The Athletic FC Podcast

On Sunday, Bayer Leverkusen won the first league title in their 120-year history, and the celebrations were wild.Still to play for this season; a potential treble and the chance to go the entire season unbeaten.But is Xabi Alonso staying enough to keep his squad together next season? Is it still even possible for this team to go to the next level and break into Europe's elite?Or, is this as good as it gets for Leverkusen? Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Raphael Honigstein, Seb Stafford-BloorProducer: Mike StavrouExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At Anfield on Sunday, Liverpool’s terrible week got a whole lot worse.A shock 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace has dealt a blow to Jurgen Klopp’s hopes of a second Premier League title and they have a mountain to climb in the Europa League, trailing Atalanta 3-0.So why are Liverpool faltering at the business end of the season? And can they still turn it round?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Oli Kay and James Pearce to assess and analyse where things have gone wrong for Jurgen Klopp's side having gone from potential quadruple winners to seeing his reign possibly end with a whimper.Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: James Pearce and Oli KayProducer: Guy ClarkeExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadRelated articles:The 10 misses that might have ended Liverpool’s Premier League title bid - The AthleticLiverpool’s failure to keep clean sheets is proving deeply damaging - The Athletic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s matchday 33 in the Premier League and Arsenal host Aston Villa as they look to hold on to top spot in the league table.Elsewhere, Spurs go to Newcastle and Chelsea play Everton.Host: Adam LeventhalWith: Jon Mackenzie, Art de Roché & Tim SpiersProducer: Mike Stavrou and Jay BealeExecutive Producer: Adam Jones Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After overseeing a 27-game unbeaten run, Luis Enrique’s PSG fell to defeat at home to Barcelona on Wednesday night, losing 3-2 in their Champions League quarter final first leg.So why did Kylian Mbappe struggle to impact the kind of game he’s been renowned for owning in previous years and is he at risk of seeing his PSG career end with a whimper?As for Enrique, is he the man to finally push the Parisians over the line to become a serious contender in years to come?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Peter Rutzler as well as Pierre-Etienne Minonzio of L'Equipe.Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Peter Rutzler and Pierre-Etienne MinonzioProducer: Guy ClarkeExecutive Producer: Adam JonesRelated articles:Mbappe surely cannot bow out so quietly in Barcelona - The AthleticHow Paris Saint-Germain made Ousmane Dembele ‘extraordinary’ again - The Athletic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Diego Simeone and Atletico Madrid have enjoyed and endured a 12-year love affair and it is hard to imagine one without the other. He has overseen both unbelievable highs and crushing lows.This season - Atletico are on course for their worst finish in La Liga since Simeone’s first year in charge, but could another Champions League run galvanize his team once again?And with plenty of big clubs looking for ,managers this summer, why isn’t his name mentioned in the conversations anymore?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Dermot Corrigan & Tomás Hill López-Menchero.HOST: Ayo AkinwolereWITH: Dermot Corrigan & Tomás Hill López-MencheroPRODUCER: Mike StavrouEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Adam Jones Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mikel Arteta takes charge of Arsenal’s first Champions League quarter final in 14 years on Tuesday night.Top of the Premier League and with the opportunity to make a serious statement in Europe, how has Arteta revived this Arsenal side?And with Jurgen Klopp leaving and Pep Guardiola’s long-term Manchester City future uncertain, is he ready to build a dynasty in north London?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Jordan Campbell, Art de Roché, Amy LawrenceProducer: Jay BealeExecutive Producer: Adam Jones Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Sunday Old Trafford witnessed more mayhem as Manchester United and Liverpool played out a 2-2 draw.Despite facing another 28 shots, Man United emerged with a point, but was that through luck or design?So has Erik Ten Hag done enough to convince INEOS he’s worth persisting with into next season?And with so much change coming behind the scenes over the summer…can Man United turn chaos into control?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Adam Crafton and Mark Critchley to discuss and debate the Dutchman's future.HOST: Ayo AkinwolereWITH: Adam Crafton and Mark CritchleyPRODUCER: Guy ClarkeEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Adam JonesRelated articles:Baffling, beguiling and bewildering: trying to explain this Manchester United - The AthleticTen Hag’s Manchester United future: Open to operating as head coach, Murtough to leave - The Athletic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s matchday 32 in the Premier League and Manchester United host Liverpool in a match that will have big implications on the title race.Elsewhere, Burnley go to Everton and Luton play Bournemouth.Host: Adam LeventhalWith: Jon Mackenzie, Mark Critchley and Andy JonesProducer: Mike Stavrou and Jay BealeExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last night, Aston Villa stumbled in pursuit of securing a top four place in the Premier League losing 4-1 away to Manchester City.But as Newcastle have shown this season, despite the money in brings in, qualifying for Europe puts a huge strain on smaller squads especially when financial rules make it harder to spend.And as Ange Postecoglou commented in the week, Champions League qualification doesn't necessarily provide what clubs are seeking, if they're unable to push on and compete.Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Tottenham writer Jack Pitt-Brooke, Aston Villa writer Jacob Tanswell and Newcastle United writer Chris Waugh to discuss how the Premier League's growing collection of upwardly ambitious clubs sustained continued Champions League qualification amid the backdrop of strict financial spending limits.HOST: Ayo AkinwolereWITH: Jack Pitt-Brooke, Jacob Tanswell and Chris WaughPRODUCER: Guy ClarkeEXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Adey MoorheadRelated articles:Unai Emery is all about planning – there was a point to Villa’s ‘practice’ and chaos - The AthleticBeyonce, NFL and boxing help make Tottenham Hotspur Stadium a cash machine - The Athletic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tonight, Thomas Frank and Roberto de Zerbi go head-to-head in what some might call the data derby… Brentford and Brighton may adopt a similar approach behind the scenes, but how do their sought after coaches compare, and who is the most likely to fill a managerial vacancy elsewhere this summer?  And what are the reasons for the long running feud between the owners of the two clubs dating back to 2004? Produced by Jay BealeExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.