The Athletic FC Podcast

Episode: Klopp, Gundogan & Grimsby's Chuffed Chairman: Our Guests of the Season So Far
Date: December 31, 2025
Host: Ayo Akinwolere
Featuring: Grimsby’s Jason Stockwood, Jurgen Klopp, Peter Moore, Rob Green, Adam Featherstone, Ikay Gundogan, Liam Racinha, Mirouan Serwasso, David Cogan, Dean Holden

Episode Overview

In this year-end special, The Athletic FC Podcast, hosted by Ayo Akinwolere, spotlights the most compelling guest appearances of the season. From Grimsby’s historic Cup upset and insights into progressive football management, to conversations with legends like Jurgen Klopp and Ilkay Gundogan, listeners are treated to diverse perspectives on football’s biggest moments and evolving culture. The episode also looks ahead at emerging talents and the changing landscape of English football governance.

Key Discussion Points

1. Grimsby’s Giant-Killing with Chairman Jason Stockwood ([04:08]–[19:28])

• Grimsby’s stunning Carabao Cup upset of Manchester United is recounted with pride, humor, and context on what it means for the club and its community.
• Club Transformation: Stockwood discusses Grimsby’s journey from a post-industrial fishing town to a club embracing data analytics, progressive coaching, and a new narrative.
• Player Spotlights: Standouts from the cup triumph include goalkeeper Christie Pym and forward Charles Vernam.
• Behind the Scenes: The club’s partnership with data analytics firm Jamestown Analytics and investments in effective coaching and pitch quality are highlighted.
• Underdog Spirit: The meaning of the win is explored with references to “David vs Goliath” and the pride in showcasing the town’s transformation.

“You think of football as a metaphor for life and ... this idea of David versus Goliath ... it really makes you fall in love with the game again.”
– Jason Stockwood [06:01]

“This is the first time we’ve got a squad that’s fully data-led, but importantly, it’s based on the progressive coaching of David Artell.”
– Jason Stockwood [12:57]

Memorable moment: Stockwood recounts a light-hearted exchange after the game’s biblical rain threatened the pitch and his wife could not watch the penalty shootout.
“She went inside and sat with a cup of tea, I think.” [15:48]

2. Life After Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp Reflects ([20:15]–[22:55])

• Newfound Freedom: Klopp describes relishing life without the relentless schedule of management and his evolving advisory role across multiple clubs.
• Role as Advisor: He shares how his experience influences transfer decisions, particularly with clubs in Leipzig and Paris.

“The big difference is I’m much more in charge of my schedule ... I can go on holiday and I decide when as well. OK, Ola decides when but not the Premier League or Bundesliga.”
– Jurgen Klopp [20:53]

3. The “Klopp Effect” – CEO Peter Moore on FSG’s Vision ([23:00]–[26:02])

• Transformational Leadership: Moore credits Jurgen Klopp’s man-management skills and business acumen, suggesting he could thrive as a leader outside of football.
• Cultural Alignment: Emphasizes how Klopp and the ownership group unified Liverpool FC towards domestic and European success.

“If Jurgen wasn’t a football manager, he’d easily be a CEO of a Fortune 500 company.”
– Peter Moore [24:40]

“We were champions of everything and everywhere in that season.”
– Peter Moore [25:52]

4. Harry Kane: The Relentless Goalscorer – Rob Green’s Take ([27:30]–[31:58])

• Early Impressions: Green recounts early encounters with Kane, describing his transformation from a struggling reserve to a world-class striker.
• Work Ethic and Progression: Reflects on how Kane’s development was sudden, driven by hard work and repetition.
• Versatility Critique: Addresses the criticism Kane faces for his playing style and explains why his deep-lying role often benefits his teams.

“Something clicked and it was just his finishing clicked and from there all of a sudden everything just fl[owed] ...”
– Rob Green [28:34]

“If he was making those runs in behind, he’d be slowing England down. Let Anthony Gordon do it, let the other players, Rashford do it ...”
– Rob Green [31:28]

5. Future Stars: Adam Wharton’s Rise – Agent Adam Featherstone ([32:05]–[35:50])

• First Impressions: Featherstone humorously remembers his first contact with Wharton, and admits initial skepticism before witnessing his talent firsthand.
• Rapid Development: Details Wharton’s progression from last scholarship signee to an England international, emphasizing late physical and technical bloom.

“He was the last player at Blackburn to be offered his pro contract of the ones that ... went on to a pro after the scholarship. And ... his journey from there has been pretty meteoric.”
– Adam Featherstone [35:00]

6. Ikay Gundogan: The Joy of Simplicity ([36:38]–[43:45])

• Style of Play: Gundogan attributes his success to simplicity and precision, emphasizing the importance of executing basics at the highest standard.
• Pep vs. Klopp: Reflects on the influences of working under both Guardiola and Klopp, with a slight tactical preference for Pep’s possession-based style.
• Coaching Aspirations: Shares his concrete plans to pursue coaching badges and a future on the touchline.

“I think I describe myself as a simple player because I like to keep things simple ... I just get joy out of simplicity on the football pitch.”
– Ikay Gundogan [36:44]

“With Pep, it feels in terms of football and the tactical point of view ... a bit more clear to me than Jürgen’s more transitional football.”
– Ikay Gundogan [43:16]

7. Modern Coaching: Liam Racinha at Strasbourg ([44:00]–[48:56])

• Generational Shift: Racinha explains how players now expect transparency, explanation, and engagement—contrasting with the unquestioning obedience of his own early playing years.
• Innovative Meetings: Describes short, varied team meetings that discuss life, books, and history to keep players focused and connected.
• Empathy and Authentic Connections: Draws on family background and stresses treating all players with respect and openness.

“If you explain the reasons why and you get buy-in and belief into what you’re doing, they’ll be 100% in.”
– Liam Racinha [45:12]

“Whenever a player leaves me as a manager ... they can say ... ‘he’s a good guy, he wanted the best for me’ ... That’s the best way to get the best out of people.”
– Liam Racinha [48:19]

8. Como FC and the Fabregas Effect – President Mirouan Serwasso ([50:07]–[53:35])

• Fabregas’ Influence: Insights into Cesc Fabregas as “English-style manager”, his stake in the club, and the collaborative board-based decision-making system.
• Player Development & Succession: Fabregas’s unconventional methods are credited with unearthing talent and maximizing player value; the club is mindful of succession planning given his influence.

“Cesc is instrumental to all the decisions ... but it’s a joint decision ... he is humble enough to actually listen to everybody else.”
– Mirouan Serwasso [51:19]

“He moved [Lucas d’Acunha] into defensive midfield ... we bought him for 250,000 and we are now having offers for 15 million ... I’d say that’s all down to Cesc.”
– Mirouan Serwasso [52:24]

9. The Independent Football Regulator: David Cogan ([54:02]–[57:12])

• Reform in English Football: Cogan explains the push to engage all 116 pro clubs and fans, bringing financial regulation expertise to the governing body.
• Fit for Purpose: Describes restructuring, advisory committees, and confidence in issuing provisional licenses and a State of the Game report in the coming year.

“There have been over 100 meetings ... and we are engaging. I personally have met every Premier League club ...”
– David Cogan [54:49]

“In a year from now ... you’ll be able to judge me on our output.”
– David Cogan [56:54]

10. Premier League’s Next Big Thing: Antoine Semenyo – Dean Holden ([57:40]–[59:45])

• Early Impressions: Holden recalls being wowed by Semenyo’s raw speed, power, and balance – attributes which were innate, not coached.
• Talent Pathway: Stresses the importance of honest club-player relationships and how Semenyo’s early backstory helped shape his footballing education.
• Big Club Potential: Holden predicts Semenyo can move beyond Bournemouth, deserving a shot at the highest level.

“The raw attributes, the pace, the power, the balance ... were all there to see. I don’t think any coach can get credit for that.”
– Dean Holden [57:54]

“If I was a head coach in the Premier League ... I’d be badgering my sporting director, my owner, every second of every day ... because he can go even further.”
– Dean Holden [59:18]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jason Stockwood on Data and Artel:
  “The other 50% is the coaching, is the culture, is the attitude, is the character of the players. And I think what we've got now for the first time ... is a squad that's fully data led, but importantly, it's based on the progressive coaching of David Artel.” [12:45]

• Jurgen Klopp’s new life:
  “I can go on holiday and I decide when as well. Okay, Ola decides when ... but not the Premier League or the Bundesliga.” [21:08]

• Peter Moore, the CEO’s view of Klopp:
  “Jurgen, an incredibly unique individual ... if Jurgen wasn't a football manager, he'd easily be a CEO of a Fortune 500 company.” [24:37]

• Rob Green on Kane’s evolution:
  “When he gets to a certain point, you're going, ‘well, this is a goal’ ... it was.” [30:41]

• Ikay Gundogan on his approach:
  “I just get joy out of simplicity on the football pitch.” [36:52]

• Liam Racinha’s leadership philosophy:
  “If you want to have strong relationships with people, you want to create really good connections and they're authentic. And that's... always my biggest thing...” [48:08]

Key Timestamps

• Grimsby Town/Life in the lower leagues: [04:08]–[19:28]
• Jurgen Klopp’s interview: [20:15]–[22:55]
• Peter Moore on Liverpool & Klopp: [23:00]–[26:02]
• Rob Green on Harry Kane: [27:30]–[31:58]
• Adam Featherstone on Adam Wharton: [32:05]–[35:50]
• Ikay Gundogan, My Game: [36:38]–[43:45]
• Liam Racinha on modern player management: [44:00]–[48:56]
• Como FC/Cesc Fabregas: [50:07]–[53:35]
• David Cogan, the Independent Regulator: [54:02]–[57:12]
• Dean Holden on Antoine Semenyo: [57:40]–[59:45]

Summary

This selections episode offers a vibrant journey through the stories, wisdom, and philosophies of football’s modern protagonists. From Grimsby’s data-driven miracles and Klopp’s post-Anfield evolution, to candid takes on leadership, player development, and the transformation of club cultures, The Athletic FC Podcast delivers a rich, insightful round-up. Listeners are left with inspiration, laughter, and a deeper understanding of the people driving change—on and off the pitch.