Dave Bassett: The Truth Behind Wimbledon's Crazy Gang, Sheff Utd Pomp & Van Hooijdonk At Forest

In the latest episode of The Managers, Mick McCarthy and Tony Pulis are joined by management royalty - former Wimbledon, Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest boss Dave Bassett! Brought to you by BOYLE Sports. Dave reflects on his non-league beginnings and his remarkable rise with Wimbledon, guiding the unfancied club from the Fourth Division to the top flight in just nine years. He shares stories from the infamous “Crazy Gang” era before turning to another dressing room packed with big personalities at Sheffield United - including the formidable Billy Whitehurst. The conversation also explores his spell at Nottingham Forest, where he opens up about the challenges of managing the mercurial Pierre van Hooijdonk. 00:00 - Intro 00:37 - Early beginnings and managerial aspirations 03:29 - Early coaching career and taking over at Wimbledon 10:52 - League standards and signing Winterburn 14:39 - Inside the Crazy Gang and signing Vinnie Jones 19:20 - Management lessons and POMO 23:07 - Craziest dressing room & Sam Hammam 26:12 - Sheffield United, Brian Deane and Billy Whitehurst 32:11 Watford, Elton John & Wimbledon regrets 36:56 - Holding a Christmas party in August 38:55 - Nottingham Forest, Campbell sale and Van Hooijdonk issue 41:44 - John Fashanu and spell at Barnsley 46:32 - Weekend Predictions 49:33 - Do you miss management? Twitter: themanagerspod Instagram: themanagerspodcast TikTok: themanagerspodcast For sales and advertising enquiries you can email: [email protected] #football #transfers #wimbledon #afcwimbledon #afcw #sufc #sheffutd #sheffieldutd #sheffieldunited #nffc #nottinghamforest #nottingham #forest #vinniejones #epl #premierleague #efl #eflchampionship #managers #mccarthy #pulis #watfordfc #watford #barnsleyfc