The Athletic FC Podcast

Hosts Dan Bardell and Flo Lloyd-Hughes are joined by The Athletic's European football writer Raphael Honigstein, to discuss one of the "forgotten super-coaches" - Ajax manager Erik ten Hag... Rafa, reveals the secrets to their re-emergence as a major European force, just two years on from *that* sensational Champions League run and their heart-breaking semi-final exit to Spurs.Plus, the trio compare the trajectory of both Tottenham and Ajax since that game, analyse why the stars of their 'Class of 2019' side (Ziyech, van de Beek, de Jong et al.) have struggled since leaving, as well as, how the trio of ten Hag, Sporting Director Marc Overmars and Chief Exec Edwin van der Sar, has become the envy of the footballing world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's Adam Crafton, David Ornstein & Gregg Evans to discuss the sacking of Aston Villa manager Dean Smith and who might replace him.Norwich City are also now looking for a new manager, Michael Bailey covers the club for The Athletic and tells us what he knows from inside Carrow Road & who might take over from Daniel Farke.The Athletic's Roshane Thomas brings some positivity by talking West Ham and David Moyes, who last week coached his one thousandth and saw his side beat Liverpool to move to third in the Premier League. 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 another fascinating weekend of Premier League action... Can Ronaldo outscore Man City and is Liverpool's trip to West Ham actually the game of the weekend? Plus, why Saints are quietly impressing George and Dan's ready to give Arsenal (and Ramsdale in particular) some overdue credit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Chapman & The Athletic's Matt Slater are joined by Dale Vince, owner of Forest Green Rovers Football Club who is at the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow. Dale's side are recognised by FIFA as being the greenest football club in the world - we’ll discuss how sport can take action against climate change..And we are joined by Rob Sullivan, CEO of The Football Foundation to tell us about the £205million worth of Government funding the charity received last week to invest in grassroots football in England and how their work is linked to the 2030 UK and Ireland World Cup bid. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosts Dan Bardell and Flo Lloyd-Hughes are joined by The Athletic's Andy Mitten to discuss Xavi's 'inevitable' return to manage Barcelona... Senior Writer Dom Fifield sheds some light on what Spurs fans can expect from new boss Antonio Conte and with David Ornstein reporting that Unai Emery could soon become Newcastle's first post-takeover head coach, they discuss the true value of 'club DNA' in modern management as big clubs continue to turn to inexperienced former players to get them out of trouble! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's Jack Pitt-Brooke & James Horncastle to get the inside track on the sacking of Nuno Espirito Santo as Tottenham boss and the imminent arrival of Antonio Conte.We’ll also talk Brighton and their manager Graham Potter whose reputation continues to grow after an impressive draw at Anfield at the weekend with The Athletic’s Andy Naylor.And Phil Hay explains why Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa is rarely linked with other jobs and gives his thoughts on an important win at Norwich. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosts Dan Bardell and George Elek are joined by bet365's Steve Freeth, to discuss Leicester's return to form, as Maddison 'gets his swagger back' and with summer signing Patson Daka's star on the rise... Are Leeds "too good to go down", how much does David Moyes deserve a trophy and why it's too soon to expect Villa to move on from Jack Grealish. Plus, who's worse right now - Spurs or Man United? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's Matt Slater as they speak with Canada Men's Football coach John Herdman.Herdman is bidding to qualify for men’s World Cup in Qatar next year for the first time since 1986, having previously seen success with Canada's women's team at the Olympics, winning two bronze medals. Listen to his story and the way that he's been able to transform a nation's prospects, whilst not always receiving the best support out there. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosts Dan Bardell and Flo Lloyd-Hughes are joined by The Athletic's Jack Pitt-Brooke, to discuss his article on the "inevitable" re-launch of a Super League...The trio reflect on its failure to launch earlier this year, discuss why it was more successful than many believe and what a 'Super-league 2.0' might actually look like... Think boxing meets the biennial World Cup! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's Adam Crafton, Oli Kay & United writer Laurie Whitwell to analyse what is going wrong inside Old Trafford and what could happen next regarding the future of manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after Liverpool inflicted an embarassing defeat on Sunday.Norwich City correspondent Michael Bailey drops in to discuss the future of manager Daniel Farke after the terrible run of results continues in the Premier League.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.