The Athletic FC Podcast

After signing Wolves’ Matheus Cunha for £62.5million, Manchester United have made an opening bid of £55m to sign Bryan Mbuemo from Brentford. So, with no European football, how are United still drawing the big names - and are they at risk of breaching PSR after their lowest top flight league finish since 1974? Listener feedback survey: https://forms.gle/3Ecby2zfysRaTfFZ6 Host: Adam Leventhal With:...

The transfer window is open and Liverpool are after one European football’s brightest talents as they look to complete a deal for Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz. And it’s not just the champions who are active, Man City are making moves of their own with a fee agreed for AC Milan's Tijjani Reijnders is on his way, who will be next? Listener feedback survey: https://forms.gle/3Ecby2zfysRaTfFZ6 Hos...

PSG have finally got their hands on the Champions League trophy after beating Inter 5-0 in the final in Munich on Saturday night. So, how did they do it and are they set to dominate European football? Listener feedback survey: https://forms.gle/3Ecby2zfysRaTfFZ6 Host: Adam Leventhal With: James Horncastle, Adam Crafton and Liam Tharme Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke Hosted o...

On Saturday, PSG will face Inter in the 24/25 Champions League final in Munich.  It will be the meeting of the oldest versus the youngest team from the knockout stage, will experience or youthful exuberance prevail? The Athletic’s Italian football correspondent James Horncastle and French football specialist Tom Williams join Ayo Akinwolere to preview the game. Can Luis Enrique’s decision to...

Chelsea have won a trophy and have Champions League football next season. So, has Enzo Maresca proven the doubters wrong? Listener feedback survey: https://forms.gle/3Ecby2zfysRaTfFZ6 Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Simon Johnson and Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sunderland are back in the Premier League after eight years away. So how did a club who were in League One three years ago make their way back to the top table? And crucially, can they stay there? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Phil Hay, Chris Weatherspoon, Leo Pearlman Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou & John Rogers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informatio...

Napoli won a second Scudetto in three years as a dramatic Serie A title race went down to the final day. So how did Antonio Conte’s side get the better of Champions League finalists Inter, despite losing their two best players? And what part did former Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay play in the title triumph?  Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: James Horncastle Executive Producer: Adey...

Aston Villa narrowly missed out on a crucial top-five finish in the Premier League—falling short after a moment of controversy at Old Trafford. So, why couldn’t Unai Emery’s side get over the line this season? And what does failing to qualify for the Champions League mean for Villa’s summer transfer ambitions? Host Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Jacob Tanswell and Villa expert Dan Bard...

On 25 May 2025, Liverpool will receive their 20th top flight crown, equaling the record set by Manchester United. This season's victory will be defined by Mohamed Salah's goals, Arne Slot's career-defining debut, and the measured manner with which the Reds marched on. But five years ago, when Liverpool last won English football's most prestigious trophy for the first time in 30 years, this was not...

Welcome to The Athletic’s end-of-season awards, for the 2024-25 season. A time to celebrate the best of the best across the Premier League, WSL and Europe. The Athletic's Data & Tactic’s Editor Duncan Alexander, Women’s Football Writer Megan Feringa & Football Writer Jacob Whitehead join Adam Leventhal to name our Player, Young Player, Manager and team of the season in our respective categ...

Tottenham Hotspur got the job done in Bilbao with Brennan Johnson scoring the only goal in the Europa League Final win over Manchester United. So what does the trophy mean for Spurs & Postecoglou and where does defeat leave Ruben Amorim & Manchester United? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Jack Pitt-Brooke and Laurie Whitwell Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke Hosted on...

Tonight - Spurs or Manchester United will be crowned Europa League champions So… will it be Ange Postecoglou or Ruben Amorim that rescues a disastrous season?  Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s Spurs writer Jay Harris and Manchester United writer Carl Anka. We also hear from The Athletic’s Jack Pitt-Brooke & Laurie Whitwell who attended the press conferences of Postecoglou a...

Spurs’ Europa League run has been the shining light in an otherwise disappointing season. They have a chance to end a 17-year wait for a major trophy on Wednesday night.  So what would it mean for the club and manager Ange Postecoglou if they win the Europa League? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Danny Kelly & Phil Hay Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou and Nick Thomson H...

This week, it’s all eyes on Bilbao as Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur meet in the Europa League final. Today, we’re focusing on Ruben Amorim’s side and asking what would success mean for Manchester United? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Laurie Whitwell and Mark Critchley Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On 18th May 2025, Everton will play their final Premier League game at Goodison Park against Southampton. For the men’s team, it will no longer be their home. In this special episode allow yourself to be transported to the stadium, as The Athletic FC captures the iconic sound that only Goodison could bring. You will hear from fans about their memories of the stadium, what it will mean to...

Crystal Palace have the chance to win their first major trophy on Saturday as they face Manchester City in the FA Cup Final. So how has Oliver Glasner transformed Palace and would silverware take the Eagles to the next level?  Host: Matt Davies-Adams With: Matt Woosnam, Reuben Pinder, Sam Lee Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...

Harry Kane’s trophy drought is over having helped Bayern Munich to the Bundesliga in his second season in Germany. But is one Bundesliga trophy enough for the England captain - and is silverware the only marker of success? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Seb Stafford-Bloor and Art De Roche Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information...

On Sunday afternoon Trent Alexander-Arnold was booed at Anfield.  So why do supporters boo their own players and is it ever acceptable? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: James Pearce, Oli Kay, Carl Anka Featuring: Art de Roché, Simon Johnson, Chris Waugh Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Guy Clarke and Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brentford’s dynamic duo Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa have lit up the Premier League once again this season. But with Thomas Frank admitting Mbeumo could be sold this summer - what does the future hold for him and strike partner Wissa? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Jay Harris & Liam Tharme Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more info...

Real Madrid are in chaos following the latest El Clasico, throwing away at 2-0 lead before falling to a 4-3 defeat. Knocked out of the Champions League and defeat to Barcelona makes another league title unlikely. So where has it all gone wrong for Real Madrid and is Xabi Alonso the man to fix them?  Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Dermot Corrigan, Guillermo Rai and Seb Stafford-Bloor Executive Pro...

On Thursday night both Manchester United and Spurs got the job done in the Europa League to book their place in Bilbao. One of them will be the Champions League next season - but who will be joining them via the Premier League? This weekend's standout fixture comes at St. James' Park as Newcastle United welcome Chelsea in a meeting of 4th v 5th. Host: Adam Leventhal With: Tim Spiers and Oliver Kay...

Arsenal’s European journey is over after losing 3-1 on aggregate to Paris Saint-Germain. So where does this leave Mikel Arteta’s process and why can’t Arsenal get over the line? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Art De Roche, Phil Hay and Liam Tharme Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Inter are through to the Champions League final after a breathtaking semi-final against Barcelona. So where does that rank among the best knockout matches in the competition's history? And are Inter favourites to lift the trophy now? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Pol Ballus & Max Callegari Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy f...

Manchester City have had a disappointing season compared to their usually high standards. But the summer window offers Pep Guardiola the chance to rebuild. So which players are they targeting? And will it be enough for them to be Premier League contenders once again? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Sam Lee & Phil Hay Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou and Nick Thomson Hosted o...

Trent Alexander-Arnold is leaving Liverpool. So why has he decided to leave on a free transfer? And with Real Madrid the likely destination, what makes them a better option? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: James Pearce, Mario Cortegana and Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.