The Athletic FC Podcast

Liverpool had a perfect start after record spending, but now they've lost three in a row.So why is Arne Slot’s Red Machine mis-firing?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: David Ornstein and Simon HughesExecutive Producer: Abi PatersonProducers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jurgen Klopp is back in football but not as a manager. In January, he began work as global head of soccer at Red Bull.Our very own Adam Crafton sat down with the former Liverpool boss at the New York Red Bulls’ training facility in New Jersey.They discuss all things Red Bull, the future of football and why he closed the chapter on his coaching career.Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Adam Crafton & Jurgen KloppExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The Preview on The Athletic FC, where this week our main focus is the red card loving blues of Chelsea versus the no longer red hot reds of Liverpool. Stu James and Megan Feringa join Matt Davies-Adams to look ahead to Saturday’s clash before turning their attention to the fixtures elsewhere including Arsenal vs West Ham and Manchester United vs Sunderland.Plus after losing 3-2 to FC Midtjylland at the City Ground on Thursday night Nottingham Forest fans are already turning on their new manager Ange Postecoglou, who faces a tough trip to St James’ Park on Sunday.Host: Matt Davies-AdamsWith: Stu James, Megan FeringaExecutive Producers: Abi PatersonProducer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eight games into his Liverpool career Florian Wirtz is yet to score or assist. So why the slow start and how long will he take to adapt to the Premier League?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Seb Stafford-Bloor and Kev HatchardExecutive Producer: Abi PatersonProducers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Crystal Palace are flying. They’re the FA Cup holders, they’re in Europe and they’re on an 18-game unbeaten run across all competitions.So… what is the secret behind their success?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Reuben Pinder and Jon MackenzieExecutive Producer: Abi PatersonProducer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Graham Potter is the latest manager to be shown the door at West Ham.In comes a new challenger - Nuno Espírito Santo.But do West Ham’s problems go beyond their manager?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Roshane Thomas and Benji LanyadoExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Mike Stavrou and Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s 17 defeats in 33 Premier League games for Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United after Saturday's latest defeat at Brentford.So, how much more misery can they take?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Adam Crafton and Oli KayExecutive Producers: Adey Moorhead and Abi PatersonProducers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The Preview on The Athletic FC, where this week our main focus is Newcastle vs Arsenal.Eddie Howe's side have won each of their last three home games against Arsenal in all competitions without conceding a single goal, and are looking to make it four in a row for the first time since August 1969. With Liverpool five wins from five, will anything but a win keep Mikel Arteta's title hopes alive?Oli Kay and Jacob Whitehead join Matt Davies-Adams to look ahead to Sunday's clash before turning their attention to the fixtures elsewhere.Host: Matt Davies-AdamsWith: Oli Kay, Jacob WhiteheadExecutive Producers: Adey MoorheadProducer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

FIFA have discussed making the 2030 World Cup a 64-team tournament.So who actually wants it and could it really happen?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Adam Crafton, Phil Hay and Felipe CardenasExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ousmane Dembele scooped the Ballon d’Or on Monday night.His 35 goals helped PSG clinch their first ever Champions League.So how did he evolve from a promising winger to a ruthless goalscorer?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Seb Stafford-Bloor and Tom WilliamsExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Mike Stavrou and Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aston Villa are currently 18th in the Premier League and have scored just one goal so far.So is the team really "lazy” or does Unai Emery need to change?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Jacob Tanswell and Dan BardellExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Mike Stavrou and Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arsenal have fallen five points off the pace in the Premier League, after drawing 1-1 with Man City on Sunday.And in the boardroom there are changes as well, so how much do they have to do, to catch Liverpool?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: David Ornstein, Adam Crafton and Matt SlaterExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The Preview on The Athletic FC, where this week our main focus is the Arsenal vs Manchester City. In what is often dubbed as master vs apprentice, Mikel Arteta is looking to become the first manager to go 5 games in a row unbeaten against Pep Guardiola. Mark Critchley and Nick Miller join Matt Davies-Adams to look ahead to Sunday's clash before turning their attention to some of the fixtures elsewhere, including the Merseyside derby and Manchester United vs Chelsea.Host: Matt Davies-AdamsWith: Mark Critchley, Nick MillerExecutive Producers: Adey MoorheadProducer: Jay Beale & Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chelsea’s young squad were given a reality-check on their Champions League return, losing 3-1 in Munich to Bayern after two years out of the competition.Prior to Wednesday night The Blues Champions League squad only had a combined 117 games in the tournament under their belts in comparison to Bayern's 860.So, will a lack of experience cost them in Europe and the Premier League?Host: Adam LeventhalWith: Simon Johnson and Phil HayExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Real Madrid are back to winning ways in Champions League.In their 2-1 win over Marseille on Tuesday night, Kylian Mbappe shone bright, whilst Vinicius Jr was benched again.So… why are the two Galacticos on such different paths right now?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Guillermo Rai & Colin MillarExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Mike Stavrou and Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Champions League is back this week.Last season we had a switch up in format, and PSG were finally triumphant.So what should we expect this time around?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Jack Pitt-Brooke, Tom Williams & Tomás Hill López-MencheroExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Mike Stavrou and Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Man City made light work of Man United in Sunday's Manchester derby thanks to Phil Foden and a double from Erling Haaland, who now sits on 90 Premier League goals from just 101 games.So how far can Haaland’s goals take Guardiola’s side this season?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: David Ornstein and Adam CraftonExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The Preview on The Athletic FC, where this week our main focus is the Manchester derby.Despite winning five of their last eight Premier League matches against Manchester United, Manchester City failed to win either game last season for the first time since 2020-21. Despite getting the better of the Pep Guardiola last season, Ruben Amorim is looking to win sucessive Premier League matches for the first time as Manchester United manager.Carl Anka, Tim Spiers and Megan Feringa join Matt Davies-Adams to look ahead to Sunday's clash before turning their attention to some of the fixtures elsewhere, including Ange Postecoglou taking charge of his first game as Nottingham Forest boss at where else but the Emirates.Host: Matt Davies-AdamsWith: Carl Anka, Tim Spiers, Megan FeringaExecutive Producers: Abi PatersonProducer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What do Barcelona and Post Malone have in common? Neither of them can play at Camp Nou.So what's going on, and will this stadium ever be ready?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Pol Ballus and Laia Cervello HerreroExecutive Producer: Abi PatersonProducers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

So far in our series, The Future of Football, we've looked at the global game and the unstoppable power of the Premier League.But away from the top flight there are 72 other professional clubs across the English Football League - and some are fighting to survive.For the final instalment of the series we're joined by EFL chairman, Rick Parry, to discuss what the future holds for the EFL and what can be done to redress the balance within English football?Host: Adam LeventhalWith: Matt Slater and Rick ParryExecutive Producer: Abi PatersonProducers: Guy Clarke and Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.