The Athletic FC Podcast

Are Manchester United really back?That was the feeling back in February after winning the League Cup and beating Barcelona.But now league form is faltering and their Champions League place is under threat from arch-rivals Liverpool and do they have enough in the tank to stop City winning a possible treble?All this plus the uncertainty over the ownership rumbles on.Ian Irving sits down to discuss it all with The Athletic's Adam Crafton & Laurie Whitwell. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Ian Irving is joined by The Athletic's Guillermo Rai, Sam Lee and Raphael Honigstein to explore Jude Bellingham's proposed summer transfer to Real Madrid, over a return to England and the Premier League...Why Man City have positioned themselves as "Release Clause FC", the impact of Real Madrid's very public failed pursuit of Kylian Mbappe last summer and Borussia Dortmund's negotiating position.Plus, an insight into the way the Bellingham camp operate, why so many players can't resist the lure of Los Blancos, which 'football project' is the most enticing and why a move to Pep's City might not actually make sense.Produced by Adonis Pratsides Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

James Horncastle joins Ian Irving to talk through the biggest headlines in Italian football.We go through the story of Napoli's first Scudetto since 1990 and how they were able to succeed.We explain the Juventus scandal that's left the Italian courts remain indecisive on their points deduction and their rivals unsure of their place in the Serie A table.And we discuss the Derby della Madonnina that will guarantee a Milan club a place in the Champions League semi final.Italy - It’s chaotic, it’s romantic… but above all you can’t take your eyes off it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sam Allardyce has just three games to keep Leeds United in the Premier League..Coming up, we’ll look at the impact that 'Big Sam' has had already and his blueprint for survival - will it be enough? Joining Ian Irving from The Athletic is Adam Crafton and also our Leeds United correspondent Phil Hay. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the Premier League welcomes back Big Sam, join Dan Bardell, George Elek, Tim Spiers and bet365's Steve Freeth to look ahead to this weekend's action.Up first for Big Sam at Leeds United is a trip to champions Manchester City while Arsenal head to Newcastle United. Manchester United's defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion perhaps offers a chance to Liverpool in their pursuit for Champions League qualification.Meanwhile, in the scrap to avoid relegation, Nottingham Forest take on Southampton while Everton and Leicester City look to kick-on following their pulsating draw at the King Power Stadium.Produced by Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

So this week Lionel Messi was suspended for two weeks by Paris Saint-Germain and will be fined after taking an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia…Coming up we’ll discuss the events that surely signal the end of Project Messi in Paris & where he might play next.. Is Messi now more of a very expensive PR tool than a footballer?Ian Irving is joined by The Athletic's we have Adam Crafton and also our Paris Saint-Germain writer Peter Rutzler in Paris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arsenal have had a very good season - Champions or not. And with Champions League football back, the future is certainly bright.So, what do Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal need to do to get to the ‘next level’ and how will the way they operate need to change? Joining Mark Chapman it's David Ornstein and Adrian ClarkeProduced by Abi Paterson and Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manchester City’s Erling Haaland has made history scoring his 50th goal of the season on Sunday - the most goals by a top-flight player for 92 years.How has manager Pep Guardiola got the best out of him? How can City look to ensure he stays for as long as possible? Where does this season rank him in terms of the greatest of Premier League strikers? Joining Ian Irving to discuss the goalscoring heroics of Erling Haaland we have The Athletic’s Man City writer Sam Lee as well as Jack Pitt-Brooke… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"This isn't about the decision to sack Marcelo Bielsa, it's about the decisions they've made since..." The Athletic's Leeds writer Phil Hay joins senior news reporter Matt Slater and host Ian Irving, to reflect on how Leeds got themselves into another relegation scrap this season.The vote of no confidence from the Supporters Advisory Board, the viral video, if Javi Gracia will see out the last four games of the season, what being in the Championship would mean for the takeover and a cautionary tale in how to sink a Premier League football club.Produced by Adonis Pratsides Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dan Bardell is joined by George Elek, Tim Spiers and bet365's Steve Freeth following a decisive week at the top and bottom of the Premier League.With Arsenal not in action until Tuesday, Man City will look to take top spot when they head to Fulham. In the battle for European qualification Aston Villa head to Old Trafford and Liverpool take on Tottenham while Newcastle play Southampton.Plus, at the bottom, have Nottingham Forest begun their great escape and is there any hope left for Everton after they were smashed at home by Newcastle.Produced by Guy Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.