The Athletic FC Podcast

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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.

10 HR AGO

Arsenal's new sporting director: Who is in the frame?

Last week, David Ornstein reported that Arsenal are looking to conclude their search for a new Sporting Director by the end of March. So, with the search set to conclude this month, who is the ideal candidate for the role and could this appointment be the missing link to help Arsenal finally end their wait for a Premier League title? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s football correspondent David Ornstein and lead writer for The Athletic FC newsletter Phil Hay to analyse what the Gunners are looking for and who could be the man to replace Edu in trying to help Mikel Arteta bring silverware to the Emirates Stadium. Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: David Ornstein and Phil Hay Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

45 min
3 DAYS AGO

Who needs European football the most?

With just six points separating Nottingham Forest in 3rd and Aston Villa in 10th, European football is up for grabs in the Premier League. Adam Leventhal is joined by The Athletic's football writers Tim Spiers and Nick Miller to discuss which side needs European qualification the most. After wins midweek, Manchester City and Chelsea sit 4th and 5th respectively, are any of the chasing pack consistent enough to earn Champions League football? With Manchester United and Tottenham languishing in the bottom half of the table, which clubs are eyeing up the Europa and Conference League? Host: Adam Leventhal With: Tim Spiers, Nick Miller Featuring: Paul Taylor, Sam Lee, Liam Twomey, Chris Waugh, Jacob Tanswell Editor: Nick Thomson Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Jay Beale Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

53 min
4 DAYS AGO

How big does Man City's rebuild need to be?

After a week in which they were dumped out of the Champions League and given a dose of reality by Liverpool, Man City got back to winning ways, beating Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 courtesy of Erling Haaland on his return from injury. So, with Haaland back from injury and their new recruits bedding in is the City rebuild not as big a job as we thought it might be? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Man City correspondent Sam Lee as well as Jack Pitt-Brooke to analyse City's performance at the Tottenham Hotspur season before assessing the state of their squad rebuild. New signings Abdukodir Khusanov, Omar Marmoush and Nico Gonzalez are all discussed as well as the ageing spine of Guardiola's dynastic team before questioning whether the Spaniard can return City to their previous standards? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Sam Lee and Jack Pitt-Brooke Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

44 min
5 DAYS AGO

Rashford & Asensio: Will Villa's gamble pay off?

Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio couldn’t save Aston Villa last night as they lost 4-1 away at Crystal Palace. The two marquee signings were brought in to boost Unai Emery’s side at the business end of the season. But are Rashford & Asensio the solution to Villa’s problems right now? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Jacob Tanswell & Rory Smith Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

41 min
6 DAYS AGO

Is Premier League promotion still the promised land?

Last season marked the first time since 1998 that all three promoted Premier League teams were relegated. It looks like history may repeat itself this season, after another miserable weekend for Ipswich Town, Leicester City and Southampton. So will all three go down? And if so, what does it say about the gap between the Premier League and the Championship? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Stu James & Phil Hay Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou & Nick Thomson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

46 min
24 FEB

Is Salah set for the best Premier League season ever?

Liverpool have moved 11 points clear in the Premier League title race with Mohamed Salah leading the way in their 2-0 win over Manchester City. His goal and assists are edging him towards records set by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne. Mohamed Salah is one of the Premier League’s Greatest but could he be THE greatest? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by Oli Kay, who was at the Etihad on Sunday for The Athletic as well as Simon Hughes, author of Chasing Salah: The Biography of Mohamed Salah. Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Oli Kay and Simon Hughes Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

50 min
23 FEB

How data and AI is shaping football

Ever thought about how elite football clubs actually go about using data to analyse and recruit players? Well, The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast has the answers you need. Paul Power from sports data company, Skillcorner, joins the show to chat about how clubs really use data in recruitment and analysis. Plus… what the future could hold in terms of football’s relationship with AI? Host: Michael Bailey With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Paul Power Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

52 min
21 FEB

The Preview - Man City vs Liverpool

Manchester City host Liverpool on Sunday in what could be a decisive game in this season’s title race. Pep Guardiola will be hoping to fix Manchester City’s out of possession problems, that contributed to them being dumped out of the Champions League midweek. After consecutive draws away from home in the Premier League, can Arne Slot’s side make a statement at a ground they have won just once at in their previous 15 attempts? The Athletic’s senior data analyst Mark Carey and data writer Thom Harris join Matt Davies-Adams to preview Sunday’s clash. Plus we check in with the club podcasts across The Athletic FC, setting you up for the big fixtures elsewhere. Host: Matt Davies-Adams With: Mark Carey, Thom Harris Featuring: James Pearce, Sam Lee Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Jay Beale Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

43 min

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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.