The Athletic FC Podcast

Things aren't getting any better for Tottenham or Igor Tudor, after their 5-2 Champions League last 16 first leg loss to Atletico Madrid. Four games, four defeats, 14 goals conceded and a goalkeeper subbed after 17 minutes. So, what next for Spurs & Tudor? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: David Ornstein, Jay Harris & Simon Hughes Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Guy Clarke and Nick T...

PSG dominated club football last season - finally winning the Champions League. But this year they’ve not yet hit the heights. So can they step up and defend their European title? Host: Ayo Akinwolere Guests: Tom Williams, Carl Anka Executive Producers: Adey Moorhead, Guy Clarke Producers: Mike Stavrou, Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arsenal and Man City are still in all four competitions after reaching the last eight of the FA Cup. It's the latest two sides have ever still been in the hunt of the quadruple in English football history. So could we see one of those sides win the lot? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Oliver Kay and Duncan Alexander Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast...

On this week’s episode of The Athletic FC Tactics podcast, the panel discuss football’s new rules! They talk the increased remit of VAR, throw-in countdowns and our own suggestions for new football laws. Host: Duncan Alexander Guests: Michael Cox, Mark Carey Producer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

FA Cup weekend brings a Hollywood tie to the Racecourse Ground, as Wrexham host Chelsea. Can the Championship club upset the odds again? Elsewhere in fifth round action is yet another Newcastle and Manchester City matchup, Arsenal head to Mansfield, Port Vale host Sunderland, and more... Host: Matt Davies-Adams Guests: Adrian Clarke & Richard Sutcliffe Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Produce...

At the end of January Aston Villa were level on points with Man City seven points off league leaders Arsenal. One win in six has left them clinging onto a place in the top four as they aim to secure Champions League qualification for next season. So, are the wheels falling off for Unai Emery’s side? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Jacob Tanswell, Stuart James and Chris Waugh Executive Producer: Adey Mo...

After 28 matches, Spurs are just four points above the relegation zone. So could they actually get relegated for the first time in almost 50 years? And how would Championship football impact a club of Tottenham’s size? Host: Ayo Akinwolere Guests: Jay Harris, David Ornstein, Beren Cross Executive Producers: Adey Moorhead, Guy Clarke Producers: Mike Stavrou, Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast....

The Premier League is launching its own direct-to-consumer streaming channel in Singapore from next season. So what will it look like? And could it be a sign of things to come in the UK? Host: Ayo Akinwolere Guests: Matt Slater, Adam Leventhal Executive Producers: Adey Moorhead, Guy Clarke Producers: Mike Stavrou, Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After losing at the Emirates, Chelsea have dropped to sixth. They’ve also registered a £342m loss in their accounts. So, can Chelsea afford to miss out on Champions League qualification? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Matt Slater & Liam Twomey Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Jay Beale, Guy Clarke, Liam Warburton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arsenal host Chelsea in their second London derby in the space of a week. Can the Gunners take momentum from a brilliant win at Tottenham last time out, or will Chelsea put the brakes firmly back on Arsenal’s title charge?  Host: Matt Davies-Adams Guests: Art de Roché & Cerys Jones Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Jay Beale & Xavi Bird Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privac...

Despite being 10 points clear in Serie A, Inter have been knocked out the Champions League by Bodo/Glimt. Juventus followed suit on Wednesday night meaning Italy’s only round of 16 representative is Atalanta. So, is Italian football in crisis or this season's performance just a blip? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: James Horncastle and Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Produce...

This season, plenty of managers have talked themselves into trouble. Oliver Glasner angered Crystal Palace fans by telling them to “stay humble”. And Ruben Amorim got sacked shortly after public criticism of Man United. So just how powerful are a manager’s words? Host: Ayo Akinwolere Guests: Charlie Eccleshare, Jack Pitt-Brooke Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Mike Stavrou, Nick Thomso...

The Michael Carrick era at Manchester United has got off to a flying start. So how has he done it? And what would it take for him to get the job permanently? Host: Adam Leventhal Guests: Mark Critchley, Adam Crafton Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Mike Stavrou, Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the second time this season Arsenal saw off rivals Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 in the north London derby. But having dropped points against Brentford and Wolves what does a win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium prove about Arsenal's ability to embrace the pressure ahead of the title run-in? Host: Adam Leventhal With: Art de Roché, Jay Harris and Adam Crafton Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer...

Arsenal head up the road to Tottenham for a massive North London Derby.  Can Igor Tudor start his Spurs career with a big win to help lift the mood, or will Arsenal get back on title track?  Host: Matt Davies-Adams Guests: Art de Roché & Dan Kilpatrick Executive Producers: Adey Moorhead & Guy Clarke Producers: Jay Beale & John Rogers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...

With so many big clubs potentially in the market for a new manager this summer. So, what actually is the hardest coaching job in football? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero, Jack Pitt-Brooke and Carl Anka Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Real Madrid’s 1-0 Champions League play-off first-leg win at Benfica on Tuesday night was overshadowed by alleged racist abuse suffered by goalscorer Vinicius Junior. Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Jay Harris and Dermot Corrigan to break down what happened, discuss the reaction and what might happen next. Host: Ayo Akinwolere Guests: Jay Harris, Dermot Corrigan Executive Producer: Adey...

Marseille’s season is in danger of spiralling after the departure of Roberto De Zerbi as head coach. So why did his spell come to an end so suddenly? And could the Italian return to the Premier League? Host: Ayo Akinwolere Guests: Tom Williams, Liam Tharme Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Mike Stavrou, Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Spurs have appointed Igor Tudor as interim head coach. So why him, and how does it affect their summer plans?  Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: James Horncastle, Jay Harris, Adam Crafton Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week — The Athletic FC Tactics podcast are talking tactical trends… from low blocks, to headed clearances and the return of long-range screamers. Host: Michael Bailey Guests: Michael Cox, Mark Carey, Liam Tharme Producer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

England have extended Thomas Tuchel’s contract beyond the 2026 World Cup.  So why has this happened now, and with sacking season in full flow, how does this impact the wider managerial market?  Host: Matt Davies-Adams Guests: Tim Spiers & Oli Kay Executive Producers: Adey Moorhead & Guy Clarke Producers: Jay Beale & John Rogers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...

Sean Dyche has become the third manager to be sacked by Nottingham Forest this season, following Wednesday night's goalless draw at home to Wolves. Former Wolves head coach Vitor Pereira is in pole position to succeed Dyche and would follow on from Nuno Espirito Santo and Ange Postecoglou as the other men to have taken charge of Forest this season. Sitting just three points above the relegation zo...

Thomas Frank has been sacked by Tottenham Hotspur after a miserable eight months in charge. A run of just two league wins in 17 Premier League matches spelled the end for the Dane. So who do they turn to next? And can that person fight off the very real threat of relegation? Host: Matt Davies-Adams Guests: Seb Stafford-Bloor, Dan Kilpatrick Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead, Guy Clarke Producers:...

At 41, Cristiano Ronaldo is still making headlines. This time, he’s fallen out with his club, Al-Nassr. So why is he unhappy? And what does the future hold for the 5-time Ballon d'Or winner? Host: Ayo Akinwolere Guests: James Horncastle, Oli Kay Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead, Guy Clarke Producers: Mike Stavrou, Nick Thomson, Liam Warburton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inform...

After trailing at Anfield Manchester City flipped the script and beat Liverpool with goals from Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland. So after the dramatic ending, is the title race back on? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Sam Lee and Simon Hughes Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Guy Clarke, Jay Beale and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.