The Athletic FC Podcast

Liverpool will play Champions League football next season Despite finishing closer in points to the relegation zone - than champions Arsenal! So, is that enough for Arne Slot to keep his job at Anfield? Host: Adam Leventhal With: James Pearce and James Horncastle Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke, Jay Beale & Nick Thomson Videographer: Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

West Ham have been relegated from the Premier League just three years after winning the Europa Conference League. But just how costly will the drop be for the Hammers? Meanwhile, Spurs survived on the final day, so how do they avoid another worrying season next time around? Host: Adam Leventhal With: Roshane Thomas, Matt Slater and Jack Pitt-Brooke Executive Producer: Guy Clarke Producer: Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The Athletic’s end-of-season awards, for the 2025/26 season. A time to celebrate the best of the best across the Premier League, WSL and Europe. The Athletic's Data & Tactic’s Editor Duncan Alexander, Women’s Football Writer Megan Feringa & Football Writer Tim Spiers join Adam Leventhal to name our Player, Young Player, Manager and team of the season in our respective categories. Host: Adam Leventhal Guests: Duncan Alexander, Megan Feringa, Tim Spiers Executive Producers: Adey Moorhead Producers: Jay Beale Videographer: Rachael Tinde Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who will beat the drop - Spurs or West Ham? Spurs need a draw against Everton to confirm safety, while West Ham must beat Leeds at the London Stadium. And elsewhere, Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the World Cup has been announced. Who has been left off the plane? Host: Matt Davies-Adams Guests: Jay Harris & Carl Anka Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Jay Beale & John Rogers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Southampton have been expelled from the Championship Play-Off Final after being caught spying on opponents. They’ll also start next season with a points deduction. So, how has Spygate cost Saints a place in the Premier League? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Adam Crafton and Matt Slater Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After 22 years, Arsenal have finally won the Premier League title. So how did Mikel Arteta transform the Gunners from pretenders to champions? Host: Ayo Akinwolere Guests: David Ornstein, Adrian Clarke Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Mike Stavrou, Guy Clarke, Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pep Guardiola is set to leave Manchester City this summer. And with former Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca the man expected to replace him. How on earth do you follow Pep? Host: Ayo Akinwolere Guests: David Ornstein, Jack Pitt-Brooke, Sam Lee, Liam Twomey Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Mike Stavrou, Guy Clarke, Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Akinwolere With: Liam Twomey & James Horncastle Featuring: James Pearce Executive Producers: Guy Clarke & Adey Moorhead Producer: 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-Adams Guests: Mark Critchley & Cerys Jones Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: 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 Akinwolere With: Adam Crafton, Matt Slater and Henry Bushnell Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: 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 Akinwolere Guests: David Ornstein, Cerys Jones, Laurie Whitwell Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: 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 Akinwolere Guests: Jack Pitt-Brooke, Dan Kilpatrick Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Mike Stavrou, Guy Clarke, Nick Thomson Videographer: 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 Akinwolere With: Guillermo Rai, Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero, Pol Ballus Executive Producers: Guy Clarke & Adey Moorhead Producer: 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-Adams Guests: Carl Anka & Jay Harris Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: 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 Akinwolere With: Seb Stafford-Bloor and Tom Williams Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: 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 Akinwolere Guests: James Horncastle, Art de Roche Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: 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 play So… have City thrown it all away? Host: Ayo Akinwolere Guests: Jack Pitt Brooke, Jay Harris, Sam Lee Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: 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 Akinwolere With: Adam Crafton & Laurie Whitwell Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: 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 Leventhal Producer: Paul Iliffe Audio 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 Akinwolere Guests: Oli Kay & Caoimhe O’Neill Featuring: Keith Andrews & Caoimhin Kelleher Exec Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.