The Athletic Football Tactics Podcast

Hosted by Ali Maxwell, revered football tactics writer Michael Cox is joined by more of The Athletic's brightest tactics and data analytics writers to break down the tactical and technical details behind the biggest footballing stories each week - assessing the latest trends, systems, players, managers and all manner of statistics in order to give you a deeper understanding of the game.

Where have all the French managers gone?

This week we’re focusing on French footballing identity. And we’ll attempt to discover why there is a lack of French managers across Europe’s top leagues. Host: Michael Bailey With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey, Tom Williams Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10 abr 2025 - 40 min 57 sec

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How PSG became Champions League favourites

In this bonus edition of The Athletic FC Tactics podcast - Alex Barker and Liam Tharme tell you all you need to know about Luis Enrique’s PSG. They’ve just wrapped up Ligue 1 and could become the first side to win the title unbeaten. They’re also in the final of the Coupe de France and face Aston Villa in the quarter-finals of the Champions League this week. So how has Enrique made them so dominant? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

7 abr 2025 - 33 min 57 sec

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How Forest have outsmarted the Premier League’s elite

This week… we’re talking about Nuno Espirito Santo’s Champions League-chasing Nottingham Forest. We’ll break down how a team who flirted with relegation last season have become one of the most difficult sides to play against in the division. Host: Michael Bailey With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

3 abr 2025 - 39 min 29 sec

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How to win a football match

This week we’re focusing our attention on the metrics which win you football matches - other than goals and assists. We’ll talk second balls, duels and explain what coaches are actually watching on those tiny screens on the touchline. Host: Michael Bailey With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme Producer: Mike Stavrou We want to hear about your podcast habits. Go to theathletic.com/athletic/survey25 to fill out a short survey and be in with the chance of winning £/$100 Amazon vouchers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

27 mar 2025 - 41 min 42 sec

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Foreign International Managers

In this episode, we’re focusing our attention on international football. German head coach Thomas Tuchel takes charge of his first games as England manager this week. So we’re going to reflect on some of the great, and not so great, examples of foreign international managers and ask whether the impact they had in the past still applies today? Host: Michael Bailey With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Duncan Alexander. Producer: Steve Hankey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

20 mar 2025 - 45 min 46 sec

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Who are the Champions League favourites now?

We’re focusing our attention on the Champions League. This season’s competition is at the quarter-final stages — giving us the perfect moment to look back on what’s happened and what the rest of the Champions League has in store for us. Host: Michael Bailey With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

13 mar 2025 - 44 min 03 sec

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Are set pieces more important than ever?

This week we are breaking down the mechanics of set pieces. Are they a reliable and consistent source of goals, how do you stop them, and which teams are the best or worst at them? Host: Michael Bailey With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

6 mar 2025 - 43 min 34 sec

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How every position has evolved

This week we are looking at how positions and roles on the pitch have changed over the past five years. For example, what do No.8s do differently now and how have the No.9s responsibilities changed? Host: Michael Bailey With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme Producer: Mike Stavrou Building the ideal modern day centre-back: https://pod.fo/e/2ac7ed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

27 fev 2025 - 45 min 43 sec

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How data and AI is shaping football

We have a special guest with us - Paul Power from sports data company, SkillCorner, joins us to chat about how clubs really use data in recruitment and analysis Plus… what the future could hold in terms of football’s relationship with AI? Host: Michael Bailey With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Paul Power Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

20 fev 2025 - 43 min 37 sec

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Building the ideal modern day centre-back

This week we’re diving into the world of centre-backs! What traits do they need in today’s game, what does a good partnership now look like… and how has the role changed? Host: Michael Bailey With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

13 fev 2025 - 43 min 08 sec

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