The Athletic FC Podcast

We’re eleven games into the 2025/26 Premier League season. Arsenal are top, Man City are clinging to their coat tails, Sunderland are in the Champions League places and just four points separate 2nd from 9th. Meanwhile Newcastle are languishing in 14th, Fulham’s top scorer is own goals, West Ham and Nottingham Forest are in the relegation zone and Wolves sit rock bottom, still yet to win a game. So, is this the most unpredictable the Premier League has been in recent years?Host: Matt Davies-AdamsWith: Tim Spiers & Megan FeringaExecutive Producer: Abi PatersonProducer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Como 1907 are one of the most intriguing clubs in modern football. They have gone from Serie D to Serie A in just six years, backed by billionaire owners they have ambitious plans to grow the Como brand and emulate a Disney model.In this show we're talking to Mirwan Suwarso, President of Como 1907 about how the club rose to the top and their plans to sustain their success. You'll hear all about manager Cesc Fabregas's involvement in succession planning, their data-led recruitment strategy, and insight into plans for their match abroad against AC Milan.We also talk fashion, Suwarso's surprising LinkedIn account, and Como's gorgeous lakeside stadium.Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Matt Slater and Mirwan SuwarsoProducer: Mike Stavrou and Nick ThomsonExec Producers: Adey Moorhead and Abi Paterson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we're bringing you an exclusive interview for The Athletic, Crystal Palace and England midfielder Adam Wharton in conversation with David Ornstein.Ahead of next summer's World Cup, they get into his England chances, being overly self critical, the constant transfer speculation that surrounds him and much more... Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: David Ornstein & Adam WhartonExecutive Producers: Abi Paterson & Adey MoorheadProducer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ruben Amorim’s first year at Manchester United has been box office.From the lows of the Europa League final defeat to the highs of that historic win at Anfield.So how do we assess his time at Old Trafford - and what next for the project?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Mark Critchley, Oli Kay and Charlotte HarpurExecutive Producer: Abi PatersonProducers: Mike Stavrou and Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pep Guardiola’s 1,000th game in management ended with Liverpool thrashed and Man City just four points off Arsenal.Erling Haaland was among the goals, but Jeremy Doku got all the attention at the Etihad.Can they now sustain a serious challenge for the title?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Adam Crafton and Jack Pitt-BrookeExecutive Producer: Abi PatersonProducer: Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does the rise of illegal streaming pose an existential threat to football?To answer that question, Adam Leventhal has spent the last six months looking into the culture, crime and crisis associated with pirating live football matches.In this special episode of The Athletic FC Podcast you'll hear undercover reporting and behind the scenes access to police investigations, including how the world's largest illegal sports streaming platform was taken down.We get the takes of match-going fans, and ask if 'Premflix' is the future of Premier League broadcasting?If you're an Athletic subscriber you can have your say here.And if you're not yet a subscriber, join here and have your say.Please note that the documentary has content some listeners may find upsetting.Host: Adam LeventhalMixing: Jay BealeProducer: Abi PatersonFeaturing footage from Amazon, Sky Sports, tallkSPORT, Leaders.  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 Manchester City vs Liverpool.Where do you play Wirtz? How do you stop Haaland? And will either of them reel in Arsenal?Andy Jones and Jordan Campbell join Matt Davies-Adams to look ahead to Sunday's clash before turning their attention to the fixtures elsewhere including Sunderland vs Arsenal, Spurs vs Manchester United and Crystal Palace vs Brighton.Host: Matt Davies-AdamsWith: Andy Jones & Jordan CampbellExecutive Producer: Abi PatersonProducer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Halfway through the Champions League league phase and one pattern is emerging; the dominance of the Premier League.But is that a problem for the balance of the Champions League?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Michael Cox and James HorncastleExecutive Producer: Abi PatersonProducers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anfield roared - and booed - as Liverpool emphatically defeated Real Madrid in the Champions League.So could this victory reignite their season?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: James Pearce and Tomás Hill López-MencheroExecutive Producer: Abi PatersonProducers: Mike Stavrou and John Rogers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wolves have sacked manager Vitor Pereira.With zero wins in the league, and just two points, all signs lead to relegation.So, can anyone save them?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: David Ornstein, Matt Slater & Tim SpiersExecutive Producer: Abi PatersonProducers: Mike Stavrou and John Rogers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Another home defeat, and flat performance against Chelsea, losing 1-0 on Saturday.But Tottenham are fifth in the Premier League - having finished 17th last season.So, are Spurs improving under Thomas Frank?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Adam Crafton and Jack Pitt-BrookeExecutive 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 Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea. Carl Anka and Jay Harris join Matt Davies-Adams to look ahead to Saturday's derby before turning their attention to the fixtures elsewhere including Manchester City vs Bournemouth, Liverpool vs Aston Villa, and Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United.Host: Matt Davies-AdamsWith: Carl Anka & Jay HarrisExecutive Producers: Abi PatersonProducer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Juventus have sacked Igor Tudor and are set to appoint Luciano Spalletti.With the ghost of Cristiano still haunting the club, are they in crisis?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: James HorncastleExecutive Producer: Abi PatersonProducers: Jay Beale & Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sunderland have enjoyed a dream start so far in the Premier League.Their win over Chelsea means they’re in the top four after nine games.17 points from their opening nine Premier League games is the best return by a promoted club at this stage of a season since Hull City in 2008-09.So how have they done it?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Chris Weatherspoon, Phil Hay and Seb Stafford-BloorExecutive Producer: Abi PatersonProducers: Mike Stavrou and John Rogers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

El Clasico was back to its fiery best on Sunday, as Lamine Yamal's pre-match comments sparked fury in Madrid.Has he reignited this famous fixture?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Andy Mitten, Pol Ballus, Guillermo RaiExecutive Producer: Abi PatersonProducers: Jay Beale and John Rogers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arsenal are top of the Premier League - four points ahead of Bournemouth in second.It was an important win for them against Crystal Palace on Sunday, with Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea also losing.Mikel Arteta’s side have conceded just three times in nine games, so does a solid defence win you titles?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Adrian Clarke and James McNicholasExecutive Producer: Abi PatersonProducers: Mike Stavrou and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After eight games, RC Strasbourg sit 3rd in Ligue 1, two points behind league leaders Marseille and just one point behind European champions PSG.Today we’re bringing you a special episode sitting down with the man at the helm, Strasbourg head coach Liam Rosenior.In conversation with Ayo Akinwolere and Carl Anka, the panel discuss RC Strasbourg’s incredible start to the season, Rosenior's management style, working in a multi-club ownership model and the importance of representation, diversity and role models. Host: Ayo AkinwolereCo-Host: Carl AnkaWith: Liam RoseniorExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Jay Beale 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 Aston Villa vs Manchester City.Stu James and Tim Spiers join Matt Davies-Adams to look ahead to Sunday's clash before turning their attention to the fixtures elsewhere including Arsenal vs Crystal Palace, Brentford vs Liverpool, Manchester United vs Brighton, and Everton vs Spurs.Host: Matt Davies-AdamsWith: Stu James & Tim SpiersExecutive Producers: Abi Paterson & Adey MoorheadProducer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Barcelona were set to play Villarreal in Miami in December.That’s now been cancelled. Today, we explain why.Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Dermot Corrigan and Matt SlaterFeaturing: James HorncastleExecutive Producer: Abi PatersonProducers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Life after Alexander Isak has been hit and miss for Newcastle.But in Nick Woltemade, have they already found the key to Newcastle's fortunes this season?And in terms of Isak, why is he struggling after that record-breaking £125million summer move to Liverpool?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Chris Waugh, Oli Kay, Andy JonesExecutive Producer: Abi PatersonProducers: Mike Stavrou and John Rogers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.