The Athletic FC Podcast

Xabi Alonso has been announced as Chelsea’s next manager. As their campaign peters out, is he the man to reignite them next season?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Liam Twomey & James HorncastleFeaturing: James PearceExecutive Producers: Guy Clarke & Adey MoorheadProducer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's FA Cup Final weekend. Can City avoid a third consecutive FA Cup Final defeat? Could this be Pep's final trip to Wembley? Can Chelsea end the season with silverware?Plus we preview the penultimate weekend in the Premier League.Host: Matt Davies-AdamsGuests: Mark Critchley & Cerys JonesExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Jay Beale & Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The World Cup is just four weeks away!From tickets to hotels, broadcast agreements to squads - there’s a lot still to sort out.But are FIFA exploiting fans?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Adam Crafton, Matt Slater and Henry BushnellExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chelsea are exploring a deal to appoint Xabi Alonso as head coach.So could he bring calm to the chaos at Stamford Bridge?David Ornstein is joined by Cerys Jones to discuss whether Alonso would be a success at Chelsea.Plus, The Athletic’s Manchester United correspondent Laurie Whitwell drops in to bring us his story that Michael Carrick is line to take the United job on a permanent basis.Host: Ayo AkinwolereGuests: David Ornstein, Cerys Jones, Laurie WhitwellExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Mike Stavrou, Guy Clarke, Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The relegation race looks set to go to the wire after Tottenham’s draw against Leeds.So have West Ham been given a lifeline?And why do Spurs keep pressing the self-destruct button?Host: Ayo AkinwolereGuests: Jack Pitt-Brooke, Dan KilpatrickExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Mike Stavrou, Guy Clarke, Nick ThomsonVideographer: Liam Warburton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a week of chaos at Real Madrid, involving in-fighting, things got even worse.Defeat at the Camp Nou meant Barcelona were crowned La Liga champions, again. So, how has Real Madrid’s season fallen apart? Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Guillermo Rai, Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero, Pol BallusExecutive Producers: Guy Clarke & Adey MoorheadProducer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A big game in the title and relegation fight as 1st faces 18th - could this game crown Arsenal and relegate West Ham?And Spurs could take a big step towards safety if they can get a third win in a row, this time against Leeds.Host: Matt Davies-AdamsGuests: Carl Anka & Jay HarrisExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Mike Stavrou & John Rogers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paris Saint-Germain are through to a second successive Champions League final.Luis Enrique will be aiming to win his third European Cup as a manager. So, is he PSG’s biggest star?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Seb Stafford-Bloor and Tom WilliamsExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arsenal are into their first Champions League final in 20 years after beating Atletico Madrid.Mikel Arteta’s side are on the brink of a historic double.So can they get it over the line?Host: Ayo AkinwolereGuests: James Horncastle, Art de RocheExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Mike Stavrou, Guy Clarke, Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s advantage Arsenal in the title race after Man City’s slip-up at Everton.The Gunners are five points clear with three to playSo… have City thrown it all away?Host: Ayo AkinwolereGuests: Jack Pitt Brooke, Jay Harris, Sam LeeExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Mike Stavrou, Guy Clarke, Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manchester United have confirmed their place in next season's Champions League.So, what do the club need to handle being back amongst Europe’s elite? Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Adam Crafton & Laurie WhitwellExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This summer's World Cup in North America is the biggest in size and scale and now, arguably, the most controversial. The tournament kicks off in less than 40 days. Co-hosts USA remain at war with Iran, with fellow Middle East participants and historic allies drawn into the conflict - and FIFA caught in the middle. Travel bans, political protests and fears over ICE guarantee a turbulent countdown.This special episode of The Athletic FC hears from players, coaches, fans, regional experts and human rights advocates on the geopolitical backdrop to World Cup 2026.Presenter: Adam LeventhalProducer: Paul IliffeAudio from: AP, BBC, The Guardian, Reuters, FIFA, England Records, beIN, C-SPAN Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brentford are in the running to secure European football for the first time in the club’s history.On this special episode of The Athletic FC Podcast, we’ll be bringing you an interview with head coach Keith Andrews, discussing his transition from set-piece coach to Premier League manager and the journey that led him to this point.The interview took place in Gunnersbury Park where Brentford's Community Sports Trust were putting on an event, in conjunction with new front of shirt sponsor Indeed, at their Clubhouse Cafe a social impact and community-led space that opened in September 2025.Ayo is joined by The Athletic's Oli Kay & Caoimhe O'Neill to reflect on the occasion, and discuss the incredible work Brentford FC do in the local community.Host: Ayo AkinwolereGuests: Oli Kay & Caoimhe O’Neill Featuring: Keith Andrews & Caoimhin KelleherExec Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manchester United could secure their return to the Champions League with a win against their biggest rivals Liverpool.Elsewhere, it’s Aston Villa vs Tottenham - a big fixture at both ends of the table.Host: Matt Davies-AdamsGuests: Stu James & Oli KayExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Mike Stavrou & John Rogers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Newcastle United’s Saudi owners are set to pull their funding of LIV Golf while uncertainty is rife at St James’ Park.With the ownership in town for talks - could they lose interest in Newcastle?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Chris Waugh and Matt SlaterExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jose Mourinho could be set for a dramatic return to the Bernabeu.So is the Special One really the man to save Real Madrid?Plus, the panel react to Tuesday night's remarkable Champions League semi-final first leg, as PSG beat Bayern Munich 5-4.Host: Ayo AkinwolereGuests: Tom Williams, Dermot Corrigan, Seb Stafford-BloorExecutive Producers: Adey MoorheadProducers: Mike Stavrou, Guy Clarke, Nick ThomsonVideographer: Liam Warburton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the curtain comes down on Mo Salah’s time at Anfield.How prepared are Liverpool for his departure?And will it be another big summer of spending?Host: Ayo AkinwolereGuests: James Pearce, Josh WilliamsExecutive Producers: Adey MoorheadProducers: Mike Stavrou, Guy Clarke, Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week Chelsea sacked Liam Rosenior. On Sunday they reached an FA Cup Final.But the question remains, who should be their next manager?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: James Horncastle and Liam TwomeyExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s Athletic FC Tactics podcast, the panel discuss Bruno Fernandes, who is on the cusp of breaking the Premier League record for most assists in a single season. So why hasn’t the record been beaten in more than 20 years?And what’s the secret behind Fernandes’ creative genius?Host: Michael BaileyGuests: Michael Cox & Mark Carey Producer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Already relegated Wolves host relegation-threatened Tottenham - can De Zerbi's side finally pick up some momentum against the league's bottom team?Elsewhere, with Man City in FA Cup action, Arsenal have the chance to leapfrog them back to the top of the table at home to out of form Newcastle.Host: Matt Davies-AdamsGuests: Cerys Jones & Art De RochéExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Jay Beale & John Rogers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.