The Athletic FC Podcast

This week's What If is centred on the biggest story in town: Manchester City's guilty ruling.Emma Paton is alongside The Athletic's Tim Spiers, Jack Pitt-Brooke and Dan Kilpatrick to discuss who was the most impacted by City's spending, and if that money hadn't been spent, where would the rest of the division be?What if the big signings they made went elsewhere, who else would they have signed in their place and what is an appropriate punishment?Host: Emma PatonCo-hosts: Tim Spiers, Dan Kilpatrick, Jack Pitt-BrookeExec Producer: Adam JonesProducers: Mike Stavrou, Grayson Moody

Manchester City supporters are facing a new reality - their club has been vilified since The Athletic revealed they had been found guilty of almost all the Premier League charges relating to financial breaches nearly two weeks ago. So how do their fans feel about it? And how has their relationship with the club changed, if at all?Two of The Athletic's resident City supporters - Jack Pitt-Brooke and Thom Harris - join Emma Paton to debate and discuss their conflicting feelings.Plus, The Athletic's Jacob Whitehead drops by to talk about one of the other big side plots to this story - Rui Pinto - the Portuguese whistleblower who gained access to Manchester City's servers, leaking emails and documents that prompted the Premier League's investigation.Host: Emma PatonCo-hosts: Jack Pitt-Brooke, Thom HarrisFeaturing: Jacob WhiteheadExec Producer: Adam JonesProducer: Jay BealeVideographer: Liam Warburton

Who are the best up and coming managers and head coaches across Europe right now?In this episode, Emma Paton, David Ornstein and James Horncastle detail who they think are the ones to watch - from Cesc Fabregas to Regis Le Bris - and discuss the shifting managerial landscape with so many 'big personalities' moving towards the international game.David also discusses Mikel Arteta's new contract and Arsenal and how Manchester City's players will respond to the pressure at Liverpool on Sunday.Host: Emma PatonCo-hosts: David Ornstein, James HorncastleExec Producer: Adam JonesProducer: Mike StavrouVideographer: Grayson Moody

Manchester City have lodged their appeal against the Premier League's independent commission after being found guilty of almost all the charges made against them.On today's show, we explain how City's appeal process will work and why they still believe they can overturn the initial verdict.Plus, the panel review England's 7-0 thrashing of Croatia, discuss Cavan Sullivan's debut for the USMNT and get excited for the return of the Premier League this weekend.Emma Paton is joined by Rob Green and Cerys Jones in the studio and The Athletic's Football Finance expert Chris Weatherspoon.Host: Emma PatonCo-hosts: Rob Green, Cerys JonesFeaturing: Chris Weatherspoon, Felipe Cardenas Exec Producers: Adam JonesProducers: Jay BealeVideographer: Liam Warburton

What If is back with a big topic: VAR. Should the contentious technology continue or should the Premier League vote to scrap it?Emma Paton is joined by Tim Spiers, Dan Kilpatrick and former Premier League referee and VAR Graham Scott to discuss the pros and cons of getting rid of VAR.The panel also discuss the possibility of introducing a VAR challenge system, and other potential improvements to the system.Host: Emma PatonGuests: Tim Spiers, Dan Kilpatrick, Graham ScottExecutive Producer: Adam JonesProducers: Mike Stavrou, Grayson Moody

What is Danny Drinkwater's biggest regret?Welcome to Truth or Padel Extra, the show where David Ornstein takes on footballers to ask questions he wouldn't be able to in a normal interview.This week David is joined by Premier League winner and former Leicester, Chelsea and Manchester United midfielder Danny Drinkwater to discuss his rollercoaster career.Host: David OrnsteinGuests: Gary NevilleExecutive Producer: Joe DevineEditor: Don Ma

The Tactical Preview becomes the Tactical Review during the international break, as we look back at the first five weeks of Premier League action.Kate Mason is joined by Rob Green and Duncan Alexander to discuss the trends from the opening stages of the campaign; from expected points, to shot conversion.The panel also break down who has surprised and disappointed them, chatting Leeds and Everton's solid defences to Spurs' slow start.Host: Kate MasonGuests: Rob Green, Duncan AlexanderExecutive Producer: Adam JonesProducers: Mike Stavrou, Liam Warburton, Xavi Bird

Manchester City and the Premier League have gone to war since The Athletic first revealed they had been found guilty of virtually all the charges facing them last week.We’ve discussed the responses from both sides, possible sanctions and how those within the game have reacted.Today we’re asking… whose reputations have been damaged most? And how much bigger could this story actually get?Host: Kate MasonCo-hosts: Rob Green, Matt Slater, Adam CraftonExec Producer: Adam JonesProducer: Mike StavrouVideographer: Liam Warburton

Manchester City have been found guilty of artificially inflating their revenues and reducing costs via "sham payments" in the verdict reached by an independent regulatory commission investigating the charges brought against them by the Premier League.Kate Mason is joined by The Athletic's senior news reporter Matt Slater, at the European Football Clubs general assembly in Copenhagen as well as former England goalkeeper Rob Green to react to the statements released by both the Premier League and Man City.The Athletic's football finance writer Chris Weatherspoon also breaks down the nature of the "sham" payments as outlined by the commission as well as the extent of the owner funding within Man City's ownership group.Our Man City correspondent Sam Lee also joins to discuss City's stance, as the club continue to insist on their innocence and well as saying they will "pursue the appeal avenues open" to them.Host: Kate MasonWith: Matt Slater, Rob Green, Chris Weatherspoon and Sam LeeExecutive Producer: Guy ClarkeProducer: Xavi BirdVideographer: Liam Warburton