Football Weekly – October 28, 2025

Episode: "Brendan Rodgers quits Celtic and an EFL special"
Host: Max Rushden
Guests: George Elek, Sanny Rudravajhala, Ben Fisher

Overview

This episode of The Guardian’s Football Weekly is a lively, in-depth panel discussion focusing on two main stories: Brendan Rodgers’ explosive resignation from Celtic, and a full sweep through the EFL’s current talking points. Hosts Max Rushden, George Elek (Not The Top 20 podcast), Sanny Rudravajhala, and Ben Fisher dissect Celtic's dramatic boardroom bust-up, the thrillingly unpredictable Championship, shakeups in Leagues One and Two, and managers on the move. The conversation blends sharp analysis with Football Weekly’s trademark wit and warmth.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic Exit: Fallout and Farce

[00:22] – [07:56]

• Rodgers Resigns Amidst Public Blame Game

  • Celtic's statement savaging Rodgers described as "absolutely incredible" and "almost a character assassination" ([03:30], Sanny).
  • Rodgers blamed lack of transfer backing; Celtic countered every player in/out had his approval, refuting his claims as "absolutely false".
  • Account of a three-hour meeting where Rodgers failed to provide evidence of being 'undermined.'

• Modern Football Melodrama

  • Exchange is framed as a showdown between manager and board, both vying for the public narrative, with the likelihood of Rodgers responding through media or the LMA ([04:26], George).

  "Regrettably, his words and actions since then have been divisive, misleading and self-serving. They have contributed to a toxic atmosphere around the club..."
  – Celtic board statement (read by Max, [02:30])

• Potential Next Steps

  • Speculation on Rodgers returning quickly to England (Wolves, West Ham), with some skepticism about immediate moves given recent turmoil ([07:21], Max & Sanny).
  • Replacement speculation at Celtic (Martin O'Neill interim, Ange Postecoglou’s name floated for intrigue).

  "I'm almost lost for words about it... I don't think we've ever seen anything like it."
  – Sanny ([03:30])

2. Sheffield Wednesday: Administration, Rebirth, and Hope

[08:00] – [15:53]

• Chancery Era Ends – Fans Reclaim their Club

  • Club enters administration with a 12-point deduction, termed both "bittersweet" and the start of a renaissance ([08:00], George).
  • Fan support for the boycott was critical, directly precipitating the end of Chancery’s regime—"the boycott 100% worked" ([13:00], Sanny).

• Supporter Joy and Symbolic Moments

  • Immediate uptick in fan engagement—merchandise rush, 27,500+ at the home game, even a live stream of Chancery’s seats being removed watched by 78,000 people ([13:00], Sanny).
  • Optimism with bidders lined up and new administration focusing income fully on the club, not old owners.

  "I've never…any journalist is doing vox pops, sometimes it's a bit of a grind. Every fan just wanted to talk…none of them were lunatics. It was completely amazing."
  – Sanny ([13:00])

3. Championship: Unpredictable Race at the Top, Struggles for Relegated Teams

[15:53] – [28:10]

Coventry Surging Under Lampard

• Only unbeaten team in the EFL; Lampard lauded for team management and attacking verve.

• Coventry’s top scorers Haji Wright and Brandon Thomas-Asante highlighted ([17:41], Ben).

  "He's got players playing with maybe a bit more confidence than they had...they have the top scorer and the second top scorer. That kind of speaks volumes."
  – Ben Fisher ([17:41])

Millwall’s Transformation

• Alex Neil’s management and new recruits tipped to keep them competitive, their style labeled "good," not simply lucky starters.
• French center-back Tristan Kramer and young striker Ivanovic praised as possible future stars ([18:45], George).

Relegated Clubs Faltering

• Leicester (10th), Ipswich (12th), Southampton (20th) are all underperforming.
• Southampton: Will Still yet to find the right formula; problems scoring, new signings not yet clicking ([23:41], Ben).
• Leicester: Lack of Vardy replacement, over-reliance on youth, and transfer strategy questioned ([25:39], Sanny).
• Ipswich: Less worries, but adjustment period ongoing.

Sheffield Wednesday’s Plight

• Facing further points deductions for multiple wage breaches; survival seen as more symbolic than realistic ([32:31], Ben).

Norwich City’s Deep Malaise

• Winless in eight, manager Liam Manning under pressure but kept afloat by close relationship with recruitment chief Ben Knapper ([33:23], Sanny; [35:10], George).
• Discontent ranges from supporters to ownership, hinting at a propensity for further upheaval if no results.

4. League One & League Two: Tight Tables and New Hope

[41:18] – [53:50]

League One

• Stockport County’s Story: Mirroring last year’s patterns—slow start post-defeat, then surge to the top ([41:18], George).
• Bolton’s Late Winners: Amario Cosia Dubri, young ex-Arsenal talent, making headlines.
• Managerial Carousel: Peterborough sack Darren Ferguson (with a loving statement); Luke Williams rumored as replacement, but panel questions if he fits the current crisis ([46:08], George).

League Two

• Wide Open Race: Only five points separate 1st and 13th ([48:09], Sanny).

• Barnet’s Form: Promoted last season, boasting strong xG numbers and new signing Britt Assombalonga ([49:20], George).

• Humbling Stories: Tom Lockyer’s inspirational return to Bristol Rovers after heart scare ([50:36], Ben).

• Cheltenham’s Revival: Steve Cotterill’s impact upon return as manager.

• At the Bottom: Newport County and Cheltenham previously written off; now, with the congested table, a survival fight is on for several clubs ([52:45], George).

Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the rare public spat at Celtic:

  "I'm sure Rodgers will use his platform as a broadcaster...to give his version of events relatively soon."
  – George ([04:26])

• On the atmosphere at Sheffield Wednesday:

  "78,000 people were watching a live stream...just showing the Chansiri being removed very. So slowly."
  – Sanny ([13:00])

• On Millwall:

  "You look at teams towards the top and go, yeah...they've had a great start...but with Millwall, I think it would be complacent to assume they aren't in."
  – George ([18:45])

• On League Two’s cluster:

  "It is bunched up in which is always the least predictable league...could be anyone, really, could be anyone."
  – Sanny ([48:09])

• On supporter dynamics:

  "Every founder just wanted to talk to me and none of them were lunatics. It was completely amazing."
  – Sanny ([13:00])

Key Timestamps (MM:SS)

• Celtic/Rodgers statement drama: 02:30–06:43
• Sheffield Wednesday administration reaction: 09:11–15:53
• Coventry & Lampard’s success: 16:20–18:19
• Millwall’s new style under Neil: 18:45–21:09
• Championship’s failed parachute teams: 21:09–28:10
• Leagues One/Two round-up: 41:18–53:50
• Barnet & Britt Assombalonga: 49:20–50:36
• Tom Lockyer’s return: 50:36–51:41

Tone and Style

Throughout, the show remains humorous and accessible, balancing in-depth football insight with self-mockery ("trundling IU sounds like the worst of the three brothers" – Max, [26:53]), and plenty of friendly banter between panelists.

Conclusion

A jam-packed Football Weekly episode, with deep dives into the shockwaves from Celtic, the rejuvenation of Sheffield Wednesday, and the ever-brutal churn of the EFL. Unmissable for fans of thoughtful, funny, and comprehensive football chat.