Mourinho and Madrid Mark II: Magic or madness?

Welcome to a brand new offering on The Athletic FC Podcast: our Tactical Preview show.Kate Mason, Rob Green and Liam Tharme are here to run you through the biggest matches from an analytical lens.This week, we talk tactical trends we expect to take hold this season, while our primary focus is on the big battle at St James’ Park as Newcastle host Liverpool.The panel also touch on champions Arsenal vs Coventry, Man City vs Bournemouth and Fulham vs Chelsea.Host: Kate MasonWith: Rob Green and Liam TharmeExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducer: Mike StavrouVideographer: Lara Sinclair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

FSG have sold nearly 40 per cent of Liverpool to a consortium including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, as exclusively revealed by The Athletic earlier this week.Kate Mason is joined by senior news reporter Matt Slater, former England goalkeeper Rob Green and Jack Pitt-Brooke to discuss the significance of the investment as well as Liverpool’s preparations ahead of the new season.The Athletic’s Liverpool correspondent James Pearce shares his insight on the Reds’ pre-season preparations as they begin a new era under Andoni Iraola, while Nick Miller drops-by from Trabzon to discuss what comes next for Mohamed Salah ahead of his home debut for Trabzonspor having moved on from Anfield.Host: Kate MasonWith: Rob Green, Jack Pitt-Brooke and Matt SlaterFeaturing: James Pearce and Nick MillerExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Jay Beale and Guy ClarkeVideographer: Liam Warburton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With just two days until the new Premier League season starts, Manchester United have made their move for Carlos Baleba.Emma Paton is joined by Jay Harris, Cerys Jones and Laurie Whitwell to discuss why after long term interest in the Brighton midfielder, the club are once again exploring a deal to sign him.Plus, with the promoted sides having spent £330m between them already this summer, The Athletic's football finance correspondent Chris Weatherspoon drops by to answer how they're affording it and whether spending big is the key to staying up.Host: Emma PatonWith: Jay Harris & Cerys JonesFeaturing: Laurie Whitwell & Chris WeatherspoonExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Jay Beale and Guy ClarkeVideographer: Liam Warburton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With nine of the 20 Premier League managers being new into their roles ahead of the new season, today we're exploring how they may fare.Emma Paton is alongside James Horncastle and Tim Spiers to analyse who may succeed and who may struggle.The Athletic's Newcastle United correspondent George Caulkin also drops by to discuss the introduction to life at St James' Park that Matthias Jaissle has experienced in taking over from Eddie Howe.Host: Emma PatonWith: James Horncastle and Tim SpiersFeaturing: George CaulkinExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Mike Stavrou and Guy ClarkeVideographer: Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With just four days to go until the new Premier League season starts, Arsenal have made a statement with their 3-0 win over Manchester City in the Community Shield, with news also emerging that City midfielder Rodri is on the verge of leaving for Barcelona.Emma Paton is back in the chair, alongside former England goalkeeper Rob Green and The Athletic's Cerys Jones to discuss the strength of Arsenal's case for defending their Premier League title as James McNicholas shares his thoughts from Cardiff.Man City correspondent Sam Lee also joins to discuss the impact Rodri leaving could have for Enzo Maresca's side as well as their plans to replace him.Plus there's our latest feature Rob Ranks, transfer chat with Guglielmo Vicario heading for Juventus and Aston Villa looking to sign Zion Suzuki from Parma as well as the panel sharing their quickfire predictions ahead of the new season.Host: Emma PatonWith: Rob Green and Cerys JonesFeaturing: Sam Lee and James McNicholasExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Jay Beale and Guy ClarkeVideographer: Liam Warburton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the Premier League just around the corner, it’s time for our predictions for the 2026/2027 season.Adam Leventhal is joined in the studio by The Athletic’s Art de Roche and Jay Harris to get into the runners and riders for the title, relegation and more.Will Arsenal defend their crown, who will challenge them? And can the promoted sides stay up?With so many new managers coming into the league, the panel discuss who is most likely to hit the ground running.And they plot exactly where all 20 clubs will finish from 1-20.Host: Adam LeventhalWith: Art de Roche & Jay HarrisExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Guy Clarke, Jay Beale & Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After 13 years away, Jose Mourinho is heading back to Real Madrid but after two trophyless seasons can he return them to winning ways?Adam Leventhal is joined by Tim Spiers and Thom Harris to analyse why Madrid have turned back to Mourinho as well as the make-up of the squad he has inherited.The Athletic's Guillermo Rai also joins to explain the view from Madrid on his return as well as their work in the transfer window with Yan Diomande arriving, though Rodri has made his preference for Barcelona over Real Madrid clear.Host: Adam LeventhalWith: Tim Spiers, Thom Harris and Guillermo RaiExecutive Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Jay Beale and Guy ClarkeVideographer: Liam Warburton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the new Premier League season approaches, we've been taking a look at which sides have impressed with their summer transfer business, and those left with work to do.Adam Leventhal is joined by The Athletic's Tottenham Hotspur correspondent Jay Harris as well as our ranking expert Tim Spiers to look through the eye-catching summer business to date.The market continues to be dominated by midfielders with Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandez heading to Spurs, while Arsenal confirmed the arrival of Bruno Guimaraes.Our Man City writer Sam Lee touches on their interest in Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez with question marks over the future of Rodri, while the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool still look to become more proactive in the market.Host: Adam LeventhalWith: Tim Spiers and Jay HarrisFeaturing: Sam LeeExecutive Prodcuer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Mike Stavrou and Guy ClarkeVideographer: Liam Warburton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam Leventhal is joined by Tim Spiers, Liam Tharme and Simon Johnson to discuss why after years of signing young talent, Chelsea have recruited two veterans in Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson.The panel break down BlueCo's change in philosophy and whether new boss Xabi Alonso might've influenced the decision. Plus, Mykhailo Mudryk returns to action following 20 months on the sidelines, and Chelsea receive their punishment for 74 FA charges relating to incidents under previous owner Roman Abramovich. Host: Adam LeventhalGuests: Tim Spiers, Liam Tharme, Simon JohnsonExec Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Jay Beale, Liam Warburton, Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Ornstein is back with the latest from a busy transfer market, as champions Arsenal look to reinforce their squad with a couple of Brazilian superstars: Bruno Guimaraes and Vinicius Jr.Adam Leventhal is joined in the studio by The Athletic’s Jay Harris and Art de Roche to break down how transformational those two signings would be for Mikel Arteta’s side.Plus there’s the latest on moves for Rodri, Yan Diomande, Bradley Barcola, Mohamed Salah and Manchester United’s targets.All of this, plus our latest Do Yau Know Trivia question.Host: Adam LeventhalGuests: David Ornstein, Art de Roche, Jay HarrisExec Producer: Adey MoorheadProducers: Mike Stavrou & Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.