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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Jurgen Klopp has a new job, but it’s not in management.
The former Liverpool manager begins work as Red Bull’s head of global soccer from January 1, 2025.
So how has a football ‘romantic’ ended up working for one of the world’s biggest corporations?
Host: Ayo Akinwolere
With: Seb Stafford-Bloor and Simon Hughes
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Producer: Mike Stavrou
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10 games into the La Liga season it’s Barcelona who sit top, after a convincing 5-1 demolition of Sevilla on Sunday.
With Bayern Munich and Real Madrid to come, this week looks set to test Barca’s newfound resolve under Hansi Flick
So, are Barcelona back?
Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's La Liga writer Dermot Corrigan to discuss Flick's start to life in Barcelona as well as their financial position before Barcelona writer Pol Ballus drops in having been at the manager's media conference ahead of Wednesday night's Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.
Reading Barcelona’s accounts – and why a ‘€12m profit’ is actually a €91m loss
Host: Ayo Akinwolere
With: Dermot Corrigan and Pol Ballus
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Producer: Guy Clarke
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
As Declan Rice said after Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth at the weekend, the team are making "silly mistakes”.
So, can Arsenal still be title contenders if they keep making these mistakes?
Host: Ayo Akinwolere
With: Phil Hay and James McNicholas
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Producer: Mike Stavrou
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to The Preview on The Athletic FC, where each week we go deep on the biggest game of the weekend.
This week — we’re focusing on Liverpool vs Chelsea.
This should be an intriguing tactical battle - Arne Slot's reds boast the best defensive record so far, while Enzo Maresca's blues top the charts for xG from open play.
Plus, we look at the fixtures elsewhere with drop ins from the club podcasts across our network.
Host: Adam Leventhal
With: Jon Mackenzie, Luke Bosher
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Producer: Jay Beale
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Jhon Duran just can't stop scoring!
Another goal off the bench for Colombia during the international break makes adds to the six goals he already has for Aston Villa this season, with six of those coming off the bench.
So how does he go from supersub to starter?
Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Aston Villa writer Jacob Tanswell and senior data analyst Mark Carey to delve into Duran's role, character and potential with the 20-year-old Colombian quickly emerging as one of the Premier League's most talked about players.
Host: Ayo Akinwolere
With: Jacob Tanswell and Mark Carey
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Producer: Guy Clarke
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England have chosen a permanent successor to Gareth Southgate.
So why has Thomas Tuchel been chosen and does he offer the best chance of winning the World Cup?
Host: Ayo Akinwolere
With: David Ornstein, Jack Pitt-Brooke, Liam Twomey and Phil Hay
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Producer: Mike Stavrou, Jay Beale and Guy Clarke
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Adam Crafton exclusively revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United ambassadorial contract has been ended by the club.
So why have INEOS taken this decision?
And with Erik ten Hag back at work after the international break - does this mean the owners have also taken a decision on the manager?
Host: Ayo Akinwolere
With: Adam Crafton, Laurie Whitwell and Phil Hay
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Producer: Mike Stavrou
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
As things stand, Pep Guardiola’s contract expires at Manchester City at the end of the season..
Meanwhile, the English Football Association are still to announce a permanent replacement for Gareth Southgate.
So, is there any chance Guardiola would manage England?
The Athletic's senior football writer Oli Kay and Man City writer Sam Lee join Ayo Akinwolere to discuss Guardiola's future as well as England's search for a permanent successor.
England writer Jack Pitt-Brooke also drops by following the 3-1 win over Finland to assess Lee Carsley's position as interim head coach.
Host: Ayo Akinwolere
With: Oli Kay and Sam Lee
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Producer: Guy Clarke
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Adam Leventhal is joined by Tim Spiers and Jon Mackenzie to assess the opening seven gameweeks of the 24/25 Premier League season.
The panel discuss all 20 teams; reflecting on Arne Slot's impressive start, the contrasting playing styles of Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola, the race for Europe led by Chelsea and Villa, and the four sides still yet to win a game.
Plus - Brentford's fast starts, Spurs' collapse at Brighton, Forest exceeding expectations and much more.
Host: Adam Leventhal
With: Tim Spiers, Jon Mackenzie
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Producer: Jay Beale
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
He was once the most expensive player in world football but last year Paul Pogba saw his career in tatters after being handed a four-year suspension for a doping violation.
Now having seen that ban reduced to 18-months he could be in line for a return to action in March.
So what is next for Pogba?
James Horncastle and Oli Kay are alongside Ayo Akinwolere to talk about Pogba’s ban being reduced, Juventus’ response and what could unfold between now and the Frenchman being able to return to competitive action.
Host: Ayo Akinwolere
With: James Horncastle and Oli Kay
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Producer: Guy Clarke
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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