The Athletic FC Podcast

Adam Leventhal returns to preview a bumper weekend of football ahead, including the Premier League as well as title matchups in Germany and Spain, and two international cup finals.The Premier League matchweek is headlined by fourth-place Villa welcoming eighth-place Manchester United to Villa Park. Both are chasing Champions League football, and Villa could open up an 11-point gap over the visitors.Elsewhere Manchester City welcome Everton hoping to extended their winning run to 10 games in all competitions, and Spurs head to Brighton in another eye-catching fixture.Saturday also sees the top two in Spain and Germany face off, with Jon MacKenzie filling us in on all the ramifications of Real Madrid vs Girona and Bayer Leverkusen vs Bayern Munich.And finally, both the Asian Cup and AFCON tournaments come to an end this weekend - we preview both finals.Further reading:https://theathletic.com/5243354/2024/02/07/fake-man-united-news-social-media/?source=audio_podcast_podcastID_144_Host: Adam LeventhalGuests: Tim Spiers, Jon Mackenzie, Joey D’UrsoProducer: John Rogers***• This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. If you’re thinking of starting therapy, give BetterHelp a try. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at BetterHelp.com/athleticfootball Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After four weeks of showcasing what the continent has to offer, the Africa Cup of Nations is down to a final two.Hosts Ivory Coast play Nigeria in Sunday’s showpiece final in what has been the most thrilling AFCON in decades.But what’s made it so good? Has the on-pitch drama been matched by the eyeballs watching the tournament? And what does AFCON need to do off the pitch to match the success on it?Host Ayo Akinwolere is joined by former Ivory Coast defender, and 2012 AFCON runner-up, Sol Bamba as well as The Athletic's Jay Harris to discuss and debate what has made AFCON 2023 such a success.Produced by Guy ClarkeAdditional Production by Mike StavrouExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadRelated articles:The story of Amad Diallo – and the man accused of trafficking him to Europe - The AthleticAFCON finally has African managers. But the rest of the world has not caught up - The Athletic***• This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. If you’re thinking of starting therapy, give BetterHelp a try. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at BetterHelp.com/athleticfootball Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Man City look unstoppable… Victory over Brentford on Monday was their ninth consecutive win across all competitions…Win all their games and Pep Guardiola’s side will be Champions But is their fourth Premier League title in a row already set in stone?Or are there enough flaws in this City team for the likes of Arsenal & Liverpool to believe?  Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s data expert & Man City fan Thom Harris, Manchester United writer Carl Anka… and representing Tottenham - it’s Charlie Eccleshare.Produced by Mike StavrouAdditional production: Jay BealeExecutive producer: Adey MoorheadFurther reading:https://theathletic.com/5254392/2024/02/07/manchester-city-premier-league-title-liverpool-arsenal/?source=audio_podcast_podcastID_144_***• This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. If you’re thinking of starting therapy, give BetterHelp a try. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at BetterHelp.com/athleticfootball Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a heavy defeat at the weekend, home fans at Stamford Bridge made their feelings clear..Less than a year on from the sacking of Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea sit in the bottom half of the Premier League tableSo…. after spending so heavily on players over the past 19 months, what exactly is owner Todd Boehly’s plan for Chelsea?And where does this leave the Pochettino Project?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s Chelsea writer Liam Twomey, who joins us fresh from attending Mauricio Pochettino’s press conference, and in the studio is Commissioning Editor for the Athletic - Dom Fifield. Produced by Mike StavrouAdditional production: Jay BealeExecutive producer: Adey MoorheadFurther reading:https://theathletic.com/5252016/2024/02/06/chelsea-pochettino-eghbali-boehly-thiago/?source=audio_podcast_podcastID_144_https://theathletic.com/5250288/2024/02/05/chelsea-pochettino-silva-boehly-clearlake-wolves/?source=audio_podcast_podcastID_144_***• This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. If you’re thinking of starting therapy, give BetterHelp a try. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at BetterHelp.com/athleticfootball Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Having moved to within just two points of the top of the Premier League, are Arsenal serious contenders to win this season's Premier League?The Gunners saw of Liverpool 3-1 on Sunday in a must-win game for their title hopes as Mikel Arteta's side hope to go one better than last season.Join Ayo Akinwolere, James McNicholas and Oli Kay as they analyse Arsenal's win over table-toppers Liverpool before assessing the credibility of their title chances with champions Manchester City also waiting to take advantage with Pep Guardiola's side having games in hand on those above them.Produced by Guy ClarkeExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadFurther reading:Arsenal bring back chaos football – and their title challenge feels stronger for it - The AthleticJorginho interview: Arsenal ‘energy’, no-hop penalties, love for Havertz, knowing strengths - The Athletic***• This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. If you’re thinking of starting therapy, give BetterHelp a try. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at BetterHelp.com/athleticfootball Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Bailey sits in for Adam Leventhal for another preview of the weekend ahead! Headlining the fixture list is Arsenal vs Liverpool - is it now or never for Arsenal to get back in the title race? Elsewhere a downturn in form has seen Everton drift into the relegation zone, but will Champions League-chasing Spurs pile on the misery at Goodison? And Manchester United's chaotic season continued midweek with a 4-3 win away to Wolves. Can they back it up this Sunday as they welcome West Ham?Host: Michael BaileyGuests: Tim Spiers, Jon Mackenzie, Nnamdi OnyeagwaraProducer: John Rogers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's been a low-key transfer window as the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules showed their teeth.Saudi spending paused, the “Chelsea loophole” closed and clubs instead left scouring the market for loans or cut-price deals.The summer, however, things could ramp up again though clubs will start to work with two deadlines in mind!Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Oli Kay and Joey D'Urso to discuss the impact of financial restrictions on the state of the transfer market and whether or not the paralysis could continue into the summer market.James Horncastle, Dermot Corrigan and Seb Stafford-Bloor also drop by to paint the picture across Europe explaining the financial landscape in Italy, Spain and Germany respectively.Produced by Guy ClarkeExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadFurther reading:What Europe’s leading clubs will need to do in the summer of two transfer deadlines - The AthleticWhat is PSR and why do Premier League rules only allow clubs to lose £105m? - The Athletic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manchester United say Marcus Rashford has “taken responsibility for his actions” and will be available for selection again after being dropped This after we reported Rashford went for a night before reporting ill & missing training the following dayUnited says that the disciplinary matter has been dealt with internally and is now closed.But given how the likes of Jadon Sancho were dealt with, has Erik ten Hag been tough enough with Rashford? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s Mark Critchley & Andy Mitten who writes about United for us & is also editor of fanzine United We Stand.Produced by Jay Beale.Executive Producer: Adey MoorheadFurther Reading:Have Manchester United been tough enough with Marcus Rashford? - The AthleticMarcus Rashford is testing the patience of fans who fear his talent could be wasted - The Athletic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a humiliating defeat on Saturday, Barcelona manager Xavi announced he’d be stepping down from his position at the end of the season. So what led Xavi to make this decision when he did? And as financial troubles & power struggles continue behind scenes whilst the team struggle on the pitchWhat next for Barcelona? Is it time for a cultural reset for the club with perhaps the most famous identity in world football? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s La Liga writer Dermot Corrigan and our FC Barcelona correspondent Pol BallusProduced by Jay BealeExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadFurther reading: Xavi’s Barcelona resignation: The full story behind his decision to step down in June Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Friday morning the world of football was shaken by news Jurgen Klopp is to leave Liverpool at the end of the season.After more than eight years in charge the German is to walk away in the summer, leaving the Reds in need of a new management team including a new Sporting Director, manager and first team coaching staff.So how do Liverpool go about beginning their search for a successor to their most successful manager of the Premier League era?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's football correspondent David Ornstein, Liverpool writer James Pearce and German football writer, and author of the Jurgen Klopp biography Bring The Noise, Raphael Honigstein to analyse Klopp's decision to leave and explain where it leaves Liverpool.Produced by Guy ClarkeExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.