The Athletic FC Podcast

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 Akinwolere Guests: David Ornstein, Cerys Jones, Laurie Whitwell Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Mike Stavrou, Guy Clarke, Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Akinwolere Guests: Jack Pitt-Brooke, Dan Kilpatrick Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Mike Stavrou, Guy Clarke, Nick Thomson Videographer: Liam Warburton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Akinwolere With: Guillermo Rai, Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero, Pol Ballus Executive Producers: Guy Clarke & Adey Moorhead Producer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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-Adams Guests: Carl Anka & Jay Harris Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Mike Stavrou & John Rogers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Akinwolere With: Seb Stafford-Bloor and Tom Williams Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Akinwolere Guests: James Horncastle, Art de Roche Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Mike Stavrou, Guy Clarke, Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s advantage Arsenal in the title race after Man City’s slip-up at Everton. The Gunners are five points clear with three to play So… have City thrown it all away? Host: Ayo Akinwolere Guests: Jack Pitt Brooke, Jay Harris, Sam Lee Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Mike Stavrou, Guy Clarke, Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manchester United have confirmed their place in next season's Champions League. So, what do the club need to handle being back amongst Europe’s elite? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Adam Crafton & Laurie Whitwell Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This summer's World Cup in North America is the biggest in size and scale and now, arguably, the most controversial. The tournament kicks off in less than 40 days. Co-hosts USA remain at war with Iran, with fellow Middle East participants and historic allies drawn into the conflict - and FIFA caught in the middle. Travel bans, political protests and fears over ICE guarantee a turbulent countdown. This special episode of The Athletic FC hears from players, coaches, fans, regional experts and human rights advocates on the geopolitical backdrop to World Cup 2026. Presenter: Adam Leventhal Producer: Paul Iliffe Audio from: AP, BBC, The Guardian, Reuters, FIFA, England Records, beIN, C-SPAN Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brentford are in the running to secure European football for the first time in the club’s history. On this special episode of The Athletic FC Podcast, we’ll be bringing you an interview with head coach Keith Andrews, discussing his transition from set-piece coach to Premier League manager and the journey that led him to this point. The interview took place in Gunnersbury Park where Brentford's Community Sports Trust were putting on an event, in conjunction with new front of shirt sponsor Indeed, at their Clubhouse Cafe a social impact and community-led space that opened in September 2025. Ayo is joined by The Athletic's Oli Kay & Caoimhe O'Neill to reflect on the occasion, and discuss the incredible work Brentford FC do in the local community. Host: Ayo Akinwolere Guests: Oli Kay & Caoimhe O’Neill Featuring: Keith Andrews & Caoimhin Kelleher Exec Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manchester United could secure their return to the Champions League with a win against their biggest rivals Liverpool. Elsewhere, it’s Aston Villa vs Tottenham - a big fixture at both ends of the table. Host: Matt Davies-Adams Guests: Stu James & Oli Kay Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Mike Stavrou & John Rogers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Newcastle United’s Saudi owners are set to pull their funding of LIV Golf while uncertainty is rife at St James’ Park. With the ownership in town for talks - could they lose interest in Newcastle? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Chris Waugh and Matt Slater Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jose Mourinho could be set for a dramatic return to the Bernabeu. So is the Special One really the man to save Real Madrid? Plus, the panel react to Tuesday night's remarkable Champions League semi-final first leg, as PSG beat Bayern Munich 5-4. Host: Ayo Akinwolere Guests: Tom Williams, Dermot Corrigan, Seb Stafford-Bloor Executive Producers: Adey Moorhead Producers: Mike Stavrou, Guy Clarke, Nick Thomson Videographer: Liam Warburton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the curtain comes down on Mo Salah’s time at Anfield. How prepared are Liverpool for his departure? And will it be another big summer of spending? Host: Ayo Akinwolere Guests: James Pearce, Josh Williams Executive Producers: Adey Moorhead Producers: Mike Stavrou, Guy Clarke, Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week Chelsea sacked Liam Rosenior. On Sunday they reached an FA Cup Final. But the question remains, who should be their next manager? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: James Horncastle and Liam Twomey Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s Athletic FC Tactics podcast, the panel discuss Bruno Fernandes, who is on the cusp of breaking the Premier League record for most assists in a single season. So why hasn’t the record been beaten in more than 20 years? And what’s the secret behind Fernandes’ creative genius? Host: Michael Bailey Guests: Michael Cox & Mark Carey Producer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Already relegated Wolves host relegation-threatened Tottenham - can De Zerbi's side finally pick up some momentum against the league's bottom team? Elsewhere, with Man City in FA Cup action, Arsenal have the chance to leapfrog them back to the top of the table at home to out of form Newcastle. Host: Matt Davies-Adams Guests: Cerys Jones & Art De Roché Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Jay Beale & John Rogers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

10 years after winning the Premier League title Leicester City have been provisionally relegated to England’s third tier. So, how have the Foxes gone from fairytale to failure? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Rob Tanner, Matt Slater and Jordan Halford Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s David Ornstein and Liam Twomey, reacting to the news that Chelsea have parted ways with head coach Liam Rosenior after just 106 days in charge of the club. Host: Ayo Akinwolere Guests: David Ornstein & Liam Twomey Featuring: Dean Ashton, Executive Producers: Adey Moorhead Producers: Guy Clarke & Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Champions League football is slipping further from Chelsea’s grasp after a damaging 3-0 defeat to Brighton. They’ve now lost five league games in a row without scoring for the first time in 114 years. So how much worse can Chelsea’s season get? Host: Ayo Akinwolere Guests: Dean Ashton, Liam Twomey, Cerys Jones Executive Producers: Adey Moorhead Producers: Mike Stavrou, Guy Clarke, Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.