The Athletic FC Podcast

Erik ten Hag has been sacked as Manchester United manager having won just four games from 14 in all competitions at the start of this season.

So, why now and what next for Man United?

The Athletic's David Ornstein, who broke the story along with Adam Crafton, drops in to reveal the detail within United's decision while Ayo Akinwolere is joined by Laurie Whitwell and Mark Critchley to analyse the decision to let Ten Hag go.

Host: Ayo Akinwolere

With: Laurie Whitwell and Mark Critchley

Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

Producer: Guy Clarke

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two years on from Senegal ending their wait for glory, AFCON returns this weekend.

Does this year's tournament represent Mohamed Salah’s best chance to finally lay claim to being King of the Continent?

Meanwhile, Andre Onana, one of Africa’s most high profile players, once again sees his international career in jeopardy.

Ayo Akinwolere is joined by former Ivory Coast defender Sol Bamba as well as The Athletic's Jay Harris, Mark Critchley and Thom Harris.

Produced by Guy Clarke

Additional Production by Jay Beale

Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Tottenham on the lookout for potential new investors this week has seen speculation intensify around the possibility of Amanda Staveley, who brokered the Saudi Public Investment fund takeover of Newcastle United, setting her sights on Spurs.

But would Spurs be able to spend enough to make a difference on the pitch?

Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic Matt Slater and Jack Pitt-Brooke to discuss Tottenham’s need for external funding, the role of Daniel Levy and how any investor would fit into the current power dynamic at Spurs as well as assessing the type of profile that would suit them.

Host: Ayo Akinwolere

With: Matt Slater and Jack Pitt-Brooke

Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

Producer: Guy Clarke

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week across The Athletic we’re focusing on the people that own the 20 clubs that make up the Premier League.

So who are they? How much does it cost? and what do they get in return?

Ayo Akinwolere is joined by Matt Slater and Adam Crafton is assess and debate how the nature of Premier League ownership has changed since the league's inception.

Phil Buckingham also drops in to discuss his article on how much each ownership group has invested since taking control of their respective clubs as well as the impact the likes of Abu Dhabi's wealth has had at Manchester City.

Host: Ayo Akinwolere

With: Matt Slater, Adam Crafton and Phil Buckingham

Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

Producer: Guy Clarke

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the NFL Draft looming large this weekend, we decided to take a spin on the format and bring it into the world of the Premier League.

What would it look like if we held an All-Time Premier League Draft? Which legends go first and can anyone build the perfect squad?

Host: Duncan Alexander

With: Jacob Whitehead, Oli Kay, and Jack Lang

Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

Producer: Mike Stavrou & Liam Warburton

Premier League Draft article: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6301841/2025/04/24/premier-league-draft/

Teams:

Jacob: Cech, Azpilicueta, Van Dijk, Kompany, Baines, Rodri, Lampard, Silva, Salah, Rooney, Giggs

Jack: Alisson, Walker, Ferdinand, Campbell, Irwin, Kante, Fabregas, De Bruyne, Hazard, Shearer, Henry

Duncan: Ederson, Ferreira, Adams, Vidic, Robertson, Keane, Toure, Beckham, Bergkamp, Aguero, Suarez

Oli: Schmeichel, Alexander-Arnold, Carvalho, Terry, Cole, Vieira, Gerrard, Scholes, Ronaldo, Kane, Bale

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices