Our guest on Episode #73 of the TGG Podcast, in association with Teamworks, is Rob Mackenzie.

Rob is the Head of Scouting at Tottenham and has worked for the Europa League champions for two years.

Prior to Spurs, he was Head of Recruitment at Aston Villa and at Leuven in Belgium, and Head of Technical Scouting at Leicester City, helping to lay the foundations for their Premier League triumph.

In this episode Rob gave us the inside track on Tottenham's scouting operation and gave insights into his two decades in the game.

Our guest on Episode #72 of the TGG Podcast, in association with Teamworks, is Manchester United and England goalkeeper Tom Heaton.

Tom is playing his 21st season as a professional and is a member of United's new five-man leadership team, along with Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Noussair Mozraoui.

In this Episode he told us what it's like behind the scenes at United, about establishing himself at Burnley under Sean Dyche, about his experiences with England and his ambitions for the future.

SHOW NOTES =>

01:30: What the non-internationals do during the international break.

02:28: Thoughts on new Carrington training ground.

03:16: Can facilities be too nice and spoil players?

04:19: Being part of the new leadership team at the club.

05:11: Being inspired - but not weighed down - by the past.

06:35: What's the culture like behind the scenes?

07:49: Staying focused on the long-term plan.

08:54: First impressions of new goalkeeper Senne Lammens.

09:23: Does he coach the other keepers?

09:49: Joining United as an 11-year-old.

11:43: Influence of Sir Alex Ferguson.

12:37: His six loans as a United player. Positive experience and 'real' football.

15:21: Returning to United in 2021. Has it gone as planned?

18:12: Finding a home at Burnley (2013 to 2019). Playing under Sean Dyche. Defensive detail and organisation. Goalkeeper factory under Billy Mercer and Craig Mawson.

23:36: Evolution of role of the goalkeeper.

26:40: Which goalkeepers do you admire?

27:45: How long will you carry on playing?

28:37: What do you plan to do when you finish playing?

30:35: Going to the Euros with England as a training goalkeeper.

32:45: Thoughts on the Sporting Director role. Have done the UEFA Football Management Course.

34:01: Sean Dyche or Sir Alex Ferguson as a hybrid manager-Sporting Director.

35:06: Hopes for the rest of the season with Man Utd. Optimistic?

35:49: Looking ahead to appearance at TGG Live 2025 at Old Trafford on October 8th.

Our guest on Episode #71 of the TGG Podcast is Nick Montgomery, Ange Postecoglou's Assistant at Nottingham Forest.

The duo worked together at Tottenham last season, helping the North London side win their first piece of silverware in 17 years, when they claimed the Europa League.

Montgomery has worked in football for almost three decades, as a player, coach and manager, and in England, Scotland and Australia.

This episode was recorded a day before Montgomery joined Forest, but he talked about what it’s like to work with Postecoglou, about their struggles and triumphs last season and why some of the narratives about the Australian are incorrect.

SHOW NOTES =>

01:50: What he's been doing since Spurs sacking

04:44: Winning the Europa League

06:26: Why so many injuries?

09:30: Injuries gave young players an opportunity. What is was like to work with Archie Gray & Lucas Bergval. Why it's a younger game now.

14:54: Set pieces - Tottenham didn't neglect them. We're much better at them than people gave them credit for. Whether you need a dedicated Set Piece Coach or not.

24:41: Narrative about Postecoglou's style of play. Why you need a big squad to rotate. Difference between principles, philosophies and tactics.

30:16: Career as a player. Working with Neil Warnock. How he treated everyone differently. Game was more aggressive and macho when he was playing. Doesn't know why apprentices cleaning the pros' boots has gone out of the game. Dangers of social media. Example of Brennan Johnson coming off Instagram.

39:24: Moving to Australia as a player with Central Coast Mariners. Player to Academy Manager to Head Coach. Winning first league title for the club.

41:37: How he got to know Postecoglou.

43:27: Merits of taking your own staff to a club v having a new staff, as Postecoglou has.

45:08: Joining Hibernian as Manager. Why tenure only lasted one season.

49:13: Can Postecoglou achieve big things as a Manager in future?

51:47: When Postecoglou said he always wins things in his second season. How was that for the players and staff?

55:14: Ambitions for rest of his career.