The Athletic FC Podcast

Napoli boss Antonio Conte has confirmed superstar winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia wants to leave Naples. So why does he want to depart?  And where is his most likely destination?  We also talk the future of Manchester City's Kyle Walker, plus Arsenal pursuing a deal to sign midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad next summer. Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: David Ornstein, James Horncastle and Phil Hay Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After sacking manager Sean Dyche on Thursday, by Saturday Everton have confirmed their decision to bring back David Moyes to replace him. So is Moyes the right choice to rebuild Everton and keep them in the Premier League?  Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Everton correspondent Patrick Boyland and The Athletic FC newsletter lead writer Phil Hay to discuss and analyse the decision to remove Dyche and bring back Moyes. The Athletic's Greg O'Keeffe, having seen Moyes' first reign firsthand, also drops in to give his views on the return of the Scot as well as Italian Football correspondent James Horncastle looking at the role of new owners The Friedkin Group. Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Patrick Boyland, Phil Hay, Greg O'Keeffe and James Horncastle Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the FA Cup is upon us again, we're asking which Premier League side needs the competition most this season? Tottenham and Newcastle lead the way on the The Athletic's Import-o-meter, with both sides currently on course to meet in the Carabao Cup final. FA Cup holders Manchester United head to the Emirates to face record 14-time winners Arsenal, who since winning the competition in 2020 have not progressed past the fourth round. Does Mikel Arteta need a trophy this season? And how will Ruben Amorim's progress be measured?  Plus - outside shouts for Bournemouth and Brentford, and has the FA Cup lost its magic? Host: Adam Leventhal With: Tim Spiers, Mark Citchley Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Jay Beale Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Wednesday, after weeks of speculation West Ham finally sacked Julen Lopetegui. The Spaniard lasted just eight months - and 22 games in charge of the Hammers, the shortest reign of a permanent manager or head coach in the club's 124-year history Joining Ian Irving to analyse the decision to sack Lopetegui and replace him with Graham Potter are The Athletic's football correspondent David Ornstein and West Ham United writer Roshane Thomas. Plus, Football Tactics writer Liam Tharme also drops-by to discuss Potter's fit at the London Stadium and look back on his previously successful spell in the Premier League with Brighton & Hove Albion. Host: Ian Irving With: David Ornstein, Roshane Thomas and Liam Tharme Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Another week, another beaten opponent and another milestone notched for Nottingham Forest. They made history with six wins on the bounce with their 3-0 victory away at Wolves. So how have Nuno Espirito Santo’s side gone from fighting relegation & PSR last campaign to being one of the very best sides in the Premier League this season? Host: Ian Irving Guests:  Paul Taylor, Tim Spiers, Matt Slater, Mark Carey Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Video Producer: Liam Warburton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The January transfer window is officially open! We take you inside the market to explain the deals being worked on,  We have David Ornstein’s One To Watch, Kolo Muani, plus, ongoing interest from Arsenal and Chelsea in Nico Williams. And fresh news today from David of a possible loan move for out of favour Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford. Plus, we hear all about David’s excellent exclusive interview with former Arsenal and Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, which is available to read on The Athletic right now.  https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6036322/2025/01/07/aubameyang-arsenal-arteta-chelsea-saudi/ Host: Ian Irving Guests: David Ornstein and Phil Hay Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Despite a 23-point gap between Liverpool and Manchester United, on Sunday there was nothing to separate them. So, how did Man United unsettle Liverpool?  And with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s poor performance under the microscope, amid transfer interest from Real Madrid, is his contract uncertainty causing a distraction? Host: Ian Irving With: Adam Crafton and Simon Hughes Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tifo's Jon Mackenzie and The Athletic's Nick Miller are alongside Michael Bailey ahead of Sunday's meeting between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield. Fresh from Real Madrid outlining their interest in Trent Alexander-Arnold we also hear the thoughts of both Simon Hughes and James Pearce on the future of the England international. Plus, Carl Anka drops in with his take on a disappointing December for Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford having suffered four successive defeats in charge of Man United. As well as focusing on the meeting at Anfield, there's also a look at some of the Premier League's other standout games of the weekend including Arsenal's visit to Brighton, Newcastle United heading to Tottenham and Nuno Espirito Santo returning to Molineux with his in-form Nottingham Forest. Host: Michael Bailey With: Jon Mackenzie and Nick Miller Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producer: Guy Clarke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tim Spiers and Duncan Alexander join Michael Bailey for a Christmas special — reviewing the biggest moments from Boxing Day, as well as looking ahead to the next round of Premier League fixtures. Fulham stunned Chelsea winning at Stamford Bridge for the first time in 45 years, was this a reminder that Enzo Maresca'a side are not yet the finished product? Marco Silva's Fulham face Andoni Iraola's Bournemouth next, are these two sides optimising the fun and unpredictability of the Premier League this season? Liverpool capitalised on Chelsea's slip up, extending their lead at the top of the table — are we witnessing another 2019/20 season? Everything continues to go wrong for Manchester United — suffering their fourth defeat in five Premier League games as captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off — how does Ruben Amorim turn things around with in-form Newcastle United up next? Plus, back to back wins for Wolves and new boss Vitor Pereira, Nottingham Forest's Champions League chase, and how do Arsenal replace the injured Bukayo Saka? Host: Michael Bailey With: Tim Spiers, Duncan Alexander Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producer: Jay Beale Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's been a year filled with news, moves and eyebrow raising events in the world of football and we're here to look back at them with our own Christmas countdown. What happened this year, and how have those decisions played out? Here to reminisce and recoil at the year it's editor-in-chief Laura Williamson and senior writer Adam Crafton. Host: Ayo Akinwolere Guests: Laura Williamson and Adam Crafton Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After beating Manchester United midweek in classically chaotic fashion, Tottenham host league leaders Liverpool.  With just one clean sheet in their last 23 Premier League home games, the panel analyse why Spurs are making things so difficult for themselves.  Meanwhile Liverpool have shown a more adaptable side to their game this week, could Ange Postecoglou take a leaf out of Arne Slot’s book?  Plus, we look at the fixtures elsewhere and talk sacking season after Gary O’Neil and Russell Martin were relieved of their duties this week.  Host: Michael Bailey With: Tim Spiers, Mark Carey Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producer: Jay Beale Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has tested positive for a banned substance.  He has been provisionally suspended.  Both club and player have issued statements to make categorically clear that Mudryk has never “knowingly used” any banned substances. So where does this leave Chelsea and the £62m man? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Chelsea correspondent Simon Johnson and senior writer Adam Crafton to discuss the scenario facing the Ukrainian winger. Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Simon Johnson and Adam Crafton Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producer: Guy Clarke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s now one win and eight losses in 11 games for Man City after the weekend’s derby defeat to Manchester United. So… what will it take to fix their current situation? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Sam Lee and Rory Smith Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Sunday, Atletico Madrid made it 11 wins on the bounce with Alexander Sorloth scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win over Getafe. Having drawn level at the top of La Liga - next up they head to table-toppers Barcelona. So can Diego Simeone’s new-look Atleti sustain their challenge? Ayo Akinwolere is joined from Madrid by The Athletic's La Liga correspondent Dermot Corrigan as well as Colin Millar to analyse Atleti's red-hot form, their summer investment in the transfer market and whether their title challenge is sustainable ahead of the trip to face Barca. Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Dermot Corrigan and Colin Millar Producer: Guy Clarke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sacking season is in full flow. Russell Martin departed Southampton, hours after Gary O’Neil was shown the door at Wolves. Three wins between these teams, 76 goals conceded. It has been coming.  Today, we focus on Wolves, who look set to appoint Vitor Pereira. So… just how much relegation danger are they in? Host: Michael Bailey With: Tim Spiers, Phil Hay and David Novo Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producer: Mike Stavrou and Guy Clarke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On December 1, one of the world’s worst stadium disasters unfolded. At the Stade du 3 Avril in Nzerekore, Guinea, a devastating crush led to chaos and, according to officials, the deaths of 56 people. But domestic human rights organisations believe they have verified that at least 135 people lost their lives that day. The Athletic travelled to Nzerekore to visit the stadium, analyse what happened and speak to eyewitnesses and relatives of those involved. They are grieving and searching for the truth. Content Warning: This show contains reporting that some listeners may find upsetting Host: Adam Leventhal Producer: Abi Paterson News reporting: Channel 4, France News, Sky News Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Manchester City writer Sam Lee, Manchester writer Mark Citchley and tactics writer Thom Harris join Michael Bailey for a Manchester derby roundtable. With Pep Guardiola's side picking up just one win in their last 10 games, the panel dissect why it's still going wrong and look at whether Sunday's game presents an opportunity to bounce back. Manchester United have lost their last two Premier League games - but after coming from behind to win in Plzeň - are Ruben Amorim's side showing signs of moving in the right direction? Plus, we look at the fixtures elsewhere with drop ins from the club podcasts across The Athletic FC. Host: Michael Bailey With: Sam Lee, Mark Citchley, Thom Harris Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Jay Beale Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 Men’s World Cup after running unopposed. So why has FIFA allowed this to happen? What are the wider controversies surrounding their bid? And could Saudi Arabia actually be a good choice for a World Cup? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Matt Slater, Jacob Whitehead Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Jay Beale Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spurs have lost 19 of their last 43 matches in the Premier League, and their most recent defeat against Chelsea was particularly damaging. So have Spurs evolved under Ange Postecoglou? And will he be given the time to turn their season around?  Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Jack Pitt-Brooke and Charlie Eccleshare Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At the weekend, Chelsea overcame their biggest test yet under Enzo Maresca. The 4-3 win away at their bitter rivals Tottenham has seen them go up to second place in the table.  So, are Chelsea “back” - and are they real title contenders? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Phil Hay and Liam Twomey  Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices