

The Athletic FC Podcast
The Athletic
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 3, 2024 • 30min
Why have Spurs spent £40m on Archie Gray?
Tottenham have won the race for teenage sensation Archie Gray, seeing off competition from the likes of Brentford and Borussia Dortmund.Leeds United said they were heartbroken after seeing him go - so why did they let their academy star leave?And what does the signing of Gray tell us about Spurs’ summer transfer policy? Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Nancy Froston and Jay HarrisExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 2, 2024 • 33min
Can Newcastle spend now PSR issues are fixed?
Less than a month into this summer’s transfer window, one crucial deadline has already passed as club’s scrambled to comply with PSR.Amongst those were Newcastle United, so how did they find a way to balance the books?And what is the situation at St James’ Park for the rest of the summer transfer window?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's football correspondent David Ornstein and Newcastle United writer Chris Waugh to analyse a frantic weekend of dealing.Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: David Ornstein and Chris WaughExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Guy ClarkeInside Newcastle’s frantic attempts to sell players and comply with PSR - The AthleticManchester United agree deal with Newcastle to appoint Dan Ashworth as new sporting director - The Athletic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 1, 2024 • 30min
Does it matter how England play if they win?
England have squeezed through to the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 thanks in part to a moment of genius from who else but Jude Bellingham.It was an underwhelming performance, but post match the England midfielder silenced critics.So, does it matter how England play as long as they win?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Jack Pitt-Brooke, Jacob WhiteheadExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 28, 2024 • 35min
Why have France been so boring?
After three lacklustre displays - France failed to top their group at a major tournament for the first time in 12 years.Their two goals so far at Euro 2024 have consisted of an own goal and a penalty, so what is going wrong for Didier Deschamps’ side? And how much good will is left in the bank from their 2018 World Cup triumph?Host: Adam LeventhalWith: Tom Williams, Pierre-Etienne MinonzioExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 27, 2024 • 31min
Has Rangnick made Austria genuine contenders?
At Euro 2024, there is one team everyone seems to have a soft spot for, and they have probably been the most impressive.Ralf Rangnick's Austria finished top of their group and are into the knock out stages.The German manager seems to have put his difficult spell at Manchester United behind him, so how has he transformed this Austrian team and how far can they go?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Seb Stafford-Bloor, Mark Carey, Mark CritchleyExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 26, 2024 • 39min
Have England gone stale under Southgate?
So, England are through to the last 16 of Euro 2024 as group winners but once again were underwhelming in their 0-0 draw with Slovenia. Could turning to Cole Palmer and Kobbie Mainoo be the solutions to the puzzle Gareth Southgate needs to solve if England are to progress much further?And what did Southgate's comments post-match reveal about how he's handling the challenge of managing at this tournament?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Oli Kay and Matt Slater, who were both in Cologne as well as football tactics writer Liam Tharme to analyse whether or not England can still succeed with Southgate.Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Oli Kay, Matt Slater and Liam TharmeExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Guy ClarkeRelated articles:Gareth Southgate understands England fan reaction after objects thrown at him following Slovenia draw - The AthleticEuro 2024 and the lopsided draw affecting which teams are considered likely finalists - The Athletic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 25, 2024 • 27min
Have Premier League clubs found a PSR loophole?
Welcome to the latest edition of The Transfer DealSheet, our guide to the summer transfer window.David Ornstein brings us the latest developments across the Premier League and beyond.And after a flurry of homegrown transfer deals emerged over the weekend ahead of that June 30th financial deadline.Have Premier League clubs found a PSR loophole?Host: Adam Leventhal With: David Ornstein, Liam Twomey & Peter RutzlerExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 24, 2024 • 39min
Is Spain's tiki-taka era over?
Having grown synonymous with their tiki-taka style of play, Spain have so far shown another side at Euro 2024, in beating both Croatia and Italy.So why have Spain moved away from their patient, possession-based approach and will this summer's transfer window see clubs take advantage of the release clause in the contract of one of their most promising stars Nico Williams?Michael Bailey is joined by The Athletic's Pol Ballus, who's in Germany covering Spain during the Euros as well as our La Liga writer Dermot Corrigan.Host: Michael BaileyWith: Pol Ballus and Dermot CorriganExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Guy ClarkeRelated articles:Spain’s tiki-taka era might be over – but its legacy continues to divide - The AthleticSpain’s Nico Williams serves notice – his €55m release clause looks a transfer bargain - The Athletic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 21, 2024 • 30min
Is Nagelsmann the best coach at the Euros?
Germany have been one of the most dominant sides so far at this summer’s Euros.They’ve already qualified for the knockout stages after impressive wins over Hungary and Scotland.So how has Julian Nagelsmann put his Bayern Munich disappointment behind him and reinvented this Germany team so quickly?And what could the future hold for him beyond his time with the national team?Host: Michael BaileyWith: Seb Stafford-Bloor and Liam TharmeExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 20, 2024 • 37min
Can Brazil's new generation win without Neymar?
The Euros may have already exploded into action - but tonight comes Copa America!As ever Brazil are amongst the tournament favourites - but will they deliver and what impact has the cloud hanging over Lucas Paqueta had on their preparations?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by Brazilian football journalists Renato Senise and The Athletic's Thom Harris who is out in Miami ahead of the start of the tournament. Football news reporter Tom Burrows also drops in to explain the latest around Paqueta following the FA charges he is facing.Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Thom Harris, Renato Senise and Tom BurrowsExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Guy ClarkeCopa America 2024 preview: The Athletic’s complete guide to the tournament - The Athletic‘Paqueta should be banned for life if he’s guilty. Do I see it happening? Probably not’ - The Athletic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.