Moment of Truth

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BBC Radio 5 Live

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Sport: Football

Three months in the life of a manager. This podcast goes where others don't.

A raw, tense and illuminating deep dive into the real lives of football managers. Intimate and unfiltered, this podcast reinvents fly-on-the-wall to take you where cameras can't.

What does it take to be a football manager? We all think we can do it: pick a team to win a game, sign a couple of players who looked good on FIFA....I mean, we've all played Championship Manager right? The reality is very few people can ever truly master it, can deal with the torment, the anguish, the pain of defeat or even the blessed relief of victory. And what about putting their families and friends in the firing line of fans, the media and everyone else who has an opinion on how you do your job?

For the last three months of the 2021/22 League One season, this podcast had unparalleled access to the life of a football manager as two teams battled to change their collective stories forever and win promotion to the Championship. From the dressing room to the training ground, the team bus to the technical area, Rotherham's Paul Warne and Oxford's Karl Robinson have worn microphones to record every single critical moment of the job during the tense and eventful run-in.

You'll get to eavesdrop on how the personal reality of football management is a constant gnaw of sleepless nights, skipping meals and missing out on family life. You'll hear how the wives and children have to tiptoe around their disillusioned husbands following losses and you'll listen in to how they rarely enjoy those hard-fought victories.

Narrated by Jimmy Nesbitt, Moment of Truth is an audio experience unlike any other that will give you an answer as to what it takes to manage a professional football club. This podcast is a love letter to our greatest game spread across 15 episodes. It's a rollercoaster ride through the footballing cauldron of League One where you get to sit on the bench of both teams as they battle to reach their Moment of Truth.

Moment of Truth: 5. Jordi’s Sure

5. Jordi’s Sure

BBC Radio 5 Live - Moment of Truth, 5. Jordi’s Sure

The inside story of the Papa John’s Trophy final between Rotherham and Sutton at Wembley.

The final of the Papa John’s Trophy at Wembley provides a welcome distraction from the league for Paul Warne as Rotherham take on Sutton – but not without its challenges.

Rotherham take on League Two side Sutton United in the final of the Papa John’s Trophy at Wembley, providing a welcome distraction for Paul Warne and his players, having won just one of their last five league fixtures.

On return from the international break, the week prior to the final doesn’t get off to the best start. Head of Medical Stephen Gilpin reveals that first choice goalkeeper Josh Vickers could be out for up to nine months with a hand injury.

After the team arrive in the capital for the final, Paul discusses his fears for the game and how, if they were to claim the fifth piece of silverware in their 96-year history, the feeling would be one of relief rather than joy.

Paul shows his human side when discussing which senior pros won’t make the match day squad for the final, a decision he has chewed over numerous times in his mind, and one he can relate to as a player with no-one wanting to miss out on the opportunity of being involved at Wembley.

On the day of the final, Paul delivers an emotional speech to his players in the hotel before they drive to Wembley. Will his Rotherham side handle the pressure of being favourites and lift the trophy? Time – or extra-time – will tell.

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