Henry Winter: Chronicler of English football

Heroes & Humans of Football

On the eve of Euro 2024, Henry talks about nearly 30 years of dealing with England managers and players, from Glenn Hoddle to Harry Kane - with some very kind words for Jack Grealish.

Henry Winter is one of the best known and most respected journalists in the English language. Having covered football for over 38 years, conducted over 1500 interviews, and attended thousands of matches, Henry might have a story or two to share. In this episode, we talk to Henry about football journalism, how it's changed over the decades, and the rise of modern media, as well as how he navigates the complicated relationships that journalists have with players and managers.

Timestamps:

00:13:06 Discussion about how football clubs and players are doing more community work than the government, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

00:16:22 Reflection on the changing relationship between football players and the press, from adversarial in the past to more cooperative now.

00:17:14 Discussion on the growth of fan-related content and how it reflects fans' frustration with mainstream media.

00:21:28 Admission of making a mistake by making fun of Ronaldo's weight on Twitter, learning a lesson about not personalising criticism.

00:22:39 Reflection on the moral substance of many football players, particularly in contrast to politicians.

00:27:14 Discussion about the most interesting people to meet in football, including Sir Alex Ferguson, Pele, and Jurgen Klopp.

00:29:57 Talk about who is best at discussing football itself, mentioning Glenn Hoddle and other players who didn't have much pace but became good managers.

00:30:56 Question about who one would be happy never to see again, with a reluctant mention of FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

00:31:33 Suggestion: Jurgen Klopp is one of the most misunderstood people in football, with more science behind his emotional style than people realise.

00:33:34 Discussion about England's chances in Euro 2024, praising players like Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, and Declan Rice.

00:34:48 Talk about how social media affects players' mental health, with many going off social media due to abuse and intensity.

00:36:52 Pondering what one would be doing if not a football writer, suggesting possibly stacking shelves at Selfridges.

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