Gianfranco Zola: The Moments That Made Them

Summary

The Rest Is Football: "Gianfranco Zola – The Moments That Made Them"

Release Date: February 4, 2026
Hosts: Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Micah Richards

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Episode Overview

This episode of "The Rest Is Football" is a warm, insightful tribute to Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola. The hosts—Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, and Micah Richards—celebrate the moments, technique, and personality that made Zola one of the Premier League's most beloved and transformative figures. Equal parts football nostalgia, banter, and tactical appreciation, the panel discuss Zola's legacy, on-field magic, broader impact at Chelsea, and connections to other greats of his era.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Zola's Arrival and the Changing Premier League

• 2:47 Alan Shearer notes Zola's arrival at Chelsea coincided with a pivotal moment for the Premier League, as it started to attract top-tier foreign talent.
  • “Bringing the quality foreign players in... I think then we saw real quality, I think, coming probably.” (Alan Shearer, 02:47)
• Gary credits Zola as a player who helped lift Chelsea "just before they established themselves as a giant," emphasizing his key transitional role.

The Maradona Connection & Technical Genius

• 3:31 Gary recalls how Zola honed his craft under Diego Maradona at Napoli.
  • “He learned from one of the greats... Diego actually took him aside. He said, you do this well.” (Gary Lineker, 03:31)
• 3:53 The trio discuss Zola's similarities to Maradona: “Diminutive and super skillful and deft touch... but Zola was really special.” (Gary Lineker, 03:53)

Physical Strength & Game Intelligence

• Zola's deceptive physicality stands out:
  • “He was so hard to knock off the ball as well.” (Alan Shearer, 03:19)
  • “He was really strong.” (Alan Shearer, 04:25)
• Even after retirement, Shearer reflects on being unable to dispossess Zola in charity matches:
  • “No one could get the ball off him in the charity games.” (Alan Shearer, 04:29)

Memorable Goals & Free Kick Mastery

• 05:00–05:38 The panel reminisce about Zola's Chelsea debut, marveling at his powerful, effortless free kicks:
  • “He actually looks like Diego Maradona... tremendous free kicks... great right foot.” (Gary Lineker, 05:00)
  • Micah laments: “I wish I could take free kicks like that.” (Micah Richards, 05:43)

On & Off the Pitch: TV Work & Personality

• Zola's “lovely” demeanor in media (“He's just really lovely” – Gary, 06:13), and tactical intelligence are covered, as is his respected but limited success in management.

The Chelsea Transformation

• The show discusses Zola's relationship with Gianluca Vialli and Ruud Gullit, and the European flair they brought to Chelsea.
  • “They were super talented... That was a really good, good team.” (Gary Lineker, 07:04; Alan Shearer, 07:08)
• Zola’s immediate impact is underlined by winning the Football Writers' Player of the Year award after just four months at Chelsea.

Zola’s Dribbling & Influence

• The hosts emphasize his unmatched ability to dribble and embarrass defenders:
  • “He dances through... He definitely had the chop.” (Gary Lineker/Micah Richards, 07:47–07:49)
  • “He was one of those great little dribblers, wasn’t he?” (Gary Lineker, 08:13)
• On winning the Football Writers’ award despite joining midseason:
  • “I doubt that’s probably been done before.” (Alan Shearer, 08:20)

Farewell Lob – Signature Chelsea Moment

• 10:09–10:41 The famous farewell lob against Everton is celebrated:
  • “Brilliant lob, wasn’t it? Oh, he’s 36 by this stage... There’s not many could have done that.” (Gary Lineker/Alan Shearer, 10:20–10:43)

Humiliating Defenders & Skill Showcases

• 13:31–14:32 The group chat about Zola turning Jamie Carragher “inside out about six times,” much to the laughter of all:
  • “He turns him inside out about six times.” (Gary Lineker, 13:40)
  • Micah: “Look at the balance though there. Strength, like you mentioned, Al.” (Micah Richards, 14:14)

Playing Against Zola — Defender Perspectives

• Micah discusses the difficulty of facing skillful, small playmakers:
  • “That's the hardest type of player to play against... like David Silva.” (Micah Richards, 15:15)
  • Gary: “Just try and kick him off?”
    Micah: “Just smash him. Early doors. Let them know you’re there.” (15:23–15:26)

Zola's Legacy in Chelsea’s Evolution

• Shearer recognizes Zola’s pre-Abramovich silverware—FA Cup and League Cup wins—as laying the groundwork for Chelsea’s later dominance.
  • “People like that paved the way.” (Gary Lineker, 16:40)

Standout Traits & Comparisons

• Zola’s main strengths summarized:
  • “Dribbling.” (Gary Lineker, 19:41)
  • “Trying to get the ball off him.” (Alan Shearer, 19:42)
  • “He was a technician, Mike... free kicks, set pieces, beating players.” (Gary Lineker, 19:49)
• Briefly compared with Roberto Mancini for style and role.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Banter

• On Zola’s skill:
  “Balance and technique and passing and dribbling ability with the ball. He was fantastic.” (Alan Shearer, 03:19)

• On facing Zola:
  “No one could get the ball off him in the charity games. It was like he was... such a good player. So intelligent.” (Alan Shearer, 04:29)

• On football writers' awards:
  “Have to be some player when the football writers make it.” (Alan Shearer, 08:37)

• On Zola embarrassing Carragher:
  “He turns him inside out about six times.” (Gary Lineker, 13:40)
  “Look at the balance though there. Strength like you mentioned, Al.” (Micah Richards, 14:14)

• On handling skillful attackers:
  “Just smash him. Early doors. Get your body in there, let them know you're there.” (Micah Richards, 15:26)

• General tribute:
  “He was someone that lifted the Premier League, no question.” (Gary Lineker, 19:19)

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Key Timestamps

• 02:47 — Zola’s arrival and Premier League's growth
• 03:31 — Maradona’s influence on Zola
• 05:00–05:38 — Zola’s debut and free kick mastery
• 07:47–08:13 — Dribbling brilliance and impact on Chelsea
• 10:09–10:41 — The iconic "farewell lob" goal
• 13:31–14:32 — Turning Jamie Carragher inside out
• 15:15 — How defenders coped with Zola
• 19:41–19:49 — Zola’s main footballing assets
• 16:40 — Zola's role in Chelsea's future success

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Tone & Chemistry

The episode is light-hearted, full of anecdotes, and playful ribbing—especially around award speeches and Alan’s reputation for on-pitch sneaky elbows. The respect towards Zola is universal, blending affectionate football nostalgia with technical praise:

• “Chelsea fans loved him. Still do.” (Alan Shearer, 11:00)
• “He was a technician, Mike…” (Gary Lineker, 19:49)

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Summary

A lively, affectionate look at Gianfranco Zola’s unique Premier League legacy, “The Moments That Made Them” celebrates the Italian’s dazzling skill, influence on Chelsea’s European transformation, and delightful character on and off the pitch. Through personal memories and tactical breakdowns, the hosts reaffirm why Zola remains a beloved icon for Chelsea and football fans everywhere.

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Recommended for: Fans of Premier League history, Chelsea supporters, anyone who appreciates technical artistry in football, and listeners who enjoy football anecdotes mixed with expert analysis and laughter.

Transcript

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For more information about land referrals and energy powering the full festive fixture list, head to landusenergy.com. Hello and welcome to the Rest Is Football with Micah Richards, Alan Shearer and me, Gary Lineke on our latest episode of the Premier League Greats the moments that made them We've got a diminutive soul, a very likable chapter. We probably all worked with a little bit in television over the years. One of Chelsea's greats and he came probably in the era just before Chelsea established themselves as a giant in terms of winning trophies. It's won Gianfranco Zola.

[Alan Shearer]

I also think Gary came at a time when maybe that year or the season before when he signed that it was just starting to turn and bringing the quality foreign players in into the Premier League, into the Premier League in general, I think because it started in 92, but then then two or three years after that I Think then we saw real quality, I think, coming probably.

[Gary Lineker]

Because people started to see that the Premier League was looking like it was going to be successful.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah. And speaking of quality, this guy was. I mean, he was how good?

[Micah Richards]

We're talking.

[Alan Shearer]

We're talking one of the very, very best in terms of balance and technique and passing and dribbling ability with the ball. He was. He was fantastic. He was so hard to knock off the ball as well.

[Gary Lineker]

It was brilliant. He learned. He learned from one of the greats. Well, probably the great of his time, of his generation, Diego Maradona, really. He was at him, with him before, and, I mean, he even taught him free kicks. He learned off. Off Diego. Diego actually took him aside. He said, you do this well.

[Alan Shearer]

He did a good job teaching him. Yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

He was seen as the kind of, I suppose, following on from Diego, but, I mean, big, big boots to fill. But you could see why, because there were similarities, you know, diminutive and super skillful and deaf touch. And I mean, obviously Diego was Diego, but there were a lot of seriously, seriously talented players around. But Zola was. I thought he was really special.

[Alan Shearer]

He was lovely. Touch strong. Was he strong when you're trying to get. Knock him off the ball or get.

[Gary Lineker]

Him off the ball?

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, he was. He was really strong.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah, you just about crossed and you played against.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Played against him, that Chelsea team. Yeah. Really top player. I played against him in charity things after I retired and, I mean, I perhaps didn't appreciate when I was playing against him in real games, just how good he was. And then I played against him in a charity game and I'm thinking, this guy, my God, no one could get the ball off him in the charity games. It was like he was. Yeah, he was such a good player. So intelligent. Touch. Touch was magnificent. Yeah. It was just the way he looked after the ball.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah.

[Alan Shearer]

Protected the ball. Yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

He'd had quite a bit of a career before he actually came to England because he obviously played at Napoli with Diego and then Palmer, and that's where he went. Came to Chelsea from Palmer. He made his debut in 1996. Quite a good year for some people, Alan, that one, if you had a glimpse there before, you saw him take it with the right foot, he actually looks like Diego Madonna on the. Doesn't he hit tremendous free kicks. Oh, and he's done it. The Italian scores his first Chelsea goal. You see that, the way that he stands, but, you know, great right foot. In his case, that technique was brilliant.

[Micah Richards]

Because it's quite far out Isn't it?

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, about 30 yards, isn't it? 30 yards makes it look like effortless, doesn't it?

[Micah Richards]

I wish I could take free kicks like that.

[Alan Shearer]

It makes it look easy, doesn't he? It's just like nonchalant, isn't it?

[Gary Lineker]

I never took a free goes up there. I don't think I ever took a free kick.

[Alan Shearer]

You couldn't kick it that far, could you?

[Gary Lineker]

No.

[Alan Shearer]

30 yards.

[Gary Lineker]

Not with the oddball laces in. It wasn't easier.

[Micah Richards]

Did you say you worked with him in tv?

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah, a few times.

[Micah Richards]

Lovely on BT or.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah, I think bt. I think I'm trying to remember exactly when he was maybe the odd FA cup tie. I think the BBC as well.

[Micah Richards]

Okay.

[Gary Lineker]

Over the period, I think it was actually those. He's just really lovely.

[Micah Richards]

How does he see the game though? Is he. Is he super tactical or is he.

[Alan Shearer]

I mean, tried in management as well, isn't he?

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah, he was in management a few times. So it was, you know, he could see tactically you could see, but, you know. But he's also one of those footballers, is gifted technically. So, you know, if you could beat three or four players, you didn't need to worry about the tactical side of the game, did you? I don't think very much. But he was also brought here. The coach at the time was Alan's favorite. Rude. Rude. Chelsea. Yeah. And Rude did probably a bit better.

[Alan Shearer]

There than you than he did at Newcastle. Yeah. Was. Was Sian Franco in at the time with Viale as well?

[Gary Lineker]

Yes, he was. They were actually really close friends. I mean, Gianluca. Yeah, we all miss him, but bless him.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

I mean, what a wonderful human he was. And they were super talented.

[Alan Shearer]

That was a really good, good team. That was then, wasn't it? Chelsea.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah.

[Alan Shearer]

Just starting to. To build up. They. Dennis wives was around there as well, wasn't he?

[Micah Richards]

A bit before my time.

[Alan Shearer]

When you say your time.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah, yeah. I mean when he. What they say he came in 19 6. 96. I was only young.

[Gary Lineker]

He arrived in December. Right. And at the end of that season, he won the Football Writers Player of.

[Alan Shearer]

The Year for that season. Yeah. So he missed what, four months?

[Gary Lineker]

He missed four months. Yeah. He still won Football of the Year because he did quite a few bits European feel about Chelsea with Zola.

[Alan Shearer]

Lovely footwork from him.

[Gary Lineker]

He dances through.

[Micah Richards]

That's a nice call though, it, isn't it? Little chop.

[Gary Lineker]

He definitely had the chop. He could make you look a bit.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah. One of the best around Dennis Irwin was.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah. Fullbacks Alan Hansen used to say Dennis Irwin was the best right back and left back.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

In the prim. Irwin was class, though, wasn't he? Yeah, it's brilliant. He was a brilliant player. So. Yeah, he was one of those great little dribblers, wasn't he? Yeah. With the numerous examples of that, I doubt that's probably been done before. Someone who signed off halfway through the season, I think.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Micah Richards]

So football writers is all just a journalist.

[Gary Lineker]

That's the journalist one. Yeah. And there's obviously the players one, which is the. Yeah. PFA award. The football writers one has been going a lot longer. It's kind of quite prestigious.

[Alan Shearer]

Have to be some player when the football writers make it.

[Micah Richards]

Have you won one?

[Alan Shearer]

I think so, yeah.

[Micah Richards]

Just one.

[Alan Shearer]

Just.

[Micah Richards]

Is that all you've won?

[Gary Lineker]

Two.

[Gordon Carrera]

Oh, yeah.

[Micah Richards]

What do you get for that? Do you have to go up and give a speech?

[Gary Lineker]

It's actually a really nice. Nice award, actually. Like a statuette of a footballer. It's bronze. It's very nice. Yeah.

[Alan Shearer]

You mix in with.

[Gary Lineker]

What year did you win it, Al?

[Alan Shearer]

I think it was 95.

[Gary Lineker]

You mean you think it was.

[Micah Richards]

You know. Exactly.

[Alan Shearer]

I think it must have been when we won the league. 94. 95. Yeah, I think it was.

[Micah Richards]

Did you have to give a speech?

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, he gave a speech.

[Micah Richards]

What was his speech called? I can't remember.

[Gary Lineker]

What was your speech 30 years ago?

[Micah Richards]

He remembers everything. He does. What was your speech?

[Alan Shearer]

I haven't got a clue. Honestly, I can't remember.

[Micah Richards]

You need to get footage of that.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah.

[Alan Shearer]

It's a great honor. You guys are judging us all season to stand here before you. Thank you very much.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah, that's my worst fear, giving a speech. So many people around, finding the right words.

[Alan Shearer]

You must love giving speech. Talking in front of.

[Micah Richards]

I don't mind talking football in front of people, giving a speech, you know, it's just. It's not me at all.

[Gary Lineker]

Or just as well. You weren't that good then. Bit harsh, but you did ask for that. I think one of his most memorable goals was actually in his final season. And it was. It's called the farewell lob in many ways because he's at the end. But you'll remember this one. There isn't time for another Chelsea attack.

[Alan Shearer]

Bar Zola reaches the long ball and.

[Gary Lineker]

Scores at the very, very last.

[Micah Richards]

Oh, yes.

[Gary Lineker]

I mean by the outside.

[Alan Shearer]

The right finish. Outside of the right foot.

[Gary Lineker]

Brilliant lob, wasn't it? Oh, he's 36 by this stage and he'd been here for six years. So he didn't really join until he was.

[Micah Richards]

Is it. Who's in there? Is that Richard Wright? I think that's Richard.

[Alan Shearer]

It must be. Was against Everton. I think it is, yeah. What a finish.

[Gary Lineker]

That is cool.

[Alan Shearer]

There's not many could have done that.

[Gary Lineker]

No. Or even, you know, the have the wherewithal to see the keeper out on the angle as well. Brilliant effort.

[Micah Richards]

Did you score any goals like that?

[Alan Shearer]

Not like that.

[Gary Lineker]

No way.

[Alan Shearer]

Not from that angle like that. No chance.

[Gary Lineker]

No.

[Alan Shearer]

It's a great finish. Clever player. Lovely guy as well. Chelsea fans loved him.

[Gary Lineker]

Still do.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

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[Alan Shearer]

Zola.

[Gary Lineker]

Just.

[Alan Shearer]

Turning on the magic. How the Chelsea fans love that. What a piece of skill.

[Gary Lineker]

Look inside out. He turns him inside out about six times.

[Alan Shearer]

Took Patrick Berger to stop him, look.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah, but that's, that's why it's not great being a defender, Micah, isn't it? Because sometimes you can look humiliated. I mean, we can humiliate ourselves as forwards by missing a sitter, but when someone.

[Micah Richards]

That's never happened to me that, though. Oh my.

[Alan Shearer]

Danny Murphy's in there as well, look.

[Micah Richards]

Is that Danny Murphy?

[Alan Shearer]

Danny Murphy in there?

[Micah Richards]

Ballon d'.

[Gordon Carrera]

Or.

[Alan Shearer]

Ballon d', or, Danny. Ballon d'.

[Gary Lineker]

Or.

[Micah Richards]

Play one more time for his age.

[Gary Lineker]

Just for the pleasure of watching carrier humiliated. Is that what you're looking for?

[Micah Richards]

Look at the balance though there. Strength like you mentioned there, Al.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah.

[Micah Richards]

And then his awareness, the brain, the chop. Just one too many touches, isn't it, Danny?

[Gary Lineker]

With a little bit of hair there. Just a little bit of hair Danny Murphy had on that shot. Just a bit of bald patch at the top.

[Alan Shearer]

So he was only in the Premier League six years. Five and a half.

[Gary Lineker]

Six years. Five and a half. 6 years. But made a huge impact. How do you play against someone like that, Mike?

[Micah Richards]

It's difficult.

[Gary Lineker]

Those jinky wingers, did you prefer the quick knock it and run because you fancy your chances on pace?

[Micah Richards]

Yeah, quick and quick and thick though, weren't they back there?

[Gary Lineker]

Quick and thick and thick.

[Alan Shearer]

Remember?

[Micah Richards]

Well, I know the line. Or you basically name names, the strong arm name names for your Walcott.

[Alan Shearer]

That's quick or thick.

[Gary Lineker]

You now work with on occasionally.

[Micah Richards]

Okay, fine, that was joke for you. Yeah, Just chat. But no, I, I, I think that's the hardest type of player to play against. It's similar to David Silva where he's all small but his first touch is so good.

[Gary Lineker]

What you do with him, Just try and kick him off.

[Micah Richards]

Just smash him. Early doors.

[Gary Lineker]

Smash them.

[Micah Richards]

Smash them early doors. Get your body in there, let them know you're there. Yeah, and that's all you can do.

[Alan Shearer]

You can't smash players nowadays though, can you?

[Gary Lineker]

It's like they can't do it now, can you?

[Alan Shearer]

Smashing players is gone, isn't it?

[Micah Richards]

You smashed a few back in your day, didn't you?

[Alan Shearer]

Well, I tried to, yeah, because there's, they tried me first.

[Gary Lineker]

Sneaky. I know you Sneaky elbow keen.

[Micah Richards]

Because every time we talk about this, he sort of go into your shell, don't you? You basically. You squared up to him and he bottled it.

[Alan Shearer]

Who bottled it?

[Micah Richards]

You bottled it. I've seen footage of you bottling it, mate.

[Gary Lineker]

Have you?

[Micah Richards]

I thought you were shearer aggressive and whatnot.

[Gary Lineker]

I'm not having that, Mike. I don't believe that.

[Micah Richards]

He did a sneaky little elbow.

[Gary Lineker]

Why did. Just. Why does he all say you were sneaky?

[Alan Shearer]

Ask him. I don. Do I really have to go into it?

[Micah Richards]

Yeah, please go into it. What happened on. On that day?

[Alan Shearer]

We just had a row.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

Happens, doesn't it?

[Micah Richards]

And that was it.

[Gary Lineker]

I think he bears a grudge, though, don't you?

[Micah Richards]

No, he doesn't.

[Gary Lineker]

Sheer, isn't he? Sneaky.

[Micah Richards]

Sneaky. He said he was sneaky, but he was joking.

[Gary Lineker]

Sneaky elbows.

[Alan Shearer]

Reaction gone past there, you know. I'm not having a bite on you boys. Yeah, not today, anyway.

[Gary Lineker]

You scared of him, aren't we? I mean, Chelsea's overall success came just after Zola left, obviously because of the Abramovich era. And it was a remarkably successful period. But people like that paved the way.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, but he. I think he won an FA cup and a League cup as well, didn't he? Just. Just before that. And then. Then Chelsea started changing. Then they. The era of Roman. And then all of a sudden it was like. And then we talk about bringing foreign players in and they brought in some of the very, very best. I remember when Drogba came in, we'd play against Drogba in Newcastle and. And some of the players that then were in Chelsea and where Chelsea were about to go.

[Gary Lineker]

Do you blame Newcastle against Drogba when he played for Marseille?

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

Did you remember that game? He was unbelievable.

[Alan Shearer]

Unbelievable.

[Gary Lineker]

Came in my head that, yeah, we.

[Alan Shearer]

Played because he went up against Jonathan Woodgate. It was a really, really good defender. He stood out. He was like. We were like, oh, my God, he's doing that to. Doing that to one of the best around at that time. And, yeah, that's when we first saw Drogba at Marseille.

[Micah Richards]

What was it like to play against Desai when he was at Chelsea?

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah, he was.

[Alan Shearer]

He was top, great player. Top player.

[Gary Lineker]

Have I told you my favorite punditry story about Marcel Desai? Which my best favorite, most favorite ever, ever punditry line anyone has ever delivered. So we're doing a game live on tv. Live on television. It was one of the. I had the Euros or way back, way back, long time ago. And he was Doing a bit of Pondicherry with us. And there was Alan Hansen, I think Mark Lawrenson as well, or something like this. And we were talking. It was. France were playing and we were discussing Thierry Henry, one of our favorites, obviously, but we were discussing Thierry Henry and I was saying to Marcel, I think he was getting a lot of stick from the French press at the time, and he'd been in Arsenal for eight. He was like absolute superstar in our country. And I was. I said to Marcel, I said, well, what is it with, like, the French press and Thierry Henry? They don't seem to get him like we get him. They don't. I don't give him much love, they're quite critical, etc. Etc. And he says, well, you. You have to understand in the France, he said, we are used to, like, some of the great players in the game. We have had, like Michel Platini, we have. We have Zinedine Zidane, we have Marcel Desai.

[Micah Richards]

Hanson's face.

[Gary Lineker]

Hanson went, oh, he's brilliant. I loved him for it.

[Micah Richards]

I love.

[Gary Lineker]

Every time I see him, I look, he's Marcel's guy. Yeah. We sneaked away from Gianfranco Zola, but he was. He was someone that lifted the Premier League, no question.

[Alan Shearer]

Absolutely, yeah. Superb in what he did. And just before Roman's era, he sort of. They set the way then, those boys, didn't they, for what Chelsea were about to embark on, what would you say.

[Micah Richards]

His best asset was?

[Gary Lineker]

Dribbling.

[Micah Richards]

Dribbling?

[Alan Shearer]

I think so, yeah. Trying to get the ball off him.

[Micah Richards]

What was his passing like, though?

[Alan Shearer]

Passing was good. I mean, balls in were superb as well.

[Gary Lineker]

He was a technician, Mike, that's what he was. The technician that looked that right foot, free kicks, you know, set pieces, beating players.

[Micah Richards]

Better than Mancini.

[Gary Lineker]

Different, really. Roberto was more central because he played. I played in, funnily enough. I played against Mancini and Viale in the final of the European Cup Winners cup when we won Barcelona against Sampadoria and they both played that day. Just thought I'd bring that up as a rare trophy.

[Alan Shearer]

Just in case anyone had forgotten. Gary played for Barcelona.

[Gary Lineker]

I don't like to mention it too frequently, but just it's. It's good for people to understand that I wasn't that. And neither was Gianfranco Zara. So that's it for this episode of the Rest Is Football. Goodbye from me.

[Micah Richards]

Goodbye for me.

[Alan Shearer]

Goodbye from me.

[Gary Lineker]

Hello.

[Home Depot Advertiser]

Are you looking for occasionally insightful but always thrillingly entertaining analysis from the world's leading soccer Football podcast well, look no further. I'm Max Rushton, the host of the Guardian Football Weekly podcast. Join me every week as we pick over the latest action and news from the beautiful game, from the big wins to the crises at Manchester United, Spurs, Chelsea, West Ham manager meltdowns to minor mishaps. And with a guaranteed agenda against your club, if it happens in soccer, we've got it covered. Listen on Spotify now and watch the full episodes over on YouTube.

[Dominic Sambrook]

Hi there, everybody. It's Dominic Sambrook here from the Rest.

[Gordon Carrera]

Is History and Gordon Carrera from the Rest Is Classified.

[Dominic Sambrook]

Now, over the last month or so, the regime in the Islamic Republic of Iran has been pushed to the edge, having seen the largest protest for a generation ripping across the country. Tens of thousands of people have been killed by the Ayatollah's forces since the uprising began, and a lot of people outside Iran are asking, is this the beginning of the next Iranian revolution?

[Gordon Carrera]

And Goal Hanger is covering every element of this. On the Rest Is Classified, David and I have looked at the role of intelligence agencies in this conflict. With the Internet blackouts and so much unknown, we've been looking at whether spies are best placed to judge whether the regime is truly at risk of falling.

[Dominic Sambrook]

Now on the Rest Is History, we have been looking at the origins of the Iranian regime at the 1979 Iranian Revolution, which saw the fall of the last shah and his replacement by the rule of the ayatollahs. Now, given that the last shah's son is being touted abroad as the man who might, just might, save Iran, you can't understand what is happening now without understanding what happened back then at the end of the 1970s.

[Gordon Carrera]

But it's not just our own two podcasts that are covering Iran. If you want to know whether Donald Trump's military build up in the region means it's likely he's going to wade in and force regime change. Here, Alistair Campbell and Rory Stewart cover the latest developments in the Rest is.

[Dominic Sambrook]

Politics, and our dear friends at the Rest is Money have been looking at the economic collapse, the corruption and the impact of the sanctions that have been eating away its social cohesion in Iran over recent years and have pushed so many people onto the streets and on Empire.

[Gordon Carrera]

They've been looking at the similarities and differences between 1979 and today. How is it that a country that less than 50 years ago forced the Shah out of power is now seeing crowds chanting Long live the Shah?

[Dominic Sambrook]

So whatever happens next to the people of Iran and to all those brave souls who've turned it on the streets to protest. Stay tuned to Goal Hanger for all the context and the answers and the analysis that you need. Find the rest is history, the rest is classified Empire. The rest is politics and the rest is money. Wherever you get your podcasts.