Last night, West Ham announced that David Moyes will leave the club when his contract expires in the summer. After a prolonged search for Moyes’ successor, it seems the Hammers have landed on Julen Lopetegui. So… why have West Ham chosen the former Spain, Real Madrid and Wolves manager over other candidates? And for Lopetegui himself - what is it about the project that has made him turn down the allure of Bayern Munich? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: David Ornstein and Tim Spiers Producer: Mike Stav...
May 07, 2024•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ill...
May 06, 2024•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 03, 2024•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Pre...
May 02, 2024•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Ballús and Tomás Hil...
May 01, 2024•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Stavro...
Apr 30, 2024•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Learn more ...
Apr 29, 2024•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 26, 2024•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 25, 2024•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 24, 2024•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 23, 2024•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 b...
Apr 22, 2024•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s matchday 34 in the Premier League as Arsenal go to Wolves in the big clash in the title race. Elsewhere, it’s the FA Cup semi-finals, as Chelsea face Man City and Manchester United go up against Coventry City. Host: Adam Leventhal With: Tim Spiers and Liam Twomey Producer: Mike Stavrou Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 19, 2024•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast On Wednesday night, Arsenal's Champions League hopes were ended in Munich, in their first quarter-final at that level in 14 years. Afterwards Mikel Arteta was left lost for words in how to console his side, while they also remain in the Premier League title race. So how can the Spaniard ensure the Gunners season doesn't peter out, how ruthless can they be in this summer's transfer window - or should Arteta be able to get more from the squad already at his disposal? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by Th...
Apr 18, 2024•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast Last night were were reminded why the Champions League is the biggest draw in world football. Meanwhile, FIFA seem to be stepping back in the battle to stop competitive games being taken abroad. So, could we one day see the Premier League or La Liga decided in the USA? Or the UEFA Champions League final in Saudi Arabia? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Matt Slater and Adam Crafton. Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Matt Slater and Adam Crafton Producer: Mike Stavrou Executive Producer: Adey M...
Apr 17, 2024•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast On Sunday, Bayer Leverkusen won the first league title in their 120-year history, and the celebrations were wild. Still to play for this season; a potential treble and the chance to go the entire season unbeaten. But is Xabi Alonso staying enough to keep his squad together next season? Is it still even possible for this team to go to the next level and break into Europe's elite? Or, is this as good as it gets for Leverkusen? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Raphael Honigstein, Seb Stafford-Bloor Produ...
Apr 16, 2024•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast At Anfield on Sunday, Liverpool’s terrible week got a whole lot worse. A shock 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace has dealt a blow to Jurgen Klopp’s hopes of a second Premier League title and they have a mountain to climb in the Europa League, trailing Atalanta 3-0. So why are Liverpool faltering at the business end of the season? And can they still turn it round? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Oli Kay and James Pearce to assess and analyse where things have gone wrong for Jurgen Klopp's s...
Apr 15, 2024•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s matchday 33 in the Premier League and Arsenal host Aston Villa as they look to hold on to top spot in the league table. Elsewhere, Spurs go to Newcastle and Chelsea play Everton. Host: Adam Leventhal With: Jon Mackenzie, Art de Roché & Tim Spiers Producer: Mike Stavrou and Jay Beale Executive Producer: Adam Jones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 12, 2024•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast After overseeing a 27-game unbeaten run, Luis Enrique’s PSG fell to defeat at home to Barcelona on Wednesday night, losing 3-2 in their Champions League quarter final first leg. So why did Kylian Mbappe struggle to impact the kind of game he’s been renowned for owning in previous years and is he at risk of seeing his PSG career end with a whimper? As for Enrique, is he the man to finally push the Parisians over the line to become a serious contender in years to come? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by ...
Apr 11, 2024•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast Diego Simeone and Atletico Madrid have enjoyed and endured a 12-year love affair and it is hard to imagine one without the other. He has overseen both unbelievable highs and crushing lows. This season - Atletico are on course for their worst finish in La Liga since Simeone’s first year in charge, but could another Champions League run galvanize his team once again? And with plenty of big clubs looking for ,managers this summer, why isn’t his name mentioned in the conversations anymore? Ayo Akinw...
Apr 10, 2024•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast Mikel Arteta takes charge of Arsenal’s first Champions League quarter final in 14 years on Tuesday night. Top of the Premier League and with the opportunity to make a serious statement in Europe, how has Arteta revived this Arsenal side? And with Jurgen Klopp leaving and Pep Guardiola’s long-term Manchester City future uncertain, is he ready to build a dynasty in north London? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Jordan Campbell, Art de Roché, Amy Lawrence Producer: Jay Beale Executive Producer: Adam Jone...
Apr 09, 2024•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast On Sunday Old Trafford witnessed more mayhem as Manchester United and Liverpool played out a 2-2 draw. Despite facing another 28 shots, Man United emerged with a point, but was that through luck or design? So has Erik Ten Hag done enough to convince INEOS he’s worth persisting with into next season? And with so much change coming behind the scenes over the summer…can Man United turn chaos into control? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Adam Crafton and Mark Critchley to discuss and deba...
Apr 08, 2024•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s matchday 32 in the Premier League and Manchester United host Liverpool in a match that will have big implications on the title race. Elsewhere, Burnley go to Everton and Luton play Bournemouth. Host: Adam Leventhal With: Jon Mackenzie, Mark Critchley and Andy Jones Producer: Mike Stavrou and Jay Beale Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 05, 2024•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast Last night, Aston Villa stumbled in pursuit of securing a top four place in the Premier League losing 4-1 away to Manchester City. But as Newcastle have shown this season, despite the money in brings in, qualifying for Europe puts a huge strain on smaller squads especially when financial rules make it harder to spend. And as Ange Postecoglou commented in the week, Champions League qualification doesn't necessarily provide what clubs are seeking, if they're unable to push on and compete. Ayo Akin...
Apr 04, 2024•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast Tonight, Thomas Frank and Roberto de Zerbi go head-to-head in what some might call the data derby… Brentford and Brighton may adopt a similar approach behind the scenes, but how do their sought after coaches compare, and who is the most likely to fill a managerial vacancy elsewhere this summer? And what are the reasons for the long running feud between the owners of the two clubs dating back to 2004? Produced by Jay Beale Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ...
Apr 03, 2024•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast Chelsea’s difficult season continued as Mauricio Pochettino’s side were held to a 2-2 draw by 10-man Burnley at the weekend.. There’s division among the fans, a billion pound squad yet to gel, and growing pressure on the manager. So can Chelsea salvage something from their remaining games? And after all the instability this season will there be another summer of sweeping change? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s Tim Spiers and our Chelsea writer Liam Twomey, who is also part of another ...
Apr 02, 2024•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast On the pitch Liverpool have seized the initiative in the Premier League title race following their 2-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday. Yet off the pitch, uncertainty lingers after Xabi Alonso confirmed last week he'll be staying with Bayer Leverkusen, ruling himself out of the running to replace Jurgen Klopp at Anfield. So where do Liverpool turn next and who will be on their managerial shortlist to replace Klopp? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's David Ornstein and Oli Kay t...
Apr 01, 2024•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 29, 2024•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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...
Mar 28, 2024•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Mar 27, 2024•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
