The Athletic FC Podcast
The Athletic's flagship football podcast, hosted by Ayo Akinwolere and featuring the likes of David Ornstein, Adam Crafton and Matt Slater will take you inside the biggest stories from the world of football, told by the best journalists in the business. Cutting through the noise to tell you what’s really happening and why it matters.
Episodes
March 7, 2024 • 46 mins
This weekend sees Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool face Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City for the final time in the Premier League.
Two hugely successful managers but would either have been quite so successful without the other?
And with Klopp about to leave Anfield - and Guardiola's long-term future at the Etihad uncertain..
Which club - Liverpool or City - is better suited to life without its legendary leader?
The Athletic’s Michael Bailey...
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March 6, 2024 • 36 mins
With 12 games to go Spurs look like a good bet for Champions League football.
So are Spurs punching above their weight or could they be even higher had their season not been hampered by injury?
And how does Ange Postecoglou’s start as a manager in the Premier League compare with the likes of Jurgen Klopp and Mikel Arteta?
Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s Tottenham correspondent Jack Pitt-Brooke and German football wri...
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March 5, 2024 • 41 mins
Last night, Arsenal swept the floor with another of the Premier League’s relegation candidates, Sheffield United.
So do they need a new striker after all?!
In their last seven league games they have scored 31 times.
So, what has Mikel Arteta changed to open the floodgates?
And will it be enough to challenge title rivals City and Liverpool all the way to the end?
Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s David Ornstein and for...
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March 4, 2024 • 37 mins
Manchester City eventually ran out convincing winners over Manchester United in the derby at the weekend.
Yet, Erik ten Hag said afterwards that the gap in quality between the two sides wasn’t that big..
Is he right?
And if there is a summer of sweeping changes at United, is this likely to also mean a change of manager at Old Trafford?
Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s David Ornstein & Manchester United writer Laurie Whi...
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March 1, 2024 • 39 mins
It’s the Manchester derby, with City hosting United at the Etihad Stadium. United will be hoping to better their 3-0 defeat in the reverse fixture.
Elsewhere, Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to take on Spurs, Newcastle host in-form Wolves, while Everton welcome West Ham to Goodison Park.
Host: Michael Bailey
Guests: Tim Spiers, Jon Mackenzie, Joey D'Urso
Producer: Mike Stavrou
Learn more ab...
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February 29, 2024 • 39 mins
With 12 Premier League games to play, the top three are separated by just two points, with Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal all still firmly in contention to be crowned champions in May.
So are we set for the most nail-biting climax in Premier League history, or will March's clashes at the top of the table prove decisive?
Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Arsenal writer James McNicholas as well as Merseyside football...
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February 28, 2024 • 35 mins
Last night, Manchester City moved a step closer to another treble, thanks to the formidable Erling Haaland.
If City do win the lot - again - could he start to think about a fresh challenge?
There’s always been a suspicion that Haaland will one day join Real Madrid.
But is a move now less likely with the potential arrival of Kylian Mbappe?
Or is Madrid the only realistic next destination for Haaland… if anywhere at all?
Ayo A...
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February 27, 2024 • 40 mins
Why has Everton’s 10-point deduction for breaching profit and sustainability rules been reduced to six points?
How will the decision impact sides around them locked in a relegation battle?
What might it say about Everton's upcoming second case?
And what about outstanding charges for Nottingham Forest… and the 115 for Manchester City?
Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Matt Slater and Everton correspon...
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February 26, 2024 • 39 mins
Following Liverpool's 10th League Cup success manager Jurgen Klopp described it as the most special achievement of his career, given the reliance he had to put in a number of academy graduates.
Youngsters Bobby Clark, James McConnell, Jayden Danns and Jarrell Quansah were all used from the bench along with full-back Conor Bradley.
Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's football correspondent David Ornstein and Liverpool reporte...
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February 23, 2024 • 46 mins
Adam Leventhal and co return to preview the weekend of top-flight football ahead, with not only Premier League points but also domestic silverware on the line.
Liverpool and Chelsea go head-to-head at Wembley Stadium on Sunday afternoon for the Carabao Cup, but who would the trophy be more important for, Mauricio Pochettino at the start of his Chelsea career, or Jurgen Klopp at the end of his time at Liverpool?
Meanwhile on Satur...
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February 22, 2024 • 33 mins
Oliver Glasner has been chosen as the man to re-energise Crystal Palace after a barren run of just two wins from 16 in all competitions.
The Europa League-winning coach replaces Roy Hodgson, who stepped down as manager on Monday.
So, who is Glasner… and why have Palace chosen him?
And just how big is the rebuilding job on his hands?
Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s German football writer Raphael Honigstein and Dom Fi...
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February 21, 2024 • 27 mins
Bayern Munich and head coach Thomas Tuchel will part ways at the end of the season.
Why has the announcement come now and what does it tell us?
Why isn’t Tuchel leaving immediately?
And will Bayern be able to compete with Liverpool to make Xabi Alonso their new manager in the summer?
Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s German football writer Raphael Honigstein and Nick Miller.
Produced by Mike Stavrou
Executive produce...
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February 20, 2024 • 43 mins
Last week Kylian Mbappe told Paris Saint Germain of his decision to leave the club at the end of the season with Real Madrid the expected destination but as their superstar departs, what next for PSG?
Ayo Akinwolere is joined by French football writer and broadcaster Tom Williams and The Athletic's Carl Anka to analyse what comes next for Mbappe as well as the direction the French champions head in next.
The panel assess what optio...
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February 19, 2024 • 41 mins
Man United want Dan Ashworth to be their new sporting director.
He has been placed on gardening leave after informing Newcastle of his desire to leave the club.
But Newcastle want a huge fee of 20 MILLION pounds to release Ashworth from his contract.
So how will this tussle between the two clubs play out as both teams chase Champions League football next season.
And why is Ashworth so sought after?
Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The ...
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February 16, 2024 • 46 mins
Michael Bailey and co breakdown matchweek 25 of the Premier League.
The headline clash is Saturday's late game between Manchester City and Chelsea. The last meeting was a 4-4 classic, but can Chelsea take anything away this time?
Elsewhere Luton host in-form Manchester United, who are going for their 5th win in a row, while Arsenal and Liverpool travel to Burnley and Brentford respectively hoping to keep pace at the top.
Host: ...
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February 16, 2024 • 49 mins
Lionel Messi’s move to Inter Miami appeared to be a marketing dream for all concerned, that was before their pre-season tour of Asia.
After playing just seven minutes in Saudi Arabia and missing a ‘last dance’ with Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi failed to feature in Hong Kong with the fallout still rumbling on.
So why has Messi’s no-show caused geo-political tensions to rise and is the GOAT in danger of becoming a show pony in the final ...
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February 14, 2024 • 33 mins
West Ham’s 6-0 defeat to Arsenal last weekend was the club’s worst home defeat in over 60 years… and the fans voted with their feet.
Wins over Man United and Arsenal in December had seen supporters unite behind David Moyes.
But a poor run of results have swiftly soured the mood at the London Stadium.
So.. will Moyes bid farewell to the Hammers when his contract expires this summer, or can he turn things around?
And what do West...
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February 13, 2024 • 39 mins
Bayern Munich are out of both domestic Cup competitions and were humbled by Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen side at the weekend.
As pressure mounts ahead of their Champions League game at Lazio this week…
Why are things not going as smoothly as usual for Bayern?
And is it REALLY possible Kane could go another season without finally winning a title?
Is Thomas Tuchel in trouble? And could Bayern potentially tempt Alonso this summer?
Ayo Aki...
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February 12, 2024 • 40 mins
Manchester United's 2-1 win at Villa Park on Sunday made it four consecutive wins for the first time this season, but what is the significance of that?
Have Erik Ten Hag's side got a realistic shot at recovering their hopes of securing Champions League qualification, or is this latest run just the latest false dawn at Old Trafford ahead of a summer reset?
Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Adam Crafton and Man United writer...
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February 9, 2024 • 46 mins
Adam Leventhal returns to preview a bumper weekend of football ahead, including the Premier League as well as title matchups in Germany and Spain, and two international cup finals.
The Premier League matchweek is headlined by fourth-place Villa welcoming eighth-place Manchester United to Villa Park. Both are chasing Champions League football, and Villa could open up an 11-point gap over the visitors.
Elsewhere Manchester City welco...
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