The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast
banner
tacticspod.bsky.social
The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast
@tacticspod.bsky.social
The Athletic's tactics writers break down the details behind the biggest footballing stories each week.

@zonal-marking.bsky.social, @michaeljbailey.bsky.social, @markcarey93.bsky.social, @liamtharme.bsky.social & more!

Email: tacticspod@theathletic.com
FIRST POD OF 2026! 🚨

New year, still talking about Manchester United.

More specifically, caretaker managers, interim managers, and long-term planning.

@zonal-marking.bsky.social @michaeljbailey.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social & @liamtharme.bsky.social

pod.fo/e/374ac7
The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: How to fix Man United in the short term
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 ...
pod.fo
January 8, 2026 at 5:02 PM
NEW POD 🚨

This week, we're talking positional versatility.

Which players are performing well in different roles?

@zonal-marking.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social @michaeljbailey.bsky.social & Cerys Jones discuss.

pod.fo/e/35fd18
The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Who are the Premier League's most versatile players?
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:...
pod.fo
December 4, 2025 at 4:28 PM
NEW POD! 🚨

How do managers go from small clubs to big clubs?

Frank, Pochettino, Hodgson, Rodgers, Moyes, Potter, Maresca etc etc.

With @zonal-marking.bsky.social @oilysailor.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social & @michaeljbailey.bsky.social

pod.fo/e/35b2ff
The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Can Spurs and Frank make it work?
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 Bail...
pod.fo
November 27, 2025 at 3:57 PM
NEW POD 🚨

How has the defensive midfield position evolved?

Who does it best?

Why are they suddenly scoring loads of goals?

@zonal-marking.bsky.social @markcarey93.bsky.social & @michaeljbailey.bsky.social discuss.

pod.fo/e/3522c8
The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Why are defensive midfielders scoring so many goals?
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 BaileyWith: Michael Cox and Mark Care...
pod.fo
November 13, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Reposted by The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast
The use of five substitutes has had no positive impact, and probably some bad impact www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
Why the five-substitute era has not been good for football
Lawmakers have completely overlooked the impact of introducing extra substitutes: it increases the tempo of the game and increases fatigue
www.nytimes.com
November 2, 2025 at 12:41 PM
NEW POD 🚨

Four Premier League losses in a row — seven points shy of league leaders Arsenal after nine matches.

How do Liverpool fix their tactical issues?

@zonal-marking.bsky.social, @markcarey93.bsky.social @liamtharme.bsky.social, @michaeljbailey.bsky.social

pod.fo/e/34776f
The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: How to fix Liverpool
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 B...
pod.fo
October 30, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Reposted by The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast
Is it going to get better, or does something drastic need to change?
October 29, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Reposted by The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast
Slot is trying to adapt to a post-Salah world with Salah still in the team which in the short term is causing problems.
The many new faces also bring difficulties but some of them couldn't be avoided (Diaz/TAA wanting to leave, Jota). One mistake though was not buying Robertson replacement in 2024.
October 29, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Reposted by The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast
Pretty basic question.What's gone wrong?
They can't break deep defences, get countered a lot and their shape looks bad when defending them, they concede from long throws and set pieces almost every match.
Slots' use of his squad is confusing. I thought the summer signings were part of a big plan?
October 29, 2025 at 1:20 PM
On tomorrow's pod, we're talking Liverpool.

Send in your questions/thoughts for @zonal-marking.bsky.social, @liamtharme.bsky.social & @markcarey93.bsky.social
October 29, 2025 at 12:06 PM
ICYMI

A special interview with İlkay Gündoğan.

The iconic former Manchester City midfielder at down with The Athletic's Jordan Campbell to discuss playing under Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp, City's treble-winning team and more!

Don't miss it!

pod.fo/e/33fd01
The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Gundogan interview: Klopp vs Guardiola, Man City's treble & more
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 f...
pod.fo
October 21, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Reposted by The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast
@markcarey93.bsky.social @oilysailor.bsky.social @zonal-marking.bsky.social Loved the pod - in case you’ve never seen this enormous launch from Ederson to Raul Jimenez when they were playing together for Benfica, here it is: youtu.be/Iud-CdPbAhs?...
Benfica 5-0 Vitória de Guimarães (2-0) Raúl Jiménez 16' (Liga NOS)
YouTube video by Virais da Internet
youtu.be
October 10, 2025 at 10:58 AM
NEW POD!

Why are goalkeepers going long this season?

What's happened to the long throw?

Duncan (@oilysailor.bsky.social) is joined by Michael (@zonal-marking.bsky.social) and Mark (@markcarey93.bsky.social) to discuss!

pod.fo/e/33a5db
The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast: Why goalkeepers are going long
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 Care...
pod.fo
October 9, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Reposted by The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast
I look forward to this episode but also Pep has never been a Pepist
September 28, 2025 at 10:30 PM
On tomorrow's pod we'll be asking if Pep Guardiola has actually changed Man City's approach this season.

How different does this City team look compared to 2016-17?

Send your questions for the panel!
September 24, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Reposted by The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast
an article on GuardiolAI and ChatGPTeta's latest attempt to remove any hint of human creativity from their meetings
www.nytimes.com/athletic/665...
Mikel Arteta versus Pep Guardiola has become a boring battle of overwhelming caution
The Arsenal manager and his Manchester City counterpart appear to be finding new ways to create dull games. Where is the ambition?
www.nytimes.com
September 22, 2025 at 11:59 AM