Football360 Today

THE MARK SCHWARZER PODCAST EP2: This MUST Be The A-League's Future | Ronaldo drama on Messi's day

Football360 Today

Show Notes

Mark Schwarzer is back alongside Football360's David Weiner for Episode 2 of The Mark Schwarzer Podcast, tackling some of the biggest issues facing Australian and world football.Ahead of the blockbuster Australia Cup Final between South Melbourne and Melbourne Victory, Schwarzer makes a passionate case for promotion and relegation in Australian football, explains why the A-League needs to evolve and discusses the importance of bringing historic clubs back into the top flight.The former Socceroos goalkeeper also reflects on his playing days at Marconi, including a famous 7-0 win over South Melbourne, and weighs in on Football Australia's decision to freeze its component of registration fees.Plus, Schwarzer has his say on Cristiano Ronaldo's controversial behaviour, why he believes the Portuguese superstar may come to regret his actions, and the stark contrast with Lionel Messi's farewell.Timecodes:00:38 Australia Cup Final: South Melbourne v Melbourne Victory01:47 Why Australian football needs its historic clubs04:13 Schwarzer calls for promotion and relegation07:05 Could South Melbourne join the A-League?13:45 How long could promotion and relegation take?18:55 Are the people running Australian football holding it back?24:38 The importance of the Australia Cup29:31 Schwarzer's connection to Marconi and the NSL35:10 Football Australia's registration fee freeze40:47 Cristiano Ronaldo controversy and Lionel Messi's farewell46:04 Final thoughtsSubscribe to Football360 for weekly episodes of The Mark Schwarzer Podcast, bringing you expert analysis, big opinions and conversations from across Australian and world football.

More from Football360 Today

Oct 22, 2026

From making his Premier League debut with Fulham to rediscovering his love for football at Brisbane Roar, Tyrese Francois has experienced the highs and lows of professional football.In an exclusive interview with Football360, the 26-year-old opens up about leaving Australia at just 13, spending a decade at Fulham, sharing a dressing room with the likes of Willian and Adama Traoré, and the devastating injury setbacks that almost robbed him of his passion for the game.Now back on home soil, Francois reveals why Brisbane Roar was the perfect place to restart his career, his ambitions of returning to the Socceroos setup, and why he still dreams of reaching the very top.

Oct 20, 2026

Could smaller stadiums and a $100K-per-match model help solve one of the A-League's biggest problems? On this week's Football Friends, Ben Garuccio and Stefan Mauk tackle the economics of Australian football, questioning whether smaller clubs with lower operating costs could hold the key to a more sustainable future. The boys discuss the Australian Championship, Sutherland Sharks' A-League ambitions, South Melbourne's potential and why bigger stadiums aren't always better. Plus, fresh from a bruising Sydney Derby, Ben reveals the thinking behind Sydney FC's tactical approach, the extraordinary physical toll of the 0-0 draw and why there's more to the match than the scoreline suggests. They also unpack Auckland FC's impressive start, the Newcastle Jets' controversial decision to ban a journalist, and the biggest talking points from the opening round. This is a taste of what Ben and Stef's weekly podcast Football Friends has to offer. Catch it weekly on their Spotify or Football360's Youtube Channel.

Oct 18, 2026

Paramount Pundit Erik Paartalu joins us for a review of the opening round of the A-League. He discussed: - How off-season soul searching made Wellington the story of the opening round. - Lachie Bayliss' epic Auckland debut against Melbourne City. - Was the F3 Derby win a taste of the Mariners this season and how will Newcastle cope with so many personnel changes? - Was the fixture to blame for the poor Sydney Derby - and the tactical ploy Erik rated. - Tom Lawrence's post game interview and how Macarthur must make the top four this season.

Oct 16, 2026

Is the A-League in trouble? What needs to change to bring the fans back? And can the competition recapture its glory days? With the 2026-27 A-League Men season kicking off, the Building Blocks vodcast puts the big questions to four of the competition's most passionate supporters. Host Matt Windley is joined by Newcastle Jets tragic Matt Vandenberg, Adelaide United fan and radio personality Liam Stapleton, Western Sydney Wanderers supporter Joey Kay and Marty Heart from Melbourne Victory fan podcast For Vucks Sake.

Oct 15, 2026

Manchester United are in crisis AGAIN, but is Michael Carrick already running out of time?Socceroos legend Mark Schwarzer joins David Weiner for Episode 3 of The Mark Schwarzer Podcast, diving into Manchester United's nightmare start to the season, the pressure mounting on Michael Carrick and the uncertainty surrounding Manchester City's ongoing legal battle.Closer to home, Schwarzer delivers a blunt assessment of the A-League's future following South Melbourne's historic Australia Cup triumph, explaining why Australian football needs to embrace promotion and relegation.Plus, Nestory Irankunda continues to shine in the Champions League, the Matildas ramp up their World Cup preparations, and Schwarzer reveals who he believes deserves to win the Ballon d'Or.All that and more on The Mark Schwarzer Podcast, exclusively on Football360.Subscribe to Football360 for the latest Australian and international football news, analysis and exclusive interviews.00:00 Intro 00:33 Aussies shine in the Champions League 02:41 Nestory Irankunda's rise at Sporting Lisbon 05:36 Manchester United's crisis and Michael Carrick's future 09:15 South Melbourne's historic Australia Cup triumph 12:25 What's next for Australian football? 13:26 Schwarzer's brutal assessment of the A-League 16:59 Australia's next generation attracting European interest 20:31 Matildas' World Cup preparations 24:44 Mary Fowler and player welfare 27:36 Ian Crook's appointment and the future of the Socceroos 35:10 Manchester City's controversy and the Premier League title race 38:10 Who deserves the Ballon d'Or? 43:38 Final thoughts

See all episodes →