The Failed Footballer

Olan Tekkers & iHeart Australia
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  • Soccer

He may have failed as a footballer, but luckily you don't need to have made it to have an opinion. OlanTekkers knows football, and with some icons of the game past and present - who've actually made it - he gives you bold takes on the Premier League, A-League, La Liga, Serie A, Champions League and beyond. How do you actually make it as a pro footballer? The Failed Footballer gives you everything you need to know from football's top leagues around the world: news, goals, player stories and more.  This is your front‑row seat to all the action from football around the world - the goals, results and most shocking stories. You’ll also get insight from emerging talent, analysis of tactics, coaching decisions, and hear what it really takes to avoid the dreaded 'failed footballer' tag.

  1. 2d ago ·  Video

    Socceroo Aziz Behich on marking Messi, World Cup heartbreak and the A-League

    He was let go from an A-League team after playing in a Grand Final, literally told in the airport on the way home he no longer had a place. He then went on to play at three World Cups. His teammate Jackson Irvine says he's the most underrated Socceroo of all time, and he's now one of the most experienced leaders at Melbourne City FC. Aziz Behich has had quite the journey. He joins OlanTekkers about the setbacks that shaped his career, making it overseas, facing some of football’s biggest names and the mentality that kept him going when things weren’t working out. He also relives his famous chance against Argentina, explains why it still haunts him, gives his honest take on the hype around young Socceroos and Australian football, and shares what he thinks the A-League needs to do to keep growing.   In this episode: 0:00 From NPL Vic with Green Gully to the A-League 1:53 The wing-back position 3:40 Breaking into professional football 4:18 Being told he wasn’t wanted at the airport 5:32 The trial that changed his career 6:17 Advice for young players on trial 8:01 Moving to Turkey 9:13 The toughest players Aziz has faced 10:25 How the fullback position has evolved 12:53 Aziz’s Socceroos journey 14:17 Struggling for game time overseas 15:05 His mentality when he’s not playing 16:31 Three World Cups with the Socceroos 17:35 The Denmark game in Qatar 18:06 That famous moment against Argentina 18:54 The importance of the Paraguay game 19:28 Pressure on the current Socceroos generation 21:17 The most underrated Socceroos 23:46 Are left backs underappreciated? 24:49 Switching off from football 26:50 How can the A-League improve?   Follow the Failed Footballer: https://www.instagram.com/failedfootballerpod Follow Olan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olantekkers Follow Olan on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@olantekkers   The Failed Footballer is an iHeart podcast. Watch, listen and discover more podcasts, playlists and live radio on the FREE iHeart App.  Olan may have failed as a footballer. So do 99.9 of players who try and make it, but how many of them can say they got a podcast out of it? Here you'll get unqualified takes from Olan, and expert commentary from football legends who actually made it. All the goals, all the drama, all the ammo for your group chat from football's biggest leagues around the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  2. Oct 5 ·  Video

    Sydney FC forward Al Hassan Touré on Mo's success, improving the A-League & the downside of Europe

    Absolute baller (and brother of Norwich City's Mo) Al Hassan Toure joins The Failed Footballer to talk about his football journey from Liberia and Guinea to the A-League, the reality of chasing a career overseas, and representing the Socceroos. He opens up about growing up in a football-obsessed family, breaking into Adelaide United's first team at 19, and sharing the international stage with his younger brother Mohamed. He also reveals the harsh side of playing in Europe, including a stint in Turkey where players went unpaid for six months, the injury struggles that nearly derailed his career, and how Sydney FC helped him rediscover his love for the game. Plus, his thoughts on the future of the Socceroos, playing in the Australia Cup, and how the A-League can improve.    In this episode: 00:00 Intro 00:35 Introducing Al Hassan Toure 00:53 Why A-League pre-seasons are too long 02:27 Winning the Australia Cup twice 04:14 Growing up in Liberia, Guinea and Australia 07:16 Realising he could become a professional footballer 08:39 Breaking into Adelaide United's first team 10:36 Chasing the European dream 11:20 "They stopped paying us for six months" 12:36 Injury setbacks in France 16:48 Life playing in the USA with FC Tulsa 18:33 Returning home and signing for Sydney FC 20:20 Making his Socceroos debut 21:53 Sharing the journey with brother Mohamed Toure 23:35 Watching family at the World Cup 25:25 Future goals and ambitions 27:12 How the A-League can improve 29:13 Sydney FC fans and final thoughts   Watch, listen and discover more podcasts, playlists and live radio on the FREE iHeart App. Olan may have failed as a footballer. So do 99.9 of players who try and make it, but how many of them can say they got a podcast out of it? Here you'll get unqualified takes from Olan, and expert commentary from football legends who actually made it. All the goals, all the drama, all the ammo for your group chat from football's biggest leagues around the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  3. Oct 5

    Teng Kuol on the truth behind playing in the NPL

    Kat Haddad is back on The Failed Footballer to break down the biggest talking points in Australian and world football, from the Socceroos' performance against Brazil to the young players who could define the next generation. Kat and Olantekkers look at whether the gap between Australia and football's traditional powerhouses is starting to close, why the Socceroos' emerging talent is so exciting and what the future could look like for the national team. Then the conversation turns to Manchester City and the debate around their financial charges, possible sanctions and whether past titles should ever be taken away. Then NPL footballer Teng Kuol joins the show. Playing for Marconi, Kuol gives an insight into the quality and competitiveness of the NPL, the challenge of balancing semi-professional football with life away from the game, and why players outside the professional system have to take responsibility for doing the extra work themselves. He also talks about playing across multiple positions, settling into Marconi, the pathway from the NPL to the professional game and his thoughts on the Socceroos and Australia's next generation. If you're wondering how good Australia's next generation could be, what life is really like in the NPL, or what it takes to keep chasing professional football when you're outside the full-time system, this is the conversation for you. In this episode: 00:00 Kat Haddad Joins the Show  00:49 Socceroos vs Brazil & Australia's Progress  02:18 Is the Gap to Football's Biggest Nations Closing?  04:39 The Socceroos' Next Generation  07:05 Who Should Australia Build the Team Around?  09:48 Australia's Emerging Attacking Talent  11:04 Manchester City's Financial Charges  12:38 Should Manchester City Be Stripped of Their Titles?  14:02 Can You Separate Pep Guardiola's Achievements From City's Charges?  16:22 What Should Manchester City's Punishment Be?  19:10 Could Manchester City Be Relegated?  21:16 Kat Haddad Wraps Up  21:44 Teng Kuol Joins the Show  22:02 How Competitive Is the NPL?  22:49 Australia's New National Second Tier  24:05 Teng Kuol's Best Position & Versatility  25:33 Club Heritage, Marconi & Fitting Into a New Team  27:20 Balancing Semi-Pro Football With Work  28:12 Why NPL Talent Can Slip Through the Cracks  28:57 The Difference Between Semi-Pro & Professional Football  30:43 Could Teng Kuol Have Scored That World Cup Chance?  31:51 Teng Kuol on the Socceroos & Australia's Future   Follow the Failed Footballer: www.instagram.com/failedfootballerpod Follow Olan on Instagram: www.instagram.com/olantekkers Follow Olan on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@olantekkers   The Failed Footballer is an iHeart podcast. Watch, listen and discover more podcasts, playlists and live radio on the FREE iHeart App.   Olan may have failed as a footballer. So do 99.9 of players who try and make it, but how many of them can say they got a podcast out of it? Here you'll get unqualified takes from Olan, and expert commentary from football legends who actually made it. All the goals, all the drama, all the ammo for your group chat from football's biggest leagues around the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  4. Sep 20 ·  Video

    Socceroo legend Jackson Irvine on Aussie football's identity problem, the J-League vs the Bundesliga, and the most under-rated Socceroo ever

    Jackson Irvine has played for the Socceroos in 3 World Cups. He's played for Celtic, Hull City, Hibs, FC St. Pauli and is now getting at taste of the J-League with Cerezo Osaka. He's a box-to-box midfielder of the type that isn't so common anymore. And he definitely knows what it takes to make it as a footballer and avoid the 'failed' label. He tells OlanTekkers how he made it, how he got through countless trials with European clubs and how Japanese football compares to the German, Scottish and English style of play. Plus, his life outside football and what he gets up to: DJing, fashion and learning Japanese. If you're wondering how the A-League compares to European leagues, or what you need to do to get to the top of football anywhere in the world, this is the conversation for you.   In this episode: 00:00 Jackson Irvine on Life in Japan & the J.League 01:10 Culture Shock: Germany vs Japan 02:14 Learning Japanese & Language Barriers 03:59 J.League vs Bundesliga: Which League Is Better? 05:39 Why Japanese Players Are So Technical 07:03 Jackson Irvine's Journey from Victoria to Celtic 10:05 Does Australian Football Let Talents Slip Through the Cracks? 12:03 How Jackson Irvine Earned a Celtic Contract at 16 15:00 What Is Australia's Football Identity? 16:58 Why This Socceroos Generation Is Different 20:02 Jackson Irvine Reflects on the FIFA World Cup 23:51 Do Australians Only Care About the Socceroos During World Cups? 26:41 The Most Underrated Socceroo Ever? 28:46 Football, Fashion & Jackson Irvine's Style 29:52 Jackson Irvine's Music Career & Radio Show 31:01 Why Footballers Need Passions Outside the Game 32:39 Brazil, the Socceroos & What's Next for Jackson Irvine   Follow the Failed Footballer: https://www.instagram.com/failedfootballerpod Follow Olan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olantekkers  Follow Olan on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@olantekkers The Failed Footballer is an iHeart podcast. Watch, listen and discover more podcasts, playlists and live radio on the FREE iHeart App. Olan may have failed as a footballer. So do 99.9 of players who try and make it, but how many of them can say they got a podcast out of it? Here you'll get unqualified takes from Olan, and expert commentary from football legends who actually made it. All the goals, all the drama, all the ammo for your group chat from football's biggest leagues around the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  5. Sep 14 ·  Video

    Man Utd v Man City: red card and VAR drama in the derby. And is the A-League still the peak of Aussie football?

    There was VAR Chaos in the Manchester derby - should Haaland's goal have stood? Should Bruno Fernandes have been sent off too? Lucas Harrington's Premier League breakout season continues as Hull hold Chelsea to a 2-2 draw. How are they doing so well? Mohamed Touré's scoring run continues: how's he doing it? The Men's and Women's NPL Grand Finals delivered on the drama and the goals And it's the big NPL vs A-League debate: where should young players be aiming to get to? The Manchester Derby delivered on the drama once again. OlanTekkers and Kat Haddad debate whether Michael Carrick can finally solve Manchester United's post-Ferguson problems, and vent about another VAR controversy after officials admitted a mistake in City's win. They also check in on two Socceroos flying overseas, with Lucas Harrington helping Hull continue their dream Premier League start and Mohamed Touré's incredible scoring run continuing. Back home, the NSW NPL Grand Finals delivered drama, stunning goals and massive crowds, sparking a bigger conversation about the role of NPL football in Australia. Are young players better off chasing the A-League pathway or building careers through the NPL? What are the financial realities facing Australian footballers? And are clubs doing enough to benefit from the success of players they develop before they're sold overseas?   Host: OlanTekkers Host: Kat Haddad   In this episode:  00:00 Manchester Derby Chaos & Michael Carrick's United 03:07 Red Card Controversy Sparks Debate 04:32 VAR Admits Haaland Goal Error 06:11 Hull's Dream Premier League Start 08:51 Mohamed Touré Can't Stop Scoring 11:31 NPL Women's Grand Final Goes to 120 Minutes 14:57 One of the Best NPL Goals You'll Ever See? 16:10 Why Sydney United's Fans Are Different 17:31 NPL vs A-League: Which Means More? 18:20 Is the NPL Australia's Version of the MLS? 19:55 Why Some Players Choose NPL Over A-League 22:06 The NPL Stories We Need More Of 23:50 Are Australian Clubs Missing Out on Transfer Money? 24:25 The MLS Pathway for Young Aussies 25:23 Nestor Irankunda's Transfer Fee Explained 26:12 Did Brisbane Roar Miss Out on Millions? 27:32 How Australian Football Can Benefit from Future Transfers 28:04 Should Young Players Choose the A-League or NPL? Follow the Failed Footballer on Instagram: @failedfootballerpod Follow Olan on Instagram: @olantekkers Follow Olan on TikTok: @olantekkers The Failed Footballer is an iHeart podcast. Watch, listen and discover more podcasts, playlists and live radio on the FREE iHeart App. Olan may have failed as a footballer. So do 99.9 of players who try and make it, but how many of them can say they got a podcast out of it? Here you'll get unqualified takes from Olan, and expert commentary from football legends who actually made it. All the goals, all the drama, all the ammo for your group chat from football's biggest leagues around the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  6. Sep 7 ·  Video

    He went from the NPL to the A-League to the Bundesliga - then fell back down again. Alou Kuol tells his story

    What's it like getting to the highest levels of football but then falling back down the pyramid? Alou Kuol went from winning trophies with the Central Coast Mariners and signing for Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart, to the Mariners again, and finally to the NPL. He opens up about the highs of making it in Europe, the setbacks that followed, and what keeps him chasing the top level. Plus, advice for young players who are trialing at top clubs, life in Germany and how the top-flight in Europe compares to the A-League. OlanTekkers also breaks down Australia's shock failure to qualify for the U20 2027 Asian Cup, the Aussie stars lighting up Europe, and whether the next generation can take Aussie football forward.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  7. Aug 31 ·  Video

    Aussie footballers are taking over the world - is the A-League the key to fostering talent?

    OlanTekkers wraps up the performances of our Aussie footballers playing abroad. Mo Toure is on fire 3 games into the EFL Championship season - scoring a brace for Norwich City. Lucas Herrington got 30 minutes in the Premier League for Hull City against Coventry, and Patrick Beach pulled off a worldie of save in Ligue 1 for Troyes. The future looks bright for Aussie football - the 2030 World Cup is going to be interesting. Plus, an interview with 20 year-old Macarthur Bulls midfielder Oliver Randazzo. Hear how he made it to the top of Aussie football, and what it takes to stay there. The Failed Footballer is an iHeart podcast. Watch, listen and discover more podcasts, playlists and live radio on the FREE iHeart App. Olan may have failed as a footballer. So do 99.9 of players who try and make it, but how many of them can say they got a podcast out of it? Here you'll get unqualified takes from Olan, and expert commentary from football legends who actually made it. All the goals, all the drama, all the ammo for your group chat from football's biggest leagues around the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  8. Aug 27 ·  Video

    Nestory Irankunda on following in Ronaldo's footsteps, THAT World Cup goal & why the A-League is underrated

    Nestory Irankunda talks his career-changing move to Portugese giants Sporting CP, how he bounced back from a difficult period in his career, and why the A-League deserves more respect. Plus, future Aussie stars to watch, how Turkiye fired up the Socceroos with their World Cup antics and what can be done to nurture more home-grown talent. One of Australia's most exciting football prospects ever gives OlanTekkers a glimpse into life as a footballer at the very top. The failed footballer interviews the successful one. Enjoy Follow the Failed Footballer: https://www.instagram.com/failedfootballerpod/ Follow Olan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olantekkers/ Follow Olan on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@olantekkers?lang=en The Failed Footballer is an iHeart podcast. Watch, listen and discover more podcasts, playlists and live radio on the FREE iHeart App. Olan may have failed as a footballer. So do 99.9 of players who try and make it, but how many of them can say they got a podcast out of it? Here you'll get unqualified takes from Olan, and expert commentary from football legends who actually made it.  All the goals, all the drama, all the ammo for your group chat from football's biggest leagues around the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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About

He may have failed as a footballer, but luckily you don't need to have made it to have an opinion. OlanTekkers knows football, and with some icons of the game past and present - who've actually made it - he gives you bold takes on the Premier League, A-League, La Liga, Serie A, Champions League and beyond. How do you actually make it as a pro footballer? The Failed Footballer gives you everything you need to know from football's top leagues around the world: news, goals, player stories and more.  This is your front‑row seat to all the action from football around the world - the goals, results and most shocking stories. You’ll also get insight from emerging talent, analysis of tactics, coaching decisions, and hear what it really takes to avoid the dreaded 'failed footballer' tag.

Information

  • Creator
    Olan Tekkers & iHeart Australia
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    The Failed Footballer

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