The Athletic FC Podcast

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.

Chelsea’s difficult season continued as Mauricio Pochettino’s side were held to a 2-2 draw by 10-man Burnley at the weekend..There’s division among the fans, a billion pound squad yet to gel, and growing pressure on the manager.So can Chelsea salvage something from their remaining games? And after all the instability this season will there be another summer of sweeping change?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s Tim Spiers and our Chelsea writer Liam Twomey, who is also part of another podcast on this network: Straight Outta Cobham.Produced by Mike StavrouExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the pitch Liverpool have seized the initiative in the Premier League title race following their 2-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.Yet off the pitch, uncertainty lingers after Xabi Alonso confirmed last week he'll be staying with Bayer Leverkusen, ruling himself out of the running to replace Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.So where do Liverpool turn next and who will be on their managerial shortlist to replace Klopp?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's David Ornstein and Oli Kay to discuss Alonso's decision to stay at Leverkusen before debating the process the Reds will go through with their new sporting director Richard Hughes to find a successor for Klopp.Produced by Guy ClarkeExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadRelated Articles:What happened with Liverpool and Xabi Alonso – and where does the club look now? - The AthleticWould Roberto De Zerbi be the right kind of manager for Liverpool? - The Athletic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s matchday 30 in the Premier League and the huge meeting of the weekend sees Manchester City host top-of-the-table Arsenal.Title rivals Liverpool, meanwhile, play Brighton and Manchester United go to Brentford.Host: Michael BaileyGuests: Nnamdi Onyeagwara, Jay Harris, Jon MackenzieProducer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.