Nainggolan, Deschacht, and Stijnen on the Title Race: “You Don’t Want Them to Win”

Radja Nainggolan Goes ‘Unfiltered’ With New Belgian Football Podcast

Radja Nainggolan has never been known for holding back, and his latest venture ensures that won’t change. The former Belgian international has officially entered the media landscape with the launch of his own podcast, “Ongefilterd” (Unfiltered), designed to provide a raw, direct take on the state of football, with a heavy focus on the Belgian game.

Launching its first episode on April 6, 2026, the project arrives at a critical juncture in the Belgian season, coinciding with the start of the Champions’ Play-offs. Nainggolan isn’t tackling the microphone alone; he has assembled a quartet of personalities including Stijn Stijnen, Olivier Deschacht, and content creator Angel Redondo, known for his work with Kurkdroog.

A Philosophy of Franchise

The mission for “Ongefilterd” is explicitly stated: no “sugar-coating” and no “good boy” narratives. Nainggolan intends to use the platform to voice opinions that often clash with the polished nature of modern sports broadcasting. During the project’s presentation, the former “Red Devil” emphasized that the group aims to say what they actually think rather than what the audience expects to hear.

“We are a group that dares to say what they think. Not good boys who tell people what they want to hear,” Nainggolan explained. He described his own perspective as often being “black or white,” though he maintained that his delivery remains respectful and that he welcomes criticism of his views.

For Nainggolan, the podcast is more than just a commentary show; it is a way to establish a voice in the media landscape independent of the pitch.

Divided Forecasts: The Belgian Title Race

The chemistry of the group was immediately put to the test as the cast shared their predictions for the Belgian league title. The debate revealed a clear split among the four hosts regarding who will ultimately lift the trophy.

Divided Forecasts: The Belgian Title Race

Angel Redondo and Olivier Deschacht have placed their bets on Union SG to emerge as champions. Conversely, Radja Nainggolan and Stijn Stijnen—who currently serves as Nainggolan’s coach at Patro Eisden—believe Club Brugge will secure the title.

The disagreement extended beyond the top spot. When discussing the third-place finish, Deschacht stood alone in his belief that Anderlecht would claim the position, stating, “Anderlecht remains Anderlecht.” The rest of the podcasters—Redondo, Nainggolan, and Stijnen—predicted that STVV would finish third.

The outlook for Anderlecht varied wildly across the group. While Redondo and Nainggolan placed the purple-and-white club in fourth, Stijnen was more pessimistic, forecasting a fifth-place finish. Stijnen instead pointed toward KAA Gent as the likely occupant of the fourth spot. At the bottom of the top six, the general consensus among the group is that Mechelen is headed for the final position.

The Cast Behind the Mic

The dynamic of “Ongefilterd” relies on a blend of coaching insight, playing experience, and digital media savvy:

  • Radja Nainggolan: The centerpiece and driver of the project, bringing global recognition and a reputation for blunt honesty.
  • Stijn Stijnen: Adding a tactical layer to the conversation, Stijnen brings his current perspective as a coach, specifically his role leading Nainggolan at Patro Eisden.
  • Olivier Deschacht: A veteran of the Belgian game whose insights provide the professional player’s perspective on the current league dynamics.
  • Angel Redondo: Representing the new wave of football media, Redondo’s experience with Kurkdroog helps bridge the gap between traditional analysis and modern content creation.

Addressing the Noise

The presentation of the podcast also served as a platform for Nainggolan to address personal legal matters. When questioned about an ongoing affair involving alleged money laundering, the player remained composed.

Nainggolan expressed full confidence that the situation would be resolved, asserting that he acted without poor intentions and describing his actions as “very innocent.”

What to Expect Next

“Ongefilterd” will operate on a weekly schedule, delivering a fresh perspective on the footballing world every week. With the Champions’ Play-offs now underway, the quartet is expected to lean heavily into the high-stakes drama of the Belgian postseason.

The first episode officially hit the airwaves on Monday, April 6, marking the start of Nainggolan’s new chapter in sports media.

Are you tuning in to “Ongefilterd”? Let us know in the comments if you agree with Nainggolan’s prediction for Club Brugge or Deschacht’s faith in Union SG.

Editor-in-Chief

Editor-in-Chief

Daniel Richardson is the Editor-in-Chief of Archysport, where he leads the editorial team and oversees all published content across nine sport verticals. With over 15 years in sports journalism, Daniel has reported from the FIFA World Cup, the Olympic Games, NFL Super Bowls, NBA Finals, and Grand Slam tennis tournaments. He previously served as Senior Sports Editor at Reuters and holds a Master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University. Recognized by the Sports Journalists' Association for excellence in reporting, Daniel is a member of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS). His editorial philosophy centers on accuracy, depth, and fair coverage — ensuring every story published on Archysport meets the highest standards of sports journalism.

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