The Football Boardroom

The decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s red card will go down as one of the most controversial in the history of the World Cup. But what does the rabbit-in-a-hat moment say about the current balance of money, power and politics in the international game? What are the long-term ramifications? Will it prove to be the ultimate FIFA own goal or can Gianni Infantino ride out the global backlash? Chri...

It’s only early July and yet the big transfer deals are flowing. And it’s not just players on the move, with new faces in numerous dugouts. These moves are increasingly being characterised by a ruthlessness in the dealings between clubs as they look to exploit the positions of others and maximise their own hand. What is behind this cutthroat cultural change? How are clubs adapting? And who are the...

Hydration breaks have become a much-maligned talking point of this World Cup, it’s very own ‘water cooler’ moment if you like.  But what are the factors at play driving these changes? How will such ‘innovations’ evolve? And will we see a knock-on impact in how the Premier League is broadcast and watched going forward? Henry and Christian talk money, power and politics in the realm of sports broadc...

Christian and Henry unpick the details of the Burnley v Everton legal case in the wake of an initial verdict in Burnley’s favour. How was the decision arrived at? What next? And what are the wide-ranging implications? The guys also cast their eyes over Spurs’ new transfer strategy and take a look at the other potential movers and shakers in the market.  Email in via: getintouch@thefootballboardroo...

The World Cup is underway and one man who knows what life’s like at a major tournament camp is Tom Heaton. The Manchester United goalkeeper joins Henry and Christian to take us inside an international squad on the road, as well as giving the lowdown on what it requires to be a leader at Old Trafford and how more former players can build successful careers in the boardroom. Email in via: getintouch...

Christian and Henry examine the boardroom ramifications of David Sullivan stepping down from his position as co-chair and director at West Ham. What next for the club? Will Daniel Kretinsky be looking to making his move? And what are the potential implications for West Ham’s stadium situation? Email in via: getintouch@thefootballboardroom.co.uk  Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFootba...

On the eve of the 2026 World Cup, Christian and Henry take a look at the challenges and opportunities presented by a tournament co-hosted by the USA. They’re joined by the only current MLS coach to have managed in the Premier League, Dean Smith, who gives his unique perspective on a range of issues, including the salary cap, why more and more Americans are investing in English football and whether...

England’s World Cup training camp has begun out in Florida, but it’s not just the players who are busy. Owners, managers and club executives are already making their moves in the transfer market. Who from Thomas Tuchel’s squad is likely to follow Anthony Gordon to pastures new? Where will they go and why? Henry, our man in America for the course of the tournament, joins Christian from hot and humi...

The relegation trapdoor separated Tottenham and West Ham as the Premier League season finally drew to a breathless halt.  But what now for two of London’s most storied clubs? In different ways and with distinct challenges, they both face a summer of radical restructure and change. Henry and Christian survey the scene at two crossroads clubs, assessing the pivotal decisions that loom and identifyin...

Brighton’s Paul Barber is one of football’s most experienced chief executives. But what makes a top CEO in today’s game?  Paul joins Christian and Henry to talk crisis management in the midst of the Southampton spygate scandal, managerial succession, player recruitment and how the Premier League can maintain the competitive edge that makes it such compelling global viewing. Email in via: getintouc...

Hearts have radically shaken up Scottish football this season, challenging the 40-year dominance of the Old Firm in fearsome fashion. How have they done it? How crucial has Tony Bloom’s involvement been? What about the cutting edge role of Jamestown Analytics? And if we are only at the foothills of a multi-year project, what does the summit look like? Henry and Christian dig into a footballing rev...

This week it’s Hammer time. After the defeat at Brentford, West Ham have three games left to save their season…but what happens if the Premier League bubble bursts?  Christian and Henry take a deep dive into the dynamics, dilemmas and doomsday scenarios facing the Irons as the pressure furnace heats up. Who’s calling the shots? What are the far-reaching implications of relegation? And are football...

Coventry City are back in the Premier League after a 25-year absence. What were the principal factors that propelled the club’s return to football’s Promised Land? And how do they stay there?  City owner Doug King breaks off from the much-deserved festivities around Coventry to join Christian and Henry and discuss the club’s remarkable odyssey, his experiences as a football owner and the plan for...

Arsenal fans may be licking their wounds after another defeat to Man City, but do the reasons to be cheerful still eclipse any sense of gloom over the Emirates? Christian and Henry put the business into the business end of the season as they assess the Gunners’ financial firepower and overall strategy and look at the profiles of the people pulling the strings behind the scenes. They also discuss t...

Another Premier League sacking and that can mean only one thing at The Football Boardroom…time for another emergency pod! Henry and Christian react to the breaking news of Liam Rosenior’s Stamford Bridge exit.  Why now? What were the key factors behind the decision? And what next for Chelsea? Email in via: getintouch@thefootballboardroom.co.uk  Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFootbal...

It’s been anything but quiet on the West London front this season at Chelsea. Ill-discipline on the pitch, fallings out off it at both boardroom and dressing-room level, financial losses, a controversial fine, question marks around the head coach… And it promises to be a summer of discontent in SW6 should the club fail to qualify for the Champions League.  What exactly is the owners’ strategy? And...

Portsmouth's chairman just rang the alarm bell on Championship finances. So we did what we do — pulled the accounts, ran the numbers, and asked the uncomfortable questions. Why do these clubs keep losing money? Why does anyone still want to own one? And is there a solution to the crisis? Email in via: getintouch@thefootballboardroom.co.uk  Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFootballBoar...

After a flurry of breaking news stories, we’ve finally managed to dive into the mailbag for our Q & A episode! Christian and Henry tackle a host of your questions, from price rises at Anfield to ways to maximise commercial revenue at Villa and how a club on the verge of promotion gets Premier League ready off the pitch. Email in via: getintouch@thefootballboardroom.co.uk  Watch on YouTube: https:/...

Another week, another Spurs manager. This time it’s Roberto De Zerbi taking his place in the Tottenham Hotspur hot seat.  How did they get the deal over the line? What’s the nature of the agreement? And is he the man to keep Spurs in the Premier League? Christian and Henry get into the thickets of the deal as they talk numbers, clauses and boardroom dynamics in what is a season-defining moment for...

It’s the end of an era at Liverpool as Mo Salah heads towards the Anfield exit. But what’s behind the timing, who benefits most and what’s next for Mo? Henry and former Liverpool MD Christian dive into the details and crunch the numbers of the deal. Plus, as Henry returns from his trip to St George’s Park in the midst of the international break, should Premier League owners care more about the suc...

We were all set to answer your audience questions this week - but then one of the most significant boardroom stories in Premier League history dropped into our lap. Chelsea have been hit with a record £10.75m fine after admitting to £47.5m in secret payments during the Roman Abramovich era.  Former Chelsea head of commercial activities Christian Purslow gives an inside perspective that few else ca...

This season’s race to avoid relegation is a gripping one. But if you’re in the boardroom of one of the clubs involved in the scrap, the drama comes with a swarm of concerns, consequences and questions.  In this week’s episode, Christian and Henry step into the drop zone to analyse the main issues facing the owners and executives running Tottenham, West Ham, Nottingham Forest and Leeds.  Who has th...

Takeover dramas, relegation dogfights, shifting dynamics in the modern game. Sean Dyche has seen it all.  In his first interview since leaving Nottingham Forest, the former Burnley and Everton manager joins Christian and Henry to talk money, power and politics in football, breaking down just how complex and challenging life in the Premier League can be. From heavily incentivised contracts for play...

Gareth Southgate discusses the risks and rewards of being England boss, whilst shining a light on the unexpected challenges that an elite manager must deal with at every twist and turn. Email in via: getintouch@thefootballboardroom.co.uk  Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFootballBoardroom Follow us on Instagram: @footballboardroompod Follow us on TikTok: @footballboardroompod Follow u...

It is the biggest story in English football. But the wait for a verdict on the 115 charges Manchester City are facing for allegedly breaching financial regulations goes on. Why such a delay? Where are we at with the case? And what comes next? Christian Purslow and Henry Winter tackle the topic that could have seismic repercussions for the Premier League and beyond, debunking myths and preconceptio...