Our guest on Episode #67 of the TGG Podcast, in association with Genius Sports, is Andrew Nestor.

Andrew is the Sporting Director of West Brom, working under new owner Shilen Patel. When the duo arrived in February 2024, the club's finances were in a "perilous" position.

Since then, they have focused on rejuvenating the squad, while being mindful of profit and sustainability rules.

Speaking the morning after West Brom's last-gasp 2-1 defeat at Bristol City, Nestor told us about his role as Sporting Director, his strategy at the Championship club and how he cut his teeth in football as owner, CEO and General Manager of the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the US.

SHOW NOTES =>

03:35: Andrew's thoughts on Baggies manager Tony Mowbray and the squad.

04:35: How he has found his role so far.

06:02: First impressions of West Brom on arriving at the club.

07:23: The Baggies were known as being innovative before Andrew's arrival - was that the situation he found?

08:16: How he worked on changing the squad, which was the oldest, based on minutes played, and fifth highest-paid in Championship.

10:00: The part the club's Academy plays in Andrew's strategy and extending the stays of younger players.

11:40: His thoughts on West Brom's style of play and how to adapt it.

15:16: Bringing in a data team to support the club's scouting process.

18:40: Planning for life in either the Championship or the Premier League at the same time.

19:25: Why Tony Mowbray was appointed as head coach.

23:57: Keeping a long-term vision for the club despite external pressure.

25:08: Carlos Corberan's departure.

26:52: Andrew's first off-the-field job in football with the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

29:05: His career outside the game before that.

29:41: Success at Tampa Bay and working with Paul Mariner and Paul Dalglish.

31:39: Meeting WBA chairman Shilen Patel for the first time.

32:23: Leaving Tampa Bay to go to Bologna.

34:44: How Andrew and Shilen ended up joining West Brom.

35:42: Shilen's involvement with the club.

36:32: Andrew's first experience of being a Sporting Director.

37:33: His wide remit at The Hawthorns.

39:06: Working closely with Ian Pearce.

39:54: The club's financial situation, largely affected by the loss of parachute payments.

41:52: What are the Baggies' short and medium-term prospects?

43:56: Reflections on the January transfer window.

46:07: Where Andrew bases himself.

Our guest on Episode #66 of the TGG Podcast, in association with Genius Sports, is Vitor Matos.

Our guest on Episode #65 of the TGG Podcast is Robbie Savage.

As a player, Robbie made 346 Premier League appearances and captained four clubs. After retiring, he became a household name as a TV and radio pundit and appeared on Strictly in 2011.

Now he's pursuing a different career, as a Manager, with Macclesfield in the Northern Premier League. Robbie told us why he'd turned to coaching, about his approach to leadership and about his lofty ambitions as a Manager.

SHOW NOTES =>

02:07: Wishing he'd gone into coaching earlier. How move from Director of Football came about.

06:44: Coaching badges? Starts A Licence next year and then hopefully Pro. Need your badges. Sees coaching as a vocation and ambition to reach the top.

10:58: Engaging with fans. Pitching in. Change in relationship with players when you become Manager. Treat them like he would treat his son.

13:40: Change in man management since he was a player. Becoming less visibly emotional. Calmer. Use of video analysis. Macclesfield expected to win every week.

18:43: Style of play. Preferred formation. Players win matches, not tactics.

24:40: Behaviour on the touchline? Setting the mood or calm and composed? Heart rate going high in technical area.

27:55: Change in style of play in non-league. Guardiola influence. Wants his team to get the ball forward quickly when possible. Not keen on playing out from the back.

32:36: Assistant wears a GoPro because of abuse from fans. Doesn't get paid at the moment. Could change when they go full-time.

38:15: Approach has changed on 606 phone-in. More understanding of Managers. Important to have consistency of messaging as a pundit or Manager. Has had offers as a Manager at bigger clubs.

44:15: Released at Manchester United. Make or break. Coached a team at Macclesfield made up of players who had been released and had great success. Callum West went to Burnley and now at Barnsley.

49:21: Do the Academies prepare players well enough? James Edmondson from Blackburn. Difference between Academy and senior football. Strength of the pyramid.

54:16: Different than he seemed as a player. Pantomime character. More than 350 Premier League games and captained four clubs. Keeps a book about all matches and what the Managers said.