GUS POYET does not hold back when it comes sporting directors.

Poyet, who coached Brighton and Sunderland in the Premier League, talks candidly about the tension and the power games that exist between manager and sporting director in the modern game.

During one heated dispute he told a sporting director: “I’m answerable to you. Here’s the whistle, go coach the players.”

Gus is incredibly passionate about his work and has a drive, determination and passion for coaching that shines through in every sentence.

As a former Chelsea and Tottenham midfielder, he knows the demands at the highest level of sport and has transferred his will to win in his successful coaching career.

It is clear that he has regrets about the end of his spell at Brighton because he holds the owner Tony Bloom in such high esteem.

In this episode Gus also talks about his exit from Sunderland, where fans vented their frustration and fury with performances by banging their fists on the back of his dug out.

Gus is an entertaining and passionate guest, a worldly wise person who has so much to offer the game.

At the end of the episode we felt we only scratched the surface with him, which left us wanting more.

Just the way it should be.

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Steve Bruce is one of the most recognisable figures in English football — a Premier League–winning captain with Manchester United and a manager of more than 1,000 professional games, including spells at Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Sunderland and Hull City.

In this eye-opening conversation — originally recorded as a demo in October 2025 — Steve opens up about his time at St James’ Park in a way few have heard before. He speaks candidly about receiving death threats, needing police protection at his home, and the toll it took on his family — including moving his wife back to Cheshire when the pressure became unbearable.

This is a disarming, deeply human interview that goes beyond results and headlines to understand the man behind the manager — and the real impact of being sacked at the highest level of the game.

Each week, SACKED! brings together decision-makers and insiders — owners, chairs, executives, managers, head coaches, sporting directors, former players and leading journalists — to explore the biggest issues in football.

Please spread the word. Share the show in your WhatsApp groups, leave a review, and tell us how to make SACKED! even better.

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WE are joined by football royalty for SACKED! as Dave Bassett opens up on the art of management, coping with anxiety in retirement, how Elton John sacked him and a very public falling out with Simon Jordan.

With more than 1,000 games in management at Wimbledon, Watford, Sheffield United, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest among others, Bassett won promotion seven times during a colourful career.

With such an impressive CV it makes Bassett an unmissable first guest on SACKED! — a high-concept, white-space show that goes inside the power, pressure and politics of the Premier League.

Each week, SACKED! brings together decision-makers and insiders — owners, chairs, executives, managers and head coaches, sporting directors, former players and leading journalists — to discuss the biggest issues in the game.

Please spread the word and tell the football family there’s a new show in town.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.