The Athletic FC Podcast

Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo has a £65m release clause - as revealed by The Athletic's David Ornstein. He could be on the move in January. So who wants him? And where will he go? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: David Ornstein, Carl Anka, Dan Kilpatrick and Dean Holden Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 2026 World Cup is almost set. We now know 42 out of the 48 teams going to next year’s tournament. With the draw just around the corner, we're looking at who has qualified already, who is yet to qualify, and what a 48-team World Cup will look like. Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Jack Pitt-Brooke, Felipe Cardenas, Adam Crafton Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producers: Mike Stavrou, Liam Warburton, Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we bring you an audio exclusive with David Kogan, Chair of the Independent Football Regulator. A role that makes him one of the most powerful people in English football. So what powers will he actually have, and what difference will they make to fans of clubs in the Premier League and beyond? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Matt Slater and David Kogan Executive Producers: Adey Moorhead and Abi Paterson Producers: Guy Clarke, Jay Beale and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A week ago we released a documentary about illegal streaming. It’s fair to say, you’ve had a lot to say about it. So, today we’re going to answer your questions, and look to the future of watching football. Host: Adam Leventhal With: Adam Crafton and Matt Slater Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producer: Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re eleven games into the 2025/26 Premier League season. Arsenal are top, Man City are clinging to their coat tails, Sunderland are in the Champions League places and just four points separate 2nd from 9th. Meanwhile Newcastle are languishing in 14th, Fulham’s top scorer is own goals, West Ham and Nottingham Forest are in the relegation zone and Wolves sit rock bottom, still yet to win a game. So, is this the most unpredictable the Premier League has been in recent years? Host: Matt Davies-Adams With: Tim Spiers & Megan Feringa Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Como 1907 are one of the most intriguing clubs in modern football. They have gone from Serie D to Serie A in just six years, backed by billionaire owners they have ambitious plans to grow the Como brand and emulate a Disney model. In this show we're talking to Mirwan Surwaso, CEO of Como 1907 about how the club rose to the top and their plans to sustain their success. You'll hear all about manager Cesc Fabregas's involvement in succession planning, their data-led recruitment strategy, and insight into plans for their match abroad against AC Milan. We also talk fashion, Surwaso's surprising LinkedIn account, and Como's gorgeous lakeside stadium. Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Matt Slater and Mirwan Surwaso Producer: Mike Stavrou and Nick Thomson Exec Producers: Adey Moorhead and Abi Paterson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we're bringing you an exclusive interview for The Athletic, Crystal Palace and England midfielder Adam Wharton in conversation with David Ornstein. Ahead of next summer's World Cup, they get into his England chances, being overly self critical, the constant transfer speculation that surrounds him and much more... Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: David Ornstein & Adam Wharton Executive Producers: Abi Paterson & Adey Moorhead Producer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ruben Amorim’s first year at Manchester United has been box office. From the lows of the Europa League final defeat to the highs of that historic win at Anfield. So how do we assess his time at Old Trafford - and what next for the project? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Mark Critchley, Oli Kay and Charlotte Harpur Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producers: Mike Stavrou and Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pep Guardiola’s 1,000th game in management ended with Liverpool thrashed and Man City just four points off Arsenal. Erling Haaland was among the goals, but Jeremy Doku got all the attention at the Etihad. Can they now sustain a serious challenge for the title? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Adam Crafton and Jack Pitt-Brooke Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producer: Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does the rise of illegal streaming pose an existential threat to football? To answer that question, Adam Leventhal has spent the last six months looking into the culture, crime and crisis associated with pirating live football matches.In this special episode of The Athletic FC Podcast you'll hear undercover reporting and behind the scenes access to police investigations, including how the world's largest illegal sports streaming platform was taken down. We get the takes of match-going fans, and ask if 'Premflix' is the future of Premier League broadcasting? If you're an Athletic subscriber you can have your say here. And if you're not yet a subscriber, join here and have your say. Please note that the documentary has content some listeners may find upsetting. Host: Adam Leventhal Mixing: Jay Beale Producer: Abi PatersonFeaturing footage from Amazon, Sky Sports, tallkSPORT, Leaders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The Preview on The Athletic FC, where this week our main focus is Manchester City vs Liverpool. Where do you play Wirtz? How do you stop Haaland? And will either of them reel in Arsenal? Andy Jones and Jordan Campbell join Matt Davies-Adams to look ahead to Sunday's clash before turning their attention to the fixtures elsewhere including Sunderland vs Arsenal, Spurs vs Manchester United and Crystal Palace vs Brighton. Host: Matt Davies-Adams With: Andy Jones & Jordan Campbell Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Halfway through the Champions League league phase and one pattern is emerging; the dominance of the Premier League. But is that a problem for the balance of the Champions League? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Michael Cox and James Horncastle Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anfield roared - and booed - as Liverpool emphatically defeated Real Madrid in the Champions League. So could this victory reignite their season? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: James Pearce and Tomás Hill López-Menchero Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producers: Mike Stavrou and John Rogers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wolves have sacked manager Vitor Pereira. With zero wins in the league, and just two points, all signs lead to relegation. So, can anyone save them? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: David Ornstein, Matt Slater & Tim Spiers Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producers: Mike Stavrou and John Rogers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Another home defeat, and flat performance against Chelsea, losing 1-0 on Saturday. But Tottenham are fifth in the Premier League - having finished 17th last season. So, are Spurs improving under Thomas Frank? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Adam Crafton and Jack Pitt-Brooke Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The Preview on The Athletic FC, where this week our main focus is Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea. Carl Anka and Jay Harris join Matt Davies-Adams to look ahead to Saturday's derby before turning their attention to the fixtures elsewhere including Manchester City vs Bournemouth, Liverpool vs Aston Villa, and Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United. Host: Matt Davies-Adams With: Carl Anka & Jay Harris Executive Producers: Abi Paterson Producer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Juventus have sacked Igor Tudor and are set to appoint Luciano Spalletti. With the ghost of Cristiano still haunting the club, are they in crisis? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: James Horncastle Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producers: Jay Beale & Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sunderland have enjoyed a dream start so far in the Premier League. Their win over Chelsea means they’re in the top four after nine games. 17 points from their opening nine Premier League games is the best return by a promoted club at this stage of a season since Hull City in 2008-09. So how have they done it? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Chris Weatherspoon, Phil Hay and Seb Stafford-Bloor Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producers: Mike Stavrou and John Rogers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

El Clasico was back to its fiery best on Sunday, as Lamine Yamal's pre-match comments sparked fury in Madrid. Has he reignited this famous fixture? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Andy Mitten, Pol Ballus, Guillermo Rai Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producers: Jay Beale and John Rogers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arsenal are top of the Premier League - four points ahead of Bournemouth in second. It was an important win for them against Crystal Palace on Sunday, with Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea also losing. Mikel Arteta’s side have conceded just three times in nine games, so does a solid defence win you titles? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Adrian Clarke and James McNicholas Executive Producer: Abi Paterson Producers: Mike Stavrou and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.