The Athletic FC Podcast

The Athletic

The Athletic's flagship football podcast, hosted by Ayo Akinwolere

  • 39 minutes 39 seconds
    Can anyone stop Real Madrid?

    On Saturday Real Madrid were confirmed as La Liga champions for a record-extending 36th time, following Barcelona's 4-2 defeat at Girona.

    So how did they do it, why was this title not as easy as it looked and can anyone stop Real Madrid being European football’s dominant force? 

    Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Madrid-based writer Dermot Corrigan and Junior Spanish Editor Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero to analyse how Carlo Ancelotti's side have managed to write their own page in Madrid's illustrious history.

    Host: Ayo Akinwolere

    With: Dermot Corrigan and Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero

    Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

    Producer: Guy Clarke

    Related articles:

    How Real Madrid won La Liga – artful Ancelotti, brilliant Bellingham and unlikely new heroes - The Athletic

    Real Madrid’s ‘dystopian’ dominance – Barcelona and La Liga rivals are way behind - The Athletic

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    6 May 2024, 2:53 pm
  • 41 minutes 40 seconds
    Will Arsenal or City slip up in the title race?

    It’s matchday 36 in the Premier League and the title race is once again the main focus. Arsenal host Bournemouth while Man City go up against Wolves.


    Elsewhere, in the relegation battle, it’s Luton vs Everton, Burnley vs Newcastle and Sheffield United vs Nottingham Forest.


    Host: Adam Leventhal

    With: Tim Spiers, Andy Jones and Jordan Campbell

    Producer: Mike Stavrou

    Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

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    3 May 2024, 12:58 pm
  • 44 minutes 43 seconds
    New Premier League financial rules explained

    So on Monday Premier League clubs opted to push on with plans for a hard spending limit — a de facto salary cap tied to the income of the lowest earning side in the top flight.

    Why do some clubs want more financial regulation? Who is pushing back against it? And could this end up with legal action?

    The Athletic's senior football news reporter Matt Slater joins Ayo Akinwolere to explain the concept of 'anchoring' as well as answering questions submitted by subscribers to The Athletic over the Premier League's proposed new spending controls.

    Host: Ayo Akinwolere

    With: Matt Slater

    Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

    Producer: Guy Clarke

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    2 May 2024, 3:09 pm
  • 30 minutes 41 seconds
    Inside Xavi's bizarre Barcelona U-turn

    Back in January, Xavi announced he would be stepping down as Barcelona boss at the end of the season, citing the role as a “cruel job” that “wears you down”.


    But last week, he and Barca changed their minds - yet another twist in a rollercoaster season for the Catalans.


    So, why did Barca perform a dramatic U-turn on Xavi’s future? 


    How strong is his position now?


    And can Xavi be backed in this summer’s transfer market to the level he now expects? 


    Host: Ayo Akinwolere

    With: Pol BallĂșs and TomĂĄs Hill LĂłpez-Menchero

    Producer: Mike Stavrou

    Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

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    1 May 2024, 2:52 pm
  • 31 minutes 2 seconds
    Salah set to stay at Liverpool - but for how long?

    Mohamed Salah’s heated exchange with Jurgen Klopp last weekend left many questioning whether the forward would join his manager in leaving Liverpool this summer.


    Then as The Athletic revealed on Monday, Liverpool expect Salah to stay this summer and are planning on him being part of their squad for next season.


    So, with his future back on the agenda, what are Liverpool’s options with or without their iconic forward?


    Host: Ayo Akinwolere

    With: David Ornstein and James Pearce

    Producer: Mike Stavrou

    Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

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    30 April 2024, 12:27 pm
  • 33 minutes 7 seconds
    Can Project Postecoglou make Spurs contenders?

    Arsenal were too much for Tottenham in yesterday’s North London derby, running out 3-2 winners at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

    After the games, Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou said his team needs to deal with the “details” to be contenders.

    So what exactly are the fine margins they are missing? 

    And will it be enough to get to the next step and challenge next season?

    Host: Ayo Akinwolere

    With: Jack Pitt-Brooke and Seb Stafford-Bloor

    Producer: Guy Clarke

    Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

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    29 April 2024, 2:55 pm
  • 43 minutes 46 seconds
    Can Spurs halt Arsenal's title charge?

    It’s matchday 35 in the Premier League and it’s a huge north London derby as Arsenal go to Spurs hoping to stay in the title race.


    Elsewhere, Man City go to Nottingham Forest and West Ham host Liverpool.


    Host: Adam Leventhal

    With: Tim Spiers, Charlie Eccleshare and Jay Harris

    Producer: Mike Stavrou

    Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

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    26 April 2024, 12:33 pm
  • 42 minutes 46 seconds
    Is Slot the right man for Liverpool?

    Almost three months on from Jurgen Klopp announcing his intention to stand down, Liverpool have earmarked the man they’d like to replace him.

    So why do Liverpool want Feyenoord’s Arne Slot?

    And is he the right personality to replace Klopp at Anfield? 

    Host: Ayo Akinwolere

    With: David Ornstein and Adam Crafton

    Producer: Guy Clarke

    Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

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    25 April 2024, 3:33 pm
  • 41 minutes 29 seconds
    Inzaghi and Inter: What next?

    Playing an exciting brand of attacking football it’s no wonder Simone Inzaghi is now being linked to high-profile managerial jobs in England and abroad.


    But is he better off staying in Italy and a resurgent Serie A? 


    Or does uncertainty around finance and the ownership at Inter mean now is the time for a new challenge?


    Host: Ayo Akinwolere

    With: James Horncastle

    Producer: Mike Stavrou

    Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

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    24 April 2024, 2:46 pm
  • 38 minutes 27 seconds
    Will Ruben Amorim be a Premier League manager next season?

    On Monday, The Athletic revealed that West Ham have held talks with Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim to be their next manager
 


    He is also being looked at to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool


    So who is Ruben Amorim and why is he in such high demand? 


    Host: Ayo Akinwolere

    With: David Ornstein and Mark Carey

    Producer: Mike Stavrou

    Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

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    23 April 2024, 2:52 pm
  • 41 minutes 19 seconds
    Why Man United's Wembley embarrassment runs deep

    Before taking his seat at Wembley, Sir Jim Ratcliffe completed the London Marathon and compared the race, to the job he has to do at Old Trafford.

    Seeing his boyhood side reach a second successive FA Cup Final was only have the story though as Erik Ten Hag's side almost squandered a 3-0 lead to be dumped out by Coventry City.

    So will success in the FA Cup show enough progress for Ten Hag to remain in position, or do United's problems run deeper than just their manager?

    Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Carl Anka and Mark Critchley who were both at Wembley to discuss.

    Host: Ayo Akinwolere

    With: Carl Anka and Mark Critchley

    Producer: Guy Clarke

    Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

    Related articles

    Manchester United’s semi-final win was no turning point for Ten Hag – it was a tipping point - The Athletic

    If Manchester United move on from Ten Hag, who does the data say they should target? - The Athletic

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    22 April 2024, 3:30 pm
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