00:14:08] going really well.

[00:14:09] The player seems to be very happy.

[00:14:11] However, after the Southampton game, when the players were leaving, Mong Salah comes

[00:14:16] out and on his way to the bus, he reacts to some journalists who are standing by the

[00:14:22] bus and he willingly goes up to them.

[00:14:25] And he starts talking to them and starts answering their questions.

[00:14:29] And obviously, one of the first questions that they ask is what is up with the contract situation?

[00:14:33] And what he had to say was really interesting, but also very scary for Liverpool fans because

[00:14:39] he said, oh, it's December and I haven't got any offers yet.

[00:14:42] So I don't know.

[00:14:43] Are you disappointed?

[00:14:44] Yes, I'm disappointed because I give my all for the club.

[00:14:47] I love it here.

[00:14:48] I love the club.

[00:14:49] I love the fans.

[00:14:49] But it's not up to me or the fans.

[00:14:51] It's up to the people at the club to decide.

[00:14:53] So we'll see.

[00:14:57] Man, I would miss him, bro.

[00:14:58] I would miss...

[00:14:59] I think the team will miss Salah if he does actually move.

[00:15:04] Yeah.

[00:15:05] I don't know what's taking so long with the renewal of the contract.

[00:15:08] I know there were question marks when the Klopp was around.

[00:15:10] Yeah.

[00:15:10] But there seem to be...

[00:15:12] I mean, those rumors of any unhappiness, like you said, they seem to be completely dispelled

[00:15:17] with the form he's having.

[00:15:19] I think he just scored...

[00:15:20] He just completed 100 away goals for Liverpool, right?

[00:15:24] With Southampton.

[00:15:24] If I'm not sure I've read something.

[00:15:25] Yeah.

[00:15:26] I mean, with that kind of form.

[00:15:28] And now, having Diaz and Nunez with him, it seems like, you know, that those days where

[00:15:36] we used to have Salah and Mane and Firmino coming up as the top three.

[00:15:42] Like that formidable top three.

[00:15:46] Yeah.

[00:15:46] Those three up front.

[00:15:47] It seems to be that kind of prowess again.

[00:15:50] Yeah.

[00:15:51] It would be really sad to lose him on that right wing, man.

[00:15:53] Yeah.

[00:15:54] And honestly, like there's multiple ways of looking at it, right?

[00:15:57] Like because we've only heard one side of the story with Salah going to these journalists.

[00:16:01] We haven't heard what the club has had to say.

[00:16:03] And more often than not, the board or the club as a whole will never make a statement about

[00:16:10] a player's contract like this because that never happens.

[00:16:12] Players do have more easier access to media to voice their displeasures or their opinions

[00:16:18] about these things.

[00:16:19] But there's multiple ways of looking at it.

[00:16:21] One is, it could be a case.

[00:16:24] Again, Salah's not getting any younger.

[00:16:26] He's in peak form for sure.

[00:16:29] He's showing that for Liverpool week in, week out this season.

[00:16:33] But he's not getting any younger.

[00:16:35] So at some point, maybe the club is talking and discussing what the future is going to be.

[00:16:40] Are they going to extend his contract?

[00:16:43] Is he going to end his career here?

[00:16:46] They're planning for the future.

[00:16:47] Now, if that is the case, then according to me, they're going to have offered him lower wages.

[00:16:53] They're not going to give him a contract extension with higher wages.

[00:16:59] That's not going to happen because it makes no sense increasing a player's wages.

[00:17:02] And he's not going to sign a long-term contract.

[00:17:05] He's going to sign a one-year, two-year tops contract.

[00:17:08] They're not going to want to do that.

[00:17:10] They'll want him on reduced wages, which he will not want.

[00:17:13] So I feel like they're caught in a bit of an impasse there.

[00:17:16] So when Salah says, oh, I haven't heard anything from the club,

[00:17:20] I don't think that's entirely true.

[00:17:22] I feel like the club would have made an offer because I don't think they'd be stupid

[00:17:26] to not make an offer at all considering his contracts due to expire in the summer.

[00:17:32] Yeah, man.

[00:17:33] I just, I feel like he's not reached that point where he's ready to just go in,

[00:17:38] you know, semi-retire in the Saudi Arabian League or whatever.

[00:17:42] Because he said, he was asked about the Saudi League and he said no comments on that.

[00:17:49] Yeah, man.

[00:17:50] I mean, they promise you a really, bro, the kind of lives and lifestyles and money they

[00:17:55] promise you there.

[00:17:56] Yeah.

[00:17:57] With like no pressure, playing with lower level players.

[00:18:01] Yeah.

[00:18:03] I don't know, man.

[00:18:04] I mean, it's a great payday for a footballer.

[00:18:06] Like no, no, no shame, no judgment, like whatever.

[00:18:10] Like you do what you feel is good for you and your family, man.

[00:18:14] Like everybody needs to, you know, sing for their supper.

[00:18:17] So whatever it is that you feel you need to do, you do.

[00:18:20] But I feel like if, if Liverpool have not offered him a contract at all, like he says,

[00:18:26] then that's something that should be called out.

[00:18:29] Like Liverpool fans should be really, really vocal about this.

[00:18:34] Do you think the manager would put pressure on the, on the, on the, I mean, you think

[00:18:42] slot would put pressure on the management to go like, Hey, can we, can we do something

[00:18:46] for this guy?

[00:18:46] No, I think slots too new in the job to, to, to want to even try and exert that pressure

[00:18:53] on his employers.

[00:18:55] Like, I feel like he's too new.

[00:18:57] He doesn't have that much credit in the bank just yet.

[00:19:01] Klopp got to a level with Liverpool where he had so much credit in the bank that he could

[00:19:07] ask for what he wanted and chances are he would get it.

[00:19:10] Yeah.

[00:19:11] But they're not going to do that with slot.

[00:19:13] They'll just be like, yeah, you're winning a lot.

[00:19:15] We're top of the league, but it's just 12 games, buddy.

[00:19:17] Like you haven't done shit.

[00:19:19] So you don't, you don't get to, yeah, you don't get to dictate who we sign.

[00:19:23] Or not sign or whose contracts we extend.

[00:19:26] You can give an opinion, but that's not your call.

[00:19:29] Your call is to coach the team for the games.

[00:19:31] So I feel it's something that the owners need to figure out.

[00:19:37] And if Salah really loves the club and if he feels like he is going to retire here, then

[00:19:44] maybe they need to come at some sort of a compromise, whether it's wages, whether it's

[00:19:48] duration, whatever it is.

[00:19:50] I think that needs to be sorted because you're right.

[00:19:52] Like it does look like that lethal front three of Mane and Firmino with Salah coming back

[00:19:58] together.

[00:19:59] Yeah.

[00:20:00] Even though it's Darwin Nunez, who's blow hot, blow cold or Luis Diaz, who's also, if

[00:20:06] we actually look at it, blow hot, blow cold, but Gakpo is starting to perform a little

[00:20:10] bit now.

[00:20:13] Diaz is, is getting better with this form.

[00:20:15] Nunez has started scoring a little more regularly.

[00:20:17] So it is kind of clicking, but let's see.

[00:20:21] Let's see.

[00:20:22] Yeah, man.

[00:20:22] I mean, those names you mentioned are so, such, such talented footballers, bro.

[00:20:27] Like Gakpo, I think what the Euros did for his confidence.

[00:20:31] Yeah.

[00:20:32] Coming back after Euros to the league was.

[00:20:35] He came back.

[00:20:35] Yeah.

[00:20:35] He came back to change.

[00:20:36] Change, change player completely.

[00:20:38] I feel like he was so unsure before the Euros.

[00:20:41] And then after that experience, he was really, he really sorted it out.

[00:20:45] But yes, of course, what the, what the victory over Southampton means is that Liverpool are

[00:20:48] now eight points top of the Premier League table.

[00:20:51] Eight points clear.

[00:20:53] Also helped by the fact that Man City lost their fifth game in a row.

[00:20:58] 4-0 loss against Aj Postakoglu's Spurs.

[00:21:02] Rishi, what is going on with Guardiola?

[00:21:04] And I asked this question to the guests we had in the last episode as well, but I want

[00:21:08] you to answer this as well.

[00:21:09] Is Pep a bald fraud?

[00:21:14] Okay.

[00:21:14] There's two things that I always think about when I, when I watch Guardiola, Guardiola's

[00:21:20] interviews, excuse me.

[00:21:22] And I always think that he's either unsure about everything or he's extremely unsure.

[00:21:30] I don't think Pep's ever had an in-between in any phase of his career as a, as a, as a

[00:21:37] manager.

[00:21:38] You know what I'm saying?

[00:21:39] Yeah.

[00:21:39] Yeah.

[00:21:39] I think unfortunately we are seeing this phase of his where he's, I don't know if it's complacency.

[00:21:46] I don't know if he's a little jaded with, with everything that's going on because there's

[00:21:49] also, in addition to the actual on the field issues.

[00:21:53] Yeah.

[00:21:54] There's the whole issue of the charges that he's had to, maybe not directly, but indirectly

[00:22:01] address.

[00:22:02] And, you know, journalists are always asking about it and he, he's had to, I think, correct

[00:22:06] some people about it in the past also.

[00:22:08] Yeah.

[00:22:08] That takes a toll after a while on the whole team, you know, it's easier said than done

[00:22:13] to go like, Hey guys, come on, focus on the football, right?

[00:22:16] Leave all this aside.

[00:22:18] Yeah.

[00:22:18] And I think maybe, maybe some of that pressure is starting to show.

[00:22:21] So I think that's absolutely spot on.

[00:22:23] It probably has a lot to do with all the, all the legal issues that are plaguing them

[00:22:29] outside of the football pitch that is causing their form today.

[00:22:33] But Guardiola did say that regardless of what happens in the trial, regardless of what

[00:22:37] the punishment is, if there is a punishment, he is going to be there.

[00:22:42] He said he will be there.

[00:22:43] He's just signed a new extension as well.

[00:22:45] And he has said that he's going to be there regardless of, even if they get relegated,

[00:22:49] he will be there.

[00:22:50] And as a United fan, I feel like this is a great moment for me to say this again, small

[00:22:56] joys, like we discussed at the beginning of the episode, buddy Pep with the way y'all

[00:23:01] are playing.

[00:23:01] I don't think the charges are going to be necessary to relegate you.

[00:23:06] I think just your on-field performances will get you there.

[00:23:09] So if you want to start planning for the championship from now itself, I think you can.

[00:23:14] And this is when all the City fans, all five of them who are watching this will start commenting

[00:23:21] and giving me hate for this needless dig.

[00:23:26] Needless.

[00:23:27] So beautifully needless, but so nice to hear.

[00:23:31] Yeah.

[00:23:32] It's the pettiness that makes the world go round at the end of the day, right?

[00:23:36] If you're not petty about these small things, then what is the enjoyment in your life?

[00:23:42] That's what I say.

[00:23:43] What are we even doing here?

[00:23:44] Exactly.

[00:24:01] What's the point?

[00:24:02] Like football.

[00:24:02] Like it, it just takes you by surprise.

[00:24:05] It takes you by storm.

[00:24:06] There's no time to think.

[00:24:08] But the problem with Spurs is that it doesn't always click.

[00:24:14] And Ange is also one of those managers who doesn't like to change his systems around too

[00:24:18] much.

[00:24:18] He's like, no, this is plan A and that's all.

[00:24:20] I don't know any other alphabets after A.

[00:24:24] There's nothing.

[00:24:25] There's only A.

[00:24:25] My name, Ange.

[00:24:27] A.

[00:24:27] That's it.

[00:24:28] Plan A.

[00:24:29] There's nothing else, right?

[00:24:32] And I, in fact, this was a late kickoff, right?

[00:24:35] Like in India, even later for you guys in Singapore.

[00:24:37] So I was in bed.

[00:24:38] I was asleep.

[00:24:39] But for FPL reasons, I kept checking my phone.

[00:24:43] So through the night, I was checking my phone and I woke up in the morning, early morning.

[00:24:47] First thing I do is I pick up my phone to see what the result was and who scored.

[00:24:51] My wife is waking up.

[00:24:52] She's like, are you serious?

[00:24:54] Are you checking FPL instead of, you know, giving me a case first thing in the morning?

[00:24:59] And I'm like, babe, I'm top 10,000 in India in FPL.

[00:25:05] Some things are just a little bit more important.

[00:25:09] Man, wow.

[00:25:10] You're a brave man, dude.

[00:25:12] My wife's not even in town right now and I don't dare say that.

[00:25:14] I think she's got the whole house rigged with cameras.

[00:25:17] I know, Sharul.

[00:25:19] I know, Sharul.

[00:25:20] And I agree.

[00:25:21] I'm pretty sure that's what's happening.

[00:25:24] I feel like, you know, we've got a little pup in the house and feeling like she's watching me.

[00:25:29] You know, she's like, hey, hey, yo, dad, are we really going to do this now?

[00:25:32] Are you really going to try this out?

[00:25:34] Yeah.

[00:25:34] Mom doesn't like this.

[00:25:36] But no, man.

[00:25:37] Good.

[00:25:37] You're right.

[00:25:38] Actually, really good football.

[00:25:40] But this thing you mentioned about plan A, right?

[00:25:43] You know, there's some coaches who...

[00:25:45] And I think in his day, Fergie was very, very good about this.

[00:25:52] Right?

[00:25:52] About kind of...

[00:25:53] Okay, look, we're into Fergie time and we need to win this, right?

[00:25:57] In Fergie time.

[00:25:58] So, I'm going to throw on, you know, this super sub right now because this is how the opponent plays.

[00:26:04] Right?

[00:26:04] Yeah.

[00:26:04] And then there are some players and coaches and teams who are like, why are we watching how the other people are playing?

[00:26:10] I think there was this old interview of talking about Eden Hazard.

[00:26:15] And Hazard's like, why are we watching the other players play?

[00:26:18] Why are we...

[00:26:19] We should be watching ourselves.

[00:26:21] You know, what's the point of watching how they play?

[00:26:22] Just give me the ball.

[00:26:23] I'll go.

[00:26:24] I'll go.

[00:26:24] And he went on the field and he scored two goals in that game, apparently.

[00:26:26] Yeah.

[00:26:27] I think John Terry was saying something about it.

[00:26:29] Yeah.

[00:26:31] So, I think it's how the coach and how the manager kind of leads the lads into battle.

[00:26:39] Yeah.

[00:26:40] And how those lads fit into that particular team.

[00:26:44] That is what really...

[00:26:47] That is what really helps whether it clicks or not.

[00:26:49] You know, sometimes it's the person leading you, right?

[00:26:52] So, with Klopp, it was very emotionally charged Liverpool for eight years.

[00:26:56] Eight years?

[00:26:56] Around eight years, yeah?

[00:26:57] Eight years, yeah.

[00:26:59] It's like, you know, it wasn't like, I'm afraid of him.

[00:27:04] But with Fergie, it was like, oh shit, you know, everyone's scared of the boss.

[00:27:08] Yeah.

[00:27:09] So, you've got no room to screw around and you better get your shit in order.

[00:27:13] Yeah.

[00:27:13] But for Klopp, it was more like, hey, you know, we love this guy.

[00:27:16] We love Klopp.

[00:27:17] We really want to give our best.

[00:27:19] We don't want to let him down.

[00:27:20] Yeah.

[00:27:21] So, I don't know if someone like Pep has any of that kind of relationship with the bloody machines that he's got in his team.

[00:27:32] But that's absolutely right.

[00:27:33] The monster he has in his team.

[00:27:34] That's absolutely right.

[00:27:35] Because if you've read Zlatan's autobiography, he talks about exactly this because he's worked under Guardiola as well as Mourinho.

[00:27:42] And he said, Guardiola would just freeze you out if you didn't adhere to his philosophy.

[00:27:50] He'd just ice you out.

[00:27:52] Whereas Mourinho would interact with you in such a way that by the end of it, players were willing to take a bullet for him.

[00:28:00] And I feel like that's very similar to what Klopp did with Liverpool, what Ferguson did with United as well.

[00:28:06] Which is, they're strict when they need to be and you don't want to cross them.

[00:28:12] But at the same time, when you do something right and they like it, the way they appreciate you just gives you that extra oof.

[00:28:21] And I don't think that happens with Pep.

[00:28:24] I feel like when you do something bad, he'll start icing you out.

[00:28:29] When you do something good, he is the same level.

[00:28:32] He's as excited about football as is his personality.

[00:28:36] He's a fucking nerd.

[00:28:38] He's a geek, bro.

[00:28:40] He's a football geek.

[00:28:41] It probably doesn't translate from a player-to-player basis.

[00:28:45] Like on an individual basis, maybe it doesn't translate.

[00:28:49] Which I feel, on the other hand, with Ange, I feel like it has the potential too.

[00:28:54] Because he seems like a very lovable manager to work under.

[00:28:59] He seems like he has a decent idea of the strategies and tactics he wants to use.

[00:29:06] It's just that he needs to understand how to manage games a little better.

[00:29:10] Because if he can do that, then I think he's a great manager.

[00:29:15] Yeah, I definitely see that potential, like you said, man.

[00:29:17] There is a very bright future for Spurs this season.

[00:29:21] And the ones coming if Ange continues.

[00:29:23] Not sure how long his contract is for.

[00:29:25] But like the last five games, in fact, for Spurs, illustrate this exact point.

[00:29:32] Win, loss, win, loss, win.

[00:29:35] It is literally up and down, up and down.

[00:29:38] And that is just, it's baffling.

[00:29:41] Because they have decent players.

[00:29:43] They should be putting these teams to bed.

[00:29:45] They've won against City.

[00:29:46] They lost against Ipswich before this.

[00:29:48] So, you know, it's like, what?

[00:29:51] How can you lose against Ipswich and then beat City 4-0?

[00:29:55] Before that, they won against Aston Villa.

[00:29:58] Again, Aston Villa in the Champions League were topping the Champions League for a little while.

[00:30:02] They're doing really well.

[00:30:03] They've beaten them.

[00:30:04] But they've lost against Crystal Palace.

[00:30:06] A Crystal Palace that have not been playing well this season.

[00:30:09] And before that, they've won against West Ham.

[00:30:11] So, it's so up and down.

[00:30:14] You know, this erratic nature of the results, I think it almost mirrors the kind of risk

[00:30:23] and just trying to encourage the players to take.

[00:30:26] And when you play, you know, a bit more attacking and, you know, risk-taking football,

[00:30:30] you're bound to leave some gaps.

[00:30:32] Until the system is kind of set.

[00:30:36] Then maybe you see those returns.

[00:30:38] So, maybe this is a damn genius plan that will show its fruits of the labor in the second half of the season.

[00:30:47] Hopefully, it's not too late.

[00:30:49] Or it is just like, you know, shitty form.

[00:30:53] You know, it's just erratic form.

[00:30:55] Maybe we are over-analyzing the whole thing.

[00:30:58] Yeah, maybe.

[00:30:59] It's football.

[00:31:00] They're just playing on vibes.

[00:31:02] That's basically what is happening.

[00:31:05] How are you feeling today?

[00:31:06] Hey, come on.

[00:31:09] Son is like...

[00:31:10] Yeah, not feeling it.

[00:31:12] Okay.

[00:31:12] I met, I mean, not met, but I...

[00:31:15] Because Son was in Singapore playing at the Singapore Sports Hub.

[00:31:19] 60,000.

[00:31:20] Well, it was 50,000 fans.

[00:31:22] They had a World Cup qualifier.

[00:31:23] Well, Asian...

[00:31:25] It was the Asian leg of the World Cup qualifiers.

[00:31:28] For some reason, Singapore was in the same group as South Korea.

[00:31:31] I mean...

[00:31:34] It was a tough night for the fans.

[00:31:36] I can imagine.

[00:31:38] And this dude is the most chill bugger you will see in the entire stadium.

[00:31:45] Right?

[00:31:45] Yeah.

[00:31:46] He waltzes into the media room, whistling.

[00:31:49] Not even...

[00:31:49] Nobody's talking to him.

[00:31:50] Whistling.

[00:31:51] Doing this to people.

[00:31:53] You know how overly friendly Son is, right?

[00:31:56] Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[00:31:57] And in his post-match interview...

[00:32:00] I mean, they creamed the Singapore team.

[00:32:04] I think it was 7-1 or something.

[00:32:05] I stand corrected.

[00:32:06] But it was a really...

[00:32:07] Or 5-1 or something.

[00:32:08] 6-1, 5-1.

[00:32:09] It was a very...

[00:32:10] It was not a respectable scoreline at all.

[00:32:12] Yeah.

[00:32:12] But Son's post-match interview was along the lines of...

[00:32:17] Hey, you know, Singapore is a young footballing nation.

[00:32:20] You know, they played very...

[00:32:21] They tried their best.

[00:32:23] You know, you could see the heart in these players.

[00:32:26] And of course, it will take time.

[00:32:27] You've got to have the patience.

[00:32:28] But, you know, I see that there's some future for it.

[00:32:30] Along those lines.

[00:32:31] I paraphrase a little bit.

[00:32:32] Yeah.

[00:32:32] But it just tells you what kind of vibes guy this is.

[00:32:36] You know what I'm saying?

[00:32:36] This guy is not going to...

[00:32:38] Oh my God.

[00:32:39] What?

[00:32:41] Did you do that?

[00:32:42] No, no.

[00:32:43] You did that.

[00:32:43] The MacBooks do that with certain reactions.

[00:32:47] Shit.

[00:32:47] So, you know, you can do this.

[00:32:50] And that happens.

[00:32:51] Yeah.

[00:32:52] If you do...

[00:32:53] I'm so sorry.

[00:32:54] I geeked out on that moment, dude.

[00:32:55] I apologize.

[00:32:56] No, no.

[00:32:56] No need to apologize.

[00:32:58] No, no.

[00:32:59] No need to apologize.

[00:33:00] We always learn something new on this podcast.

[00:33:03] So, it's all good, man.

[00:33:05] It's all the vibes, bro.

[00:33:06] It's all the vibes.

[00:33:07] But yes, Vibes FC has gotten up to 6%.

[00:33:10] They're in the Premier League now.

[00:33:12] So, they're in the European spots.

[00:33:13] That's pretty good.

[00:33:15] They are only about 3 points behind Brighton in 5th.

[00:33:20] And about 6 points behind Arsenal in 4th.

[00:33:22] So, not bad considering it's 12 games in.

[00:33:26] Brighton in 5th.

[00:33:27] Did you ever think you would live to see the day where you would announce that?

[00:33:32] No.

[00:33:32] I also didn't realize that the manager of Brighton who has got them into 5th place is about 4 years younger than me.

[00:33:41] Oh shit.

[00:33:42] Really?

[00:33:43] He's 31.

[00:33:44] He's 31.

[00:33:44] That dude.

[00:33:45] What's his name?

[00:33:46] I've seen his interviews.

[00:33:47] Sorry.

[00:33:48] I don't know.

[00:33:48] Fabian Hursler.

[00:33:50] Hursler.

[00:33:51] Hursler.

[00:33:53] Young bloke.

[00:33:54] He's younger than you.

[00:33:54] Giving the Premier League a run for their money.

[00:33:58] And you used to feel bad when players were young.

[00:34:03] Like, you know, you're in your late 20s and you're like, oh, who's this new 16-year-old kid who started playing?

[00:34:10] Oh, who's this 18-year-old kid who started playing?

[00:34:13] Yeah, yeah.

[00:34:14] And then when you see managers, you're just like, oh fuck.

[00:34:16] Now that's just rubbing it in.

[00:34:18] Like, managers aren't supposed to be this young.

[00:34:20] Now you're just taking the piss.

[00:34:24] Yeah.

[00:34:24] Okay.

[00:34:25] Well, here's a good question, right?

[00:34:26] Because I think about this often.

[00:34:28] Like, up till a few years ago, I would still see players my age.

[00:34:33] Oh god, I gotta stop doing air quotes, man.

[00:34:35] These bloody balloons.

[00:34:37] Sorry.

[00:34:39] I would still see managers.

[00:34:40] I would still see players kind of my age.

[00:34:43] You know, your age.

[00:34:45] Like, you're in your early 30s, right?

[00:34:46] Yeah.

[00:34:47] You would still see players and would you kind of go like,

[00:34:51] Yeah, you know, if I really wanted to.

[00:34:56] I mean, if I really took it seriously, I still could kind of have it.

[00:35:01] I mean, it will be a long shot, but I still could kind of do it.

[00:35:05] You know what I mean?

[00:35:05] I mean, yeah.

[00:35:06] Like, what goes through my mind is.

[00:35:08] So, thank you for saying early 30s.

[00:35:10] It's mid 30s now.

[00:35:12] As of last month.

[00:35:14] I left 30s.

[00:35:15] I've just passed 40 this year, bro.

[00:35:17] So, like, it's all the same to me.

[00:35:18] It's all the same.

[00:35:19] The 30s decade is done.

[00:35:20] It's done, right?

[00:35:22] But you see players your age and you're like, exactly what you said.

[00:35:27] If I really wanted it, I could get to that level of fitness.

[00:35:32] It's not like I'll play for a Premier League club.

[00:35:34] Yeah.

[00:35:34] But I could get to that level of fitness and play like that in my five-a-side.

[00:35:42] Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[00:35:43] But I could get, if that 30-year-old can get to that level of fitness, so can I.

[00:35:49] Because he really wanted it.

[00:35:51] So now, if I really wanted it, I could do it.

[00:35:54] It's just correlation.

[00:35:55] It's simple maths.

[00:35:56] Yeah, it's like aim for the stars and get to the fifth floor of your colony building.

[00:36:01] That's what I was saying.

[00:36:03] Exactly.

[00:36:03] And be happy with that.

[00:36:05] Exactly.

[00:36:05] That's why I started playing football again this year.

[00:36:08] Like, look, I know people who play with me regularly, they know that I have maybe like two good moves in the whole game.

[00:36:17] Before I take a few pictures and then post it up for social media.

[00:36:21] That's two more than me, by the way.

[00:36:22] So, you're getting there.

[00:36:24] Yeah, yeah.

[00:36:26] We are all kind of the same range, right?

[00:36:30] But because of that, bro, I mean, the wildest story is that when I was playing regularly,

[00:36:35] as a younger person, you know, in my teens or whatever, for school or like playing like

[00:36:41] block football on concrete, getting caught by cops and everything, I could never afford

[00:36:45] like, you know, proper boots and shit.

[00:36:48] Yeah.

[00:36:48] Very cheap boots or hand-me-downs from a cousin or, you know, from a friend or whatever.

[00:36:53] And, you know, Cindy dads will never say like, huh, beta?

[00:36:57] No, buy the best boots, you know.

[00:36:59] Football.

[00:37:00] Predator.

[00:37:01] Yeah.

[00:37:03] No, no, no.

[00:37:03] Take the $30 Lotus and be happy.

[00:37:07] But now, suddenly at the age of 40, when I went back into football and, you know, I'm using

[00:37:13] I'm also, in a way, doing my part to spread the word of Singapore football to the fans.

[00:37:20] Yeah.

[00:37:20] Doing my best to bring the fans back into the stadium.

[00:37:22] I'm also playing in amateur leagues and, you know, getting people more engaged in the

[00:37:27] sport.

[00:37:28] Suddenly, I've got like limited edition Mizuno boots, multiple pairs in my house that I simply

[00:37:36] do not deserve.

[00:37:37] Yeah.

[00:37:38] You know what I'm saying?

[00:37:38] Like the sponsors are like, hey, Rish, you know, take this, man.

[00:37:41] There's like, you know, 5,000 in the world.

[00:37:42] I'm like, oh, you want me to bring this back to my house?

[00:37:46] So, literally, every football training or every bit of exercise I do in my life is literally

[00:37:53] to fit into the shoes that I've been given.

[00:37:56] That I do not deserve.

[00:37:58] But oftentimes, that's the kick up your backside that you need, right?

[00:38:02] Yeah.

[00:38:02] Like that is what gets you going.

[00:38:04] Now, tomorrow, if Nike came up to me and you're like, here's the latest edition of the

[00:38:08] Mercurial Vapors that whoever Mbappe wears or whoever.

[00:38:14] And these are the exact same boots that we made for Killian Mbappe.

[00:38:18] Like this is his foot.

[00:38:20] Like we've designed it around his foot.

[00:38:22] And he told us what he needs to make sure that he's as fast as he can be.

[00:38:27] Now, there's only one other pair of this.

[00:38:31] Killian has the other.

[00:38:34] And we made this as a pair.

[00:38:36] But one thread was slightly off.

[00:38:38] So, he's like, no, I can't deal with this.

[00:38:40] But now you have it.

[00:38:42] So, use it.

[00:38:43] And then if Killian calls and says, oh, his boots are done and he needs a new pair,

[00:38:48] then we'll need you to send these to him.

[00:38:50] I'll be like, I must be worthy.

[00:38:53] I must do whatever it takes to be worthy.

[00:38:57] And then you'll see me.

[00:38:58] You'll see me playing for a Premier League club.

[00:39:00] So, Nike, make that happen.

[00:39:02] Let's do it.

[00:39:03] Let's do it.

[00:39:03] Make that happen for my buddy, man.

[00:39:05] Call Amog.

[00:39:06] And make that happen for him, please.

[00:39:08] Tell Mbappe, don't worry.

[00:39:09] We'll cover the flight on our own.

[00:39:12] Amog will fly himself.

[00:39:13] Yeah.

[00:39:14] Don't have to send any cash.

[00:39:15] I will do it myself.

[00:39:17] I will get into a car and drive all the way to Madrid if I have to.

[00:39:21] But I will make it happen.

[00:39:23] Finally, to wrap up this conversation,

[00:39:26] one last game that we should talk about.

[00:39:29] And purely because I'm a United fan.

[00:39:31] One is Man United one, Ipswich one.

[00:39:34] Or the other way around because it was at Ipswich.

[00:39:36] The Ruben Amurim era has begun with a little bit of a sputter.

[00:39:43] It started off really well.

[00:39:45] Marcus Rashford chosen to lead the strike line ahead.

[00:39:49] Very cool, man.

[00:39:49] Congrats.

[00:39:50] Yeah.

[00:39:51] Very nice.

[00:39:51] Surprising that Rashford was playing striker when we have Zergze and Hoyland who are number

[00:39:57] nines.

[00:39:57] And Rashford has said he likes playing out in the wing.

[00:39:59] But he scores within 90 seconds.

[00:40:02] It's all going great.

[00:40:03] And then an equalizer from Ipswich.

[00:40:05] And then it was just a lot more of the same.

[00:40:09] As a Liverpool fan or as a non-United fan, what were your thoughts on the game?

[00:40:14] Did you see any tangible change under this manager?

[00:40:18] Well, I got to say it's maybe a little too soon to see.

[00:40:22] But I did like what was going on under Root Van Nistelroen.

[00:40:26] For those few games he was there, I know it was a temporary thing.

[00:40:31] Everybody was aware it was a temporary thing.

[00:40:32] But maybe because it was a temp thing and there was this nothing to lose kind of vibe about

[00:40:37] it.

[00:40:37] Like we were talking about, right?

[00:40:39] Ease off the gas pedal a little bit.

[00:40:41] Let them play their game.

[00:40:43] Let them work shit out.

[00:40:45] And maybe then you will see better results.

[00:40:47] That's what I always feel about.

[00:40:49] Because there's no way, you know, I think there's so much of a pressure of history on

[00:40:55] the shoulders of anybody involved in any level of Manchester United football right now.

[00:41:02] Whether it's the fans, the managers, the players, the coaches, the board, whoever.

[00:41:06] And if you bring it back a little bit, you know, there was a long run of how Liverpool

[00:41:12] was doing really badly in the league.

[00:41:14] You know, there was this drought of any silverware after they had won so much historically.

[00:41:21] I think it's that same phase that Man U is facing right now.

[00:41:24] That it's almost the pressure of history is getting to the current batch of people who

[00:41:31] are involved.

[00:41:32] And that is messing things up a little bit.

[00:41:35] I could not agree more because every manager and we've had good managers.

[00:41:41] We've had Van Gaal who came with a lot of accolades behind him.

[00:41:47] We had Mourinho who came with the same.

[00:41:50] We had Solskjaer who did well for a little while as an underdog manager.

[00:41:55] We had Ten Hag who was supposed to be a tactical genius.

[00:42:00] And now we've got Amrim.

[00:42:01] But all of these managers have been unable to crack this code for some reason.

[00:42:06] And whatever that is, I don't know if Amrim is going to be the right guy to do it.

[00:42:10] I was excited about the game.

[00:42:13] I was excited to see what happens.

[00:42:15] I just feel like, like you said, it's too soon to tell.

[00:42:18] It's just one game.

[00:42:19] It's too soon to tell.

[00:42:20] He's had two training sessions.

[00:42:21] Yeah, yeah.

[00:42:23] It's unfair for us to judge.

[00:42:25] I did see a little bit of a change.

[00:42:27] I feel like under Van Nistelrooy, what happened was they were still playing Ten Hag's system

[00:42:33] but with a lot more freedom.

[00:42:35] And it feels like the shackles were off.

[00:42:38] With Amrim, I feel like he is a lot more open with his players in terms of communication,

[00:42:45] in terms of friendliness, etc.

[00:42:46] Things that famously Ten Hag did not have.

[00:42:50] But his system is completely new and these players are not used to it.

[00:42:53] So, it's those teething problems.

[00:42:56] But on that note, what you said was because Van Nistelrooy's reign was temporary is what worked.

[00:43:01] I feel United should just have temporary managers.

[00:43:05] Every five games, change manager.

[00:43:08] Just find some ex-United player to come in for the vibes.

[00:43:12] Oh, we've had Solja, we've had Van Nistelrooy.

[00:43:15] We're not going to go with Keane and Neville because they've had managerial stints

[00:43:19] and they've largely been rubbish.

[00:43:21] They're good on podcasts and interviews.

[00:43:24] Yeah, they're good on podcasts and interviews.

[00:43:25] We can't have gigs because, well, not just because he was already a manager

[00:43:30] but he also is a very, very troubled man.

[00:43:34] So, you know, no gigs.

[00:43:35] But get Phil Neville, get Nicky Bart, get David Beckham for five games.

[00:43:42] Get all the hits.

[00:43:45] Eric Cantona, Teddy Sheringham, everyone.

[00:43:48] It's so weird saying that the club, Manu as a club should operate like a club

[00:43:53] and just have residency for managers instead of actual managers.

[00:43:56] Yeah.

[00:43:58] Like, who's the resident manager for this season?

[00:44:00] Oh, okay.

[00:44:01] It's just this guy.

[00:44:02] Oh, okay.

[00:44:02] Tien Hag is there?

[00:44:03] Good, good, no problem.

[00:44:04] Yeah, Beckham is coming in.

[00:44:05] And you can market it also, right?

[00:44:07] You're like, okay, for the month of Jan to March.

[00:44:11] Yeah.

[00:44:12] And here's the thing, right?

[00:44:13] Like, everybody talks about what a big club Manu United is, right?

[00:44:16] Oh, it's a big club.

[00:44:17] It's a big club.

[00:44:17] It's a big club because there's a lot of branding opportunities.

[00:44:21] It's a big club because marketing-wise,

[00:44:23] there's a large fan base globally that the club can attract.

[00:44:28] So, which is why sponsors like to come on and pay us

[00:44:31] regardless of what we're doing on the pitch.

[00:44:33] Yeah, yeah.

[00:44:33] I feel doing this is such a great content idea.

[00:44:40] Start an Instagram poll, man.

[00:44:43] Who do you want the next man to be?

[00:44:46] Give the power to the people.

[00:44:48] That's what I say.

[00:44:50] What if India goes, we want to see Modi Ji?

[00:44:52] Arre!

[00:44:53] Get Modi Ji in, yeah.

[00:44:55] Get Modi Ji in because maybe he's the only answer.

[00:44:58] Maybe that is it.

[00:44:59] Maybe that is the one thing that we've been missing.

[00:45:01] Because he can work miracles everywhere, right?

[00:45:03] Like, that's what he claims.

[00:45:04] So, sir, this is the biggest miracle that you will ever have to make.

[00:45:08] Sir, can you do this for us, please?

[00:45:09] Yeah, please.

[00:45:10] You've got...

[00:45:11] How many five-year terms have you got in India?

[00:45:13] Do one five-match term here, please, sir.

[00:45:16] Please.

[00:45:16] That's all.

[00:45:17] That is all we need.

[00:45:20] And on that note, I think it was a great note to end this episode on.

[00:45:24] Thank you so much, Rishi, for joining us.

[00:45:26] Bro, so happy to be on the show.

[00:45:28] Thanks so much.

[00:45:28] I've watched the show so many times in the past.

[00:45:31] And I'm glad we finally got a chance to chat with this.

[00:45:34] And we're going to do this a lot more often.

[00:45:36] I'm going to keep bugging you a lot more often to come on.

[00:45:38] Because this has been an absolute pleasure.

[00:45:41] And thank you, everybody, for watching.

[00:45:43] If you'd like to get in touch with us and tell us what you thought of this episode

[00:45:46] or any of the previous episodes, you can find us on social media.

[00:45:50] Rishi can be found on Instagram at...

[00:45:55] At Rishi Budrani.

[00:45:56] But if you would like to fine me, please don't.

[00:45:59] I'm in Singapore.

[00:46:00] There's a lot of fines I have to pay as it is.

[00:46:02] Please avoid it.

[00:46:02] Thank you.

[00:46:03] And you can find me on Instagram at Amogran Diwe.

[00:46:07] You can also follow the Conflag on Instagram and Twitter at the rate Conflag Pod.

[00:46:12] Subscribe to the YouTube channel, which is youtube.com slash at the rate Conflag Pod.

[00:46:16] Or subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts from.

[00:46:21] Shout out to Kaizat Gherda for composing our theme tune.

[00:46:24] And until next week, it is goodbye from us.

[00:46:26] Say bye, Rishi.

[00:46:28] Bye.

[00:46:29] Air quotes.

[00:46:30] Come on.

[00:46:30] Give me balloons.

[00:46:31] Balloons.

[00:46:31] Balloons.

[00:46:32] Let's do it.

[00:46:33] No.

[00:46:33] It's not coming.

[00:46:34] No.

[00:46:34] I think you just have to do this.

[00:46:37] There we go.

[00:46:38] Oh, there you go.

[00:46:40] And it's bye from me.