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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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
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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
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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
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
After just five months, Dan Ashworth has left his role as sporting director at Manchester United
So why has he gone, and what does it say about the new leadership at the club?
Host: Ayo Akinwolere
With: David Ornstein, Adam Crafton, Laurie Whitwell
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Producer: Jay Beale
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
After defeat on the South Coast, Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham host in form Chelsea.
In a fixture that saw five goals scored, five goals disallowed, eight yellow cards, two reds and nine VAR checks in the first half alone last season, are we set up for similar chaos this year?
Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea are firing on all cylinders, having scored 57 goals in 22 matches in all competitions this campaign. While Spurs are as unpredictable as ever, following up their 4-0 victory at The Etihad by dropping points against Fulham and Bournemouth.
After losing support from the fans midweek, how significant is Sunday’s game for Ange Postecoglou? Can Chelsea make a statement in their push for top four, or perhaps more?
Host: Matt Davies-Adams
With: Tim Spiers, Jon Mackenzie
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Producer: Jay Beale
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So far just two Premier League managers have been shown the door this season, with Erik Ten Hag and Steve Cooper having been sacked.
But as we head toward the January transfer market, who else could follow Manchester United and Leicester City’s lead?
And just when is the right time to sack a manager?
Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Stu James and lead writer of The Athletic FC newsletter Phil Hay to discuss the situations around both Julen Lopetegui and Gary O'Neil at West Ham United and Wolves, while Leicester City correspondent Rob Tanner explains Leicester's decision to swap Cooper for Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Host: Ayo Akinwolere
With: Stu James, Phil Hay and Rob Tanner
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Producer: Guy Clarke
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We’re taking you inside the 2025 transfer market to explain the deals that are being worked on across both the winter and summer windows.
This includes the players who could arrive and the ones who could be on their way out, across the Premier League and beyond.
Host: Ayo Akinwolere
With: David Ornstein
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Producer: Jay Beale
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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