Des Walker Interview: Close To Juventus & Roma Before Sampdoria, Mancini Italy Return, Marking Van Basten & More

Des Walker Interview: Close To Juventus & Roma Before Sampdoria, Mancini Italy Return, Marking Van Basten & More

Author: The Italian Football Podcast July 7, 2026 Duration: 27:16
Former England, Sampdoria and Nottingham Forest defender Des Walker joins Nima Tavallaey to talk about almost signing for Juventus and Roma, Roberto Mancini returning as coach of Italy, playing in the Serie A, how Italia 90 changed football and much more. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro - Welcome Des Walker 00:09 How Italia 90 Fundamentally Changed Football Forever 03:37 Close To Joining Both Roma & Juventus Who Turned To Roberto Baggio 05:08 Pride In Playing For England Vs Some Of The Best Players Ever 06:44 The Gary Lineker Toilet Accident Against Ireland 08:24 Backstory Of Signing For Sven-Göran Eriksson's Sampdoria 09:32 Roberto Mancini Was "The Manager At Sampdoria" 10:24 Asprilla & Papin Were Tough But Van Basten The Toughest Opponent 12:28 Roberto Mancini "The Most Talented Teammate" & Return As Italy Coach 14:45 How England Stop Norway's Erling Haaland & Who Wins The 2026 FIFA World Cup 19:51 England Centre Back GOAT - Who Stays On? 21:18 England 1990 Vs England 2026 - Strongest Lineup? Every Monday Serie A review show + ALL exclusive interviews on The Italian Football Podcast are free for all on YouTube as well as on Spotify, iOS/iTunes & all other podcast platforms. If you want to support The Italian Football Podcast and get every episode, simply become a member on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/TIFP⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ OR ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ OR ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube Memberships⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Your support makes The Italian Football Podcast possible.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For anyone who finds the drama of Serie A as compelling as the football itself, The Italian Football Podcast offers a direct line to the heart of Calcio. Hosted by broadcasters and journalists Carlo Garganese and Nima Tavallaey, this isn't just a recap service. It's a thrice-weekly conversation that digs into the narratives shaping Italian football, from contentious refereeing decisions and tactical shifts to the swirling transfer rumors that keep the gossip columns busy. Each episode of the podcast feels like pulling up a chair at a Milanese café with two well-connected friends who aren't afraid of a strong opinion. The rhythm of the week is key: their Monday episode breaks down the weekend's action, making sense of the results and surprises, and is available widely for everyone. Then, the Tuesday show shifts to address the questions and debates coming directly from the audience, creating a real dialogue. It’s that mix of structured analysis and responsive, sometimes fiery, discussion that gives this podcast its distinctive voice. You get the immediate reaction to a last-minute Juventus winner, the deeper context behind a Napoli managerial change, and the kind of insights that only come from years on the ground covering the league. If your interest goes beyond the scores and into the stories, the culture, and the constant debate that defines Italian football, this is where you tune in.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Italian Football Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Andrea Pirlo Italy Scandal: Paolo Maldini To Blame For Azzurri Chaos? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:36
Now that the dust has settled somewhat on the Andrea Pirlo scandal, is Paolo Maldini also to blame for the Azzurri chaos which led to his and Leonardo's resignation? Nima Tavallaey discusses and analyses several question…
Italy Miss The Most Corrupt FIFA World Cup In History [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:58
Is Italy missing the most corrupt FIFA World Cup in history actually a good thing? Nima Tavallaey and Carlo Garganese discuss, debate and analyze the question sent in from an Italian Football Podcast patron and member. W…