The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast

This week, we’re discussing midfield combinations.

From your creators, to destroyers; how do player roles complement each other?

Let’s build a complete midfield!

Host: Michael Bailey

Guests: Michael Cox, Mark Carey & Liam Tharme

Producer: Mike Stavrou 

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This week, we’re discussing football’s relentless schedule.

What impact is it having on players and matches?

And… can we measure whether football is actually more intense than it used to be?

Host: Michael Bailey

Guests: Michael Cox, Mark Carey & Liam Tharme

Producer: Mike Stavrou 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we’re discussing an enthralling round of Champions League Round of 16 ties.

From Premier League struggles and Pep Guardiola’s European record, to how good Bayern Munich and Real Madrid really are.

Host: Michael Bailey

Guests: Michael Cox, Mark Carey & Duncan Alexander

Producer: Mike Stavrou 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we’re discussing whether the appointments of Liam Rosenior at Chelsea, Michael Carrick at Manchester United and Igor Tudor at Tottenham Hotspur have paid off or not.

What have they changed at their respective clubs, and are they better off for it?

Host: Michael Bailey

With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Cerys Jones.

Producer: Steve Hankey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we’re discussing football’s new rules!

We’ll talk the increased remit of VAR, throw-in countdowns and our own suggestions for new football laws.

Host: Duncan Alexander

Guests: Michael Cox, Mark Carey

Producer: Mike Stavrou

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s mailbag time!

On this episode we’ll discuss:

Wingers, penalty rebounds, tactical fouls and much more!

Host: Michael Bailey

Guests: Michael Cox, Mark Carey, Liam Tharme

Producer: Mike Stavrou

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s February — and we have real jeopardy in both the Premier League title race and relegation battle.

So this week, we’ll discuss the tactics we have seen, and will see from the teams at the top and bottom of the table. 

Host: Michael Bailey

Guests: Michael Cox, Mark Carey, Liam Tharme

Producer: Mike Stavrou

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week — we’re talking tactical trends… from low blocks, to headed clearances and the return of long-range screamers.

Host: Michael Bailey

Guests: Michael Cox, Mark Carey, Liam Tharme

Producer: Mike Stavrou

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week — we’re diving into the world of weather. 

How do the elements impact what happens on the pitch? 

From the rainy, cold and windy nights at Stoke.

To the scorching heat of the 1994 World Cup in the U.S.

We’ll discuss it all.

Host: Michael Bailey

With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Conor O'Neill

Producer: Mike Stavrou

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arsenal are top of the Premier League, but only seventh for open play xG.

So is that a Mikel Arteta issue - or a league-wide one?

Host: Duncan Alexander

With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Ahmed Walid

Producer: Mike Stavrou

We’re asking you to fill out a quick survey about you and your podcast habits by going to theathletic.com/survey26. Three lucky entries will win $/£100 worth of Amazon vouchers too. So whether you’re a long-time listener or a new one, we want your feedb...

This week, we’re diving into the world of home and away - discussing the tactical differences between performing in front of your own fans, and taking to the road.

What are the key elements to playing on home turf, and how does it impact what happens on the pitch?

Host: Michael Bailey

With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme

Producer: Mike Stavrou

We’re asking you to fill out a quick survey about you and your podcast habits by going to theathletic.com/survey26. Thre...

We’re more than halfway through the Premier League season. 

So this week, we’ll use our good old friend data to assess the main talking point for all 20 clubs.

Host: Duncan Alexander

With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey, Liam Tharme

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, there’s only one topic in town: Manchester United Football Club.

Ruben Amorim’s gone, so how do they go about replacing him — both in the short, and long term?

And how does any club figure out its managerial appointments, from caretaker and interim bosses to those all-in project managers.

Host: Michael Bailey

With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme

Producer: Mike Stavrou

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week — we’re opening our festive mailbag!

We discuss the Christmas tree formation, teams who should change systems, basketball-style substitutions and more.

Host: Michael Bailey

With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme

Producer: Mike Stavrou

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week — we’re talking the tactics of squad rotation…

Who are the most and least stable Premier League clubs in how they use their players?

And does stability equal success?

Host: Michael Bailey

With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme

Producer: Mike Stavrou

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week — we’re talking about the tactics surrounding player power.

Can stars be given total freedom, or is the collective more important?

Host: Michael Bailey

With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme

Producer: Mike Stavrou

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode, we run through some of the high profile players to have switched positions in the Premier League recently.

Also - what makes players flexible? And who excels in multiple roles?

Host: Michael Bailey

Guests: Liam Tharme, Michael Cox, Cerys Jones

Producer: Mike Stavrou

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week — we’re discussing how managers make the jump from a relatively small club, to one of the big guns, and with a particular focus on Thomas Frank at Tottenham Hotspur.

Host: Michael Bailey

With: Michael Cox, Duncan Alexander and Liam Tharme

Producer: Mike Stavrou

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week - we’re asking if defence really wins you titles.

Should you build your team around a solid defence — or a free-flowing attack?

Host: Michael Bailey

With: Michael Cox, Duncan Alexander and Liam Tharme

Producer: Mike Stavrou

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we’re tackling the defensive midfield position.

How has it evolved, who does it best and why are they suddenly scoring loads of goals?

Host: Michael Bailey

With: Michael Cox and Mark Carey 

Producer: Mike Stavrou

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Champions League returned this week with some huge clashes and intriguing results. 

So, at the halfway point of the league phase — how are the favourites shaping up, and who has caught our eye on Europe’s biggest stage?

Host: Michael Bailey

With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme

Producers: Mike Stavrou, Ben Green & Steve Hankey

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The defending Premier League champions have lost four league matches in a row.

So, where is it going wrong for Arne Slot’s Liverpool — and crucially, how do they fix their issues?

Host: Michael Bailey

With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme

Producer: Mike Stavrou

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This season there have been zero instances of teams starting with a 4-4-2 in the Premier League. 

In the late 2000s the majority of teams lined up in a 4-4-2 - but since then, that figure has been steadily dropping.

We find out why.

Host: Michael Bailey

With: Mark Carey, Liam Tharme and Michael Cox

Producer: Mike Stavrou

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iconic former Manchester City midfielder İlkay Gündoğan sat down with The Athletic's Jordan Campbell to discuss playing under Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp, City's treble-winning team and his future plans.

With: Jordan Campbell & İlkay Gündoğan

Executive Producer: Abi Paterson

Producers: Mike Stavrou and Paul Iliffe

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Thomas Tuchel’s England team selection for the wins over Wales and Latvia got us thinking about star players and their value.

Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham and Jack Grealish were left out of the squad by Tuchel, despite their “star status”.

When building a team, what is the priority; star players, or players who fit the system?

Host: Michael Bailey

With: Mark Carey, Liam Tharme and Michael Cox

Producer: Mike Stavrou

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we’re discussing the evolution of goalkeeper distribution. 

Are teams actually going long more often, and how is it changing the game?

Host: Duncan Alexander 

With: Michael Cox and Mark Carey 

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Today we tackle the Premier League’s promoted clubs – who collectively, so far this season, are flying. 

How are they doing it and more importantly, can they sustain it?

Host: Michael Bailey

With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme

Producer: Mike Stavrou

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pep Guardiola’s defensive tactics in Manchester City’s Premier League draw at Arsenal last weekend caused quite the stir.Was it a one off? Or has Guardiola’s philosophy been slowly changing in front of our eyes?

Host: Michael Bailey

With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme

Producer: Mike Stavrou

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There were a mere 19 goals across 20 games in the Premier League last weekend.

Which got us thinking — why so few? And is it partly to do with the influx of new signings creating unfamiliarity and uncertainty?

Host: Michael Bailey

With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme

Producer: Mike Stavrou

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6633559/2025/09/16/premier-league-signings-goals/ 

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In this special edition of The Athletic FC Tactics podcast - we focus on pressing. What does it involve in the modern game, which teams do it best - and worst - and how has it changed from when it was just called ‘closing down’.

Host Duncan Alexander is joined by Mark Carey and Liam Tharme to discuss.

Host: Michael Bailey

With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme

Producer: Mike Stavrou

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s the international break in men’s football and that means only one thing… mailbag time!

We’re going to answer your questions on all sorts — iPads, subs, mavericks and more!

Host: Michael Bailey

With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme

Producer: Mike Stavrou & Paul Iliffe

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we’ll tell you why Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system he insists on using at Manchester United, isn’t functioning.

And we’ll look at other examples of managers who seem wedded to just one system - can that approach really work?

Host: Michael Bailey

With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme

Producer: Mike Stavrou

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we’re charting the journey from academy to first team football.

What are the main tactical challenges in making the jump, and how has the transition changed over time?

Host: Michael Bailey

With: Mark Carey and Liam Tharme

Producer: Mike Stavrou

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One week of the Premier League season down, 37 to go.

And today we’re asking whether the English top flight has gone old school… with more long throw-ins than ever, “proper” No.9s and promoted sides threatening to be competitive…

Host: Michael Bailey

With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme

Producer: Mike Stavrou

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast. 

We’re kickstarting the new season with our big Premier League preview show.

We’ll analyse the key tactical talking points, managerial changes and the new entrants to the English top flight.

Host: Michael Bailey

With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme

Producer: Mike Stavrou

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On episode five of Football Architects we look at how England changed their fortunes from tournament failures to final makers - and in the women's case, winners. Hear from the man who brought about the culture change and brought back pride to the Three Lions.

Every episode will also have a written piece on the website, which we will link here

Host: Michael Bailey

With: Jacob Whitehead and Liam Tharme

Producer: Mike Stavrou and Abi Paterson

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On episode four of Football Architects, we hear from the architects of the data world, who have worked for the biggest football clubs in England.

Every episode will also have a written piece on the website, which we will link below.

Host: Michael Bailey

With: Jacob Whitehead and Mark Carey

Producer: Mike Stavrou

https://pod.fo/e/2fe33b 

https://pod.fo/e/2fe34e 

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On episode three of Football Architects, we’re focusing on international football's great over-performers, Croatia.

We’ll hear from Romeo Jozak, the former academy head and technical director of Dinamo Zagreb and technical director of Croatia from 2013-17.

Every episode will also have a written piece on the website, which we will link below.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6445372/2025/07/17/football-architects-croatia-football-overperformers

Host: Michael Bailey

With: Jacob Whitehead and Juraj Vrdoljak

Producer: Mike Stavrou

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more infor...

On episode two of Football Architects, we’re focusing on the rise that took a stagnant Belgium to number one in FIFA’s world rankings.

We’ll hear about how they established a footballing DNA, and created a team of legendary players such as Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, and many more. 

Every episode will also have a written piece on the website, which we will link below.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6445749/2025/07/10/football-architects-inside-belgium-rise-world-number-one/

Host: Michael Bailey

With: Jacob Whitehead and Liam Tharme

Produce...

Welcome to Football Architects - a summer series for The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast. 

Over the next five weeks, we’ll tell the stories of esteemed footballing nations and clubs, speaking to the unsung heroes who changed history.

Today’s episode is focused on Ajax’s rebirth and how the club was rebuilt in the image of legendary figure Johan Cruyff.

Host Michael Bailey will be joined by The Athletic’s Jacob Whitehead and a number of our tactics writers. We’ll also be hearing excerpts of Jacob's interviews with key figures...