Share

cover art for Guest #100 Rio Ferdinand: Sir Alex and my Champions League Quest (Pt 2)

The Big Interview with Graham Hunter

Guest #100 Rio Ferdinand: Sir Alex and my Champions League Quest (Pt 2)

In 2008, Rio Ferdinand’s Champions League dream came true on a rainy night in Moscow.

The final against Chelsea was a game Rio was terrified to lose. He had to take a penalty in the shootout, an experience he says you simply cannot prepare yourself for. But his mum just loved it when he walked up to lift the big trophy.

Rio once raged at Sir Alex Ferguson from the pitch. The manager was so angered that he would have sold him had he not apologised. Fergie was a genius, a man with an incredible personal touch. Pep Guardiola was the only guy who could have filled his shoes. United had beaten Barcelona in the ’08 semi, but Pep's team were a different beast in the 2009 and 2011 finals. Rio felt embarrassed after those games and said that Barca ripped the soul from that United team. Although they were up against the greatest side of all time, Rio knows they could and should have done better. Fergie should have set them up differently, more compactly, more counter-attacking.

Thanks Rio.

Graham

Subscribe to Between the Lines: The Stories Behind Great Sports Writing

More episodes

View all episodes

  • Classic Big Interview: Stiliyan Petrov Part Two

    48:35
    Here’s another chance to hear my interview with Stiliyan Petrov from season two.In part two, Stan explains how Martin O’Neill makes his teams perform beyond the sum of their parts. At Aston Villa, Stan had to work hard to win back the love of the fans, but eventually he became captain.Then there’s Stan’s battle with leukaemia. His description of what he went through, and how it gave him a new perspective on life, is truly inspirational.Subscribe to The Big Interview YouTube channel
  • Classic Big Interview: Stiliyan Petrov Part One

    59:52
    Here’s another chance to hear my interview with Stiliyan Petrov from season two.In part one, ‘Stan’ chats about everything from national service with the Bulgarian army to playing alongside Henrik Larsson in a magnificent Celtic team. At Celtic, he had to adapt to a new culture and a new language, but he improved his English by working in a burger van. No, I am not making that up…Subscribe to The Big Interview YouTube channel
  • BITESIZE | Quinton Fortune: Scholes was on another level

    05:12
    Today’s story comes from Quinton Fortune, who recalls being mesmerised by Paul Scholes’ passing ability at Manchester United.Listen to the original full episodes:Quinton Fortune: From The Cape Flats to Fortune - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | AcastQuinton Fortune: Ribbing Ronaldo and being kicked by Keane - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | Acast
  • BITESIZE | Robert Huth: Mourinho, magician of the training ground

    06:35
    Today’s story comes from Robert Huth, who remembers that when Jose Mourinho arrived at Chelsea, he took training sessions to an unimaginable new level.Listen to the original full episodes:Robert Huth: Inside Jose’s Chelsea Revolution - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | AcastRobert Huth: Inside Jurgen’s German Revolution - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | Acast
  • Classic Big Interview: Pablo Zabaleta

    44:09
    Here’s another chance to hear my interview with Pablo Zabaleta from season two.Pablo scored the forgotten (beautiful) goal on one of English football’s most memorable days: when Manchester City won the title in injury time in 2012. We cover a lot in this fascinating chat, starting in 2005 at the Under-20 World Cup, which Argentina won. Zabaleta was captain and a kid called Leo Messi had joined up with the squad...Subscribe to The Big Interview YouTube channel
  • BITESIZE | Jocky Bjorklund: Larsson is the thinking man’s Swede

    07:17
    Today’s story comes from Jocky Bjorklund, who talks about his former Old Firm rival and international teammate Henrik Larsson, who was one of the cleverest and most adaptable footballers he has ever seen.Listen to the original full episodes:Jocky Bjorklund: Larsson, Brolin and Sweden’s Glory Days - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | AcastJocky Bjorklund: The secrets of Cuper's Valencia - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | Acast
  • BITESIZE | Jonny Evans: Playing for Roy Keane, my idol

    07:54
    Jonny Evans’ childhood hero was Roy Keane, and as a youngster he played under him at Sunderland. You can only imagine how the defender felt being given a lift in the legend’s car.
  • BITESIZE | David Moyes: Iniesta was unplayable

    07:01
    Today’s story comes from David Moyes, who talks about an encounter between Real Sociedad and a mighty, treble-winning Barcelona team. David’s side won, but they were run ragged by the magnificent Andrés Iniesta.Listen to the original full episodes:David Moyes: 'I thought it was my last chance - it was time to gamble' - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | AcastDavid Moyes: 'When Rice goes to England, I tell him to watch Harry Kane' - The Big Interview with Graham Hunter | Acast
  • Classic Big Interview: Matt Le Tissier Part Two

    35:53
    Here’s another chance to hear my interview with Matt Le Tissier from season two.In part two, Matt tells us how Glenn Hoddle was the only manager he ever locked horns with during his career. We hear about the huge strain Matt felt to keep Southampton in the top division. Also: Ronnie Ekelund, Mauricio Pocchetino and Gareth Bale.Subscribe to The Big Interview YouTube channel