Matt Slater

Matt Slater, a renowned football journalist, joins Jay Harris, a passionate writer focused on fan culture, and Dan Kilpatrick, a senior journalist with insider knowledge of Tottenham Hotspur. They delve into the implications of Daniel Levy’s resignation, exploring the current ownership and management dynamics at Spurs. Speculations about the club's potential sale arise, alongside discussions on how executive changes impact stability and future ambitions. The conversation also addresses whether the Lewis family will invest more to strengthen the team's performance.

In this discussion, football experts Tom Williams, Simon Johnson, and Matt Slater dive into Liam Rosenior's recent appointment as Chelsea's head coach. Tom shares insights on Rosenior's successful tactics at Strasbourg and his ability to develop young talent. Simon elaborates on Chelsea's tumultuous history with managerial changes, while Matt explores the implications of the club's multi-club ownership model. The conversation highlights the immediate pressures on Rosenior and the challenges of maintaining club identity amidst external influences.

David Ornstein, a seasoned football journalist from The Athletic, joins Matt Slater, a sports analyst, and Wolves superfan Tim Spiers to discuss the chaotic state of Wolverhampton Wanderers. They dive into the fallout from Vitor Pereira's sacking, the troubling transfer decisions that set the team up for failure, and the murky ownership dynamics under Fosun. With relegation looming, the guests weigh in on whether new ownership could bring stability and if Wolves can avoid the drop this season, offering insights that blend insider knowledge with passionate fan perspectives.

Adam Crafton and Matt Slater, football reporters from The Athletic, dive into the exciting potential of La Liga matches hitting U.S. soil, with a focus on a historic clash between Villarreal and Barcelona in Miami. They discuss the hurdles faced and approvals required for this groundbreaking event. The duo also explores the broader implications for La Liga and its competition with Major League Soccer, alongside the financial intricacies involved. Plus, they touch on the controversial idea of a Premier League '39th game,' stirring up debates on globalization in sports.

David Ornstein, an experienced football journalist, shares insights on Arsenal's current position in the Premier League and the impact of boardroom changes. Adam Crafton dives into Arteta's cautious midfield strategy and comparisons with top strikers like Haaland. Meanwhile, Matt Slater discusses the influence of American ownership at Arsenal and the implications of Tim Lewis's exit. Together, they analyze the title race, contract dynamics, and even critique Chelsea's goalkeeper situation. A thrilling conversation for any football fan!

Join Matt Slater, a business of football writer, and James Horncastle, an Italian football expert, as they explore the Premier League's record-breaking spending and its impact on European football. They discuss the widening financial gap with other leagues, the potential challenges of maintaining global dominance, and the intrigue of introducing a '39th game' abroad. The conversation also touches on how esports could redefine audience engagement and the complexities of soccer media rights in an evolving landscape.

Matt Slater and Adam Crafton, reporters for The Athletic, join Ronan Evain, executive director of Football Supporters Europe, to dive into the clash between UEFA and FIFA over club football's future. They discuss the transformative effects of the Club World Cup and its implications for governance. The trio also highlights the pressing need for reforms to balance finance disparities while safeguarding player welfare amidst ambitious tournament expansions. Finally, they explore the controversial idea of hosting domestic games abroad and its impact on local fan cultures.

Dermot Corrigan, a La Liga writer, discusses the surprising cancellation of Barcelona's match in Miami against Villarreal, citing timeline issues and player protests. Matt Slater, an Athletic contributor, dives into the broader implications of this decision on football politics and commercial interests. They explore how Real Madrid's Florentino Perez played a role, the financial stakes for La Liga, and the potential impact on Serie A's overseas plans. The conversation wraps up with speculation on how this drama could influence the upcoming El Clasico.

Joining the discussion are Matt Slater, a senior football news reporter, Tom Williams, a French football writer, and Matt Woosnam, a Crystal Palace correspondent. They delve into the unexpected relegation of Lyon, examining the impact of John Textor's multi-club ownership model. The trio discusses the financial turmoil facing the club, fan frustrations, and the challenges of UEFA compliance. They also explore the implications of Lyon's struggles for the broader French football landscape and what it means for Crystal Palace's European dreams.

A surprise deal between golf’s two main tours and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund sent shockwaves through the world of men’s professional golf at the start of June. It came as increasing numbers of players move to Saudi Arabia's football league, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante. In recent years, Saudi Arabia has become a more visual presence on the sporting scene, hosting Formula 1 races and high-profile world title boxing bouts. The controversial purchase of Newcastle United was further evidence of a growing interest in using sport to project Saudi Arabia to a wider audience. But human rights campaigners say Saudi Arabia is trying to sports-wash its poor human rights record. On the Real Story this week, we examine the reasons behind Saudi Arabia's increasingly prominent presence on the international sporting scene. How does it link to the domestic and geopolitical ambitions of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman? And what impact could it have on international sport going forward? Shaun Ley is joined by:Dina Esfandiary, advisor to Crisis Group’s Middle East and North Africa Program on research, analysis, policy prescription and advocacy.Matt Slater, a senior football news reporter with the sports website and podcast, The Athletic.Aziz Alghashian, a Saudi foreign policy analyst and a fellow at the Sectarianism, Proxies and De-Sectarianisation project at Lancaster University. Also featuring:Dan Roan, BBC sports editor.Lina al-Hathloul, Saudi activist and head of monitoring and communications for ALQST, a non-profit organization promoting human rights in Saudi Arabia.(Photo: Al-Ittihad officially present Karim Benzema as their new player, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - 08 Jun 2023. Credit: EPA)