What's it like getting to the highest levels of football but then falling back down the pyramid? Alou Kuol went from winning trophies with the Central Coast Mariners and signing for Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart, to the Mariners again, and finally to the NPL. He opens up about the highs of making it in Europe, the setbacks that followed, and what keeps him chasing the top level.

Plus, advice for young players who are trialing at top clubs, life in Germany and how the top-flight in Europe compares to the A-League.

OlanTekkers also breaks down Australia's shock failure to qualify for the U20 2027 Asian Cup, the Aussie stars lighting up Europe, and whether the next generation can take Aussie football forward. 

What's it like getting to the highest levels of football but then falling back down the pyramid? Alou Kuol went from winning trophies with the Central Coast Mariners and signing for Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart, to the Mariners again, and finally to the NPL. He opens up about the highs of making it in Europe, the setbacks that followed, and what keeps him chasing the top level.
Plus, advice for young players who are trialing at top clubs, life in Germany and how the top-flight in Europe compares to the A-League.
OlanTekkers also breaks down Australia's shock failure to qualify for the U20 2027 Asian Cup, the Aussie stars lighting up Europe, and whether the next generation can take Aussie football forward.&nbsp;

He may have failed as a footballer, but luckily you don't need to have made it to have an opinion. OlanTekkers knows football, and with some icons of the game past and present - who've actually made it - he gives you bold takes on the Premier League, A-League, La Liga, Serie A, Champions League and beyond.

How do you actually make it as a pro footballer? The Failed Footballer gives you everything you need to know from football's top leagues around the world: news, goals, player stories and more. 

This is your front‑row seat to all the action from football around the world - the goals, results and most shocking stories. You’ll also get insight from emerging talent, analysis of tactics, coaching decisions, and hear what it really takes to avoid the dreaded 'failed footballer' tag.

He may have failed as a footballer, but luckily you don't need to have made it to have an opinion. OlanTekkers knows football, and with some icons of the game past and present - who've actually made it - he gives you bold takes on the Premier League, A-League, La Liga, Serie A, Champions League and beyond.
How do you actually make it as a pro footballer? The Failed Footballer gives you everything you need to know from football's top leagues around the world: news, goals, player stories and more.&nbsp;
This is your front‑row seat to all the action from football around the world - the goals, results and most shocking stories. You&rsquo;ll also get insight from emerging talent, analysis of tactics, coaching decisions, and hear what it really takes to avoid the dreaded 'failed footballer' tag.

The Failed Footballer

He failed as a footballer, but luckily you don't need to have made it to have an opinion. OlanTekkers knows football, and with some expert guests he takes you through the biggest stories, the best goals and all the results from this year's World Cup.

This is your front‑row seat to all the action from Canada, Mexico and the US, as we follow Australia (and England) through the group stage and beyond. 

The Failed Footballer covers all the essentials football fans are searching for, including World Cup analysis, football match recaps, tactical breakdowns, and reactions to the biggest results. There’s a strong focus on the Socceroos, tracking Australia’s journey on the world stage, alongside key coverage of England and other international heavyweights. You’ll also get insight into emerging talent, football tactics, coaching decisions, and the storylines driving global conversation, making it a go-to football podcast for both hardcore fans and casual viewers.

New episodes drop twice a week, keeping you up to date with every major development across the World Cup and the wider football world, perfect for staying across results, analysis and talking points as they happen.

Each episode features a rotating lineup of former and current players, football legends, pundits and iconic voices from the game. These expert guests bring firsthand experience, unique insights and strong opinions, adding depth and credibility to every conversation.

If you enjoy football podcasts like The Rest Is Football, Football Weekly, Suited and Booted, or anything that blends match analysis with personality and strong takes, you’ll feel right at home here. OlanTekkers delivers the same mix of insight, humour and fan-driven energy, with his own unmistakable voice.

This show is not affiliated with FIFA or Football Australia

He failed as a footballer, but luckily you don't need to have made it to have an opinion. OlanTekkers knows football, and with some expert guests he takes you through the biggest stories, the best goals and all the results from this year's World Cup.
This is your front‑row seat to all the action from Canada, Mexico and the US, as we follow Australia (and England) through the group stage and beyond.&nbsp;
<hr><hr>
The Failed Footballer covers all the essentials football fans are searching for, including World Cup analysis, football match recaps, tactical breakdowns, and reactions to the biggest results. There&rsquo;s a strong focus on the Socceroos, tracking Australia&rsquo;s journey on the world stage, alongside key coverage of England and other international heavyweights. You&rsquo;ll also get insight into emerging talent, football tactics, coaching decisions, and the storylines driving global conversation, making it a go-to football podcast for both hardcore fans and casual viewers.
New episodes drop twice a week, keeping you up to date with every major development across the World Cup and the wider football world, perfect for staying across results, analysis and talking points as they happen.
Each episode features a rotating lineup of former and current players, football legends, pundits and iconic voices from the game. These expert guests bring firsthand experience, unique insights and strong opinions, adding depth and credibility to every conversation.
If you enjoy football podcasts like The Rest Is Football, Football Weekly, Suited and Booted, or anything that blends match analysis with personality and strong takes, you&rsquo;ll feel right at home here. OlanTekkers delivers the same mix of insight, humour and fan-driven energy, with his own unmistakable voice.
This show is not affiliated with FIFA or Football Australia

He went from the NPL to the A-League to the Bundesliga - then fell back down again. Alou Kuol tells his story

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/82f80ff5-e2d4-464f-a1ca-b4be0070aa9d/transcript

The A-League is back, and OlanTekkers reckons anyone saying it’s dead clearly wasn’t at the Sydney Derby. The atmosphere was unreal, even if the football didn’t quite live up to it. Olan and Kat Haddad break down the opening round, the Sydney Derby stalemate, the chaos of the F3 Derby and why the derbies matter so much for the league.

Then it’s over to the Premier League and the mess at Manchester United. Is Michael Carrick really the man to turn things around, or are the problems much bigger than the manager? Later, Western Sydney Wanderers midfielder Isabella Chidiac joins Olan to talk about her football journey, playing with boys growing up, earning a full US college scholarship worth $150k a year, balancing elite football with a pre-med degree, and why breaking into professional football as an international player isn’t as simple as being good enough.

She also opens up about returning to Australia, the financial realities of the women’s game, her Matildas dream and the motivation that keeps her chasing it.

In this episode: 

00:00 The A-League is back

01:45 Sydney Derby review

04:58 The F3 Derby delivers

09:50 A-League Women kicks off

10:09 What’s gone wrong at Manchester United?

16:43 Should clubs give managers more time?

18:40 Isabella joins the pod

19:16 Starting out playing with the boys

22:10 Why Isabella chose US college football

23:56 The $88k-a-year full scholarship

24:31 Life as a student athlete in America

26:24 How good is US college football?

29:17 Trying to turn pro after college

31:29 Returning to Western Sydney

32:14 The financial reality of the A-League Women

33:18 Chasing a Matildas call-up

34:54 Australia vs America

38:49 Isabella’s advice to young footballers

40:57 Dealing with rejection and staying motivated

41:45 Ronaldo vs Messi

43:30 When should Ronaldo have retired? 

44:32 Outro

The A-League is back, and OlanTekkers reckons anyone saying it&rsquo;s dead clearly wasn&rsquo;t at the Sydney Derby. The atmosphere was unreal, even if the football didn&rsquo;t quite live up to it. Olan and Kat Haddad break down the opening round, the Sydney Derby stalemate, the chaos of the F3 Derby and why the derbies matter so much for the league.
Then it&rsquo;s over to the Premier League and the mess at Manchester United. Is Michael Carrick really the man to turn things around, or are the problems much bigger than the manager? Later, Western Sydney Wanderers midfielder Isabella Chidiac joins Olan to talk about her football journey, playing with boys growing up, earning a full US college scholarship worth $150k a year, balancing elite football with a pre-med degree, and why breaking into professional football as an international player isn&rsquo;t as simple as being good enough.
She also opens up about returning to Australia, the financial realities of the women&rsquo;s game, her Matildas dream and the motivation that keeps her chasing it.
In this episode:&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4DPrqZ1YLE" aria-label="0 seconds">00:00</a> The A-League is back
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4DPrqZ1YLE&amp;t=105s" aria-label="1 minute, 45 seconds">01:45</a> Sydney Derby review
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4DPrqZ1YLE&amp;t=298s" aria-label="4 minutes, 58 seconds">04:58</a> The F3 Derby delivers
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4DPrqZ1YLE&amp;t=590s" aria-label="9 minutes, 50 seconds">09:50</a> A-League Women kicks off
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4DPrqZ1YLE&amp;t=609s" aria-label="10 minutes, 9 seconds">10:09</a> What&rsquo;s gone wrong at Manchester United?
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4DPrqZ1YLE&amp;t=1003s" aria-label="16 minutes, 43 seconds">16:43</a> Should clubs give managers more time?
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4DPrqZ1YLE&amp;t=1120s" aria-label="18 minutes, 40 seconds">18:40</a> Isabella joins the pod
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4DPrqZ1YLE&amp;t=1156s" aria-label="19 minutes, 16 seconds">19:16</a> Starting out playing with the boys
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4DPrqZ1YLE&amp;t=1330s" aria-label="22 minutes, 10 seconds">22:10</a> Why Isabella chose US college football
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4DPrqZ1YLE&amp;t=1436s" aria-label="23 minutes, 56 seconds">23:56</a> The $88k-a-year full scholarship
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4DPrqZ1YLE&amp;t=1471s" aria-label="24 minutes, 31 seconds">24:31</a> Life as a student athlete in America
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4DPrqZ1YLE&amp;t=1584s" aria-label="26 minutes, 24 seconds">26:24</a> How good is US college football?
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4DPrqZ1YLE&amp;t=1757s" aria-label="29 minutes, 17 seconds">29:17</a> Trying to turn pro after college
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4DPrqZ1YLE&amp;t=1889s&amp;pp=0gcJCWMAwfN6Pr3D" aria-label="31 minutes, 29 seconds">31:29</a> Returning to Western Sydney
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4DPrqZ1YLE&amp;t=1934s" aria-label="32 minutes, 14 seconds">32:14</a> The financial reality of the A-League Women
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4DPrqZ1YLE&amp;t=1998s" aria-label="33 minutes, 18 seconds">33:18</a> Chasing a Matildas call-up
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4DPrqZ1YLE&amp;t=2094s" aria-label="34 minutes, 54 seconds">34:54</a> Australia vs America
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4DPrqZ1YLE&amp;t=2329s" aria-label="38 minutes, 49 seconds">38:49</a> Isabella&rsquo;s advice to young footballers
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4DPrqZ1YLE&amp;t=2457s" aria-label="40 minutes, 57 seconds">40:57</a> Dealing with rejection and staying motivated
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4DPrqZ1YLE&amp;t=2505s" aria-label="41 minutes, 45 seconds">41:45</a> Ronaldo vs Messi
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4DPrqZ1YLE&amp;t=2610s" aria-label="43 minutes, 30 seconds">43:30</a>&nbsp;When should Ronaldo have retired?&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4DPrqZ1YLE&amp;t=2672s&amp;pp=0gcJCWMAwfN6Pr3D" aria-label="44 minutes, 32 seconds">44:32</a> Outro

What it's like playing on a $150k a year scholarship in the US | with A-League Women new signing Isabella Chidiac

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/6b2ecba3-1c01-4bd1-a24a-b4e800782ded/transcript

He was let go from an A-League team after playing in a Grand Final, literally told in the airport on the way home he no longer had a place. He then went on to play at three World Cups. His teammate Jackson Irvine says he's the most underrated Socceroo of all time, and he's now one of the most experienced leaders at Melbourne City FC. Aziz Behich has had quite the journey.

He joins OlanTekkers about the setbacks that shaped his career, making it overseas, facing some of football’s biggest names and the mentality that kept him going when things weren’t working out. He also relives his famous chance against Argentina, explains why it still haunts him, gives his honest take on the hype around young Socceroos and Australian football, and shares what he thinks the A-League needs to do to keep growing.

 

In this episode:

0:00 From NPL Vic with Green Gully to the A-League

1:53 The wing-back position

3:40 Breaking into professional football

4:18 Being told he wasn’t wanted at the airport

5:32 The trial that changed his career

6:17 Advice for young players on trial

8:01 Moving to Turkey

9:13 The toughest players Aziz has faced

10:25 How the fullback position has evolved

12:53 Aziz’s Socceroos journey

14:17 Struggling for game time overseas

15:05 His mentality when he’s not playing

16:31 Three World Cups with the Socceroos

17:35 The Denmark game in Qatar

18:06 That famous moment against Argentina

18:54 The importance of the Paraguay game

19:28 Pressure on the current Socceroos generation

21:17 The most underrated Socceroos

23:46 Are left backs underappreciated?

24:49 Switching off from football

26:50 How can the A-League improve?

 
Follow the Failed Footballer: https://www.instagram.com/failedfootballerpod
Follow Olan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olantekkers
Follow Olan on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@olantekkers

 

The Failed Footballer is an iHeart podcast. Watch, listen and discover more podcasts, playlists and live radio on the FREE iHeart App. 

Olan may have failed as a footballer. So do 99.9 of players who try and make it, but how many of them can say they got a podcast out of it? Here you'll get unqualified takes from Olan, and expert commentary from football legends who actually made it. All the goals, all the drama, all the ammo for your group chat from football's biggest leagues around the world.

He was let go from an A-League team after playing in a Grand Final, literally told in the airport on the way home he no longer had a place. He then went on to play at three World Cups. His teammate Jackson Irvine says he's the most underrated Socceroo of all time, and he's now one of the most experienced leaders at Melbourne City FC. Aziz Behich has had quite the journey.
He joins OlanTekkers about the setbacks that shaped his career, making it overseas, facing some of football&rsquo;s biggest names and the mentality that kept him going when things weren&rsquo;t working out. He also relives his famous chance against Argentina, explains why it still haunts him, gives his honest take on the hype around young Socceroos and Australian football, and shares what he thinks the A-League needs to do to keep growing.
&nbsp;
In this episode:
0:00 From NPL Vic with Green Gully to the A-League
1:53 The wing-back position
3:40 Breaking into professional football
4:18 Being told he wasn&rsquo;t wanted at the airport
5:32 The trial that changed his career
6:17 Advice for young players on trial
8:01 Moving to Turkey
9:13 The toughest players Aziz has faced
10:25 How the fullback position has evolved
12:53 Aziz&rsquo;s Socceroos journey
14:17 Struggling for game time overseas
15:05 His mentality when he&rsquo;s not playing
16:31 Three World Cups with the Socceroos
17:35 The Denmark game in Qatar
18:06 That famous moment against Argentina
18:54 The importance of the Paraguay game
19:28 Pressure on the current Socceroos generation
21:17 The most underrated Socceroos
23:46 Are left backs underappreciated?
24:49 Switching off from football
26:50 How can the A-League improve?
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Follow the Failed Footballer: https://www.instagram.com/failedfootballerpod</li>
<li>Follow Olan on Instagram:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/olantekkers">https://www.instagram.com/olantekkers</a></li>
<li>Follow Olan on TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@olantekkers">https://www.tiktok.com/@olantekkers</a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
The Failed Footballer is an iHeart podcast. Watch, listen and discover more podcasts, playlists and live radio on the FREE iHeart App.&nbsp;
Olan may have failed as a footballer. So do 99.9 of players who try and make it, but how many of them can say they got a podcast out of it? Here you'll get unqualified takes from Olan, and expert commentary from football legends who actually made it. All the goals, all the drama, all the ammo for your group chat from football's biggest leagues around the world.

Socceroo Aziz Behich on marking Messi, World Cup heartbreak and the A-League

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/d93df569-4af6-416b-af1e-b4df008bc203/transcript

Absolute baller (and brother of Norwich City's Mo) Al Hassan Toure joins The Failed Footballer to talk about his football journey from Liberia and Guinea to the A-League, the reality of chasing a career overseas, and representing the Socceroos. He opens up about growing up in a football-obsessed family, breaking into Adelaide United's first team at 19, and sharing the international stage with his younger brother Mohamed.

He also reveals the harsh side of playing in Europe, including a stint in Turkey where players went unpaid for six months, the injury struggles that nearly derailed his career, and how Sydney FC helped him rediscover his love for the game. Plus, his thoughts on the future of the Socceroos, playing in the Australia Cup, and how the A-League can improve. 

 

In this episode:

00:00 Intro

00:35 Introducing Al Hassan Toure

00:53 Why A-League pre-seasons are too long

02:27 Winning the Australia Cup twice

04:14 Growing up in Liberia, Guinea and Australia

07:16 Realising he could become a professional footballer

08:39 Breaking into Adelaide United's first team

10:36 Chasing the European dream

11:20 "They stopped paying us for six months"

12:36 Injury setbacks in France

16:48 Life playing in the USA with FC Tulsa

18:33 Returning home and signing for Sydney FC

20:20 Making his Socceroos debut

21:53 Sharing the journey with brother Mohamed Toure

23:35 Watching family at the World Cup

25:25 Future goals and ambitions

27:12 How the A-League can improve

29:13 Sydney FC fans and final thoughts

 

Watch, listen and discover more podcasts, playlists and live radio on the FREE iHeart App. 

Olan may have failed as a footballer. So do 99.9 of players who try and make it, but how many of them can say they got a podcast out of it? Here you'll get unqualified takes from Olan, and expert commentary from football legends who actually made it. All the goals, all the drama, all the ammo for your group chat from football's biggest leagues around the world.

Absolute baller (and brother of Norwich City's Mo) Al Hassan Toure joins The Failed Footballer to talk about his football journey from Liberia and Guinea to the A-League, the reality of chasing a career overseas, and representing the Socceroos. He opens up about growing up in a football-obsessed family, breaking into Adelaide United's first team at 19, and sharing the international stage with his younger brother Mohamed.
He also reveals the harsh side of playing in Europe, including a stint in Turkey where players went unpaid for six months, the injury struggles that nearly derailed his career, and how Sydney FC helped him rediscover his love for the game. Plus, his thoughts on the future of the Socceroos, playing in the Australia Cup, and how the A-League can improve.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
In this episode:
00:00 Intro
00:35 Introducing Al Hassan Toure
00:53 Why A-League pre-seasons are too long
02:27 Winning the Australia Cup twice
04:14 Growing up in Liberia, Guinea and Australia
07:16 Realising he could become a professional footballer
08:39 Breaking into Adelaide United's first team
10:36 Chasing the European dream
11:20 "They stopped paying us for six months"
12:36 Injury setbacks in France
16:48 Life playing in the USA with FC Tulsa
18:33 Returning home and signing for Sydney FC
20:20 Making his Socceroos debut
21:53 Sharing the journey with brother Mohamed Toure
23:35 Watching family at the World Cup
25:25 Future goals and ambitions
27:12 How the A-League can improve
29:13 Sydney FC fans and final thoughts
&nbsp;
Watch, listen and discover more podcasts, playlists and live radio on the FREE iHeart App. 
Olan may have failed as a footballer. So do 99.9 of players who try and make it, but how many of them can say they got a podcast out of it? Here you'll get unqualified takes from Olan, and expert commentary from football legends who actually made it. All the goals, all the drama, all the ammo for your group chat from football's biggest leagues around the world.

Sydney FC forward Al Hassan Touré on Mo's success, improving the A-League & the downside of Europe

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/df450919-e5ef-4c7c-a311-b4da005c5348/transcript

He went from the NPL to the A-League to the Bundesliga - then fell back down again. Alou Kuol tells his story

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