The Athletic FC Podcast

4.3 (335)
SOCCER
UPDATED DAILY

The Athletic's flagship football podcast, hosted by Ayo Akinwolere and featuring the likes of David Ornstein, Phil Hay, Adam Crafton and Matt Slater will take you inside the biggest stories in football told by the best reporters in the business. We cut through the noise to tell you what’s really happening - and why it matters.

1D AGO

Why are Chelsea signing players already?

The summer transfer window doesn’t open until mid-June, yet Chelsea are not waiting around, having already agreed deals for Dario Essugo, and Geovany Quenda. So why are Chelsea doing their business so early, and should other clubs be following suit? Host: Adam Leventhal With: Simon Johnson, Tim Spiers Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Jay Beale We want your feedback. Go to: theathletic.com/athletic/survey25 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

46 min
2D AGO

Why is Trent set to leave Liverpool for nothing?

One of football’s worst kept secrets could soon be resolved as Real Madrid look to close a deal to sign Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold. So how did it get to this, the Reds losing a homegrown asset in the prime of his career on a free transfer and where will he fit at the Bernabeu? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s football correspondent David Ornstein, Liverpool correspondent James Pearce and Phil Hay to delve into the detail around the increased activity regarding Alexander-Arnold’s future. Plus, the panel are joined by Real Madrid writer Guillermo Rai to discuss the possibility of a move to the Bernabeu including the use of the media in persuading players to head to the Spanish capital. Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: David Ornstein, James Pearce, Phil Hay and Guillermo Rai Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

49 min
3D AGO

Is multi-club ownership here to stay?

This is the third and final part of our multi-club ownership series. We’ve learned how multi-club operations work and provided some practical examples from the world of football. Today - we answer your questions on the effectiveness and future of MCOs. So, can we say for certain multi-club ownership is here to stay? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Matt Slater Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou We want to hear about your podcast habits. Go to theathletic.com/athletic/survey25 to fill out a short survey and be in with the chance of winning £/$100 Amazon vouchers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

51 min
4D AGO

Inside the world of multi-club ownership

Yesterday we heard part one of our multi-club ownership eries, as we learned about how MCOs work - and their purpose. Today, we get some real-world examples, hearing from inside the operations whose clubs include sides from the Premier League and Major League Soccer. So what is it like to own and manage multiple clubs in different leagues and sometimes in different sports? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Matt Slater, Tim Bezbatchenko & Larry Berg Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou & Nick Thomson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

50 min
5D AGO

How is multi-club ownership reshaping football?

Whether it’s Manchester City, Chelsea or even Bournemouth more and more Premier League clubs are sitting as part of multi-club ownership portfolios. But why? How do multi-club ownership groups work, are they purely about making money, or do they help guarantee success on-the-pitch? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by Matt Slater for the first of our three-part series in multi-club ownership including Matt speaking with AJ Swoboda, Managing Director in the Americas for consultancy firm Twenty First Group about the role of MCOs within the global game. Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Matt Slater Featuring: AJ Swoboda Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

55 min
MAR 21

Can Tuchel's approach win England the World Cup?

Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad selection has raised a few eyebrows, most notably the inclusion of both Jordan Henderson and Kyle Walker. During media duties this week, the England manager put an emphasis on physicality and pressing, a tactic not commonly associated with international football. He also voiced that he felt England were more afraid to drop out of Euro 2024 than having the hunger and excitement to win it. So is Tuchel's first squad a step forward or step back, and can his more proactive style of management win England the World Cup? Host: Matt Davies-Adams With: Jack Pitt-Brooke, Tim Spiers Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Jay Beale Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

36 min
MAR 20

Mark Clattenburg on refereeing conspiracies

From the evolution of the profession to the impact of VAR, the pressures officials face has never been greater. Today we’re joined by a man who’s refereed at the highest level of European football - both in the club and international game. With fan-fueled conspiracies on the rise and scrutiny at an all-time high, how difficult is it to be a referee? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by former Premier League and FIFA referee Mark Clattenburg as well as The Athletic's senior writer Rory Smith to discuss Mark's career, his time at Nottingham Forest as well as the impact conspiracy has on officiating. Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Mark Clattenburg and Rory Smith Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1h 7m
MAR 19

Is Raphinha the Ballon d’Or favourite?

Raphinha is having an incredible season for Barcelona. After being pushed towards the Nou Camp exit door in the summer the Brazilian has grown into one of Hansi Flick’s most important players. So how has Raphinha reinvented himself to become one of Europe’s most effective players? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Phil Hay, Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero & Laia Cervello Herrero Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou & Nick Thomson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

40 min

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4.3

out of 5

335 Ratings

How will manu pay

Mar 18

Mancitygirl143

What a good podcast! Funny, informative, lessons about the Manchester geography, road cones, etc. well done fellows.
Great content but hopefully they expand content

Feb 21

naaa82828

This podcast has great content with professional and neutral. Take with different perspectives on different football issues. I would love for them to include more news about bigger clubs in other European leagues
Thieving Website

Mar 9

Lost troops

Straight trash publication that loves to continue charging people money for subscriptions they cancelled which isn’t a surprise considering their affiliated with NYT
Good

Feb 8

aiden chen harry potter

Good content, could include more outside the premier league

The Athletic's flagship football podcast, hosted by Ayo Akinwolere and featuring the likes of David Ornstein, Phil Hay, Adam Crafton and Matt Slater will take you inside the biggest stories in football told by the best reporters in the business. We cut through the noise to tell you what’s really happening - and why it matters.