Tony Pulis & Mick McCarthy: “The Game’s Gone” — Old School Gaffers vs The Modern Game

On this week’s episode of That Peter Crouch Podcast, Pete, Chris, and Steve are joined by two of football’s most iconic gaffers — Tony Pulis and Mick McCarthy. 

Between them, they’ve seen it all: Premier League survival battles, international tournaments, and the changing face of English football. The lads dig deep into what it really means to be a manager — from adapting your tactics to your players, to dealing with the press, to that gut-wrenching moment when you know “the game’s gone.”

Tony opens up about his no-nonsense days at Stoke, why long grass was a tactical weapon, and the dark art of winning ugly. Mick recalls his highs with Ireland, his time at Wolves, and the unforgettable press conference moment that went viral for all the wrong reasons. Together, they share hilarious behind-the-scenes stories, harsh truths about modern football, and surprisingly tender reflections on what they miss — and don’t miss — about life in the dugout.

It’s a masterclass in management, packed with wisdom, wit, and a few classic gaffer blow-ups. Strap in for old-school honesty and some brilliant football nostalgia — and let us know in the comments… has the game really gone?

Chumbawamba 

00:00 – Intro chaos: Zoom setup and the “reverse Planet Earth” start

00:12 – Chris’s story from the Wicked premiere with Ariana Grande

00:07:50 – The lads debrief Sids’ FA Cup draw

00:12:59 – Mick & Tony join the show — “Two legendary managers in the room”

00:15:20 – Respect between rival managers and the old-school pos match wine

00:17:00 – McCarthy tells the story of losing a Sids to Fulham — “I told him to f*** off!”

00:20:00 – Growing up in South Wales and fighting to make it in football

00:23:00 – Tony’s tactical evolution: from Stoke’s long throws to Palace’s flair

00:30:00 – The philosophy debate: tactics vs adapting to players

00:33:00 – Managing upwards and the modern football hierarchy

00:36:00 – Sids asks: “When did the game go?” (VAR, grass length, overprotection)

00:43:00 – Mick & Tony on VAR killing the emotion of football

00:49:00 – Viral fame: Mick McCarthy’s “it can!” meme

00:53:00 – “Never slate your players”: The golden rule of press conferences

00:55:00 – Would they ever return to management?

01:00:00 - GW12 predictions

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