The best TV themes are usually happy accidents rather than specially composed numbers. Best example is, for me, the Channel 9 Australia cricket theme of the late 70s, 80s, 90s. And to think it was just library music that reflected the Zeitgeist. For me, the most fitting theme I’ve ever heard.

I’ve tried to make the case for Oliver Burke (for Scotland) based on recent Bundesliga work with Union & Bremen. Just hope we can move on from the usual he was rubbish a few years ago, needs to be settled at 1 club!! If Scotland qualify for the World Cup, they will need his qualities.

The Kicker Monday cover heading into the international break has “The 1A solution.” “From last resort to stroke of luck: how coach Vincent Kompany convinced players & bosses at unbeaten Bayern.“

Assan Ouedraogo of RB Leipzig has been called into Julian Nagelsmann‘s Germany squad as a replacement for Mainz midfielder Nadiem Amiri, who has withdrawn due to abductor pain.

Happy to have managed 2 🎙️games & now a chance to relax & catch up with admin. Corona is no joke for many of us & wouldn’t wish the most recent experience with it on my worst enemy. Please be kind to anyone impacted by it in your circle.

Dynamo Dresden and their sporting CEO Thomas Brendel are going separate ways. Dynamo are 2nd bottom of the 2. Bundesliga with only 7 points and no home wins. #SGD

As expected, Wolfsburg will soon make it official that they & coach Paul Simonis have parted ways. Proving to become of the hardest jobs in the Bundesliga if staying in place is the goal.

Not sure many of us thought Bayern would drop points in Köpenick yet actually strengthen their position at the top. Funny old season.

Listening to the Radio-Konferenz today. Don’t think there was a louder moment than that which just accompanied the late HSV leveller against BVB. Gänsehaut!

On air soon with Dresden-Nürnberg, first game back after illness. Usual places: ESPN+ USA, Bundesliga YouTube channel UK. 18:20 German time/17:20 UK/12:20 ET

A day late with the Kicker front cover but still relevant: “The number 1 in Europe, FC Bayern München. The 16th win in 16 competitive games. The Bavarians triumphant also away to defending champions PSG.“

The German calendar for 2026-2027: - Bundesliga starts on 28 Aug, 2026 - 2. Bundesliga on 7 Aug, 2026 - Franz Beckenbauer Supercup 22 Aug, 2026 - Pokal 1st rd 21-24 Aug, 2026 (Supercup teams 1 & 2 Sep, 2026) - With 1 May on a Sat in 2027, no weekend games & instead a midweek MD in early March.

The next set of Bundesliga & 2. Bundesliga kick off times have been released. Details here. www.dfl.de/de/fans/bege...

Bumped into Lutz Pfannenstiel at the #STLBlues game just days before be begins his Scottish adventure. Will miss him and his rapport with #AllForCITY supporters and wish him nothing but the best in Scotland. Take care of him, #Aberdeen!

Kicker goes with “The 3 top scorers - Mbappé, Kane, Haaland. Who is currently the best striker in the world?”

DFB-Pokal Round of 16 draw live on ZDF. Pairings below as they are made.

Do wonder how future generations will look back on the 2010s/2020s primarily in the USA but with its influence turbocharged by social media extending into the wider western 🌎 As after the 1930s, there will inevitably be a backlash against fascism. My worry is the cost to society between now & then?

Was due to be broadcasting Bayern-B04 for the world feed today. On these occasions when you’re out of action, good to have excellent colleagues who can step in. Rob Turner will commentate on the big one in Munich later today.

Please don’t listen to anyone who tells you confidently that Covid is now just like a mild cold. Maybe for some. In my case, 2 plus weeks of misery and still not there. Do regret not getting my annual Covid jab together with the flu jab in October as usual. Going to take it slowly in the meantime.

Today‘s Kicker front cover is pretty self-explanatory. “Köln leads 1:0 & concedes an unlawful goal. Then Bayern‘s striker scores brilliantly.“

Posted recently that I haven’t been feeling great these last couple of weeks here in Germany & have had to cancel multiple games due to illness this week. Turns out it is Covid & one of the features of the latest strain is voice loss/hoarseness. Resting & hopefully on the way back soon.

Kicker story on Lutz Pfannenstiel’s appointment as Aberdeen sporting director. www.kicker.de/nach-aus-in-...

Running a bit late with it but here’s today’s Kicker front cover: “The man to give Schalke the kiss of life.” “Miron Muslic’s life story is an extraordinary one. This season he’s impressing with Schalke. Previously he had to suffer a lot. A portrait.”

A few things about Lutz for Aberdeen fans to know: - very strategic in how he operates - big personality, people person. Not someone who’ll be chained to a desk. The North East will know he’s there. - The idea of a club like Aberdeen with a history has appealed to him for a while

Here we go! A coup for Aberdeen to get Lutz.

👇

If Hearts can go on & do it this season, it would be massively refreshing for Scottish football. If the thought of someone other than Celtic or Rangers winning the league makes you glum, not sure what to say.

It’s a great start to the season! No 2 ways about it. My only issue with the widely quoted top 5 league part is that in 1992 there were not top 5 leagues as we know them now. Serie A was of course phenomenal then but it was before the term top 5 league was ever coined.

Lennart Karl has just shown us for the second game running why there has been so much hype about him at 17. After his first CL goal, his first in the Bundesliga & both dreamy. #FCB

It might yet turn into a comfortable win but at the time of writing (nearing the hour mark), Bayern are finding it very difficult to break down a Gladbach side down to 10 men for most of the game. Still 0:0. Could it end up being their first blemish of the season?

Veering away from ⚽️ because this has been on my mind. As Labour fail around in the UK pandering to Reform & US Democrats like the horrific Seth Moulton try to copy right wing talking points, it’s abundantly clear. Far right light only empowers fascists. Give people a true alternative.

A person I bump into a lot here in Köln is a huge Schalke fan but only gets to go to a couple of games a year (tickets hard to get.) Thrilled that he got to see his team win their 5th match in a row last night. Buzz is back under Muslic and his proudly „eklig“ (unattractive) style. #S04

Excellent coverage of the Hearts upswing by the one & only @artus69.bsky.social for ARD Sportschau.

A bit late with today‘s front cover of Kicker which has the double meaning headline of „Stürmischer Herbst“ (stormy autumn or attacking/striking autumn) „Ekitike, Wirtz & the Reds merciless. Frankfurt goes under 1:5. in the 4 games involving German clubs, 25 goals go in.“

Sometimes have to admit defeat. The nasty virus I’ve been battling is still impacting the voice & my general health so taking time off world feed duty on Saturday. Grateful that colleagues are able to jump in & help out. Needless to say, hope I can do the same for them if the time comes this season.

Yes! @rbo09sf.bsky.social is not the only one who is happy when colleague @danohagan.bsky.social is on BVB for the CL world feed. As thorough pro & knows every centimetre of the Bundesliga & its nuances.

What should Rangers fans know about Danny Röhl? - well regarded around the Bundesliga & would likely have landed a club soon - learned a lot working under Hansi Flick at Bayern & with Germany - influenced by RB Leipzig style of a few years ago: counter pressing, quick transitions but flexible

From Jürgen Klopp‘s long Kicker Interview.. “In the USA you establish quickly how small you are. When stating my name at Border Control, in many countries I get “THE Jürgen Klopp?“ This doesn’t happen in America. There I get asked what I do & for whom.“ 1/2

The Monday edition of Kicker runs with „Klopp: the big interview“ on the back of him receiving the 2025 Walther-Bensemann Prize. „The jury honours him as a football bridge builder. Here he speaks about culture, curiosity & Brexit, about humour & the human factor.“

Thanks for watching our coverage of Bayern-Dortmund on ESPN+ Apologies for your commentator who struggled through with a throat & sinus infection & hoarse voice.

My ESPN column on the big one here in Munich tomorrow. africa.espn.com/football/sto...

Afternoon from Munich. Kicker goes with „Battle of the Superlatives.“ „First versus second, records upon records. Will the Klassiker give us tension at the top?“

The Monday Kicker front cover is “Between The Worlds” “Whether with the national team or Liverpool: Florian Wirtz wants to & has to overcome opposition. The burden carrier in focus.”

Think there might be a tantrum coming from a vain idiot who smears himself in orange make up & puts yellow colouring in his hair: oh and has the mind & self-awareness of a toddler.

Waking up in Aberdeen after dreaming that the flukey Scotland win last night was in fact just a dream. Still no idea how that 3:1 came about after a bereft performance but not complaining.

Was running around a bit yesterday so a day late with the Kicker front cover but still relevant: “Duty calls!” “So much for a happy anniversary. The Bundestrainer must urgently stabilise his team.”

The Aberdeen game I’ll never forget: Why Bayern Munich’s visit to Pittodrie is a career highlight for Derek Rae www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/sport/foo...

Here what’s happening in Mönchengladbach. Indications are interim coach Eugen Polanski will be given until the November intl break before a decision is made on his future. This would also buy Gladbach time to appoint a sporting director to be at the forefront of the process.

When someone accuses someone else of being a “champagne socialist” what they’re actually doing is holding that other person to a standard they would never hold themselves to. In other words, “I can be an a—- & it’s ok but you are a disgrace for not being 100% perfect. How dare you!”

Have been using this platform as my main one for relaying Bundesliga info for a year now. Not pretending everyone from the old days has jumped on board but we’re approaching 11K followers & grateful that you choose to read & opine. We may be smaller in number as a group but our hearts are big. 🙏