The Athletic FC Podcast

What next for Arsenal? & Is Iraola better than Slot? 01.06.2026 47min

After a “painful” defeat in the Champions League final.What do Arsenal need to do to close the gap on PSG next season?And what next for Liverpool after the departure of Arne Slot?Host: Adam LeventhalGuests: Tom Williams & Art de Roché, James PearceExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Mike Stavrou, Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Preview: Champions League Final 29.05.2026 46min

Arsenal and PSG face off in Budapest in the 2026 Champions League final.Can Arsenal capture their first ever Champions League trophy, or will PSG win - as Tom Williams calls it - 'le back to back'. Host: Matt Davies-AdamsGuests: Tom Williams & Adrian ClarkeExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Guy Clarke & John Rogers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do Palace build on Glasner's legacy? 28.05.2026 35min

A year after winning the FA Cup - Crystal Palace have yet more silverware!Oliver Glasner’s parting gift was to deliver the Conference League.So, what comes next for Palace?Host: Matt Davies-AdamsWith: Matt Woosnam and Dom FifieldExecutive Producer: Guy ClarkeProducer: Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Where next for Iraola? 27.05.2026 35min

After ending the season 18 games unbeaten, Andoni Iraola leaves Bournemouth with Europa League football to come.But without a job lined up, has he left the Cherries too soon?Host: Adam LeventhalWith: Jon Mackenzie & Jack Pitt-BrookeExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Guy Clarke, Jay Beale & Nick ThomsonVideographer: Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will Champions League save Slot at Liverpool? 26.05.2026 38min

Liverpool will play Champions League football next seasonDespite finishing closer in points to the relegation zone - than champions Arsenal!So, is that enough for Arne Slot to keep his job at Anfield?Host: Adam LeventhalWith: James Pearce and James HorncastleExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Guy Clarke, Jay Beale & Nick ThomsonVideographer: Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How much will relegation cost West Ham? 25.05.2026 39min

West Ham have been relegated from the Premier League just three years after winning the Europa Conference League.But just how costly will the drop be for the Hammers?Meanwhile, Spurs survived on the final day, so how do they avoid another worrying season next time around?Host: Adam LeventhalWith: Roshane Thomas, Matt Slater and Jack Pitt-BrookeExecutive Producer: Guy ClarkeProducer: Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Athletic's 2025/26 season awards 23.05.2026 1h 1min

Welcome to The Athletic’s end-of-season awards, for the 2025/26 season. A time to celebrate the best of the best across the Premier League, WSL and Europe.The Athletic's Data & Tactic’s Editor Duncan Alexander, Women’s Football Writer Megan Feringa & Football Writer Tim Spiers join Adam Leventhal to name our Player, Young Player, Manager and team of the season in our respective categories.Host: Adam LeventhalGuests: Duncan Alexander, Megan Feringa, Tim SpiersExecutive Producers: Adey MoorheadProducers: Jay BealeVideographer: Rachael Tinde  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Spurs or West Ham's relegation fate + England squad reaction 22.05.2026 58min

Who will beat the drop - Spurs or West Ham? Spurs need a draw against Everton to confirm safety, while West Ham must beat Leeds at the London Stadium.And elsewhere, Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the World Cup has been announced. Who has been left off the plane?Host: Matt Davies-AdamsGuests: Jay Harris & Carl AnkaExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Jay Beale & John Rogers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Spygate cost Southampton Premier League football 21.05.2026 32min

Southampton have been expelled from the Championship Play-Off Final after being caught spying on opponents.They’ll also start next season with a points deduction.So, how has Spygate cost Saints a place in the Premier League?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Adam Crafton and Matt SlaterExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Arteta's Arsenal finally became champions 20.05.2026 38min

After 22 years, Arsenal have finally won the Premier League title.So how did Mikel Arteta transform the Gunners from pretenders to champions?Host: Ayo AkinwolereGuests: David Ornstein, Adrian ClarkeExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Mike Stavrou, Guy Clarke, Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ornstein latest: Guardiola leaving, is Maresca the answer? 19.05.2026 34min

Pep Guardiola is set to leave Manchester City this summer.And with former Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca the man expected to replace him.How on earth do you follow Pep?Host: Ayo AkinwolereGuests: David Ornstein, Jack Pitt-Brooke, Sam Lee, Liam TwomeyExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Mike Stavrou, Guy Clarke, Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How does Xabi Alonso fix Chelsea? 18.05.2026 38min

Xabi Alonso has been announced as Chelsea’s next manager. As their campaign peters out, is he the man to reignite them next season?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Liam Twomey & James HorncastleFeaturing: James PearceExecutive Producers: Guy Clarke & Adey MoorheadProducer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Preview: Chelsea vs Man City 15.05.2026 43min

It's FA Cup Final weekend. Can City avoid a third consecutive FA Cup Final defeat? Could this be Pep's final trip to Wembley? Can Chelsea end the season with silverware?Plus we preview the penultimate weekend in the Premier League.Host: Matt Davies-AdamsGuests: Mark Critchley & Cerys JonesExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Jay Beale & Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are FIFA exploiting World Cup fans? 14.05.2026 34min

The World Cup is just four weeks away!From tickets to hotels, broadcast agreements to squads - there’s a lot still to sort out.But are FIFA exploiting fans?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Adam Crafton, Matt Slater and Henry BushnellExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ornstein latest: Chelsea want Alonso & Carrick done deal? 13.05.2026 40min

Chelsea are exploring a deal to appoint Xabi Alonso as head coach.So could he bring calm to the chaos at Stamford Bridge?David Ornstein is joined by Cerys Jones to discuss whether Alonso would be a success at Chelsea.Plus, The Athletic’s Manchester United correspondent Laurie Whitwell drops in to bring us his story that Michael Carrick is line to take the United job on a permanent basis.Host: Ayo AkinwolereGuests: David Ornstein, Cerys Jones, Laurie WhitwellExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Mike Stavrou, Guy Clarke, Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why do Spurs keep hitting the self-destruct button? 12.05.2026 30min

The relegation race looks set to go to the wire after Tottenham’s draw against Leeds.So have West Ham been given a lifeline?And why do Spurs keep pressing the self-destruct button?Host: Ayo AkinwolereGuests: Jack Pitt-Brooke, Dan KilpatrickExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Mike Stavrou, Guy Clarke, Nick ThomsonVideographer: Liam Warburton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Real Madrid descended into violence and chaos 11.05.2026 38min

After a week of chaos at Real Madrid, involving in-fighting, things got even worse.Defeat at the Camp Nou meant Barcelona were crowned La Liga champions, again. So, how has Real Madrid’s season fallen apart? Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Guillermo Rai, Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero, Pol BallusExecutive Producers: Guy Clarke & Adey MoorheadProducer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Preview: West Ham vs Arsenal 08.05.2026 49min

A big game in the title and relegation fight as 1st faces 18th - could this game crown Arsenal and relegate West Ham?And Spurs could take a big step towards safety if they can get a third win in a row, this time against Leeds.Host: Matt Davies-AdamsGuests: Carl Anka & Jay HarrisExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Mike Stavrou & John Rogers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why Luis Enrique is PSG's biggest star 07.05.2026 35min

Paris Saint-Germain are through to a second successive Champions League final.Luis Enrique will be aiming to win his third European Cup as a manager. So, is he PSG’s biggest star?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Seb Stafford-Bloor and Tom WilliamsExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are Arsenal finally embracing the pressure? 06.05.2026 36min

Arsenal are into their first Champions League final in 20 years after beating Atletico Madrid.Mikel Arteta’s side are on the brink of a historic double.So can they get it over the line?Host: Ayo AkinwolereGuests: James Horncastle, Art de RocheExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Mike Stavrou, Guy Clarke, Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.