The Athletic FC Podcast

Napoli boss Antonio Conte has confirmed superstar winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia wants to leave Naples.So why does he want to depart? And where is his most likely destination? We also talk the future of Manchester City's Kyle Walker, plus Arsenal pursuing a deal to sign midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad next summer.Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: David Ornstein, James Horncastle and Phil HayExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After sacking manager Sean Dyche on Thursday, by Saturday Everton have confirmed their decision to bring back David Moyes to replace him.So is Moyes the right choice to rebuild Everton and keep them in the Premier League? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Everton correspondent Patrick Boyland and The Athletic FC newsletter lead writer Phil Hay to discuss and analyse the decision to remove Dyche and bring back Moyes.The Athletic's Greg O'Keeffe, having seen Moyes' first reign firsthand, also drops in to give his views on the return of the Scot as well as Italian Football correspondent James Horncastle looking at the role of new owners The Friedkin Group.Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Patrick Boyland, Phil Hay, Greg O'Keeffe and James HorncastleExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the FA Cup is upon us again, we're asking which Premier League side needs the competition most this season?Tottenham and Newcastle lead the way on the The Athletic's Import-o-meter, with both sides currently on course to meet in the Carabao Cup final.FA Cup holders Manchester United head to the Emirates to face record 14-time winners Arsenal, who since winning the competition in 2020 have not progressed past the fourth round. Does Mikel Arteta need a trophy this season? And how will Ruben Amorim's progress be measured? Plus - outside shouts for Bournemouth and Brentford, and has the FA Cup lost its magic?Host: Adam LeventhalWith: Tim Spiers, Mark CitchleyExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Wednesday, after weeks of speculation West Ham finally sacked Julen Lopetegui.The Spaniard lasted just eight months - and 22 games in charge of the Hammers, the shortest reign of a permanent manager or head coach in the club's 124-year historyJoining Ian Irving to analyse the decision to sack Lopetegui and replace him with Graham Potter are The Athletic's football correspondent David Ornstein and West Ham United writer Roshane Thomas.Plus, Football Tactics writer Liam Tharme also drops-by to discuss Potter's fit at the London Stadium and look back on his previously successful spell in the Premier League with Brighton & Hove Albion.Host: Ian IrvingWith: David Ornstein, Roshane Thomas and Liam TharmeExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Another week, another beaten opponent and another milestone notched for Nottingham Forest. They made history with six wins on the bounce with their 3-0 victory away at Wolves.So how have Nuno Espirito Santo’s side gone from fighting relegation & PSR last campaign to being one of the very best sides in the Premier League this season?Host: Ian IrvingGuests:  Paul Taylor, Tim Spiers, Matt Slater, Mark CareyExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Mike StavrouVideo Producer: Liam Warburton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The January transfer window is officially open!We take you inside the market to explain the deals being worked on, We have David Ornstein’s One To Watch, Kolo Muani, plus, ongoing interest from Arsenal and Chelsea in Nico Williams.And fresh news today from David of a possible loan move for out of favour Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford.Plus, we hear all about David’s excellent exclusive interview with former Arsenal and Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, which is available to read on The Athletic right now. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6036322/2025/01/07/aubameyang-arsenal-arteta-chelsea-saudi/Host: Ian IrvingGuests: David Ornstein and Phil HayExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Despite a 23-point gap between Liverpool and Manchester United, on Sunday there was nothing to separate them.So, how did Man United unsettle Liverpool? And with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s poor performance under the microscope, amid transfer interest from Real Madrid, is his contract uncertainty causing a distraction?Host: Ian IrvingWith: Adam Crafton and Simon HughesExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tifo's Jon Mackenzie and The Athletic's Nick Miller are alongside Michael Bailey ahead of Sunday's meeting between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield.Fresh from Real Madrid outlining their interest in Trent Alexander-Arnold we also hear the thoughts of both Simon Hughes and James Pearce on the future of the England international.Plus, Carl Anka drops in with his take on a disappointing December for Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford having suffered four successive defeats in charge of Man United.As well as focusing on the meeting at Anfield, there's also a look at some of the Premier League's other standout games of the weekend including Arsenal's visit to Brighton, Newcastle United heading to Tottenham and Nuno Espirito Santo returning to Molineux with his in-form Nottingham Forest.Host: Michael BaileyWith: Jon Mackenzie and Nick MillerExecutive Producer: Abi PatersonProducer: Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Spiers and Duncan Alexander join Michael Bailey for a Christmas special — reviewing the biggest moments from Boxing Day, as well as looking ahead to the next round of Premier League fixtures.Fulham stunned Chelsea winning at Stamford Bridge for the first time in 45 years, was this a reminder that Enzo Maresca'a side are not yet the finished product?Marco Silva's Fulham face Andoni Iraola's Bournemouth next, are these two sides optimising the fun and unpredictability of the Premier League this season?Liverpool capitalised on Chelsea's slip up, extending their lead at the top of the table — are we witnessing another 2019/20 season?Everything continues to go wrong for Manchester United — suffering their fourth defeat in five Premier League games as captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off — how does Ruben Amorim turn things around with in-form Newcastle United up next?Plus, back to back wins for Wolves and new boss Vitor Pereira, Nottingham Forest's Champions League chase, and how do Arsenal replace the injured Bukayo Saka?Host: Michael BaileyWith: Tim Spiers, Duncan AlexanderExecutive Producer: Abi PatersonProducer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's been a year filled with news, moves and eyebrow raising events in the world of football and we're here to look back at them with our own Christmas countdown.What happened this year, and how have those decisions played out?Here to reminisce and recoil at the year it's editor-in-chief Laura Williamson and senior writer Adam Crafton.Host: Ayo AkinwolereGuests: Laura Williamson and Adam CraftonExecutive Producer: Abi Paterson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.