The Athletic FC Podcast

3.8 (813)
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.

2 DAYS AGO

2024 Reviewed: sackings, snubs, and seismic shocks

It's been a year filled with news, moves and eyebrow raising events in the world of football and we're here to look back at them with our own Christmas countdown. What happened this year, and how have those decisions played out? Here to reminisce and recoil at the year it's editor-in-chief Laura Williamson and senior writer Adam Crafton. Host: Ayo Akinwolere Guests: Laura Williamson and Adam Crafton Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1h 4m
5 DAYS AGO

The Preview - Tottenham vs Liverpool

After beating Manchester United midweek in classically chaotic fashion, Tottenham host league leaders Liverpool. With just one clean sheet in their last 23 Premier League home games, the panel analyse why Spurs are making things so difficult for themselves. Meanwhile Liverpool have shown a more adaptable side to their game this week, could Ange Postecoglou take a leaf out of Arne Slot’s book? Plus, we look at the fixtures elsewhere and talk sacking season after Gary O’Neil and Russell Martin were relieved of their duties this week. Host: Michael Bailey With: Tim Spiers, Mark Carey Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producer: Jay Beale Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

48 min
6 DAYS AGO

What next for Mudryk and Chelsea?

Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has tested positive for a banned substance. He has been provisionally suspended. Both club and player have issued statements to make categorically clear that Mudryk has never “knowingly used” any banned substances. So where does this leave Chelsea and the £62m man? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Chelsea correspondent Simon Johnson and senior writer Adam Crafton to discuss the scenario facing the Ukrainian winger. Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Simon Johnson and Adam Crafton Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producer: Guy Clarke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

37 min
18 DEC

How to fix Man City

It’s now one win and eight losses in 11 games for Man City after the weekend’s derby defeat to Manchester United. So… what will it take to fix their current situation? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Sam Lee and Rory Smith Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

53 min
17 DEC

Is this Simeone's best version of Atletico Madrid?

On Sunday, Atletico Madrid made it 11 wins on the bounce with Alexander Sorloth scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win over Getafe. Having drawn level at the top of La Liga - next up they head to table-toppers Barcelona. So can Diego Simeone’s new-look Atleti sustain their challenge? Ayo Akinwolere is joined from Madrid by The Athletic's La Liga correspondent Dermot Corrigan as well as Colin Millar to analyse Atleti's red-hot form, their summer investment in the transfer market and whether their title challenge is sustainable ahead of the trip to face Barca. Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Dermot Corrigan and Colin Millar Producer: Guy Clarke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

46 min
16 DEC

Why do Wolves want Vitor Pereira?

Sacking season is in full flow. Russell Martin departed Southampton, hours after Gary O’Neil was shown the door at Wolves. Three wins between these teams, 76 goals conceded. It has been coming. Today, we focus on Wolves, who look set to appoint Vitor Pereira. So… just how much relegation danger are they in? Host: Michael Bailey With: Tim Spiers, Phil Hay and David Novo Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producer: Mike Stavrou and Guy Clarke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

42 min
15 DEC

The Story of the Guinea Stadium Disaster

On December 1, one of the world’s worst stadium disasters unfolded. At the Stade du 3 Avril in Nzerekore, Guinea, a devastating crush led to chaos and, according to officials, the deaths of 56 people. But domestic human rights organisations believe they have verified that at least 135 people lost their lives that day. The Athletic travelled to Nzerekore to visit the stadium, analyse what happened and speak to eyewitnesses and relatives of those involved. They are grieving and searching for the truth. Content Warning: This show contains reporting that some listeners may find upsetting Host: Adam Leventhal Producer: Abi Paterson News reporting: Channel 4, France News, Sky News Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

38 min
13 DEC

The Preview - Man City vs Man Utd

Manchester City writer Sam Lee, Manchester writer Mark Citchley and tactics writer Thom Harris join Michael Bailey for a Manchester derby roundtable. With Pep Guardiola's side picking up just one win in their last 10 games, the panel dissect why it's still going wrong and look at whether Sunday's game presents an opportunity to bounce back. Manchester United have lost their last two Premier League games - but after coming from behind to win in Plzeň - are Ruben Amorim's side showing signs of moving in the right direction? Plus, we look at the fixtures elsewhere with drop ins from the club podcasts across The Athletic FC. Host: Michael Bailey With: Sam Lee, Mark Citchley, Thom Harris Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Jay Beale Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

48 min

See All (980)

3.8

out of 5

813 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!
Some good, some bad

13 Dec

MrMrMrshutuo

I like Ayo, he’s a good presenter. Can’t stand the weekend preview guy however. Please stop with the formation catchphrase, it’s so irritating.
Lose the betting stuff

30 Nov

Mrarmadillo

The big problem is the focus on betting markets. Coming from a publication that sees itself as the thinking person’s sports publication, it’s ironic that they swim in the same grubby waters as much of the rest of the football industry. Otherwise it’s a bit pedestrian, but well produced and generally informative.
Boring

23 Nov

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

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.