The Athletic FC Podcast

Hosts Dan Bardell and George Elek are joined by bet365's Steve Freeth to preview another big weekend of Premier League football... Who needs the points more on Friday night as Newcastle face Leeds - and how can Bielsa get record signing Rodrigo, to start firing? Can Manchester United bounce back from their Champions League humbling away at an Antonio-less West Ham? Plus, Brentford's work-rate, Spurs' dismay and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Chapman & The Athletic's Matt Slater are joined by Maheta Molango, the new chief executive of the union that represents professional footballers in England - the PFA.In a wide raging discussion - on topics such as racism, dementia, & the two-year World Cup plan - Maheta shares his vision for leading an organisation, that has faced a series of challenges both on and off the pitch and within the PFA itself under the tenure of the previous CEO Gordon Taylor.After visiting dressing rooms of Premier League clubs and beyond, Maheta tells us what the players in his union view as the most issues he should address. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosts Dan Bardell and Flo Lloyd-Hughes are joined by The Athletic's Leeds correspondent Phil Hay, to discuss his unmissable new book: 'And It Was Beautiful' - on Marcelo Bielsa's impact at Leeds United...Phil dives into the 'cult of Bielsa' sweeping West Yorkshire, the origins of 'murder-ball', how Kalvin Phillips was transformed from the 'runt of the litter' and much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's David Ornstein who reveals Paul Pogba leaning towards signing new Manchester United contract.Our Wolves writer Tim Spiers joins us to assess the start of manager Bruno Lage and also to tell us about his interview with the club’s owner Jeff Shi..Also as The Champions League returns, The Athletic’s Oli Kay tell us why he believes despite its imbalanced excesses, the tournament is fantastic and has lots to get excited about this season..And The Athletic’s German football writer Raphael Honigstein joins us to talk about an exciting start to the Bundesliga that, like the Premier League, is dominated by familiar names and questions if that will ever change. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosts Dan Bardell and George Elek are joined by bet365's Steve Freeth as the Premier League returns... The trio assess Crystal Palace's summer overhaul ahead of Saturday's London Derby with Tottenham and ask if Dan James and Marcelo Bielsa are a match made in heaven? Plus, Newcastle's chances of spoiling Ronaldo's return to Old Trafford and Villa's slow start to the new campaign. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Chapman & The Athletic's Matt Slater are joined by Barry Hearn, a man who is a legend in the business of sport, to share what he has learnt in a 40 year career promoting a range of sports including football, boxing, snooker & darts.In a wide-ranging discussion, Hearn compares the running of football clubs to other industries. He also spoke about the pros and cons of gambling sponsorship and how boxing much embrace the evolving new audience that has been attracted to the sport by the likes of social media star Jake Paul & KSI. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosts Dan Bardell and Flo Lloyd-Hughes are joined by The Athletic's Manchester United correspondent, Laurie Whitwell, to discuss 'Article 48' and the 3 o'clock blackout in English football that will prevent many Premier League fans from seeing Cristiano Ronaldo's second debut on Saturday... An outdated idea or a vital one, given the effects of the pandemic on football's landscape? Plus, how illegal streaming and a growing disparity between the biggest clubs, and the rest, may have accelerated the need for compromise?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's George Caulkin to talk Newcastle United after the club released a lengthy statement attempting to defend their approach to the summer transfer window. George also shares his experience of being at Wembley to watch England amongst the fans.The Athletic's Everton writer Greg O’Keeffe has the latest on the future of James Rodriguez under Rafa Benitez.And The Athletic’s Norwich City writer Michael Bailey will tell us how Daniel Farke has been getting on with his lengthy international break to do list… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosts Dan Bardell and George Elek are joined by bet365's Steve Freeth to assess an important victory on the road for England. The trio wax lyrical about Raheem Sterling's strength and leadership, as well as, an amazing year for Leeds' Kalvin Phillips and more... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Chapman & The Athletic's Matt Slater follow the money spent during one of most interesting transfer windows in years. To help them make sense of the numbers - over £1 billion in the Premier League - they are joined by Tim Bridge, a director in Deloitte’s Sports Business Group.We are then joined by someone whose job it is to make the deals happen - football agent Erkut Sögüt, whose clients include Mesut Ozil. Erkut explains what it has been like to work in this window and why the importance details in player contracts have come into stark focus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.