802 episodes

The Athletic's flagship football podcast, hosted by Ayo Akinwolere and featuring the likes of David Ornstein, Adam Crafton and Matt Slater will take you inside the biggest stories from the world of football, told by the best journalists in the business. Cutting through the noise to tell you what’s really happening and why it matters.

The Athletic FC Podcast The Athletic

    • Sport
    • 3.6 • 73 Ratings

The Athletic's flagship football podcast, hosted by Ayo Akinwolere and featuring the likes of David Ornstein, Adam Crafton and Matt Slater will take you inside the biggest stories from the world of football, told by the best journalists in the business. Cutting through the noise to tell you what’s really happening and why it matters.

    Weekend Preview: Will Man City vs Arsenal decide the title?

    Weekend Preview: Will Man City vs Arsenal decide the title?

    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 Bailey
    Guests: Nnamdi Onyeagwara, Jay Harris, Jon Mackenzie
    Producer: Mike Stavrou
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    • 35 min
    Who would buy a football club in 2024?

    Who would buy a football club in 2024?

    Most of us can only dream of owning a football club .
    But for the very rich it’s an opportunity towards power, influence and… even more money
    So who are the people that try to buy football clubs? 
    And how do football’s authorities decide who gets the green light for a takeover? 
    Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Adam Crafton & Matt Slater
    Produced by Guy Clarke
    Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
    Related articles:
    The nobody who tried to buy Manchester United and Inter Milan by Adam Crafton
    ‘Under every rock, we found a lie’: How the bid to be English football’s first black owner unravelled by Matt Slater
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    • 41 min
    Should Mainoo start at the Euros?

    Should Mainoo start at the Euros?

    A few months ago Kobbie Mainoo had not played a minute for his club at senior level let alone his country.

    Now at just 18, he is one of Manchester United’s best players - and after a man of the match performance for England last night Gareth Soutgate was full of praise
     
    So how has one so young been able to establish himself at the highest level so quickly? 

    And in terms of Euro 2024, has it gone beyond Mainoo just being in the squad for England - does he need to start?

    Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s Manchester United writer Carl Anka, who is also on our Talk of the Devils podcast, data writer and part of The Athletic Football Tactics Podcast, Mark Carey, and Michael Bailey, who was at Wembley for us last night.

    Produced by Mike Stavrou
    Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
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    • 41 min
    Is Thiago Motta the next great coach?

    Is Thiago Motta the next great coach?

    Thiago Motta, the mastermind behind Bologna's unlikely push for a Champions League spot, is seen as one of the most impressive up-and-coming managers.
    With plenty of clubs looking for a new head coach this summer — could Motta be ready for a move to one of European football’s elite? 
    Also where might Roberto De Zerbi end up & how much will his style influence the roles he could be offered?
    Produced by Jay Beale.
    Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
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    • 37 min
    Will Endrick be football's next superstar?

    Will Endrick be football's next superstar?

    For anyone that didn’t know about him already, 17-year-old wonderkid Endrick introduced himself with a winner against England at Wembley on Saturday.
    So how good is Brazil's next big thing - and where will he fit in at Real Madrid when he completes his move to the Bernabeu this summer?
    Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Brazilian football writer Jack Lang, Nick Miller, who conducted Endrick's first interview with a UK media outlet as well as Junior Spanish Football Editor Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero to discuss.
    Produced by Guy Clarke
    Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
    Related articles:
    Endrick delivers a preview showing of history to leave Brazil salivating for more - The Athletic
    Meet 15-year-old Endrick: 5ft 6in tall, left-footed and the next big thing in Brazilian football - The Athletic
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    • 38 min
    Can anyone stop England or France at Euro 2024?

    Can anyone stop England or France at Euro 2024?

    It’s just 84 days until the European Championships begin in Germany - so we are looking ahead to Euro 2024, with a particular focus on two of the favourites; France & England.

    Host Michael Bailey is joined by England correspondent Jack Pitt-Brooke, PSG and Fulham writer Peter Rutzler, plus data writer Thom Harris.

    Produced by Mike Stavrou.
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 43 min

Customer Reviews

3.6 out of 5
73 Ratings

73 Ratings

jetpackbobby ,

Dislike Gambling Promotion

I like the podcast overall but I dislike the regular promotion of gambling (via talk of various odds and “good bets”).

Mattyron ,

Please stop laughing

I find the topics and guests really interesting but the presenter laughing or shouting all the time make it awful. I try to listen and then have to stop. Like the weekend preview though.

HrryFlwrs ,

Unbearable.

Akinwolere is unbearable. Isn’t there a children’s football show he could host?

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