Podcast Summary: The Rest Is Football – "Merry Christmas!"
Host: Goalhanger
Date: December 25, 2025
Presenters: Gary Lineker (Gary), Alan Shearer (Alan), Micah Richards (Mike)
Overview
This special "Merry Christmas!" episode from The Rest Is Football delivers heartfelt holiday wishes directly to listeners, briefly recapping 2025’s most exciting football stories and previewing what’s coming in 2026. The hosts reflect on the past year, their gratitude for the podcast community, and tease upcoming coverage, including the Premier League title race and the World Cup in the USA.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Heartfelt Christmas Wishes & Thanks
- Festive Greetings: The hosts kick off with cheerful Christmas and New Year wishes to all their fans.
- Listener Appreciation: They express deep gratitude for the ongoing support from their audience, highlighting the joy and fun they've shared making the show.
- Alan (00:19): "Thank you so much for all your support over the last year."
- Mike (00:22): "We've had an awful lot of fun."
2. Reflecting on 2025 and Looking Ahead
- Excitement for 2026: The trio is visibly energized by both the current state of football and the events on the horizon.
- Premier League Title Race: Alan and Mike discuss the razor-thin margin at the top.
- Alan (00:36): "With just two points separating Arsenal and Manchester City."
- Relegation Battle: Praise for promoted clubs bringing much-needed intensity to the fight for survival.
- Alan (00:39): "With this season's promoted clubs putting up the sort of fight we've been missing from the last few years, we should be in for a very exciting relegation battle too."
3. Road to 2026 World Cup Coverage
- Podcast Expansion: Major news as they announce the podcast joining Netflix for special World Cup episodes.
- Mike (00:57): "The Rest Is Football is going to be on Netflix throughout the tournament as we'll be bringing you all the fun, glitz and glamour from the Big Apple."
- Anticipation and Energy: The group conveys genuine excitement at the opportunity to cover the World Cup from New York City, hinting at "fun, glitz and glamour."
4. Schedule Update & Well-Earned Break
- Short Break Announced: The hosts inform listeners there won't be a new episode on Boxing Day as the team enjoys a brief holiday.
- Alan (01:06): "There won't be an episode of The Rest Is Football tomorrow while we take a couple of days off."
- Mike (01:08): "I hope you think we've deserved it."
- Upcoming Content: They will return December 29th with reviews and full coverage of the football action from the festive period.
- Alan (01:10): "We'll be back with the next show on Monday 29th December to review all the latest action from the weekend."
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Mike (00:14): "We wanted to send you a quick message to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year."
- Alan (00:19): "Thank you so much for all your support over the last year."
- Alan (00:36): "With just two points separating Arsenal and Manchester City."
- Alan (00:39): "With this season's promoted clubs putting up the sort of fight we've been missing... we should be in for a very exciting relegation battle too."
- Mike (00:57): "The Rest Is Football is going to be on Netflix throughout the tournament as we'll be bringing you all the fun, glitz and glamour from the Big Apple."
- Alan (01:08): "I hope you think we've deserved it."
Key Timestamps
- 00:09-00:24 – Warm holiday wishes and gratitude for listeners
- 00:31-00:44 – The Premier League title race & relegation battle previewed
- 00:49-01:02 – World Cup and Netflix announcement
- 01:06-01:16 – Schedule break for Christmas; return date announced
Tone & Chemistry
The episode is relaxed, jovial, and appreciative—capping off the year with warmth and excitement. The hosts’ chemistry and sense of camaraderie shine through, even in this brief holiday message.
In summary:
This episode is a compact but heartfelt bridge between the podcast’s regular content and its community, setting up a thrilling 2026 while wishing everyone the happiest holidays—complete with the same signature warmth that has made The Rest Is Football a staple for fans.