The Athletic FC Podcast

Mark Chapman & The Athletic's Matt Slater are joined by Duncan Niederauer a chief executive of the New York Stock Exchange and is currently President and majority shareholder  of Italian Serie A side Venezia.Duncan discusses a range of topics including the relationship he has with other US owners of Italian clubs, his close relationship with the players, the lessons he's learned and what it's like to be on an open top parade aboard a boat in Venice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Italian striker Mario Balotelli sits down with his former Manchester City teammate Nedum Onuoha for The Athletic. Hear Mario on his regrets about leaving City, telling teammates he is as good as Messi & Ronaldo, representing Italy and his key role in the most iconic moment in Premier League history. Mario also shares his thoughts on the wild stories about him in the press over the years, how he has grown as a person, how he perceives himself today and his ambitions for the rest of his career. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's Adam Crafton & Liam Twomey as Chelsea are beaten in the League Cup final. We explain why owner Roman Abramovich is is looking to hand over the ‘care’ of the club and what - if anything - it really means.And our Leeds United writer Phil Hay joins us to reflect on the departure of Marcelo Bielsa from Elland Road with Jesse Marsch likely to replace him as head coach. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosts Dan Bardell and George Elek are joined by bet365's Steve Freeth to preview the EFL Cup Final - Do Klopp's Liverpool need to boost their trophy haul and does Tuchel go with Lukaku or Havertz upfront? Plus, when does Antonio Conte need to start taking responsibility for Spurs' failures and could Southampton soon challenge for European places? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Athletic's Matt Slater speaks to Gary Sweet, CEO of Luton Town about his club's rise back up the football pyramid ahead of welcoming the European champions to their famous old stadium and their plans for a new home.Then we also speak to Ukrainian football expert Andrew Todas about the potential impact War with Russia may have on football in Ukraine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosts Dan Bardell and Flo Lloyd-Hughes are joined by Dom Fifield, senior writer for The Athletic, to discuss his fascinating interview with Joe Cole, and a year on loan in Lille... They reflect on, why it was so unusual for an English international to make such a move, as well as, an iconic Lille side which already boasted Eden Hazard and Dimitri Payet in its attack.Later, the trio debate how the Jadon Sancho effect has dramatically altered the landscape both here in England and on the continent - Are young English footballers simply more willing to play abroad or are they in far greater demand? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Athletic's Adam Leventhal & Adam Crafton take you inside the biggest Premier League stories and look ahead to this week's action in the Champions League.Our Manchester City writer Sam Lee shares his thoughts on a potential title race after he witnessed a Harry Kane masterclass & details how City have been doing just fine without a striker even after dropping points at the weekend.Are Wolves mounting a charge for a Champions League spot? The Athletic's Tim Spiers details how the club he covers are ‘evolving at pace’And we’ll look ahead to this week’s action in the Champions League with a focus on Atletico Madrid who face Manchester United with The Athletic’s Spanish writer Dermot Corrigan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosts Dan Bardell and George Elek are joined by bet365's Steve Freeth, just as Newcastle are preparing to keep the run going, without Kieran Trippier... Would Jarrod Bowen offer Gareth Southgate something England sorely lack, are we all guilty of under-appreciating Pep's Manchester City and what job did Conte think he was taking?Plus, does Daniel James have anything to prove to his old club Manchester United, is Kane still one of the best centre-forwards in world football and are Wolves the real dark horses for fourth spot? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Chapman & The Athletic's Matt Slater are joined by Andy Anson, CEO of the British Olympic Association to discuss what the future holds for the Winter & Summer Games. Andy tells us why FIFA’s plan to stage the men’s World Cup every two years will threaten the Olympics and be “terrible” for football.Also on the pod, Andrew Zimbalist, an author and economist whose research has led him to raise questions about the value to cities of hosting the Olympics — and influenced some cities to back away from bidding. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosts Dan Bardell and Flo Lloyd-Hughes are joined by The Athletic's News & Investigations writer Matt Slater, to discuss his special report into a rise in football fan violence: Missiles, Cocaine and Political Agendas...The trio reflect on their own experiences of going to games since the return of fans - post-lockdown - the frightening statistics recently published by the UK Football Policing Unit, as well as, the role of match-day stewards and a younger generation of match-going supporters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.