Former England footballers continue to expand their presence in the digital media landscape as Gary Neville’s podcast network, The Overlap, moves to a daily schedule and broadens its roster of contributors. Since its launch, The Overlap has established itself as a major player in football commentary, maintaining a focus primarily on the sport despite brief experiments with rugby content.
Neville, the former Manchester United defender turned media entrepreneur, recently secured Wayne Rooney from the BBC to co-host a Manchester United-focused show alongside YouTuber Mark Goldbridge (Brent Di Cesare). The Overlap now produces content every weekday at 4 p.m., featuring a core cast that includes Jamie Carragher, Jill Scott, Roy Keane, and Ian Wright. This “family” dynamic has been credited with softening Keane’s often combative public image, while adding a mix of humor and insider insight to the football podcasting space.
The network has expanded its lineup to include several former professional footballers. Steven Gerrard joins on Mondays with Becky Ives to review weekend action, recently defending Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz. Tuesdays feature Kelly Cates and Ashley Young, while Wednesdays include Tim Sherwood and Jamie Redknapp, both former Tottenham players who previously collaborated on a lifestyle magazine targeting professional sportspeople.
Other notable additions include the pairing of Mark Crossley and Duncan Ferguson. Crossley, previously recognized for a unique save against Matthew Le Tissier, has established a career in after-dinner speaking with anecdotes about Brian Clough, while Ferguson has transitioned from a media-averse player to a popular World Cup 2026 pundit. On recent episodes, the duo discussed topics such as video assistant referees and player performance, blending nostalgia with contemporary debate. Ferguson’s current role as Glentoran manager may impact his availability, but such transitions have not hindered media careers like that of Robbie Savage.
Goalkeeper voices have also been incorporated, with Joe Hart and Peter Schmeichel hosting a Friday edition centered on Manchester City. The episode featured candid discussions, including Schmeichel’s pointed questioning. The City-focused content aims to engage with sensitive topics around the club, reflecting the broader willingness of former players to address complex issues within football.
Neville’s media ventures coexist alongside his other business interests, notably real estate development projects linked to the significant investment in Manchester by Abu Dhabi-based entities. The Overlap’s growth underscores the increasing overlap between football, media, and business, as ex-players leverage their profiles in multiple arenas. This expansion contributes to an already crowded market for football podcasts but has carved out a distinctive niche through its blend of familiar voices, daily content, and multidimensional coverage.