The Athletic FC Podcast

Hosts Dan Bardell and Flo Lloyd-Hughes are joined by The Athletic's Tottenham writer, Charlie Eccleshare, to assess Antonio Conte's short reign at Spurs and the complete overhaul in both the results and general atmosphere at the North London club... The trio explore how differently the business the club conducted in January was perceived at the time, how Conte's 'Mourinho-like' outbursts almost de...

Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's David Ornstein, Adam Crafton and Carl Anka to react to the news David broke on Tuesday evening that Erik ten Hag has agreed a deal in principle to become the next permanent Manchester United manager. There's discussion of the scale of the task facing ten Hag, his suitability for the role, how much say in incomings and outgoings he will likely have, and how...

The Athletic's Adam Leventhal is joined by Adam Crafton and Oli Kay to reflect on a massive weekend in the Premier League that saw Liverpool and Man City both walk away in good spirits after their pulsating 2-2 draw at the Etihad, The Athletic's Man City writer Sam Lee and our Liverpool writer James Pearce give us the take from both sides of the title race. We're also joined by The Athletic's Tott...

Hosts Dan Bardell and George Elek are joined by bet365's Steve Freeth to preview the BIG ONE: Manchester City vs Liverpool... Does Sunday's winner go on to lift the Premier League trophy in May, will Salah rediscover his goalscoring touch at the Etihad and who plays on the left in our combined XI? Plus, the trio assess Everton's demise, with relegation for the first time in 68 years looking increa...

The Athletic's Matt Slater has a double helping of football business for you - looking at the ongoing debate around the future of the Champions League in the wake of Nasser Al-Khelaifi's suggestion that it needs to be more like the Super Bowl, and we also delve into the Championship to examine the ever-growing disparity between the haves and the have-nots as parachute payments continue to wreak ha...

Hosts Dan Bardell and Flo Lloyd-Hughes are joined by The Athletic's Crystal Palace correspondent to assess how Patrick Vieira has totally transformed the South Londoners, hours after arguably the best performance of the season - beating Arsenal 3-0 on Monday night... Then, Lauren Cochrane, Senior Fashion Writer for The Guardian, the undeniably fashionable Carl Anka & former City defender Nedum...

Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's Adam Crafton and our Brentford correspondent Jay Harris to reflect on the remarkable victory for Thomas Frank's side at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, including a look at whether they can hope to keep hold of Christian Eriksen and how if things were slightly different Thomas Tuchel could have been in the Brentford dugout. Adam has been talking to PSG presiden...

Hosts Dan Bardell and George Elek are joined by bet365's Steve Freeth to preview Liverpool's early opportunity to go top of the Premier League table... Plus, Maguire's move from Leicester to Manchester United revisited, Vieira's induction into the PL Hall of Fame , whether Marcus Rashford would benefit from a move to Arsenal and if David Moyes should be crowned manager of the season? Hosted on Aca...

Mark Chapman is joined from Doha by The Athletic's Matt Slater ahead of the draw for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The theme of today’s podcast will be the criticism over the decision to stage the World Cup in Qatar because of concerns over the country's human rights record. Guests include Jonas Baer-Hoffmann is General Secretary of FIFPRO the global football players union & Wenzel Michalski a...

Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's Adam Crafton & Laurie Whitwell to discuss Manchester United’s recruitment plans for the summer. Our Italian football writer James Horncastle will join us from Portugal, where he was meant to be covering Italy in the World Cup play off final.. And Liam Twomey will join us to discuss the contenders shortlisted to become the new owners of Chelsea. Hosted o...

Hosts Dan Bardell and Flo Lloyd-Hughes are joined by The Athletic's England reporter Jack Pitt-Brooke and Investigations writer, Matt Slater, to preview the World Cup draw and assess England's chances at the winter tournament... Qatar's ability to accommodate travelling supporters, Bale's international form, Foden's best position, Italy's misery and more... Plus, the guys check in with The Athleti...

The Athletic's Matt Slater speaks to Chris Isitt chair of Chelsea Pitch Owners - the company that holds the freehold of Stamford Bridge stadium - as the sales process for Premier League Chelsea Football Club continues. Isitt tell Matt, CPO have been in communication with groups who have made heavily fancied bids. Matt is also joined by Professor Simon Chadwick an expert on sport and geopolitics, t...

Hosts Dan Bardell and Flo Lloyd-Hughes are joined by The Athletic's Jay Harris - fresh from his recent visit to St. George's Park - to discuss how the FA are trying to put an end to the fact that an English manager has never won the Premier League title or The Champions League! You'll hear from some of the latest cohort of ex-senior England professionals embarking on a revolutionary coaching progr...

Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's Adam Crafton & Matt Slater to detail the bids that have been submitted to buy Chelsea and which should be taken seriously. We’ll also talk Crystal Palace and the work being done behind the scenes that is bearing fruit on the pitch with Matt Woosnam. And our Spanish writer Dermot Corrigan was at the Bernabeu last night he’ll join us to share his thoughts...

Hosts Dan Bardell and George Elek are joined by bet365's Steve Freeth as FA Cup football returns - But is it something Everton could do without and why can't Chelsea read the room? Plus, how big really is the gap between Liverpool and Arsenal, Gelhardt's 'Rooney Moment', Kulusevski's impact and more... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following the announcement that Roman Abramovich has been sanctioned by the British Government and now the European Union, Mark Chapman & The Athletic's Matt Slater are joined by guests to discuss the likely effect on Chelsea football club and the wide-ranging impact such measures will have on sport in England. Our first guest is Bill Browder, founder and CEO of Hermitage Capital Management, w...

French football writer Tom Williams joins Dan Bardell and Flo Lloyd-Hughes on today's episode of The Athletic Football Podcast. They explore the reasons behind another European failure, and the booing of Messi and Neymar that followed this weekend. They also take a look at the underperforming stars, the struggles of manager Mauricio Pochettino in creating a harmonious dressing room, as well as the...

Host Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's Simon Johnson & Matt Slater look at what the future might hold for Chelsea after owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned whilst trying to sell the club. We’ll also discuss Mo Salah's contract stand-off and an unwanted distraction at Liverpool with The Athletic's James Pearce. And as Everton’s struggles continue, Paddy Boyland - who covers the club fo...

Host Dan Bardell and bet365's Steve Freeth are joined by The Athletic's Jack Pitt-Brooke to preview Antonio Conte's first match against Manchester United, in the same week Pochettino's PSG crashed out of the Champions League... But where will they (and Tuchel for that matter) be next season? Also, how impressive has Bukayo Saka been, especially after the way his summer ended with England, how to p...

Mark Chapman & The Athletic's Matt Slater are joined by Jon Varney, CEO and lifelong fan of Premier League side Brentford, who were promoted to English football’s top flight this season after 74 years away. Jon shares details about the off pitch challenges of moving to a new stadium during the COVID pandemic, the new challenges to compete at the very top level and also the impact of the high p...

Hosts Dan Bardell and Flo Lloyd-Hughes invite you to listen in on The Athletic's Simon Hughes, Jack Pitt-Brooke and Andy Mitten, in conversation about Manchester United's 1999 treble win - and the chances of either Liverpool or Man City being able to replicate it this season... The trio debate how 'lucky' Fergie's United were that year, the way the tables have turned since the 90s, as well as, the...

 Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's Adam Crafton, David Ornstein & Laurie Whitwell to look at what United can do - if anything - to close the gap between themselves and Manchester City.. And speaking of City, it looks like they are one of two possible destinations for Erling Haaland and a decision will be made in the coming weeks according to David Ornstein And Oli Kay will be with us to...

Hosts Dan Bardell and George Elek are joined by bet365's Steve Freeth to preview Ralf Rangnick's first Manchester Derby as speculation over their next new manager intensified again this week... Plus, how will Jesse Marsch attempt to follow Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds, does the post-AFCON version of Pepe have a real future at Arsenal and was the PGMOL's apology to Everton enough? Hosted on Acast. See a...

Mark Chapman & The Athletic's Matt Slater are joined by Duncan Niederauer a chief executive of the New York Stock Exchange and is currently President and majority shareholder  of Italian Serie A side Venezia. Duncan discusses a range of topics including the relationship he has with other US owners of Italian clubs, his close relationship with the players, the lessons he's learned and what it's...

Italian striker Mario Balotelli sits down with his former Manchester City teammate Nedum Onuoha for The Athletic. Hear Mario on his regrets about leaving City, telling teammates he is as good as Messi & Ronaldo, representing Italy and his key role in the most iconic moment in Premier League history.  Mario also shares his thoughts on the wild stories about him in the press over the years, how...