Kat Haddad is back on The Failed Footballer to break down the biggest talking points in Australian and world football, from the Socceroos' performance against Brazil to the young players who could define the next generation.

Kat and Olantekkers look at whether the gap between Australia and football's traditional powerhouses is starting to close, why the Socceroos' emerging talent is so exciting and what the future could look like for the national team. Then the conversation turns to Manchester City and the debate around their financial charges, possible sanctions and whether past titles should ever be taken away.

Then NPL footballer Teng Kuol joins the show. Playing for Marconi, Kuol gives an insight into the quality and competitiveness of the NPL, the challenge of balancing semi-professional football with life away from the game, and why players outside the professional system have to take responsibility for doing the extra work themselves.

He also talks about playing across multiple positions, settling into Marconi, the pathway from the NPL to the professional game and his thoughts on the Socceroos and Australia's next generation.

If you're wondering how good Australia's next generation could be, what life is really like in the NPL, or what it takes to keep chasing professional football when you're outside the full-time system, this is the conversation for you.

In this episode:

00:00 Kat Haddad Joins the Show

 00:49 Socceroos vs Brazil & Australia's Progress

 02:18 Is the Gap to Football's Biggest Nations Closing?

 04:39 The Socceroos' Next Generation

 07:05 Who Should Australia Build the Team Around?

 09:48 Australia's Emerging Attacking Talent

 11:04 Manchester City's Financial Charges

 12:38 Should Manchester City Be Stripped of Their Titles?

 14:02 Can You Separate Pep Guardiola's Achievements From City's Charges?

 16:22 What Should Manchester City's Punishment Be?

 19:10 Could Manchester City Be Relegated?

 21:16 Kat Haddad Wraps Up

 21:44 Teng Kuol Joins the Show

 22:02 How Competitive Is the NPL?

 22:49 Australia's New National Second Tier

 24:05 Teng Kuol's Best Position & Versatility

 25:33 Club Heritage, Marconi & Fitting Into a New Team

 27:20 Balancing Semi-Pro Football With Work

 28:12 Why NPL Talent Can Slip Through the Cracks

 28:57 The Difference Between Semi-Pro & Professional Football

 30:43 Could Teng Kuol Have Scored That World Cup Chance?

 31:51 Teng Kuol on the Socceroos & Australia's Future

 

Follow the Failed Footballer: www.instagram.com/failedfootballerpod

Follow Olan on Instagram: www.instagram.com/olantekkers

Follow Olan on TikTok: 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.

Kat Haddad is back on The Failed Footballer to break down the biggest talking points in Australian and world football, from the Socceroos' performance against Brazil to the young players who could define the next generation.
Kat and Olantekkers look at whether the gap between Australia and football's traditional powerhouses is starting to close, why the Socceroos' emerging talent is so exciting and what the future could look like for the national team. Then the conversation turns to Manchester City and the debate around their financial charges, possible sanctions and whether past titles should ever be taken away.
Then NPL footballer Teng Kuol joins the show. Playing for Marconi, Kuol gives an insight into the quality and competitiveness of the NPL, the challenge of balancing semi-professional football with life away from the game, and why players outside the professional system have to take responsibility for doing the extra work themselves.
He also talks about playing across multiple positions, settling into Marconi, the pathway from the NPL to the professional game and his thoughts on the Socceroos and Australia's next generation.
If you're wondering how good Australia's next generation could be, what life is really like in the NPL, or what it takes to keep chasing professional football when you're outside the full-time system, this is the conversation for you.
In this episode:
00:00 Kat Haddad Joins the Show
&nbsp;00:49 Socceroos vs Brazil &amp; Australia's Progress
&nbsp;02:18 Is the Gap to Football's Biggest Nations Closing?
&nbsp;04:39 The Socceroos' Next Generation
&nbsp;07:05 Who Should Australia Build the Team Around?
&nbsp;09:48 Australia's Emerging Attacking Talent
&nbsp;11:04 Manchester City's Financial Charges
&nbsp;12:38 Should Manchester City Be Stripped of Their Titles?
&nbsp;14:02 Can You Separate Pep Guardiola's Achievements From City's Charges?
&nbsp;16:22 What Should Manchester City's Punishment Be?
&nbsp;19:10 Could Manchester City Be Relegated?
&nbsp;21:16 Kat Haddad Wraps Up
&nbsp;21:44 Teng Kuol Joins the Show
&nbsp;22:02 How Competitive Is the NPL?
&nbsp;22:49 Australia's New National Second Tier
&nbsp;24:05 Teng Kuol's Best Position &amp; Versatility
&nbsp;25:33 Club Heritage, Marconi &amp; Fitting Into a New Team
&nbsp;27:20 Balancing Semi-Pro Football With Work
&nbsp;28:12 Why NPL Talent Can Slip Through the Cracks
&nbsp;28:57 The Difference Between Semi-Pro &amp; Professional Football
&nbsp;30:43 Could Teng Kuol Have Scored That World Cup Chance?
&nbsp;31:51 Teng Kuol on the Socceroos &amp; Australia's Future
&nbsp;
Follow the Failed Footballer: www.instagram.com/failedfootballerpod
Follow Olan on Instagram: www.instagram.com/olantekkers
Follow Olan on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@olantekkers
&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.

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

Teng Kuol on the truth behind playing in the NPL

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/ece28c26-0379-4b0d-80ee-b4d600b15908/transcript