The Athletic FC Podcast

3.9 (807)
FOOTBALL
UPDATED DAILY

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

1 DAY AGO

Sudan: Football and the Forgotten War

In April 2023, civil war broke out in Sudan. It continues to this day leaving in its wake the worst humanitarian crisis in the world, according to the United Nations. Despite this, Sudan’s national football team has qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations in 2025 and tops its World Cup qualification group. They are a source of hope to a nation left in ruins. In this special episode of The Athletic FC Documentary we’ll take you into the war torn country where amateur matches continue amid the shelling, and football grounds have become burial grounds. At a refugee camp in neighbouring Chad, we’ll hear of the horrors of war and how football is helping children there. And hear how geo political influence, immigration and perilous journeys over land and sea are part of this journey with Sudan, football and a war struggling to be seen and heard. Credits Written and presented by Adam Leventhal Produced by Abi Paterson Additional reporting in collaboration with Tom Rhodes and Zemenfes Goudos GebreMikael Featuring footage from beIN Sport, Al Jazeera, British Pathé, Sky News, Fairshot, SuperSport, Sudan FA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

55 min
2 DAYS AGO

The Preview - Man City vs Tottenham

Manchester City host Tottenham at the Etihad, the first game since Pep Guardiola announced he’ll be staying in Manchester a little longer. Tottenham were beaten at home to Ipswich last time out, while Manchester City are four games without a win in all competitions — the panel assess which side look better placed to bounce back. All that plus a look at the fixtures elsewhere with drop ins from the club podcasts across our network. Host: Adam Leventhal With: Tim Spiers, Nick Miller Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Mike Stavrou & Jay Beale Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

58 min
3 DAYS AGO

Has FPL transformed how we watch football?

Today we’re talking; captains, differentials, and when to wildcard. You know it. We’re talking Fantasy Premier League aka FPL. So, how has a fantasy game changed the way we watch football? Host Ayo Akinwolere Guest, Sam Bonfield. Mark Critchley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

43 min
4 DAYS AGO

Inside Guardiola's decision to stay at Man City

Pep Guardiola has agreed to extend his contract as Manchester City manager So why has he decided to stay and will he be able to build another team to dominate the Premier League? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Sam Lee and Pol Ballus Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

35 min
5 DAYS AGO

Are Real Madrid worse with Mbappe?

Today’s focus is on Kylian Mbappe’s stuttering start to life at Real Madrid Has the big-money move made Madrid worse? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Dermot Corrigan and Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

39 min
6 DAYS AGO

Who are the billionaires that own Premier League clubs?

This week across The Athletic we’re focusing on the people that own the 20 clubs that make up the Premier League. So who are they? How much does it cost? and what do they get in return? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by Matt Slater and Adam Crafton is assess and debate how the nature of Premier League ownership has changed since the league's inception. Phil Buckingham also drops in to discuss his article on how much each ownership group has invested since taking control of their respective clubs as well as the impact the likes of Abu Dhabi's wealth has had at Manchester City. Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Matt Slater, Adam Crafton and Phil Buckingham Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

51 min
15 NOV

Is the Premier League stronger than ever?

We’re eleven games into the season, today we’ll be assessing the table – and asking the question – is the quality of the Premier League the best it’s ever been? Host: Adam Leventhal With: Tim Spiers, Nick Miller Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

43 min
14 NOV

Is Kane right about England dropouts?

England have had nine players drop out of their squad ahead of their matches against Greece and the Republic of Ireland. Captain Harry Kane is not impressed speaking out about the importance of playing for the national team. So is Kane right? Outside of major tournaments is international football respected? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Phil Hay, Jack Pitt-Brooke, Chris Waugh and Nick Miller Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

40 min

See All (958)

3.9

out of 5

807 Ratings

Pretty, pretty, pretty good!

28 Oct

CharlieDavies96

A great podcast with some excellent and varied content and guests who really know what they’re talking about. The hosts are also great, though if I’m being hypercritical it would be great if Ayo could taper down his use of the phrase ‘lets get into this one’ as I feel like I hear it almost every episode. Alongside the informative content there is also a Iittle levity which is good too!
Boring

2 days ago

Qqiejsbvddj

Same chat every week about a small bunch of teams and who the analysts support & like.
Insightful & unbiased

13 Nov

LILL - Andy

Always a great listen. Varied and thoroughly researched topics. Look forward to every episode. A joy for a senior football fan, attempting to be up to current & informed. Thanks all…quality podcasting.
Should be better than it is

13 Nov

henrydaniels1

The level of insight and analysis is really strong. The guests and hosts are genuine experts in the topics they talk about. However, each episode is about 1/4 advertisements. I get it's a free feed and ads are normal. But the episodes are so frequently broken up by ads that they become frustrating to listen to. It also deals overwhelmingly with "big six" clubs. Even when it branches out into European football, it's the biggest names (PSG, Real Madrid, Bayern etc). More variety and leas ads and you'd have one of the best football podcasts around.

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