So here we are then. The World Cup is just days away, 32 squads, 26 players in each of them,

and a manager to lead them carrying the hopes and dreams of a nation. But is managing an

international level an attractive proposition for the very best. On the flip side, our national

team managers in the conversation to be the head coach at elite clubs that expect Champions

League glory. We'll also hear during this pod from Mauritio Pocetino and his thoughts on whether

he'd take the England job. Pocetino writing for the Athletic during the World Cup,

along with the likes of Jesse March,

Leah Williamson, Yaya Artouré, and Clint Dempsey.

I'm Mark Chapman.

This is the Athletic Football Podcast.

So, So with us today to give us a view from Spain on the allure of international football management, we have Paul Ballas, plus German writer Rapha Honestine, will give us a German

perspective later on in the pod. And also with us on this one from the Athletic, Adam Leventhal,

who will be hosting this podcast for you throughout the World Cup every day from Qatar.

So this is the handover podcast, isn't it?

Adam, is this like when, you know, one Olympics finishes and they hand over the flag to the country

take over in four years' time?

Is it emotional?

Hugely emotional moment.

I'm just hoping that it is more like the handing over of the, you know, the flag or the flame

rather than, you know, a really sort of bad handover in a four by 100 relay or something like that.

So hopefully it's a bit more seamless than that.

Yeah.

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