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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Copyright: © The Athletic
One of football’s worst kept secrets could soon be resolved as Real Madrid look to close a deal to sign Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold.
So how did it get to this, the Reds losing a homegrown asset in the prime of his career on a free transfer and where will he fit at the Bernabeu?
Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s football correspondent David Ornstein, Liverpool correspondent James Pearce and Phil Hay to delve into the detail around the increased activity regarding Alexander-Arnold’s future.
Plus, the panel are joined by Real Madrid writer Guillermo Rai to discuss the possibility of a move to the Bernabeu including the use of the media in persuading players to head to the Spanish capital.
Host: Ayo Akinwolere
With: David Ornstein, James Pearce, Phil Hay and Guillermo Rai
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Producer: Guy Clarke
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This is the third and final part of our multi-club ownership series.
We’ve learned how multi-club operations work and provided some practical examples from the world of football.
Today - we answer your questions on the effectiveness and future of MCOs.
So, can we say for certain multi-club ownership is here to stay?
Host: Ayo Akinwolere
With: Matt Slater
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Producer: Mike Stavrou
We want to hear about your podcast habits. Go to theathletic.com/athletic/survey25 to fill out a short survey and be in with the chance of winning £/$100 Amazon vouchers
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Yesterday we heard part one of our multi-club ownershiperies, as we learned about how MCOs work - and their purpose.
Today, we get some real-world examples, hearing from inside the operations whose clubs include sides from the Premier League and Major League Soccer.
So what is it like to own and manage multiple clubs in different leagues and sometimes in different sports?
Host: Ayo Akinwolere
With: Matt Slater, Tim Bezbatchenko & Larry Berg
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Producer: Mike Stavrou & Nick Thomson
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Whether it’s Manchester City, Chelsea or even Bournemouth more and more Premier League clubs are sitting as part of multi-club ownership portfolios.
But why?
How do multi-club ownership groups work, are they purely about making money, or do they help guarantee success on-the-pitch?
Ayo Akinwolere is joined by Matt Slater for the first of our three-part series in multi-club ownership including Matt speaking with AJ Swoboda, Managing Director in the Americas for consultancy firm Twenty First Group about the role of MCOs within the global game.
Host: Ayo Akinwolere
With: Matt Slater
Featuring: AJ Swoboda
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Producer: Guy Clarke
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad selection has raised a few eyebrows, most notably the inclusion of both Jordan Henderson and Kyle Walker.
During media duties this week, the England manager put an emphasis on physicality and pressing, a tactic not commonly associated with international football. He also voiced that he felt England were more afraid to drop out of Euro 2024 than having the hunger and excitement to win it.
So is Tuchel's first squad a step forward or step back, and can his more proactive style of management win England the World Cup?
Host: Matt Davies-Adams
With: Jack Pitt-Brooke, Tim Spiers
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Producer: Jay Beale
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From the evolution of the profession to the impact of VAR, the pressures officials face has never been greater.
Today we’re joined by a man who’s refereed at the highest level of European football - both in the club and international game.
With fan-fueled conspiracies on the rise and scrutiny at an all-time high, how difficult is it to be a referee?
Ayo Akinwolere is joined by former Premier League and FIFA referee Mark Clattenburg as well as The Athletic's senior writer Rory Smith to discuss Mark's career, his time at Nottingham Forest as well as the impact conspiracy has on officiating.
Host: Ayo Akinwolere
With: Mark Clattenburg and Rory Smith
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Producer: Guy Clarke
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Raphinha is having an incredible season for Barcelona.
After being pushed towards the Nou Camp exit door in the summer the Brazilian has grown into one of Hansi Flick’s most important players.
So how has Raphinha reinvented himself to become one of Europe’s most effective players?
Host: Ayo Akinwolere
With: Phil Hay, Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero & Laia Cervello Herrero
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Producer: Mike Stavrou & Nick Thomson
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
It’s been a disappointing week for Liverpool.
Just days after their Champions League exit at the hands of PSG, came ahammer blow at Wembley.
After an abject display in the League Cup final defeat to Newcastle, we’re asking if Liverpool have run out of steam.
Host: Ayo Akinwolere
With: Simon Hughes, Andy Jones & Phil Hay
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Producer: Mike Stavrou
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
After 70 years of waiting, Newcastle United finally have their hands on domestic silverware after beating Liverpool 2-1 in the Carabao Cup Final at Wembley.
So how did Eddie Howe’s side make such light work of Liverpool?
And will success at Wembley kick start a new era of success on Tyneside?
Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Chris Waugh and Jacob Whitehead, who were both at Wembley, to discuss the significance of the occasion, and the role of a number of Newcastle's individual players. Later, they ask whether League Cup success can provide the launchpad to greater riches.
Host: Ayo Akinwolere
With: Chris Waugh, Jacob Whitehead and Mark Carey
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Producer: Guy Clarke
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The first piece of domestic silverware will be contested between Liverpool and Newcastle when they meet in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.
Eddie Howe's Newcastle are looking to end a 70 year drought, will the occasion get the better of them as it did in 2023?
And after being dumped out of the Champions League by PSG midweek, how will Arne Slot's side respond in his first final at Liverpool?
Adam Leventhal is joined by The Athletic's football writer Tim Spiers, Newcastle writer Chris Waugh and Liverpool writer Andy Jones to preview Sunday's tie.
Host: Adam Leventhal
With: Tim Spiers, Chris Waugh, Andy Jones
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Producer: Jay Beale
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
