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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After their Champions League exit, Carlo Ancelotti is expected to leave Real Madrid this summer
So… when will it happen?
And is Xabi Alonso the inevitable replacement?
Host: Ayo Akinwolere
With: Guillermo Rai & Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Producer: Mike Stavrou & John Rogers
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On Monday, Leeds United reclaimed their seat at the top table after two years in the Championship
So, what lessons can they learn from their Premier League relegation last time out?
And how can they stay up for the long haul this time?
Host: Ayo Akinwolere
With: Phil Hay, Beren Cross
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Producer: Mike Stavrou & Nick Thomson
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
They left it late, but Chelsea grabbed a crucial win in their bid to secure a top five finish, as Tyrique George and Pedro Neto saw the Blues come from behind to win 2-1 at Fulham.
Victory at Craven Cottage keeps them in the mix for a return to European football’s elite competition next season.
But with fan discontent growing, how important is Champions League qualification for Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea future?
Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Chelsea correspondent Liam Twomey to discuss the importance of the win as well as our football correspondent David Ornstein to analyse the pressure on Maresca and look ahead to the summer transfer window.
Host: Ayo Akinwolere
With: Liam Twomey and David Ornstein
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Producer: Guy Clarke
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There are six games to go in the Premier League, so we’re focusing on the race for Champions League football as Aston Villa take on Newcastle United, while Manchester United and Spurs kept their dreams of qualifying for next season’s competition alive with victories in the Europa League.
Mark Critchley joins us to talk about a ridiculous night at Old Trafford that saw Ruben Amorim's side score two goals in injury time of extra time, to beat Lyon 5-4 on the night and 7-6 on aggregate. We hear from Jay Harris who was in Frankfurt where a Dominic Solanke penalty saw Spurs win 1-0, so Ange Postecoglou isn't going anywhere quite yet.
The Athletic's Newcastle writer Chris Waugh and Aston Villa writer Jacob Tanswell are with us to preview their respective side's clash at Villa Park on Saturday evening, in what could be a pivotal game in the race for Champions League football.
Host: Matt Davies-Adams
With: Chris Waugh, Jacob Tanswell, Mark Critchley, Jay Harris
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Producer: Jay Beale
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Arsenal are through to the semi-finals of the Champions League for only the third time in their history - and they had to beat the holders to do it.
So how far does that 5-1 win on aggregate propel Mikel Arteta’s project forward?
And crucially, can they now go all the way in the Champions League?
Host: Ayo Akinwolere
With: Art de Roche, Guillermo Rai, Charlie Eccleshare
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Producer: Mike Stavrou & John Rogers
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Through to the semi-finals of the Champions League, Barcelona are on course for a treble this season.
So how has Hansi Flick imprinted his style on this team?
And will he stay at Barca in the long term?
Host: Ayo Akinwolere
With: Pol Ballus, Thom Harris
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Producer: Mike Stavrou & Simon Watts
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Has the Premier League been a little boring this season? Especially compared to a thrilling round in the Champions League knockout phase.
Have Pep Guardiola’s complex systems killed creativity?
Or is the entertainment just coming from different places — tighter mid-table races, smarter tactics, and more goals than ever?
Host: Ayo Akinwolere
With: Jack Pitt-Brooke & Duncan Alexander
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Producer: Mike Stavrou
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Manchester United & Chelsea are just two of the clubs interested in Ipswich Town’s star striker Liam Delap.
So with a summer transfer auction on the cards - where will Delap end up?
Host: Ayo Akinwolere
With: Laurie Whitwell & Simon Johnson
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Producer: Mike Stavrou
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mohamed Salah has signed a new two-year contract at Liverpool, while Virgil van Dijk looks set to do the same.
With owners FSG usually reluctant to hand out lucrative contract extensions to ageing players, why have they made an exception and what does it mean for Liverpool’s summer transfer business?
The Athletic's David Ornstein and Liverpool writer James Pearce join Matt Davies-Adams to discuss the latest on the Liverpool contract saga.
Host: Matt Davies-Adams
With: David Ornstein, James Pearce
Producer: Jay Beale
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Since Chelsea’s takeover by Todd Boehly and Clearlake capital, the Blues have spent - unlike any other club bringing in the likes of Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Joao Felix.
Despite their massive outlays, Chelsea announced a £128.4m profit for the year to June 2024.
So how have they done it - and have they found another PSR loophole?
Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's football finance writer Chris Weatherspoon and Chelsea correspondent Liam Twomey to discuss the Blues' latest accounts, sale of their women's team within the ownership group and assess how it will impact their summer transfer activity.
Host: Ayo Akinwolere
With: Chris Weatherspoon and Liam Twomey
Producer: Guy Clarke
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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