The Athletic FC Podcast

For anyone that didn’t know about him already, 17-year-old wonderkid Endrick introduced himself with a winner against England at Wembley on Saturday. So how good is Brazil's next big thing - and where will he fit in at Real Madrid when he completes his move to the Bernabeu this summer? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Brazilian football writer Jack Lang, Nick Miller, who conducted Endric...

It’s just 84 days until the European Championships begin in Germany - so we are looking ahead to Euro 2024, with a particular focus on two of the favourites; France & England. Host Michael Bailey is joined by England correspondent Jack Pitt-Brooke, PSG and Fulham writer Peter Rutzler, plus data writer Thom Harris. Produced by Mike Stavrou. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inform...

Following Nottingham Forest's four-point deduction for breaching the Premier League's Profitability and Sustainability Rules earlier this week, Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's senior football news reporter Matt Slater as well as Tim Spiers. The panel debate the sanction handed down to Forest, following on from Everton's own six-point deduction with the Goodison Park outfit set to receiv...

Once again Newcastle United will finish the season trophyless, and currently sit 10th in the Premier League. There have been question marks over finances, transfers and team selection. But if the belief in manager Eddie Howe remains strong, how long will the faith remain? Producer: Jay Beale Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week England boss Gareth Soutgate announced that Arsenal’s Ben White does not want to play for England. So, why doesn’t one of the best players in Europe, in his position, not want to represent his country? And why do some followers of the England national team find it so difficult to understand? Produced by Jay Beale. Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy f...

Following Manchester United's dramatic FA Cup Sixth Round win over Liverpool at Old Trafford The Athletic's David Ornstein and Mark Critchley join Ayo Akinwolere to discuss the significance of the result for Erik ten Hag. The Manchester United manager has been under increased scrutiny since the minority investment from Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has taken over sporting control at Old Trafford. So, wou...

It’s matchday 29 in the Premier League & the FA Cup quarter-finals this weekend.  The big meeting of the weekend sees Manchester United take on Liverpool at Old Trafford in the FA Cup, while Man City host Newcastle. There’s also Premier League action to discuss & reaction to the latest England squad announcement. Host: Adam Leventhal Guests: Tim Spiers, Jon Mackenzie, Jacob Whitehead Produ...

Manchester United face Liverpool on Sunday at their iconic home Old Trafford, but the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ isn’t what it once was. Last week the club announced plans for a “world-class” stadium, so why is it so important to have a state of the art arena and how will a shiny modern new stadium improve results on the pitch? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Matt Slater and Andy Mitten, part...

On Tuesday night, Barcelona made it through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League. There was a time when that would have been very much routine. But after all the off-pitch issues, could this actually be a turning point? Or is it just a false dawn for a club gripped by crippling financial losses?  The Athletic’s Adam Leventhal is joined by Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero and Barcelona writer Pol...

Chelsea saw off Newcastle in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge, a win that eased pressure on Mauricio Pochettino… But the bigger picture is they remain 11th in the table which has led sections of the fanbase harking back to the days of Roman Abramovich. So what are the issues the owners need to address to turn things round?  And will strategies like Chelsea’s multi-club model ever convince a s...

Only one point separates the top three in the Premier League following Liverpool and Man City drawing 1-1 at Anfield on Sunday, while Arsenal beat Brentford 2-1 on Saturday night to move to the top of the table. Meanwhile, off the pitch for Liverpool the Reds are moving closer to bringing back former sporting director Michael Edwards to work within owners Fenway Sports Group's ownership structure...

It’s another huge weekend in the Premier League, with a pivotal matchup in the title race as Liverpool host Manchester City at Anfield. Elsewhere, Aston Villa welcome Tottenham to Villa Park as both sides chase Champions League football, and Everton go to Old Trafford to face Manchester United. Host: Adam Leventhal Guests: Tim Spiers, Jon Mackenzie, Nick Miller Producer: Mike Stavrou We’re asking...

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 le...

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 Pit...

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 Ath...

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 &a...

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 Pro...

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 McNich...

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 Haala...

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, Ma...

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 D...

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 tim...

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 write...

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 M...

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 i...