The Athletic FC Podcast

Manchester United face Liverpool on Sunday at their iconic home Old Trafford, but the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ isn’t what it once was.Last week the club announced plans for a “world-class” stadium, so why is it so important to have a state of the art arena and how will a shiny modern new stadium improve results on the pitch?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Matt Slater and Andy Mitten, part of The Athletic's dedicated Man United podcast Talk Of The Devils, to discuss what options are opened to Manchester United when it comes to a stadium renovation or even rebuild.Produced by Guy ClarkeExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadRelated articles:Why Manchester United might need more debt to rebuild Old Trafford - The AthleticIf Manchester United want an elite stadium, Old Trafford must be knocked down - The Athletic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Tuesday night, Barcelona made it through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.There was a time when that would have been very much routine.But after all the off-pitch issues, could this actually be a turning point?Or is it just a false dawn for a club gripped by crippling financial losses? The Athletic’s Adam Leventhal is joined by Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero and Barcelona writer Pol Ballus.Produced by Mike StavrouExecutive producer: Adey Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chelsea saw off Newcastle in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge, a win that eased pressure on Mauricio Pochettino…But the bigger picture is they remain 11th in the table which has led sections of the fanbase harking back to the days of Roman Abramovich.So what are the issues the owners need to address to turn things round? And will strategies like Chelsea’s multi-club model ever convince a sceptical fanbase? Producer: Jay BealeExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Only one point separates the top three in the Premier League following Liverpool and Man City drawing 1-1 at Anfield on Sunday, while Arsenal beat Brentford 2-1 on Saturday night to move to the top of the table.Meanwhile, off the pitch for Liverpool the Reds are moving closer to bringing back former sporting director Michael Edwards to work within owners Fenway Sports Group's ownership structure with Bournemouth's departing technical director Richard Hughes looking set to take the sporting director role at Anfield.Join Ayo Akinwolere as well as The Athletic's Oli Kay and Simon Hughes as they analyse the draw with Man City on Sunday as well as discuss the latest within Liverpool's off-pitch infrastructure ahead of what could be a crucial summer with manager Jurgen Klopp leaving at the end of the season.Produced by Guy ClarkeExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadRelated articles:Liverpool vs Manchester City: This is what a Premier League classic looks like - The AthleticMichael Edwards close to FSG role with Richard Hughes as Liverpool sporting director - The Athletic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s another huge weekend in the Premier League, with a pivotal matchup in the title race as Liverpool host Manchester City at Anfield.Elsewhere, Aston Villa welcome Tottenham to Villa Park as both sides chase Champions League football, and Everton go to Old Trafford to face Manchester United.Host: Adam LeventhalGuests: Tim Spiers, Jon Mackenzie, Nick MillerProducer: Mike StavrouWe’re asking you to fill out a quick survey about you and your podcast habits by going to theathletic.com/survey24. Three lucky entries will win £/$100 worth of Amazon vouchers too. So whether you're a long-time listener or a new one, we want your feedback.***• With over 1,000 therapists in the UK already, BetterHelp can provide access to mental health professionals with a wide variety of expertise in mental health. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at BetterHelp.com/ATHLETICFOOTBALL Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This weekend sees Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool face Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City for the final time in the Premier League.Two hugely successful managers but would either have been quite so successful without the other?And with Klopp about to leave Anfield - and Guardiola's long-term future at the Etihad uncertain..Which club - Liverpool or City - is better suited to life without its legendary leader?The Athletic’s Michael Bailey is joined by colleagues Oli Kay, Pol Ballus and our German football writer Raf Honigstein.Producer Jay BealeExecutive Producer Adey Moorhead***We’re asking you to fill out a quick survey about you and your podcast habits by going to theathletic.com/survey24. Three lucky entries will win £/$100 worth of Amazon vouchers too. So whether you're a long-time listener or a new one, we want your feedback.• With over 1,000 therapists in the UK already, BetterHelp can provide access to mental health professionals with a wide variety of expertise in mental health. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at BetterHelp.com/ATHLETICFOOTBALL Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With 12 games to go Spurs look like a good bet for Champions League football.So are Spurs punching above their weight or could they be even higher had their season not been hampered by injury? And how does Ange Postecoglou’s start as a manager in the Premier League compare with the likes of Jurgen Klopp and Mikel Arteta?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s Tottenham correspondent Jack Pitt-Brooke and German football writer Seb Stafford-Bloor.Produced by Mike StavrouExecutive producer: Adey Moorhead***We’re asking you to fill out a quick survey about you and your podcast habits by going to theathletic.com/survey24. Three lucky entries will win £/$100 worth of Amazon vouchers too. So whether you're a long-time listener or a new one, we want your feedback.• With over 1,000 therapists in the UK already, BetterHelp can provide access to mental health professionals with a wide variety of expertise in mental health. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at BetterHelp.com/ATHLETICFOOTBALL Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last night, Arsenal swept the floor with another of the Premier League’s relegation candidates, Sheffield United.So do they need a new striker after all?!In their last seven league games they have scored 31 times.So, what has Mikel Arteta changed to open the floodgates?And will it be enough to challenge title rivals City and Liverpool all the way to the end?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s David Ornstein and former Gunners midfielder Adrian Clarke.Produced by Mike StavrouExecutive producer: Adey Moorhead***We’re asking you to fill out a quick survey about you and your podcast habits by going to theathletic.com/survey24. Three lucky entries will win £/$100 worth of Amazon vouchers too. So whether you're a long-time listener or a new one, we want your feedback.=====• With over 1,000 therapists in the UK already, BetterHelp can provide access to mental health professionals with a wide variety of expertise in mental health. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at BetterHelp.com/ATHLETICFOOTBALL Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manchester City eventually ran out convincing winners over Manchester United in the derby at the weekend. Yet, Erik ten Hag said afterwards that the gap in quality between the two sides wasn’t that big..Is he right?And if there is a summer of sweeping changes at United, is this likely to also mean a change of manager at Old Trafford? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s David Ornstein & Manchester United writer Laurie Whitwell.We’re asking you to fill out a quick survey about you and your podcast habits by going to theathletic.com/survey24. Three lucky entries will win £/$100 worth of Amazon vouchers too. So whether you're a long-time listener or a new one, we want your feedback.***• With over 1,000 therapists in the UK already, BetterHelp can provide access to mental health professionals with a wide variety of expertise in mental health. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at BetterHelp.com/ATHLETICFOOTBALL Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s the Manchester derby, with City hosting United at the Etihad Stadium. United will be hoping to better their 3-0 defeat in the reverse fixture.Elsewhere, Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to take on Spurs, Newcastle host in-form Wolves, while Everton welcome West Ham to Goodison Park.Host: Michael BaileyGuests: Tim Spiers, Jon Mackenzie, Joey D'UrsoProducer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.