The Athletic FC Podcast

What Is... Club DNA and does appointing legends work?

2026-10-31

Yes you’ve read that correctly, today we’re forgoing What If, and asking What is…

On today’s episode Emma Paton is joined in the studio by The Athletic’s Tim Spiers and Colin Millar to dissect what people actually mean when they say club ‘DNA’, and if it even exists in the first place.

Plus, have you ever imagined a John Terry led Chelsea? Worry not, we discuss where each top-six club might go if they had to nominate a club legend to grace the touchline.

Host: Emma Paton

Panelists: Tim Spiers, Colin Millar

Executive Producers: Adam Jones, Max Curwen Bingley

Producer: Mike Stavrou

Videographer: Grayson Moody

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

No. of episodes

1,480

Latest episode

2026-10-31

Where can you listen?

The Athletic's flagship football podcast is with you six days a week, bringing unrivalled analysis from the biggest stories in world football. New host Emma Paton is joined by the likes of David Ornstein, Adam Crafton, Matt Slater and James Horncastle. The show takes you inside the biggest stories in football told by the best reporters in the business. We cut through the noise to tell you what’s really happening - and why it matters.

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