The Athletic FC Podcast

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.

This summer, Premier League clubs set a new record for spending in a single transfer window at over £3bn, that’s more than La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga combined.On episode two of The Future of Football, we discuss whether the strength of Premier League and the widening gap between the English game and the other top European leagues is an issue.Host Adam Leventhal is joined by Matt Slater and James Horncastle to discuss the future of the English top flight and its competitors.We also hear from two experts from accounting firm Deloitte: head of sport Tim Bridge and Tim Lunn, who is director of media rights.Host: Adam LeventhalWith: Matt Slater & James HorncastleExecutive Producers: Adey Moorhead & Abi PatersonProducer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nottingham Forest have sacked head coach Nuno Espirito Santo and look set to replace him with former Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou.So what’s going on at the City ground? And is it the right move?Host: Adam LeventhalWith: Tim Spiers and Matt Davies AdamsExecutive Producers: Adey Moorhead & Abi Paterson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The Future of Football, a special three part series asking the biggest questions shaping the game from the impact of the Club World Cup to whether anyone can keep up with the Premier League. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, which direction is the power, the politics and money around the game heading?The Athletic's Matt Slater and Adam Crafton join host Adam Leventhal for episode one to discuss the direction of travel for club football.We also hear from Maheta Molango, the CEO of the PFA English player’s union, on governance and burn-out, plus we’ll get the take of Ronan Evain, the executive director of Football Supporters Europe, on the contentious issue of playing domestic games abroad.Host: Adam LeventhalWith: Matt Slater, Adam Crafton, Maheta Molango, Ronan EvainExecutive Producers: Adey Moorhead & Abi PatersonProducers: Jay Beale, Guy Clarke, Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Huge news from north London on Thursday as Daniel Levy was removed from his role as Tottenham Hotspur’s executive chairman after almost 25 years at the club. We discuss what that means for the future of the club. .Also, as the Premier League takes a break, Liverpool are the only perfect side, Aston Villa can’t score and Sunderland have won more games than Manchester City!We draw some hasty conclusions based on what we’ve seen so far!Host: Matt Davies-AdamsWith: Jack Pitt-Brooke, Oli Kay & Jay HarrisExecutive Producers: Adey Moorhead & Abi PatersonProducers: Jay Beale, Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Record attendances at the Euros? Check.65k in London to celebrate the Lionesses? Check.Rising attendances for the WSL? Not last season.So is women's football still growing?Plus, Nikki Doucet, chief executive of the Women’s Professional League - who took control of the WSL in 2024, joins us ahead of the start of the new season.Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Charlotte Harpur, Megan Feringa and Nikki DoucetExecutive Producer: Abi PatersonProducers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Premier League clubs went BIG on striker signings this summer. But how difficult is it to adapt to England’s top flight?Former Manchester United striker Louis Saha joins Ayo Akinwolere and Carl Anka to reveal what it really takes to adapt to the Premier League. From his own journey at Newcastle and Fulham to breaking down the challenges facing big-money summer signings like Sesko, Gyökeres and Isak, Louis shares unique insight into the pressures of English football and the mentality needed to succeed. Plus, Louis has his say on the current situation at Manchester United.Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Louis Saha and Carl AnkaExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Mike Stavrou and Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This has been a transfer window for the ages.There’s been sulks, sagas and over £3billion spent by Premier League clubs. Ayo Akinwolere is joined by the transfer guru himself, David Ornstein, to wrap up the window. And then, Jack Pitt-Brooke, Tim Spiers and Jacob Whitehead debate and rank the top 10 moments.Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: David Ornstein, Jack Pitt-Brooke, Tim Spiers and Jacob WhiteheadExecutive Producer: Abi PatersonProducer: Mike Stavrou and Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Ornstein joins Adam Leventhal, Chris Weatherspoon and JJ Bull to run through the top deals on deadline day. Host: Adam LeventhalWith: David Ornstein, Chris Weatherspoon, JJ Bull Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The summer's major transfer saga is over. Liverpool have agreed a deadline day deal for Alexander Isak.A fee of £130m will help take Liverpool's summer spending over £400m. So, with the imminent arrival of Isak who can compete with Liverpool?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: James Pearce and Adam CraftonExecutive Producer: Abi PatersonProducers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Liverpool have picked up six points from their first two games, but have conceded four goals... So, should Arne Slot be concerned with how his new signings are adapting to his system as they look to defend their Premier League title?Jon Mackenzie and JJ Bull joined Ayo Akinwolere to delve deeper. You can watch the show here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSK-xIEtU8k 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 Liverpool vs Arsenal.Arne Slot's side are without a Premier League victory over Arsenal in six matches but the Gunners haven't won at Anfield since a 2-0 victory back in 2012, a game Mikel Arteta started in midfield.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, as sacking season looks to be on the horizon.Host: Matt Davies-AdamsWith: Tim Spiers, Megan FeringaExecutive Producers: Adey Moorhead & Abi PatersonProducer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manchester United have been knocked out the Carabao Cup by fourth-tier Grimsby Town.Three games into the season they have one point and they've spent almost £200m to get here.So can Ruben Amorim survive this latest humiliation?Plus we're joined by Grimsby owner Jason Stockwood to describe the night and achievement from their perspective.Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Adam Crafton, Mark Critchley and Jason StockwoodExecutive Producer: Abi PatersonProducers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With just days left in the transfer window, the pressure is on Premier League clubs to trim their squads.Ayo Akinwolere is joined by David Ornstein and Carl Anka to discuss Manchester United’s so-called “bomb squad,” Chelsea’s long contract headaches, and Arsenal’s attempts to balance the books. Plus, could Donnarumma be on the move to Manchester City?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: David Ornstein and Carl AnkaExecutive Producer: Abi PatersonProducer: Mike Stavrou and Nick Thomson  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was a thrilling night at St James’ Park as Liverpool nicked it in the last minute thanks to teenager Rio Ngumoha. Newcastle showed spirit but it's clear their squad needs some serious work before the transfer window closes next week.Ayo Akinwolere is joined by George Caulkin and Oli Kay to chat through the key talking points from the match, and later on, David Ornstein joins to give us the latest on the situation of Alexander Isak.Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: George Caulkin, Oli Kay and David OrnsteinExecutive Producer: Abi PatersonProducer: Mike Stavrou and Nick Thomson  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.