Thiago Motta, the mastermind behind Bologna's unlikely push for a Champions League spot, is seen as one of the most impressive up-and-coming managers. With plenty of clubs looking for a new head coach this summer — could Motta be ready for a move to one of European football’s elite? Also where might Roberto De Zerbi end up & how much will his style influence the roles he could be offered? Produced by Jay Beale. Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.f...
Mar 26, 2024•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast For anyone that didn’t know about him already, 17-year-old wonderkid Endrick introduced himself with a winner against England at Wembley on Saturday. So how good is Brazil's next big thing - and where will he fit in at Real Madrid when he completes his move to the Bernabeu this summer? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Brazilian football writer Jack Lang, Nick Miller, who conducted Endrick's first interview with a UK media outlet as well as Junior Spanish Football Editor Tomas Hill Lope...
Mar 25, 2024•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s just 84 days until the European Championships begin in Germany - so we are looking ahead to Euro 2024, with a particular focus on two of the favourites; France & England. Host Michael Bailey is joined by England correspondent Jack Pitt-Brooke, PSG and Fulham writer Peter Rutzler, plus data writer Thom Harris. Produced by Mike Stavrou. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 22, 2024•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast Following Nottingham Forest's four-point deduction for breaching the Premier League's Profitability and Sustainability Rules earlier this week, Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's senior football news reporter Matt Slater as well as Tim Spiers. The panel debate the sanction handed down to Forest, following on from Everton's own six-point deduction with the Goodison Park outfit set to receive a further punishment in due course. Plus, there's analysis of the impact of points deductions thro...
Mar 21, 2024•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast Once again Newcastle United will finish the season trophyless, and currently sit 10th in the Premier League. There have been question marks over finances, transfers and team selection. But if the belief in manager Eddie Howe remains strong, how long will the faith remain? Producer: Jay Beale Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 20, 2024•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast Last week England boss Gareth Soutgate announced that Arsenal’s Ben White does not want to play for England. So, why doesn’t one of the best players in Europe, in his position, not want to represent his country? And why do some followers of the England national team find it so difficult to understand? Produced by Jay Beale. Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 19, 2024•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast Following Manchester United's dramatic FA Cup Sixth Round win over Liverpool at Old Trafford The Athletic's David Ornstein and Mark Critchley join Ayo Akinwolere to discuss the significance of the result for Erik ten Hag. The Manchester United manager has been under increased scrutiny since the minority investment from Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has taken over sporting control at Old Trafford. So, would possible success in the FA Cup be enough to convince the hierarchy Ten Hag is worth persisting wi...
Mar 18, 2024•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s matchday 29 in the Premier League & the FA Cup quarter-finals this weekend. The big meeting of the weekend sees Manchester United take on Liverpool at Old Trafford in the FA Cup, while Man City host Newcastle. There’s also Premier League action to discuss & reaction to the latest England squad announcement. Host: Adam Leventhal Guests: Tim Spiers, Jon Mackenzie, Jacob Whitehead Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 15, 2024•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast Manchester United face Liverpool on Sunday at their iconic home Old Trafford, but the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ isn’t what it once was. Last week the club announced plans for a “world-class” stadium, so why is it so important to have a state of the art arena and how will a shiny modern new stadium improve results on the pitch? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Matt Slater and Andy Mitten, part of The Athletic's dedicated Man United podcast Talk Of The Devils, to discuss what options are opene...
Mar 14, 2024•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast On Tuesday night, Barcelona made it through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League. There was a time when that would have been very much routine. But after all the off-pitch issues, could this actually be a turning point? Or is it just a false dawn for a club gripped by crippling financial losses? The Athletic’s Adam Leventhal is joined by Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero and Barcelona writer Pol Ballus. Produced by Mike Stavrou Executive producer: Adey Moorhead Learn more about your ad choices....
Mar 13, 2024•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast Chelsea saw off Newcastle in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge, a win that eased pressure on Mauricio Pochettino… But the bigger picture is they remain 11th in the table which has led sections of the fanbase harking back to the days of Roman Abramovich. So what are the issues the owners need to address to turn things round? And will strategies like Chelsea’s multi-club model ever convince a sceptical fanbase? Producer: Jay Beale Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Learn more about your ad choi...
Mar 12, 2024•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast Only one point separates the top three in the Premier League following Liverpool and Man City drawing 1-1 at Anfield on Sunday, while Arsenal beat Brentford 2-1 on Saturday night to move to the top of the table. Meanwhile, off the pitch for Liverpool the Reds are moving closer to bringing back former sporting director Michael Edwards to work within owners Fenway Sports Group's ownership structure with Bournemouth's departing technical director Richard Hughes looking set to take the sporting dire...
Mar 11, 2024•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s another huge weekend in the Premier League, with a pivotal matchup in the title race as Liverpool host Manchester City at Anfield. Elsewhere, Aston Villa welcome Tottenham to Villa Park as both sides chase Champions League football, and Everton go to Old Trafford to face Manchester United. Host: Adam Leventhal Guests: Tim Spiers, Jon Mackenzie, Nick Miller Producer: Mike Stavrou We’re asking you to fill out a quick survey about you and your podcast habits by going to theathletic.com/survey2...
Mar 08, 2024•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast This weekend sees Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool face Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City for the final time in the Premier League. Two hugely successful managers but would either have been quite so successful without the other? And with Klopp about to leave Anfield - and Guardiola's long-term future at the Etihad uncertain.. Which club - Liverpool or City - is better suited to life without its legendary leader? The Athletic’s Michael Bailey is joined by colleagues Oli Kay, Pol Ballus and our German footb...
Mar 07, 2024•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast With 12 games to go Spurs look like a good bet for Champions League football. So are Spurs punching above their weight or could they be even higher had their season not been hampered by injury? And how does Ange Postecoglou’s start as a manager in the Premier League compare with the likes of Jurgen Klopp and Mikel Arteta? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s Tottenham correspondent Jack Pitt-Brooke and German football writer Seb Stafford-Bloor. Produced by Mike Stavrou Executive producer: ...
Mar 06, 2024•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast Last night, Arsenal swept the floor with another of the Premier League’s relegation candidates, Sheffield United. So do they need a new striker after all?! In their last seven league games they have scored 31 times. So, what has Mikel Arteta changed to open the floodgates? And will it be enough to challenge title rivals City and Liverpool all the way to the end? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s David Ornstein and former Gunners midfielder Adrian Clarke. Produced by Mike Stavrou Executi...
Mar 05, 2024•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast Manchester City eventually ran out convincing winners over Manchester United in the derby at the weekend. Yet, Erik ten Hag said afterwards that the gap in quality between the two sides wasn’t that big.. Is he right? And if there is a summer of sweeping changes at United, is this likely to also mean a change of manager at Old Trafford? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s David Ornstein & Manchester United writer Laurie Whitwell. We’re asking you to fill out a quick survey about you and yo...
Mar 04, 2024•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s the Manchester derby, with City hosting United at the Etihad Stadium. United will be hoping to better their 3-0 defeat in the reverse fixture. Elsewhere, Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to take on Spurs, Newcastle host in-form Wolves, while Everton welcome West Ham to Goodison Park. Host: Michael Bailey Guests: Tim Spiers, Jon Mackenzie, Joey D'Urso Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 01, 2024•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast With 12 Premier League games to play, the top three are separated by just two points, with Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal all still firmly in contention to be crowned champions in May. So are we set for the most nail-biting climax in Premier League history, or will March's clashes at the top of the table prove decisive? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Arsenal writer James McNicholas as well as Merseyside football writer Simon Hughes and Manchester football writer Mark Critchle...
Feb 29, 2024•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast Last night, Manchester City moved a step closer to another treble, thanks to the formidable Erling Haaland. If City do win the lot - again - could he start to think about a fresh challenge? There’s always been a suspicion that Haaland will one day join Real Madrid. But is a move now less likely with the potential arrival of Kylian Mbappe? Or is Madrid the only realistic next destination for Haaland… if anywhere at all? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s Man City correspondent Sam Lee, da...
Feb 28, 2024•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast Why has Everton’s 10-point deduction for breaching profit and sustainability rules been reduced to six points? How will the decision impact sides around them locked in a relegation battle? What might it say about Everton's upcoming second case? And what about outstanding charges for Nottingham Forest… and the 115 for Manchester City? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Matt Slater and Everton correspondent Patrick Boyland. Produced by Mike Stavrou Additional production: Ja...
Feb 27, 2024•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast Following Liverpool's 10th League Cup success manager Jurgen Klopp described it as the most special achievement of his career, given the reliance he had to put in a number of academy graduates. Youngsters Bobby Clark, James McConnell, Jayden Danns and Jarrell Quansah were all used from the bench along with full-back Conor Bradley. Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's football correspondent David Ornstein and Liverpool reporter James Pearce to analyse the Reds' bold youth policy through aca...
Feb 26, 2024•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast Adam Leventhal and co return to preview the weekend of top-flight football ahead, with not only Premier League points but also domestic silverware on the line. Liverpool and Chelsea go head-to-head at Wembley Stadium on Sunday afternoon for the Carabao Cup, but who would the trophy be more important for, Mauricio Pochettino at the start of his Chelsea career, or Jurgen Klopp at the end of his time at Liverpool? Meanwhile on Saturday, Arsenal host Newcastle and Man City travel to Bournemouth, bot...
Feb 23, 2024•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast Oliver Glasner has been chosen as the man to re-energise Crystal Palace after a barren run of just two wins from 16 in all competitions. The Europa League-winning coach replaces Roy Hodgson, who stepped down as manager on Monday. So, who is Glasner… and why have Palace chosen him? And just how big is the rebuilding job on his hands? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s German football writer Raphael Honigstein and Dom Fifield. Produced by Mike Stavrou Executive producer: Adey Moorhead Lear...
Feb 22, 2024•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast Bayern Munich and head coach Thomas Tuchel will part ways at the end of the season. Why has the announcement come now and what does it tell us? Why isn’t Tuchel leaving immediately? And will Bayern be able to compete with Liverpool to make Xabi Alonso their new manager in the summer? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s German football writer Raphael Honigstein and Nick Miller. Produced by Mike Stavrou Executive producer: Adey Moorhead Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/a...
Feb 21, 2024•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast Last week Kylian Mbappe told Paris Saint Germain of his decision to leave the club at the end of the season with Real Madrid the expected destination but as their superstar departs, what next for PSG? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by French football writer and broadcaster Tom Williams and The Athletic's Carl Anka to analyse what comes next for Mbappe as well as the direction the French champions head in next. The panel assess what options will be open to PSG in the transfer market with the likes of V...
Feb 20, 2024•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast Man United want Dan Ashworth to be their new sporting director. He has been placed on gardening leave after informing Newcastle of his desire to leave the club. But Newcastle want a huge fee of 20 MILLION pounds to release Ashworth from his contract. So how will this tussle between the two clubs play out as both teams chase Champions League football next season. And why is Ashworth so sought after? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Manchester United writer Laurie Whitwel...
Feb 19, 2024•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast Michael Bailey and co breakdown matchweek 25 of the Premier League. The headline clash is Saturday's late game between Manchester City and Chelsea. The last meeting was a 4-4 classic, but can Chelsea take anything away this time? Elsewhere Luton host in-form Manchester United, who are going for their 5th win in a row, while Arsenal and Liverpool travel to Burnley and Brentford respectively hoping to keep pace at the top. Host: Michael Bailey Guests: Tim Spiers, Nick Miller, JJ Bull Producer: Joh...
Feb 16, 2024•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast Lionel Messi’s move to Inter Miami appeared to be a marketing dream for all concerned, that was before their pre-season tour of Asia. After playing just seven minutes in Saudi Arabia and missing a ‘last dance’ with Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi failed to feature in Hong Kong with the fallout still rumbling on. So why has Messi’s no-show caused geo-political tensions to rise and is the GOAT in danger of becoming a show pony in the final stages of his illustrious career? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The...
Feb 15, 2024•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast West Ham’s 6-0 defeat to Arsenal last weekend was the club’s worst home defeat in over 60 years… and the fans voted with their feet. Wins over Man United and Arsenal in December had seen supporters unite behind David Moyes. But a poor run of results have swiftly soured the mood at the London Stadium. So.. will Moyes bid farewell to the Hammers when his contract expires this summer, or can he turn things around? And what do West Ham’s owners - and more importantly the fans - really want for the c...
Feb 14, 2024•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
