The Interview: Asmir Begovic

The veteran Everton keeper, in the U.S. this week for preseason, on a lot of topics, including why he might be the best-positioned European soccer player to host a U.S. sports talk radio show

(Photo by Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images)

A few years ago, I interviewed Asmir Begovic for the first time when he joined me and Luis Miguel Echegaray on our old weekly video show for Sports Illustrated. That was an enjoyable experience, so it was nice to catch up with Asmir again this week as his Everton team arrives in the United States for preseason.

The entirety of the written interview below is reserved for paid subscribers. As always, you can still get the entire free audio version of my podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you like to go for your pods.

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Grant Wahl:

Our guest now is goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, who’s visiting the United States this summer with Everton as the club takes on Arsenal in Baltimore on July 16 and Minnesota United on July 20 in Saint Paul. Asmir, it's great to talk to you. Thanks for coming on the show.

Asmir Begovic:

Hey, Grant. It's great to be with you. Nice to see you again after all these years.

Grant Wahl:

Yeah, likewise. And we follow each other on Twitter, so I feel like I've been keeping up with everything you're doing. I know how much you tweet about the NBA and the NFL and Major League Baseball. I know you spent years growing up in Canada. Is that how you became such a fan of U.S. pro sports, or is there another reason?

Asmir Begovic on Frank Lampard: “He's honestly been first-class ever since he's walked through the door. Obviously took over in a very difficult position, walked into a bit of a fire and dealt with it in the best possible way. All season, the way he inspired people, the way he kept people together, the way he got everyone to grow.”

Asmir Begovic:

No, absolutely. That's exactly the way. I'm a sports junkie, and obviously growing up in Canada, in North America, I fell in love with North American sports and all the leagues. I've got my teams, but I've certainly got opinions on everything that I follow and enjoy. And obviously I have a big blast with it, so it's a lot of fun. So thanks for following. I appreciate it.

Grant Wahl:

Who are your teams in those leagues?

Asmir Begovic:

Well, my teams, Grant, are a little bit random. I've got my Patriots in the NFL. I've got my Phoenix Suns in the NBA. And then of course in the NHL, growing up in Edmonton, I've got the Oilers. And then in baseball I've got the Yankees. So all for different reasons. All for different reasons, but those are my teams.

Grant Wahl:

I have to ask then, how do you end up picking those teams growing up in Edmonton?

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Asmir Begovic:

Well, Grant, now you're really diving into these things, aren't you? So of course in Edmonton, you have to be an Oilers fan. It feels like a religion, and that was the number one sport, and that was my local team, of course. Then I think if you're into the NBA, so the Grizzlies were around for a little bit, the Vancouver Grizzlies, but it was all about the Raptors, or most people liked [Canadian] Steve Nash. So whatever team he was on, that's the team you followed and you supported. So from my point of view, I like Steve Nash and I like the Suns.

And then actually, I've become really good friends with Stevie. So I followed him as well, but obviously stayed a Suns fan ever since. And it's been a crazy, very difficult... Well, decade, but obviously the last couple years have been a lot better, so actually a lot more hopeful, so that's been nice. And then Patriots because of Tom Brady. So as I was getting into the NFL, Tom Brady was coming on the scene. So I quite liked him, and then the whole Patriots thing stuck from there. And then the same with the Yankees. I like baseball. Never quite got into the Blue Jays. I don't know why. But I liked Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter and those guys and stuck with the Yankees ever since. So there you go.

Grant Wahl:

So you're qualified to host a sports radio talk show in the United States, I think, at this point.

Asmir Begovic:

No, listen, Grant, I’ve still got a few years of playing. Obviously, as long as they want me here, I'll hang around here and then I'll come over your way and host a couple shows.

Grant Wahl:

So Everton comes to the U.S. as a Premier League team after staying up at the end of last season. How would you describe what the end of last season was like on the team, and staying up?

Asmir Begovic:

Yeah, Grant, I think it was a difficult year, of course, for many different reasons. And then especially the last couple months were really very tough on everyone. I think the pressure, the stress of everything, was a lot for everyone to take and have to deal with. But I think it's something that we can take a lot of positives from at the end of the day.

We grew together. I think us as players, as staff, as a whole team, as a whole club, and I think as a city and the fan base, we really connected and got ourselves over that line and secured safety. And it took everyone really digging deep and putting all the effort in together to achieve that goal. So I think we can grow from it. I think we can learn from that experience, and hopefully be better going forward because of it all.

Grant Wahl:

And what did you learn about Frank Lampard as a manager so far?

Asmir Begovic:

Yeah, I've learned a lot. He's honestly been first class ever since he's walked through the door. Obviously took over in a very difficult position, walked into a bit of a fire and dealt with it in the best possible way. All season, the way he inspired people, the way he kept people together, the way he got everyone to grow. And like I said, really, he was the one that connected everyone, all these different parts, that then helped us stay up and obviously achieve our main goal.

Grant Wahl:

So what sort of things are you excited about for Everton as the new season approaches?

Asmir Begovic:

Well, listen, every season brings a fresh approach, a positive approach. I think one, we're led by a great manager and a great man, and I think someone who's galvanized everyone, got a great staff. So I think from that point of view it's a big thing for us. So it's kind of headed in the right direction. I think there's a lot more positivity in and around the place because of that. So I think that's good.

Always at Everton, I think we've got a quality squad. We've got really good players. I think we've got an extremely big passionate fan base. So I think all these things can always make you feel really positive and head into any season looking forward to it, rather than obviously dreading anything. So I think we've got all the ingredients to have a good season, a much better season, and hopefully a little bit of luck along the way will go a long way as well. So I think all those things considered, we should be looking at things in a positive way.

Grant Wahl:

You're obviously a veteran, you've been around a lot of years in this sport. Another pre-season starts. How do you approach the pre-season?

Asmir Begovic:

Veteran, Grant? [laughs] I like how you put that. Yeah, don't tell anyone. No, I approach it as most other years. It's funny, of course the years go by and next thing you know I'm heading into year 18 of being a professional, which is pretty crazy. So I approach it like all other ones. I'm excited as ever. I love to work. I love to push myself, grind it out and all that kind of stuff. So I approach it as anything, just as excited as I've been any year, and my passion for the game and the work every day, because I think that's the most important.

I think that if you're willing to work every day, push yourself every day, and try and get better and learn every day, then I think that goes a long way. And I think if you're dreading going into training and you don't enjoy that part, then of course you're going to make it more difficult. So I'm enjoying it. Pre-season’s difficult as always. It's always a grind, always a long slog, but I'm really looking forward to the work and I've enjoyed the work so far.

Grant Wahl:

Has the Premier League changed in your experience, in any ways over your career, because you've been around it a long time now. And I can remember even in the late 90s, going to see my first Premier League games. In those days it was unusual to have many sort of international cosmopolitan teams. And now it's like the most international league in the world, it seems like. Do you have any sense that it's evolving in any ways?

Asmir Begovic:

Yeah. Grant, it really is evolving every single year. It seems to get better overall. Every single year it seems to get tougher. I mean, you look at... Let's go back 10, 15 years ago, I think there was your top four and then a couple other teams hanging around, and then it was sort of the rest, whereas I think there isn't such a difference anymore. I think there's so many good clubs, so many good teams. Everyone has the resources, most teams. Some have more, for sure, but everyone has an incredibly talented roster with a lot of quality.

So every single game now is incredibly tough. I think before, you'd always look at a couple games where you really fancied yourself, but now every single game you have to treat incredibly seriously, and that's the evolution. That's the growth of the Premier League. The quality of players all around, for every team, I think the quality of the product, the stadiums, the pitches, I mean just everything, every year, seems to go in the right direction, and growing in the right way all the time.

Grant Wahl:

You've had some interesting stops in recent years. You were also with Milan, which just won the title this past season. You were in Azerbaijan even for a little while. What led to those moves and then coming back to England?

Asmir Begovic:

Yeah, in football it can be very unpredictable, and things change in the blink of an eye, really. So I guess I'll go back... Let's see, 2019 I went to Azerbaijan, so three years ago. That's what happens, the business side, teams, clubs make a decision. Sometimes you're part of the plans and sometimes you're not, and I found myself on the outside looking in. And as you have it, it's the end of the window, and a random opportunity came up to go to Qarabag and I took it. I wanted to go and play. I wanted to experience something different while I was playing in my career, and it was one of the best decisions I ever made.

I had the time in my life over there, I met some incredible people, was blown away by the infrastructure of the team and the club, which I didn't expect. Again, it just shows the growth of the game everywhere and how much people value football to have that sort of an infrastructure and things in place, in a country people wouldn't have thought of. So I really still have some really good friends from my time there, and I follow their results very, very closely. Again, it was such a positive experience for me.

And then that led obviously to my move to Milan. Again, I think it goes to show that if you go anywhere around the world now, if you play well and do your thing in the right way, then people will be watching, everything's so much more accessible now. And that was again just another amazing experience. I mean, to be in a club like that, of that stature. I really haven't seen many like it, and obviously had some really good teammates. Again, made some friends. We had a great run.

I think it was sort of the start with the new era of Paolo Maldini, Ricky Massara, Zvonomir Boban at that time coming in. They wanted to bring in certain types of people and players to start that rebuild, shall we say, of the club. And obviously that now has finally led to them winning the Scudetto, which is where AC Milan need to be. They need to be competing for those trophies every single year, and it was fantastic to see.

And then I go back to Bournemouth, then I'm back in the plans. They're happy for me to be there, and obviously I'm happy to be there. And obviously we have a good season and then another great opportunity to come and join a club like Everton comes around.

So in football, you can never look too far ahead. That's what it's taught me for sure. I don't look too far ahead. Enjoy the present, make the most of it and see where it takes you.

Grant Wahl:

And is there an update on your international career? Are you still playing internationally for Bosnia-Herzegovina?

Asmir Begovic:

No, I've not retired. Never retired. I find it very difficult for me to kind of rule myself out and retire from it, because it's representing my country. But Grant, it's not a great situation over there at the moment. I mean if it's the right circumstances, of course, I'll always represent my country while I can, while I'm fit and healthy. But at the same time, at the moment, it's just going through a bit of a transition and weird stage. So I get to enjoy a few extra days with my family and stay at home, which is also very nice.

Grant Wahl:

Couple more questions here with Asmir Begovic, really appreciate the time. I know at one point you did play for Canada at youth level before you chose to represent Bosnia-Herzegovina. Are you at all surprised to see Canada qualify for the men's World Cup and actually win the CONCACAF qualifying tournament?

Asmir Begovic:

Well, no, I'm not surprised. I had to make that decision 13, 14 years ago now, when the situation was completely different. I think at that time soccer in Canada wasn't definitely anywhere near the stage it is now, and the infrastructure and the teams, and MLS teams and the CPL and everything that it has, so it was difficult to see opportunities. I think you had to be in Europe. I think you had to play at the highest level there, if you could. And if you really wanted to play at the highest level, right?

So that's why, it was a footballing decision, plus obviously a family decision for me at the time, but I always knew the potential was there. And that's why it's not a surprise, because the potential was there. The participation, kids, people wanted to play the game. They just obviously have to be given the opportunity to play, and play at a good level. And then obviously now with the growth of the MLS and the teams and the academies and the CPL, those opportunities were not available when I was coming through the ranks.

And of course I was never capped, so it gave me a chance to move, but not surprised at all. It's just amazing to see. I wish them all the very, very best at the World Cup. I hope they do well. I'll be cheering for them, and I hope the growth continues even more.

Grant Wahl:

How many more years do you want to keep playing?

Asmir Begovic:

You know, I've never put a limit on it, Grant, honestly, because I think if you put a limit on it, it's like a ticking clock really, and I've never really put that. I just want to go as long as I can and while I feel good, and as long as I'm wanted and see what other adventures are out there for me. But I certainly don't feel my age, I have to say, I'm able to do everything and still compete with the best at the highest level. And that's what I enjoy doing. And hopefully I can do it for a few more years and let's see what else there is in store.

Grant Wahl:

Yeah. I mean, it's a situation where you're playing in recent years with some very elite clubs. Do you have any interest in potentially finishing up over in MLS?

Asmir Begovic:

For sure. For sure. I've always been open to opportunities. Like I said, I went to Azerbaijan, I played in Italy. I'm open to everything else. Never rule anything out in this game, that's what I would say. But if the right opportunity comes around, for sure. Why not? I guess at this stage, the difference probably from five to 10 years ago is that I've got a family, I've got kids and stuff like that. So it's not a decision that I can just take on my behalf. I think it's a collective decision, so we'll wait and see.

I've got a year here at Everton. I'm looking forward to the season and helping this team and this club in any way I can. Obviously looking forward to our pre-season trip over to America, and getting ourselves ready for the season ahead. And obviously a difficult season, a tough season, which the Premier League’s always going to be. But what happens after that, I don't know. I don't know. Like I said, things can change very, very quickly in football.

Obviously if you hear of anyone looking for goalkeeper in the future, Grant, make sure you put my name in, but we'll wait and see. We'll wait and see. Like I said, I'm enjoying it here. I'm in a great club with some great people and focused on the present. And obviously we'll see where the future takes me.

Grant Wahl:

And I know your wife is American. Have you spent a lot of time in the U.S. over the years?

Asmir Begovic:

Yeah. I've spent a lot of time. She's half-American. She was born in America. Her dad's American. Mom's English, has spent now many, many years over here in the UK. So yeah, we have a fondness for North America, America. We've been on holiday. We've gone and traveled there for events for different reasons. So, yeah, it's not a huge chore to head over Stateside, that's for sure. But yeah, it's an open one. I could see it happening for sure if the right thing comes about, but like I said, we'll see. You never know.

Grant Wahl:

Asmir Begovic is coming to the United States this summer with Everton as the club takes on Arsenal in Baltimore on July 16 and Minnesota United in Saint Paul on July 20. Asmir, it's always great to talk to you. Thanks for coming on the show.

Asmir Begovic:

Was a pleasure, Grant. Thank you.