Share

cover art for UEFA v FIFA & the battle for club football’s future

The Athletic FC Podcast

UEFA v FIFA & the battle for club football’s future

•

Welcome to The Future of Football, a special three part series asking the biggest questions shaping the game from the impact of the Club World Cup to whether anyone can keep up with the Premier League. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, which direction is the power, the politics and money around the game heading?


The Athletic's Matt Slater and Adam Crafton join host Adam Leventhal for episode one to discuss the direction of travel for club football.


We also hear from Maheta Molango, the CEO of the PFA English player’s union, on governance and burn-out, plus we’ll get the take of Ronan Evain, the executive director of Football Supporters Europe, on the contentious issue of playing domestic games abroad.


Host: Adam Leventhal

With: Matt Slater, Adam Crafton, Maheta Molango, Ronan Evain

Executive Producers: Adey Moorhead & Abi Paterson

Producers: Jay Beale, Guy Clarke, Paul Iliffe

More episodes

View all episodes

  • Is Italian football actually broken?

    33:49|
    Despite being 10 points clear in Serie A, Inter have been knocked out the Champions League by Bodo/Glimt.Juventus followed suit on Wednesday night meaning Italy’s only round of 16 representative is Atalanta.So, is Italian football in crisis or this season's performance just a blip?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: James Horncastle and Tomas Hill Lopez-MencheroExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Guy Clarke, Jay Beale and Paul Iliffe

  • Why are so many managers talking themselves out of a job?

    38:04|
    This season, plenty of managers have talked themselves into trouble.Oliver Glasner angered Crystal Palace fans by telling them to “stay humble”.And Ruben Amorim got sacked shortly after public criticism of Man United.So just how powerful are a manager’s words?Host: Ayo AkinwolereGuests: Charlie Eccleshare, Jack Pitt-BrookeExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Mike Stavrou, Nick Thomson

  • Is Carrick making the 'impossible job' seem easy?

    43:51|
    The Michael Carrick era at Manchester United has got off to a flying start.So how has he done it?And what would it take for him to get the job permanently?Host: Adam LeventhalGuests: Mark Critchley, Adam CraftonExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Mike Stavrou, Nick Thomson

  • Can Arsenal embrace the pressure?

    37:06|
    For the second time this season Arsenal saw off rivals Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 in the north London derby.But having dropped points against Brentford and Wolves what does a win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium prove about Arsenal's ability to embrace the pressure ahead of the title run-in?Host: Adam LeventhalWith: Art de Roché, Jay Harris and Adam CraftonExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Guy Clarke, Jay Beale and Liam Warburton

  • The Preview: Spurs vs Arsenal

    45:42|
    Arsenal head up the road to Tottenham for a massive North London Derby. Can Igor Tudor start his Spurs career with a big win to help lift the mood, or will Arsenal get back on title track? Host: Matt Davies-AdamsGuests: Art de Roché & Dan KilpatrickExecutive Producers: Adey Moorhead & Guy ClarkeProducers: Jay Beale & John Rogers

  • What is the hardest job in football?

    35:50|
    With so many big clubs potentially in the market for a new manager this summer.So, what actually is the hardest coaching job in football?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero, Jack Pitt-Brooke and Carl AnkaExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe

  • Vinicius, Mourinho and another ugly night for football

    36:03|
    Real Madrid’s 1-0 Champions League play-off first-leg win at Benfica on Tuesday night was overshadowed by alleged racist abuse suffered by goalscorer Vinicius Junior.Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Jay Harris and Dermot Corrigan to break down what happened, discuss the reaction and what might happen next.Host: Ayo AkinwolereGuests: Jay Harris, Dermot CorriganExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Mike Stavrou, Nick Thomson

  • Will De Zerbi return to the Premier League?

    39:05|
    Marseille’s season is in danger of spiralling after the departure of Roberto De Zerbi as head coach.So why did his spell come to an end so suddenly?And could the Italian return to the Premier League?Host: Ayo AkinwolereGuests: Tom Williams, Liam TharmeExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Mike Stavrou, Nick Thomson

  • Can Igor Tudor save Spurs?

    27:00|
    Spurs have appointed Igor Tudor as interim head coach.So why him, and how does it affect their summer plans? Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: James Horncastle, Jay Harris, Adam CraftonExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Jay Beale
Copyright The Athletic
Hosted with ❤️ by Acast