Pep’s 20-Trophy Decade & Are West Ham Heading Down?

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Rest Is Football

Episode: Pep’s 20-Trophy Decade & Are West Ham Heading Down?
Date: May 17, 2026
Hosts: Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Micah Richards

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Overview

This episode dives into two headline stories: Pep Guardiola's remarkable ten-year, 20-trophy legacy at Manchester City, and the stark decline of West Ham as they teeter on the edge of relegation. The hosts bring their signature blend of incisive analysis, dressing-room insight, and witty banter to broader discussions on Chelsea’s managerial changes, refereeing controversies, key player performances, England squad prospects, VAR and handball laws, and the shifting fortunes of top Premier League clubs.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Manchester City’s Trophy Triumph & Pep's Legacy (03:49–08:12)

• 20 trophies in a decade: The hosts marvel at Manchester City's dominance under Pep Guardiola, noting John Stones and Bernardo Silva have also amassed 20 trophies.
• City’s recent cup win: Alan Shearer downplays the game’s quality, but praises the "outstanding" winning goal by Semeno. [03:59]
• Shearer:
  "It wasn't a classic game...but it was won by an outstanding goal. City didn't panic, didn't have to with their experience." [03:59]
• Pep's impact: The conversation shifts to Pep’s broader influence—tactically, stylistically, and culturally—on English football.
• Lineker:
  "Not only that, he's changed probably the style of football in this country as well...he's incredibly intuitive, great imagination, tactical" [06:49–07:12]
• Shearer:
  "The drive you have to have as a manager to change things, to freshen things up, to get rid of players, to bring players in, and to keep them all on side, as he has done...It's incredible." [07:32]

2. Bernardo Silva & John Stones: Unsung City Heroes (08:35–10:53)

• Bernardo Silva’s reliability: Only missed nine games through injury in ten years ["Staggering!"—Shearer, 08:59].
• Lineker:
  "I don't think Pep's trusted anyone as much, probably, as Bernardo Silva. It's almost like his coach on the field." [09:38]
• John Stones big fate call: Injury-prone but valuable; debate over his likely England selection.

3. Chelsea’s New Era Under Xabi Alonso (11:06–13:00)

• Xabi Alonso appointed manager: Surprise at Alonso’s choice, widely expected to go to Liverpool. Hosts debate if Chelsea will finally offer a manager more influence.
• Shearer:
  "He's been named a Chelsea manager rather than the Chelsea coach, which clearly means...he's going to have a lot more say who comes in, who goes out, how the club's run." [11:55]
• Lineker:
  "What he did at Leverkusen was extraordinary...it is a club that's run differently to a lot of other clubs and it's whether he can make that work." [11:17]

4. West Ham’s Shocking Decline & Newcastle’s Rebound (13:00–15:49)

• Newcastle’s positivity: St. James’s Park ends the season with renewed hope.
• Shearer’s takedown of West Ham:
  "Oh my goodness, they were dreadful defensively. I mean, it's like watching under 15s or 16s amateur side at times, how bad they are." [13:13]
• West Ham's tactical confusion: System changes yield nothing; defensive errors abound.
• Lineker:
  "That first goal was...absolute shambles. So many errors, so lackadaisical...grim times for West Ham fans." [15:32]
• Relegation fears: Shearer and Lineker agree West Ham are "pretty much done" without a miracle.

5. Best Worst Team—Sunday League Funnies (16:41–19:56)

• A lighthearted interlude: Micah Richards recounts Joe Cole’s guest appearance for Worley FC and his own struggles up front, reinforcing the show’s camaraderie and love for grassroots football.

6. Manchester United’s Turnaround Under Michael Carrick (21:49–23:26)

• Carrick earns new contract: Praised for tactical intelligence, calmness, and clear improvement ("he deserved that contract" —Shearer, 22:39).
• Lineker:
  "He's calm, he's measured, he's obviously thoughtful in his tactics...very encouraging. Got them in the Champions League." [21:49]
• Challenges ahead: Deeper squad needed to compete in Europe.

7. Player of the Year & England’s Selection Dilemmas (24:03–26:35)

• Bruno's brilliance: Joins De Bruyne & Henry with 20 assists; touted by Lineker as Footballer of the Year [24:03]
• Debate on contenders if Arsenal win: Rice, Gabriel, Raya.
• Breakout stars: Morgan Gibbs-White’s late charge for an England spot and Elliot Anderson’s ongoing ascent.

8. VAR Controversies & Handball Rule Criticism (26:43–29:47)

• Shearer launches into a scathing attack on the standard of referees and the handball rule:
• Shearer:
  "I feel as if we've got the lunatics running the asylum with the guys making the laws in football...I just think it was nonsensical. I thought it was pathetic actually." [26:46–27:48]
• The hosts plead for simplification and common sense after contentious decisions in Scotland and the Premier League ("the handball law is a bit of an ass" — Lineker, 27:48).

9. Liverpool’s Stagnation, Salah’s Public Critique & Slot’s Uncertain Future (29:57–32:28)

• Liverpool’s defensive woes: "Leaked more than 50 goals in a 30-game Premier League campaign for the first time" (Lineker, 33:46).
• Mo Salah’s pointed message: Interpreted as a dig at Arne Slot for abandoning ‘heavy metal football’.
• Lineker:
  "He goes on...but the key message is obviously going back to heavy metal football which seems like a dig at the manager." [31:11]
• Debate over whether Slot remains in post and if Salah could be dropped for the final game.

10. Aston Villa’s Success Under Unai Emery (33:07–33:46)

• Emery lauded as a manager of the year contender; Villa’s Champions League qualification on a modest budget is praised.
• Shearer:
  "The job he's done this season, getting Villa into the Champions League, hardly spending anything...he's done a marvellous job." [33:07]

11. Premier League Transfer Discussion & Looking Ahead (throughout)

• Short references to potential big transfers: Elliot Anderson to Manchester United or Manchester City.
• Speculation on Liverpool's summer spending given recent failures.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Pep’s Influence:
  "He's incredibly intuitive, great imagination, tactical...he's definitely, you know, things like the inverted fullbacks that everyone started to copy...Really incredible football mind." (Gary Lineker, 06:49–07:12)

• On Bernardo Silva:
  "Nine. Is it through injury? Wow...I mean, he's been Pep's go-to...I didn't know that, that's unbelievable." (Alan Shearer, 08:54–08:59)

• On West Ham:
  "They were dreadful defensively. I mean, it's like watching under 15s or 16s amateur side at times, how bad they are." (Alan Shearer, 13:13)

• On the Handball/VARRule:
  "I just think it was nonsensical. I thought it was pathetic actually." (Alan Shearer, 27:48)

• On Mo Salah's Comments:
  "He goes on...but the key message in there is obviously going back to heavy metal football which seems...like a dig at the manager." (Gary Lineker, 31:11)

• On Emery:
  "The job he's done this season getting Villa into the Champions League, hardly spending anything and on the brink of another Europa League title...he's done a marvellous job." (Alan Shearer, 33:07)

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Important Timestamps

| Time | Segment/Discussion | |------------|------------------------------------------------------| | 03:49–08:12| Manchester City’s 20th trophy & Pep’s legacy | | 08:35–10:53| Bernardo Silva & John Stones’ importance | | 11:06–13:00| Xabi Alonso as Chelsea manager | | 13:00–15:49| Newcastle’s positivity, West Ham’s failings | | 21:49–23:26| Carrick’s contract at Manchester United | | 24:03–26:35| Player of the Year/England squad discussion | | 26:43–29:47| Handball controversy & referee/VAR criticism | | 29:57–32:28| Liverpool’s defensive struggles, Salah vs Slot | | 33:07–33:46| Unai Emery’s Villa success |

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Flow & Tone

Dynamic, friendly, and irreverent; the panel blends serious football insight with banter ("You must be thrilled to have made a difference. You're a natural born coach, Micah."—Lineker, 18:07). The critique of referees and VAR is especially biting; Shearer’s exasperation is palpable. The possibility of English footballing norms being upended by the likes of Guardiola and Alonso is discussed with respect and intrigue for what’s next—always with an eye toward the upcoming transfer window and excitement for the season's final moments.

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This summary gives a comprehensive, timestamped guide to the key themes and discussions—capturing the chemistry, the sharp analysis, and the big laughs that make "The Rest Is Football" a fan favorite.

Transcript

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store near you [e-mail] coming up on today's show, Manchester City winning another trophy. Was that 20 trophies in 10 years

[Alan Shearer]

for Pep Guardiola, West Ham? Oh my goodness, they were dreadful defensively. I mean, it's like watching the under 15s or 16s amateur side. At times they're pretty much done and they need a miracle if they're going to get out. I'm really, really concerned about the standard of referees in our country. I just think it was nonsensical. I thought it was pathetic, actually.

[Gary Lineker]

Interested to see what Liverpool do you

[Alan Shearer]

think this summer you're on a slot? Do you? Then leave him out next weekend for his last game for Liverpool. If Arsenal win the league, it'll be Mikhail Arteta win Manager of the year. Yeah, but Unai Emery has to push him really, really close.

[Gary Lineker]

This episode is powered by Fuse Energy. Before the action starts, a word from Fuse, who makes switching energy supplies easy to celebrate. Big moves. We're testing Alan and Micah on the Legends of the transfer window, who holds the record for playing for the most clubs in Premier League history.

[Micah Richards]

I'm going to go Craig Bellamy. Alan, he just saw the answer there.

[Gary Lineker]

No, he did not. I've got my finger.

[Alan Shearer]

I know the answer anyway. And it's not Craig Bellamy.

[Micah Richards]

Who is it really?

[Alan Shearer]

Marcus Bent.

[Gary Lineker]

Eight different teams he played for. Which is the most? Crystal Palace, Blackburn, Ipswich, Leicester, Everton, Charlton, Wigan. And one of the club, if you just look straight ahead at producer John Wolves. Wolves fan?

[Micah Richards]

Yes, Wolves.

[Gary Lineker]

From big match calls to moving house, smart choices make all the difference. Switch to Fuse Energy and save up to 200 pounds on your energy bills. It takes less than three minutes online. Visit fuseenergy.comfootball to sign up and view full terms and conditions. Hello and welcome to the Rest is Football with Alan Shearer, me, Gary Lineker. Mike is in a car on a motorway. So we're gonna give him some peace, leave him alone and take care of matters ourselves. Alan, you've. You've had a busy weekend watching football.

[Alan Shearer]

You're at.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

Which is probably the place we should start, really, with Manchester City winning another trophy. What's that, 20 trophies in 10 years for Pep Guardiola.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, 20 trophies for him. Same for John Stone. Same for Bernardo Silva. And yeah, obviously Pep, it's like. I mean, it wasn't. It wasn't a classic game, was it? It was a. In fact, it was a poor game, but it was won by an outstanding goal. But yeah, I mean, goodness me, man, City, they didn't play that well, probably didn't. They didn't panic, didn't. Don't have to with the experience that. That they have. And that. Oh, the goal was just a thing of beauty, wasn't it? From Semeno, the way he just reacted. So you got like a split second to think of what you're going to do and then to execute it just. It was an unbelievable finish. Yeah. And they just. I think I thought they were the better team. Chelsea sort of stopped them playing. Did well in terms of stopping Doku with Palmer coming back to help Gusto out on a regular basis. But it had nothing up front. Chelsea, they had one really, probably best chance was Fernandez when they had the long throw. Other than that, they didn't really create anything.

[Gary Lineker]

Chelsea, what was it like in the stadium? Out. You were great at co. Commentating.

[Alan Shearer]

It was a brilliant atmosphere. It was. Two sets of fans made it a really good atmosphere, but it wasn't, as I said, it wasn't. It wasn't a great game. We won't remember that game in years to come. We'll Just remember City won it with a brilliant goal and not, not a lot else to talk about. But the City fans won't care about that, will they? Got their trophy. Got another one.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah. Chelsea were not overly happy. Thought they might have had a penalty there. About three separate shouts.

[Alan Shearer]

Not for me.

[Gary Lineker]

Me neither, actually. Not enough.

[Alan Shearer]

I thought the referee had a good game, actually. I thought he refereed it well considering the pressure after last weekend that he was under and I thought he got, I thought he got all of all the decisions right that he had to. No, yes, I understand the Chelsea from a Chelsea perspective, but there was, there was not enough to, to give them a penalty and any of their decisions that they would have hoped yesterday. So I thought he had a decent game. The referee.

[Gary Lineker]

I think a lot of people were expecting Pep to finish at the end of this season. In his post match press conference, he intimated that he's going to stay. What, what, what do you think he'll do now?

[Alan Shearer]

I honestly haven't got a clue. I mean, I guess I admire the way if, if he does go, then for them to keep it quiet, as they have done and he has done and he's constantly said the same thing, that he's going to stay. But we, I don, I really don't know. I'm just guessing what I see. I hope he stays for another year, but if he decides to go out after, after 10 years and 20 trophies and two trophies and he'll still say they've got a chance, they have to go to Bournemouth and win, clearly. But yeah, whatever he decides, it's been a pleasure to watch his. Watch his teams and how he sort of dismantled everyone else and won. Everything that he has, that he has won, he's been incredible.

[Gary Lineker]

Not only that, he's changed probably the style of football in this country as well.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, definitely.

[Gary Lineker]

I remember in his first season, everyone says, well, you can't play that way, not in English football. It's not going to work. He proved everyone that wrong in that sense. He's incredibly intuitive, great imagination, tactical. I mean, you know, sometimes we've. It's not always worked for him, but by and large, you know, I mean, we've been in the game a long time, Alan, and there's, you know, there's not many tactical changes, but he has definitely, you know, things like the inverted fallbacks that everyone started to copy. Yeah, incredible. Really incredible football mind and drive, I would say as well.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, I mean, I said that about Bernardo Silva yesterday, about the drive that you have to have as a player. But the drive you have to have as a manager to change things, to freshen things up, to get rid of players, to bring players in and to keep them all on side, as he has done, to change his backroom staff, as he, as he has done, which you have to do, just to freshen things up as well. I mean, we always said that about Sir Alex, didn't we? About going through different eras or phases of terms of the management and when and how to get rid of players or to, to sell players or then to bring different players in and then to go again and then to constantly be successful. I mean, it's, it's, it's. It's incredible what he's done.

[Gary Lineker]

It really is. I mean, for me, when I, when I watch his football and I think. And you, you just think, how much does a coach actually make the difference? And I think most of the coaches are really good, but he quite clearly improves players. Nearly every player that's been under his wing has benefited from his time with Pep. I love the fact that if a player's unhappy, just says, well, off you go.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

Doesn't worry him, doesn't make it difficult for them. So I like his attitude. But also we should talk about Bernardo Silva, because he's gone. Harry's just handed me this station. During his 10 years at Manchester City, Bernardo Silva has only missed nine games through injury.

[Alan Shearer]

Nine. Is it through injury? Wow.

[Gary Lineker]

I mean, it's truly extraordinary. Isn't it?

[Alan Shearer]

Staggering. Wow. I didn't, I didn't know that. That's unbelievable. I mean, he's been, he's been pepped, go to. He's been pet. Constant, hasn't he?

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah.

[Alan Shearer]

I mean, I said it about, you know, having that, having that desire to get out of bed when you're being kicked every single weekend. And he's, he's not shy, by the way, and putting a tackle or doing. But to get out of bed and go again and again and again and win games season after season, win trophies, that. It takes some doing, you know, because after you've won what he's done, it would be easy just to. Okay. But the very, very best keep coming and coming and coming for more. And he's been a Premier League great, without a doubt. Yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

I don't think Pep's trusted anyone as much, probably, as, as Bernardo Silva. It's almost like his coach on the field because he's clearly very intelligent as well. Another shout out, another player leaving John St. Obviously.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

See him, I mean, he's, he's definitely had more injuries than nine over his, his career. And I've got a feeling he might, might sneak in the England squad because I know that Thomas Tuchel really likes him and he's, he's a different kind of player. Yeah, it's whether you can take the chance on his, his fitness because obviously the last two or three seasons he's broken down on a lot of occasions. But he's a class act, brilliant.

[Alan Shearer]

Absolutely outstanding. I'm like you, I guess because of his experience and his know how and all of those things then. Yeah, I guess that's the one concern that the manager will have in terms of injuries because I thought Colwill played really well yesterday for Chelsea and I think he might have played himself into an England, into the England squad. Don't know.

[Gary Lineker]

Do you think so?

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, I do. I thought he was excellent.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah. I think he's got the ability and he was. I thought it's a massive injury though. Massive injury.

[Alan Shearer]

But again though, in terms of an injury, if you're going to take John, will you take a risk on someone else being out for such a long time?

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah. Difficult.

[Alan Shearer]

So that, that's, that's tough. But I, I thought he was the one, one of the big pluses for Chelsea yesterday in terms of John Stones. Yeah. And very similar to, to Bernardo Silver. I mean the career he's had at Manchester City and under Pep has been outstanding.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah, it's been a disappointing season in the end for Chelsea. But a little bit of news obviously, big news really for, for the Chelsea fans is that Xabi Alonso is going to be the manager.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

From next season. Next season. So I mean I was surprised at that. I think it's a not. I don't think it's a gamble for Chelsea. I think it's a really good appointment for them. But I just, you know, it's a little bit surprised. I think most of us thought, you know, might go to possibly Liverpool but you know, you, I suppose you can't just sit out and wait. It is a club that's run differently to a lot of other clubs and it's whether he can make that work, whether he can have a bit more say than perhaps previous coaches have had. But I mean I think what he did at Leverkusen was extraordinary and obviously it was a bit of a shit show at Real Madrid. But I'm not sure that was all down to him.

[Alan Shearer]

I think the big difference, and I think it's a real noticeable difference is he's been named a Chelsea manager rather than the Chelsea coach, which clearly means that. And he's never going to be in a. Probably a stronger position than he is at the minute, you know, when they desperately want him in terms of getting everything right in his contract. And I think that's really noticeable that he's the Chelsea manager. So I guess he's going to have a lot more say who comes in, who goes out, how the clubs run. And I think. I don't think he would have taken it if that. If that wasn't the case because clearly, I guess it would have been under the current weights run. Clearly that would be a massive gamble for him and one that he probably wasn't prepared to take. So I guess he's got everything in black and white and he's going to have a major say, and rightly so, because up until now it's a bonkers football club and clearly hasn't worked what they were trying to do. And he can see that, like, I mean, it doesn't take a genius to work it out. Everyone can see it. So I guess from his point of view, it was really important he got those bits ironed out and it looks as if, yeah, rather than coach, he's the manager, which I think is a huge thing.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah. It's going to be really interesting to see how he does next season. You mentioned black and white. There you were at the game, watching Newcastle. Good finish to their. Well, their last home game of the season. A bit more encouraging. What do you make of it? You were there.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, I thought it was much, much better from Newcastle. Much more positivity. It's a really good atmosphere. Trippier leaving, craft leaving. And so they get to leave on a good note. Good way to end the season at St. James's park because it has been a lot of negativity and Newcastle have been poor by recent standards. So good. Good to get the three points. But I have to say, West Ham, oh, my goodness, they were dreadful defensively. I mean, it's like watching it under 15s or 16s, amateur side at times, how bad they are defensively. There was. He played three at the back to start the game and then after, I don't know, about 25 minutes, he changed it and brought Castellanos on and went him and Callum Wilson up top. They were a little bit better after that.

[Gary Lineker]

Some goal he scored. It's worth a mention. I mean, what's.

[Alan Shearer]

Fantastic. Yeah, good goal. Good goals. That was a great goal. It was a fantastic finish. And then West Ham put up a bit of a fight, but it Was too little too late. You know, it was like 3 nil down. The game's gone from them. So Walter Marta got a goal. Good pleased for him. Sula got two. He looked really good, really promising, really energetic. Took his goals really well.

[Gary Lineker]

It's funny, isn't it, for all the money that Newcastle spent in the summer, obviously from the ESAC thing, the player that's probably impressed most in that position is a soul. I mean, he's taken his opportunities, hasn't he?

[Alan Shearer]

Well, he has, yeah. He's done really well and done everything that's been asked of him of late. I don't think Newcastle should be fooled in terms of the last three or four weeks, what he's done and what happened today. They still need recruitment in that position.

[Gary Lineker]

As for West Ham, it's looking pretty bleak for them now. I mean, that would have been a real boost for Tottenham going into their game as well.

[Alan Shearer]

Oh, absolutely. If you're Tottenham watching that, then yeah, you're absolutely delighted because they'll just. They just need a point because of the goal difference.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah.

[Alan Shearer]

So that would be a huge boost to them. But yeah, West Ham, I was like. I was a tad surprised to change the system because they looked really uncomfortable in what they were trying to do. They didn't know whether to press, didn't know whether to sit off. And in the end they did. They just didn't either. And then Newcastle could sort of play through them and mistakes defensively and they were just. They were rotten. They were all over the place. West Ham and that would. Yeah, they're pretty. They're pretty much done and they need a miracle if they're going to get out of it.

[Gary Lineker]

In the first goal was. Was absolute shambles.

[Alan Shearer]

It was.

[Gary Lineker]

I mean, there's so many errors in there, so lackadaisical. And yeah, you know, obviously Newcastle made the most of it, but yeah, grim times for West Ham fans. Yeah, I think they're pretty sure. But you never know in football, obviously.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

Yes. But spurs should be able to grind out a point.

[Alan Shearer]

You would think so.

[Gary Lineker]

You would have thought so. Yeah, wouldn't you? Let's take a break there and discuss one or two of the other games when we come back. Foreign this segment is brought to you by Spec Savers Best worst team. It's been quite a season at Warley fc. They've gone from finishing rock bottom in Brentwood Sunday League Division 3 to chasing a top half finish and enjoying a cup run. But as we get to the business end of the season, Worley still look like they could do with a bit more going forward. Micah and Luke have turned to experience, bringing in the one and only Joe Cole on loan. Not a bad bit of business. Micah, how did he get on?

[Micah Richards]

Well, he. He scored. He looked a bit tired in all honesty. I mean, if you look at him, he looks only slight. But in terms of his, his football brain, his touch, his technique, the way he took his goal as well, absolutely fantastic. I'm Del. Thank you, Joe. Thank you.

[Gary Lineker]

It's the highlight of his career.

[Micah Richards]

Let's just say he did a lot better than me. Up top. I went up top. Dinner.

[Gary Lineker]

And did you?

[Micah Richards]

Honestly, it's not easy, is it?

[Alan Shearer]

It's not easy.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah. I went up front for, for about 10 minutes.

[Gary Lineker]

How many goals you bagged?

[Micah Richards]

Zero goals. It's when I brought Angry Ginger's team. They're very good. And yeah, I did a little touch, a little technique, a little. But it wasn't like Joe Cole. Joe Cole, yeah, he stole the show.

[Alan Shearer]

What bit of advice did he give Joe Cole and just.

[Micah Richards]

What, what advice?

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, as. As you like. Your.

[Micah Richards]

I said go there and get him ticking. None of this long ball malarkey. None of this long ball.

[Gary Lineker]

Joel. Joel's a long ball merchandise technician. He's a wizard.

[Micah Richards]

None of that get on the ball, get his ticking. He needed to bring the. The old school new, you know, because everyone thinks Sunday league long ball and all that, but I wanted. We won the game comfortably. I, I would say. And yeah, he was a massive part of that.

[Gary Lineker]

You must be, you must be thrilled to have made a difference. You're obviously a natural born coach, Micah.

[Micah Richards]

You know what? I'm wasted. I'm wasting in the punditry scene. I've told you guys.

[Gary Lineker]

I was saying that earlier.

[Micah Richards]

So at the start of the season, guys, I set him a target of 15 points. What have they gone and done? And 17 points and the season's not finished. So after my job, guys, how about you guys do your job? You know what I mean? Uplift people, you know, give them the confidence that they need to go on, I don't know, flourish in life, you know, instead of constantly putting people down like you two do.

[Gary Lineker]

Well done, Mike. Seventeen points. That'd send you down in the Premier League. It must be a little bit daunting for them in a way, having people like yourself and particularly Joe Cole, a proper player, watching them. And at the same time, it must be quite. They must be excited by it, the fact that they're getting this attention as well.

[Micah Richards]

You know what I think they go the other way where they try to do too much, you know, because all the cameras are there and where they're, where they're trying to impress. I've just said to the guys at half time, just play your normal game, you know.

[Gary Lineker]

No, that's, that, that's what you don't want them to do, isn't it? Well, this is what they did last season.

[Micah Richards]

Well, this season, this season they're being a lot better.

[Gary Lineker]

Play your normal game, boys. That's the halftime speech of a lifetime, isn't it?

[Micah Richards]

But they've done, they've done so well this season.

[Alan Shearer]

I heard a little whisper that even went even Man City are thinking when Pep leaves, you might be getting a cold maker.

[Micah Richards]

I tell you what, you know what? I'm gonna do my badges. I'm gonna do my badges properly. Yeah, After I've done punditry, a couple more years in punditry, I'm going for it, guys.

[Gary Lineker]

And, but, but obviously a lot of years in, in the podcast world, Mike.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah, yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

The podcast will remain.

[Micah Richards]

The podcast will remain. Yeah, yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

Great stuff. Well. Subscribe to Specsavers Best Worst Team on YouTube to follow the journey of Wally FC Search Specsavers Best Worst Team on YouTube now this episode is brought to you by Snickers. Right, so VAR goes up and whether you're watching with your mates or just watching on your own, it all kicks off. You're arguing, fuming, getting way too worked up.

[Alan Shearer]

Honestly, it's like watching someone slowly turn into a different person. You're not you when you're hungry. Classic.

[Micah Richards]

So maybe it's a sign. A sign for Snickers.

[Gary Lineker]

Never a bad call to help you avoid a full on meltdown. I've seen a few in my time.

[Alan Shearer]

Remember Tamuri Kit's buyer? And he wanted to prove a point to the manager that he should be in the team. He scored the goal with his shirt off and threw it into the Gallagher end and started absolutely smashing the advertising board volley in it, didn't he?

[Gary Lineker]

Full on volley.

[Alan Shearer]

Can you remember? VAR might test your patience, but it's a shared frustration everyone laughs about. Remember, it's a sign for Snickers.

[Micah Richards]

Just remember, everyone loses it sometimes. That's football.

[Gary Lineker]

Well, you're not you when you're hungry. It's a sign for Snickers. Visit snickers.co.uk to learn more.

[Micah Richards]

Let's talk about Peyronie's disease or PD. It's not widely talked about and some

[Alan Shearer]

men may feel reluctant to bring it up, but it's more common than you'd think.

[Micah Richards]

PD can happen when scar tissue builds up under the skin of the penis causing a curve with a bump during an erection that for some men may

[Alan Shearer]

lead to pain during intimacy and impact mental health.

[Micah Richards]

A trusted urology specialist can help diagnose PD and walk you through your options, including non surgical treatment. Visit talkaboutpd.com

[Gary Lineker]

welcome back to the Rest is Football with Alan Shearer and me, Gary Lineker. Manchester United. Another victory for them. I've really enjoyed the game and watch that earlier on second half it was end to end and there was some really good performances. It was, it was pretty open. Michael Carrick has earned himself a contract and an opportunity and I think he's deserved it. I think he's done. I mean they're miles better than what they were before. I mean I know he did some things that were seemingly pretty obvious to some of us for quite some time, but it's one thing doing that and then turning those performances into victories and all in all, very encouraging. Got him in the Champions League. I think he's, you know, he's calm, he's measured, he's obviously thoughtful in his tactics. I think he absolutely, totally deserves merits that contract.

[Alan Shearer]

100 I'm right. I'm exactly how you are guys. I think he deserved the contract. It was just a matter of length of contract really. I'm pleased he's got two years with, with a one year option so they asked him to come in and do a job and he's done that really, really well. So he, they want the Champions League football. He's got that, forget about one game a week and they didn't have Europe or whatever. He was asked to do a job and he's done that job really, really well. So for me he deserved that contract. And now I guess they'll, they'll go out and they'll try and sign another four or five players to help them next season and it'll be a lot tougher obviously with, with Champions League and they have to go out and sign some players and some add some quality to, to that team and to the squad.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah.

[Alan Shearer]

But I'm pleased he's got the chance that he's going to be doing that.

[Gary Lineker]

Of course they would have benefited from the fact that they were only in one competition that was the Premier League. So yeah, it is an advantage and it'll be more difficult next season and you look at the overall squad and it's probably not got enough depth but at least now you can look at Them and say as an 11, you know, they're very competitive side. They've got some excellent footballs. They're going to miss Casamiro. Yeah, no doubt about that. I think he's been excellent for them. Bruno is just a joyous footballer to watch the way find space and he could have. I mean, he's. He's obviously equaled that record. He's. He's joined Thierry Henry and Kevin de Bruyne and now with 20 assists, you could see he was desperate for it.

[Alan Shearer]

Another one.

[Gary Lineker]

Bumo missed that one and he was like he was on the floor. Yeah, he could have probably had about five assists in that game, to be honest. I mean, if they're taking advantage of it, but superb. What a play. He's already got the football writers. I think he's. He's got to be right up there as a major contender for Football of the Year. I think, you know, we often give these things to the team, to a player of the team that wins. But for me, Football of the year is the best footballer of the year and I find it hard to go against him. I think if he get my vote, actually, because he's also such a great player to watch and he's. He's passing range and his vision exquisite.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, I would. I'll chuck three Arsenal players at you for that. If they do win the League, which we expect them to do, that chuck riot at you, Gabrielle and Declan Rice. I'm not taking anything away from Bruno. I'm a huge fan of his as well. Like, you always think he's been outstanding. God knows where Man United would be without him. But yeah, I would chuck another. Those three names at you as. As well.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah, I wouldn't, I wouldn't complain at all if either of those three were crowned Football of the Year, but I think he's the only other player outside of Arsenal, probably.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, I agree. Yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

Should Arsenal go on to do what they. They really should do? Talking of. Of players in form, Morgan, Gibbs White. No players had more goal involvements in the competition since the start of March. Has he possibly played himself into contention for the England squad?

[Alan Shearer]

Oh, yeah, definitely. The manager's got a couple of big decisions to make, I think, in terms of defensively center halfs, as we've already mentioned. But he's, he's also given him food for thought as well because of his, his performances of. Of late. He's been outstanding.

[Gary Lineker]

He's got great energy. Great energy.

[Alan Shearer]

Whether he's left at a little bit late or not. I'm not sure but he's definitely given the manager something to think about. He's been absolutely. He's been superb on he.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah, I totally agree with you. Really gifted footballer. Another gifted footballer on that. Pitching for Anderson. Elliot Anderson is. I mean he was exceptional. Again, every time I've seen him play, he really impressed me. And I know that obviously Thomas Tuchel is. Is a big fan. He's been an integral part. I think he's a. Almost guaranteed starter.

[Alan Shearer]

Yep.

[Gary Lineker]

For England. Not. Not the squad, but a starter.

[Alan Shearer]

Starter definitely. I think what he's done for England, what he's done for Forest and there's huge talk about him actually going to man United for 100 million plus. I guess they'll be after him. I think. Man's. There'll be. There'll be plenty of big clubs after. After Elliot Anderson.

[Gary Lineker]

City as well. Nate City link with him. I think it's not surprising.

[Alan Shearer]

No, not at all. He's been. He's been. He's. He really has been outstanding since he left Newcastle, so. And another brilliant performance again today from him.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah. What did you make of the handball?

[Alan Shearer]

Don't get me started. Honestly. I just. I'm really, really concerned about the standard of referees in our country.

[Gary Lineker]

I think every country says the same.

[Alan Shearer]

No, I guess honestly I feel as if we've got the lunatics running the asylum with the guys who are making the laws in football. For the referee to. To be asked to be going to the screen and then for him to say, well, okay, it's perhaps. Well, it did hit his hip first, then his arm, but he's actually trapped the ball with his arm and his hip. I mean anyone with a football brain or anyone who is involved with football can see that as a clear handball. If he didn't spot it on pitch, fair enough. But for him to then go and look at several pictures and views of it and slow mos and everything else that he's got and then for him to still to come up with the idea to say no, I don't think it was handball and it's hit his hip first. But oh, it's just. I just think it was nonsensical. I thought it was. I thought it was pathetic actually.

[Gary Lineker]

I mean the handball law is. Is a bit of an ass. We know that at the moment. So I was going to do this at the end but I'd do it now. Did you see the one that probably cost Hearts the title?

[Alan Shearer]

Yes, I did. Yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

I was watching that game and that actually got me quite cross watching that. Because I just thought that whole season was. Was decided. And you could say the same thing about, you know, the decision in the Arsenal game when. In the last minute as well. But the one that went against Hearts, I mean it was just. I thought it was extraordinary. Quite clearly headed it and there's no. If that had hit his hand, there's no way it would have traveled the 20 odd yards that it did. I mean it was just. It's almost like. It's almost as though they. They need to feel be part of it.

[Alan Shearer]

People's livelihoods are on the line here, by the way. People have not seen their club win a trophy perhaps ever. Yet that title up in Scotland was decided by that decision. I just think I'm not even involved in it and I don't watch a lot of Scottish football. But clearly this season I think it's been really interesting because of what Hearts have done. Yeah. For that decision to go for Celtic, as it did, I just, I just. No, I don't. I don't accept it and I find. And I guess I'm not a Hearts fan, so I can. I can imagine how, how angry they are up there.

[Gary Lineker]

We've got no skin in the game. Obviously there. It's not. But you just look at it and think that was. That was wrong. I mean it was so wrong, so wrong. And you know, obviously. And then, then Celtic beat them right at the end.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

And if that score line had been the case and that hadn't have been given, they would have won the league, obviously.

[Alan Shearer]

Oh no.

[Gary Lineker]

I mean, the problem is, as you quite rightly said, it's all very well, the referees monitor, you know, sticking to the rules, this and that, but they're also the people now that are making the rules of football are referees. Yeah, I don't think that is. That is helpful at all. The handball or in particular needs completely simplifying back to what it was.

[Alan Shearer]

I would say anyone watching the game today clearly knows if you're involved in football that is a handball all day, every day.

[Gary Lineker]

I totally agree with you. Let's move on. Villa beat Liverpool pretty comfortably. I suppose the big story there as much as anything else. And it's good to see Ollie Watkins returning to form possibly at the right time, looking ahead to the summer for Liverpool. I suppose the big story there is the quotes from Mo Salah after the game where he looked like he had a bit of a poppet on his slot. Let me read it out again for perhaps some people that didn't see it. He posted I've witnessed this club go from doubters to believers and from believers to champions. It took hard work and I always did everything I could to help the club get there. Nothing makes me prouder than that. Us crumbling to yet another defeat this season was very painful and not what our fans deserve. I want to see Liverpool go back to being the heavy metal attacking team that opponents fear and back to being a team that wins trophies. That is the football I know how to play and that is the identity that needs to be recovered and kept for good. It cannot be negotiable and everyone that joins this club should adapt to it. He goes on a little bit longer but I think the, the key message in there is obviously going back to heavy metal football which is it seems to me like a dig at. Dig at the manager.

[Alan Shearer]

He's dropped one. He's dropped one on his slot isn't he? There's no doubt about it. That's. That's the message that, that and he very rarely puts anything out anyway or says anything. I mean he said something when he did the press walk didn't he a couple of months back when we all sort of picked up on that and he wanted to get his point across and he's dropped another one on the manager now.

[Gary Lineker]

He's clearly got the hump about.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah but I know it's like there's a time in the place and I don't think that was the right time. He hasn't, he hasn't exactly been brilliant this season either. More Salarazi.

[Gary Lineker]

No. And he's probably covering himself a little bit by saying that's, that's why because the way they played I suppose. But it's not ideal.

[Alan Shearer]

Not at all interested to see what

[Gary Lineker]

Liverpool do this summer?

[Alan Shearer]

Well I mean if you're. If you're on a slot and if you've got half an inkling that you're not going to be at that club next season do you then leave him out next weekend for his last game for Liverpool because he has dropped one on him.

[Gary Lineker]

Well yeah, I mean it's up to. On his lot he can make that. That decision. So yeah it's a sort of sad departure as well in a way really. Yeah. A bit disappointing because he's you know he's contributed so much to Liverpool for such a long time. As for slot. I mean all the informations were that he was. He was. They were going to stick with him this. I don't know whether that will change.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah I mean that the performance or performances that they've put in certainly that the other night on Friday. That's not helping the situation, is it? Because they were. And I mean they've been so bad defensively of this season, I'm going to say of late. But, but the vast majority of this season have been really, really poor. And again, they were all over the place the other, the other night. So those performances won't be helping the manager, that's for sure. And it's certainly gathering unrest on Liverpool.

[Gary Lineker]

They're going to be in the Champions League as are Aston Villa. I mean, you know, Emery's good, isn't he? You know, obviously a lot of final to look forward to as well. And he's, he's a bit of a boss in that, in that competition.

[Alan Shearer]

I mean, I know if Arsenal win the league, it'll be Mikhail Arteta win Manager of the Year. Yeah, but Unai Emery has to push him really, really close. The job he's done this season, getting Villa into the Champions League, hardly spending anything and on the brink of another Europa League title. I mean he's some manager. He really is. He's done, he's done a fabulous job again for, for Aston Villa, you know, because to go again to play every single Saturday or Sunday and Tuesday or Wednesday as they've done in Europe again, it's some going. He's done a marvellous job jumping back

[Gary Lineker]

a little bit here, but Liverpool have leaked more than 50 goals in a 30 game Premier League campaign for the first time. 52. And you can see that being an issue. Why do you think there's been such a fall off defensively? I mean, Virgil's obviously in his 30s now. We don't get quicker as we get older, that's for sure. No, they've never seemed to got that quite right. The protective nature just in front of the back four as well. And they've often been exposed. What's, what's your theory?

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, I guess, I guess it's not just, not just the back four or the goalkeeper that, that have not been as good. The midfield have certainly not had the energy that they had last season. I guess. I mean I've not seen every single Liverpool game, but I've seen a lot of them. But I don't think I'd be far wrong in saying, other than maybe Slobozlai or Ekatike, you could say have come out with any credit whatsoever at Liverpool this season and all the others have been miles off their normal standard or what they were last year.

[Gary Lineker]

It's a huge drop off. Yeah, massive they've lost 19 games this season across all competitions and since they were last promoted to the top flight in 1962, only in 92, 93 where they lost 20 of the Reds suffered more defeats in. In a campaign.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah been. They have been. They've been miles off it and we'll

[Gary Lineker]

take them for the title.

[Alan Shearer]

I know with it with the money that they've spent. I mean even their. Their signings have. Have just not worked whatsoever other than other than perhaps Ekatiki. I mean Vertz has been poor. Frimpong Kirkes well Isaac clearly were big injury not worked at all. So. But and they're gonna have to go again. They're gonna have to spend a fortune again in the. In the summer because the miles off it.

[Gary Lineker]

I wonder how much they. They've got in hand to spend given. Given how much they they invested last summer. Obviously it'll help them if they can get Esac fit because we know he's a really quality footballer but he's always

[Alan Shearer]

had injuries and he's always had the. The. It's not as if he's got. He's played right throughout his career without having. Without having injuries. He's always had a couple of injuries throughout this throughout the season. So yeah, it's a big, big summer for.

[Gary Lineker]

For Liverpool's got a bad injury as well. He's gonna be out for quite some time and it's a tough one to come back from and so whether on

[Alan Shearer]

a slot's going to be there or not, we'll have to wait and see. Again. They've got a big decision to make.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah, they certainly have. Massive contrast to where they were 12 months ago. Football, eh?

[Alan Shearer]

Football.

[Gary Lineker]

You never know, do you? You never know.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

All right, Alan, we'll leave it there. What you got any plans this week? Anything exciting?

[Alan Shearer]

What am I doing this week? I mean. Yeah, I'm going to London tomorrow for a day with plp for doing loads of interviews for different outlets for them

[Gary Lineker]

that you'll be getting told off for having to go at the referees again now.

[Micah Richards]

Again.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, well if they do the job guys, we won't have a go at them. It's pretty simple, isn't it? I know it's a difficult job.

[Gary Lineker]

It's a difficult job on the pitch, but it is. It's not that difficult looking at bar but. But I think. I think. Well, I've said it many times. VAR is pretty much unworkable in its. Its current.

[Alan Shearer]

Although Var did send him to the screen on this occasion.

[Gary Lineker]

Yes.

[Alan Shearer]

And it was the referee that for me, gets it so wrong. So wrong. Yeah, I think. I think I'm right in seeing. I'm only seeing this off the top of my head. I think it was the same referee that was on Var when I think it was. Maybe Fernandez handled a ball. West Ham and the PGMOL had to apologize and said the decision was wrong.

[Gary Lineker]

All right.

[Alan Shearer]

I think I'm right in saying that.

[Gary Lineker]

Oh, dear.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

All right, let's blow the final whistle. Goodbye from me.

[Alan Shearer]

Goodbye from me. Have a great week.