Stay ConnectedThe Athletic’s flagship football podcast, hosted by Ayo Akinwolere and featuring the likes of David Ornstein, Phil Hay, Adam Crafton and Matt Slater will take you inside the biggest stories in football told by the best reporters in the business. We cut through the noise to tell you what’s really happening – and why it matters.
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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 Leventhal
With: Matt Slater, Adam Crafton, Maheta Molango, Ronan Evain
Executive Producers: Adey Moorhead & Abi Paterson
Producers: Jay Beale, Guy Clarke, Paul Iliffe
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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.
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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-Adams
With: Jack Pitt-Brooke, Oli Kay & Jay Harris
Executive Producers: Adey Moorhead & Abi Paterson
Producers: Jay Beale, Mike Stavrou
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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 Akinwolere
With: Charlotte Harpur, Megan Feringa and Nikki Doucet
Executive Producer: Abi Paterson
Producers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe
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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 Akinwolere
With: Louis Saha and Carl Anka
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Producer: Mike Stavrou and Nick Thomson
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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 Akinwolere
With: David Ornstein, Jack Pitt-Brooke, Tim Spiers and Jacob Whitehead
Executive Producer: Abi Paterson
Producer: Mike Stavrou and Nick Thomson
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David Ornstein joins Adam Leventhal, Chris Weatherspoon and JJ Bull to run through the top deals on deadline day.
Host: Adam Leventhal
With: David Ornstein, Chris Weatherspoon, JJ Bull
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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 Akinwolere
With: James Pearce and Adam Crafton
Executive Producer: Abi Paterson
Producers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe
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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
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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-Adams
With: Tim Spiers, Megan Feringa
Executive Producers: Adey Moorhead & Abi Paterson
Producer: Jay Beale
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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 Akinwolere
With: Adam Crafton, Mark Critchley and Jason Stockwood
Executive Producer: Abi Paterson
Producers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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