Most of us can only dream of owning a football club .
But for the very rich it’s an opportunity towards power, influence and… even more money
So who are the people that try to buy football clubs? 
And how do football’s authorities decide who gets the green light for a takeover? 
Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Adam Crafton & Matt Slater
Produced by Guy Clarke
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Related articles:
The nobody who tried to buy Manchester United and Inter Milan by Adam Crafton
‘Under every rock, we found a lie’: How the bid to be English football’s first black owner unravelled by Matt Slater
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who would buy a football club in 2024?

The Athletic's flagship football podcast, hosted by Ayo Akinwolere and featuring the likes of David Ornstein, Adam Crafton and Matt Slater will take you inside the biggest stories from the world of football, told by the best journalists in the business. Cutting through the noise to tell you what’s really happening and why it matters.

Sports

Football

Soccer

So on Monday Premier League clubs opted to push on with plans for a hard spending limit — a de facto salary cap tied to the income of the lowest earning side in the top flight.
Why do some clubs want more financial regulation? Who is pushing back against it? And could this end up with legal action?
The Athletic's senior football news reporter Matt Slater joins Ayo Akinwolere to explain the concept of 'anchoring' as well as answering questions submitted by subscribers to The Athletic over the Premier League's proposed new spending controls.
Host: Ayo Akinwolere
With: Matt Slater
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Producer: Guy Clarke
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New Premier League financial rules explained

Back in January, Xavi announced he would be stepping down as Barcelona boss at the end of the season, citing the role as a “cruel job” that “wears you down”.

But last week, he and Barca changed their minds - yet another twist in a rollercoaster season for the Catalans.

So, why did Barca perform a dramatic U-turn on Xavi’s future? 

How strong is his position now?

And can Xavi be backed in this summer’s transfer market to the level he now expects? 

Host: Ayo Akinwolere
With: Pol Ballús and Tomás Hill López-Menchero
Producer: Mike Stavrou
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Inside Xavi's bizarre Barcelona U-turn

Mohamed Salah’s heated exchange with Jurgen Klopp last weekend left many questioning whether the forward would join his manager in leaving Liverpool this summer.

Then as The Athletic revealed on Monday, Liverpool expect Salah to stay this summer and are planning on him being part of their squad for next season.

So, with his future back on the agenda, what are Liverpool’s options with or without their iconic forward?

Host: Ayo Akinwolere
With: David Ornstein and James Pearce
Producer: Mike Stavrou
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Salah set to stay at Liverpool - but for how long?

Arsenal were too much for Tottenham in yesterday’s North London derby, running out 3-2 winners at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
After the games, Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou said his team needs to deal with the “details” to be contenders.
So what exactly are the fine margins they are missing? 
And will it be enough to get to the next step and challenge next season?
Host: Ayo Akinwolere
With: Jack Pitt-Brooke and Seb Stafford-Bloor
Producer: Guy Clarke
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can Project Postecoglou make Spurs contenders?

It’s matchday 35 in the Premier League and it’s a huge north London derby as Arsenal go to Spurs hoping to stay in the title race.

Elsewhere, Man City go to Nottingham Forest and West Ham host Liverpool.

Host: Adam Leventhal
With: Tim Spiers, Charlie Eccleshare and Jay Harris
Producer: Mike Stavrou
Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who would buy a football club in 2024?

Download our free app to listen on your phone