The Athletic FC Podcast

Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 Men’s World Cup after running unopposed.So why has FIFA allowed this to happen? What are the wider controversies surrounding their bid?And could Saudi Arabia actually be a good choice for a World Cup?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Matt Slater, Jacob WhiteheadExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Spurs have lost 19 of their last 43 matches in the Premier League, and their most recent defeat against Chelsea was particularly damaging.So have Spurs evolved under Ange Postecoglou?And will he be given the time to turn their season around? Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Jack Pitt-Brooke and Charlie EccleshareExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At the weekend, Chelsea overcame their biggest test yet under Enzo Maresca.The 4-3 win away at their bitter rivals Tottenham has seen them go up to second place in the table. So, are Chelsea “back” - and are they real title contenders?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Phil Hay and Liam Twomey Executive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After just five months, Dan Ashworth has left his role as sporting director at Manchester UnitedSo why has he gone, and what does it say about the new leadership at the club?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: David Ornstein, Adam Crafton, Laurie WhitwellExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After defeat on the South Coast, Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham host in form Chelsea. In a fixture that saw five goals scored, five goals disallowed, eight yellow cards, two reds and nine VAR checks in the first half alone last season, are we set up for similar chaos this year? Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea are firing on all cylinders, having scored 57 goals in 22 matches in all competitions this campaign. While Spurs are as unpredictable as ever, following up their 4-0 victory at The Etihad by dropping points against Fulham and Bournemouth.After losing support from the fans midweek, how significant is Sunday’s game for Ange Postecoglou? Can Chelsea make a statement in their push for top four, or perhaps more? Host: Matt Davies-AdamsWith: Tim Spiers, Jon MackenzieExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

So far just two Premier League managers have been shown the door this season, with Erik Ten Hag and Steve Cooper having been sacked.But as we head toward the January transfer market, who else could follow Manchester United and Leicester City’s lead?And just when is the right time to sack a manager?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Stu James and lead writer of The Athletic FC newsletter Phil Hay to discuss the situations around both Julen Lopetegui and Gary O'Neil at West Ham United and Wolves, while Leicester City correspondent Rob Tanner explains Leicester's decision to swap Cooper for Ruud van Nistelrooy.Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Stu James, Phil Hay and Rob TannerExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re taking you inside the 2025 transfer market to explain the deals that are being worked on across both the winter and summer windows.This includes the players who could arrive and the ones who could be on their way out, across the Premier League and beyond.Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: David OrnsteinExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

So Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United have got off to a decent start, with two wins and one draw so far.But how are they going to handle a visit to Arsenal this week? Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Carl Anka, Art de Roché, Phil HayExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Liverpool moved 9 points clear at the top of the Premier League after a comfortable victory over Manchester City Anfield serenaded Pep Guardiola with "you're getting sacked in the morning".So after four league titles on the bounce is City’s title race over already?Having been at Anfield for The Athletic both Man City writer Sam Lee and Liverpool writer James Pearce join Ayo Akinwolere as well as The Athletic FC's newsletter lead writer Phil Hay.Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: James Pearce, Sam Lee and Phil HayExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A major weekend of action kicks off on Friday evening, culminating in a massive game in the title race, as Liverpool welcome Manchester City.Arne Slot's Reds have 17 wins from 19 games in all competitions, while Pep Guardiola's side are coming off the back of 3 Premier League defeats in a row - as many as they’d lost in their previous 47. Can Pep turn things around? Or will Liverpool go 11 points clear?Elsewhere, big battles at the bottom for Palace, Southampton and Ipswich and what on earth will we get from Spurs?Host: Adam LeventhalWith: Tim Spiers, Oli KayExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.