The Athletic FC Podcast

Welcome to episode 7 of The Radar, where The Athletic's unrivalled range of global football experts will profile some of the game's most exciting up and coming talents who look set to star at this summer’s European Championships and Copa América. RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Šeško has long been touted as one of the next great strikers - linked with some of the world’s biggest clubs and hype around him re...

Welcome to episode 6 of The Radar, where The Athletic's unrivalled range of global football experts will profile some of the game's most exciting up and coming talents who look set to star at this summer’s European Championships and Copa América. 20-year-old midfielder Marcelo Flores began his footballing education at Ipswich Town and Arsenal - but has a point to prove after failing to make a real...

Welcome to episode 5 of The Radar, where The Athletic's unrivalled range of global football experts will profile some of the game's most exciting up and coming talents who look set to star at this summer’s European Championships and Copa América. 19-year-old Benfica midfielder João Neves has followed in the footsteps of Bernardo Silva, Darwin Núñez, João Félix and Rúben Dias to come through the Po...

Welcome to episode 4 of The Radar, where The Athletic's unrivalled range of global football experts will profile some of the game's most exciting up and coming talents who look set to star at this summer’s European Championships and Copa América.  22-year-old USA international Folarin Balogun’s every move has been watched with intrigue since his permanent move from Arsenal to Monaco.  After a some...

Welcome to episode 3 of The Radar, where The Athletic's unrivalled range of global football experts will profile some of the game's most exciting up and coming talents who look set to star at this summer’s European Championships and Copa América. Paris Saint Germain’s Warren Zaïre-Emery has had a meteoric rise since rewriting the record books when he became the club’s youngest player and goalscore...

The summer transfer window officially opens on June 14 as clubs look to strengthen their squads ahead of the 2024/25 season. So what kind of business is your club likely to do this summer? Which big players could be on the move? How restricted will Premier League clubs be by PSR? And what impact could this - and the summer tournaments - have on the market? Host: Adam Leventhal With: David Ornstein...

Welcome to episode 2 of The Radar, where The Athletic's unrivalled range of global football experts will profile some of the game's most exciting up and coming talents who look set to star at this summer’s European Championships and Copa América. 17-year-old Endrick burst onto the international scene with goals against England and Spain and will join Real Madrid after playing a potentially pivotal...

Welcome to episode 1 of The Radar, where The Athletic's unrivalled range of global football experts will profile some of the game's most exciting up and coming talents who look set to star at this summer’s European Championships and Copa América. Prodigal 16-year-old Lamine Yamal has already broken a number of records for Barcelona and Spain in his short career so far.  Will the precocious attacke...

After a three month search, Bayern Munich have finally secured a new head coach having appointed former Burnley manager Vincent Kompany. So why have Bayern chosen Kompany? How influential were his links to Pep Guardiola in their decision and how will the Belgian adapt to life in Bavaria after Burnley? Adam Leventhal is joined by The Athletic's Seb Stafford-Bloor and Andy Jones to analyse how the m...

On Tuesday, Mauricio Pochettino left his position as Chelsea head coach by mutual consent after less than 11 months in the job. After a poor start he led his side to a sixth place finish in the Premier League, but the upturn in form wasn’t enough. So, why did the Pochettino project fail, and who will Chelsea turn to next? Host: Adam Leventhal With: Simon Johnson, Jack Pitt-Brooke Executive Produce...

Manchester City have created English football history by winning a fourth consecutive top flight title. But do Pep Guardiola’s side get the recognition their achievements deserve? Does future dominance depend on how long the manager stays and is the whole debate overshadowed by the 115 charges they face for alleged breaches of Premier League financial regulations? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by Man C...

It’s matchday 38 in the Premier League and the title race is down to the final day with Man City taking on West Ham and Arsenal up against Everton. The race for Europe involves the following matches: Sheffield United vs Spurs, Chelsea vs Bournemouth, Brentford vs Newcastle and Brighton vs Manchester United. Host: Adam Leventhal With: Tim Spiers and Jon Mackenzie Producer: Mike Stavrou Executive Pr...

Ange Postecoglou was clearly furious after Tottenham’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester City. But what made him so upset after what was one of Spurs’ better performances in recent months? And was he right to be  so  angry? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s Tottenham writers Charlie Eccleshare & Jack Pitt-Brooke who are also on our Spurs pod View From The Lane.. Producer Guy Clarke Executive P...

On Monday, The Athletic reported news of Bayern Munich’s attempt to prize Oliver Glasner from Crystal Palace for a hefty sum. That’s credit to the remarkable job Glasner has done since succeeding Roy Hodgson just three months ago. The Austrian coach has taken Palace to safety in style - but the big question is: can the club keep hold of their star players and their manager this summer? Host: Ayo A...

Newcastle United face Manchester United on Wednesday with both clubs competing for a place in Europe next season.  But is the increased strain on squads that comes with qualifying for UEFA’s lesser competitions actually worth it?  Or would a season out of Europe allow both sides to regroup and build again?  Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Carl Anka and George Caulkin Producer: Mike Stavrou Executive Pr...

After recording just a second win in 17 Premier League visits to Old Trafford Arsenal have taken the title race to the final day. So can Arsenal now complete the job and win the league for the first time in 20 years, despite Man City still having the title in their hands? If they fall short, does anything need to change next season and how long without delivering a league title can Arsenal trust t...

It’s matchday 37 in the Premier League and the main focus is on Manchester United vs Arsenal, another huge match in the title race. Elsewhere, Fulham host City and Nottingham Forest go up against Chelsea. Host: Adam Leventhal With: Tim Spiers and Jon Mackenzie Producer: Mike Stavrou Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last night in L.A. Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly said he drew positives from his side’s recent form in the Premier League. So has the Chelsea project turned a corner under Mauricio Pochettino? And has he done enough to still be in charge next season? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Simon Johnson & Liam Twomey Producers: Guy Clarke & Jay Beale Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Hosted on Acast. Se...

Bayern Munich announced back in February that this season would be Thomas Tuchel’s last as their manager. Fast forward three months and Bayern are yet to find a replacement. Xabi Alonso, Julian Nagelsmann, Unai Emery and now Ralf Rangnick have opted to stay at their current jobs rather than join the German club. So why are Bayern struggling to fill their managerial vacancy? And who could they turn...

Last night, West Ham announced that David Moyes will leave the club when his contract expires in the summer. After a prolonged search for Moyes’ successor, it seems the Hammers have landed on Julen Lopetegui. So… why have West Ham chosen the former Spain, Real Madrid and Wolves manager over other candidates?  And for Lopetegui himself - what is it about the project that has made him turn down the...

On Saturday Real Madrid were confirmed as La Liga champions for a record-extending 36th time, following Barcelona's 4-2 defeat at Girona. So how did they do it, why was this title not as easy as it looked and can anyone stop Real Madrid being European football’s dominant force?  Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Madrid-based writer Dermot Corrigan and Junior Spanish Editor Tomas Hill Lope...

It’s matchday 36 in the Premier League and the title race is once again the main focus. Arsenal host Bournemouth while Man City go up against Wolves. Elsewhere, in the relegation battle, it’s Luton vs Everton, Burnley vs Newcastle and Sheffield United vs Nottingham Forest. Host: Adam Leventhal With: Tim Spiers, Andy Jones and Jordan Campbell Producer: Mike Stavrou Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead...

So on Monday Premier League clubs opted to push on with plans for a hard spending limit — a de facto salary cap tied to the income of the lowest earning side in the top flight. Why do some clubs want more financial regulation? Who is pushing back against it? And could this end up with legal action? The Athletic's senior football news reporter Matt Slater joins Ayo Akinwolere to explain the concept...

Back in January, Xavi announced he would be stepping down as Barcelona boss at the end of the season, citing the role as a “cruel job” that “wears you down”. But last week, he and Barca changed their minds - yet another twist in a rollercoaster season for the Catalans. So, why did Barca perform a dramatic U-turn on Xavi’s future?  How strong is his position now? And can Xavi be backed in this summ...

Mohamed Salah’s heated exchange with Jurgen Klopp last weekend left many questioning whether the forward would join his manager in leaving Liverpool this summer. Then as The Athletic revealed on Monday, Liverpool expect Salah to stay this summer and are planning on him being part of their squad for next season. So, with his future back on the agenda, what are Liverpool’s options with or without th...