Building the ideal modern day centre-back

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast

#Sports #Soccer #American Football #Athletics #Premier League

26:18

How do you know when it’s time to make your next big career move? With International Women’s Day around the corner, we are excited to feature Avni Patel Thompson, Founder and CEO of Milo. Avni is building technology that directly supports the often overlooked emotional and logistical labor that falls on parents—especially women. Milo is an AI assistant designed to help families manage that invisible load more efficiently. In this episode, Avni shares her journey from studying chemistry to holding leadership roles at global brands like Adidas and Starbucks, to launching her own ventures. She discusses how she approaches career transitions, the importance of unpleasant experiences, and why she’s focused on making everyday life easier for parents. [01:26] Avni's University Days and Early Career [04:36] Non-Linear Career Paths [05:16] Pursuing Steep Learning Curves [11:51] Entrepreneurship and Safety Nets [15:22] Lived Experiences and Milo [19:55] Avni’s In Her Ellement Moment [20:03] Reflections Links: Avni Patel Thompson on LinkedIn Suchi Srinivasan on LinkedIn Kamila Rakhimova on LinkedIn Ipsos report on the future of parenting About In Her Ellement: In Her Ellement highlights the women and allies leading the charge in digital, business, and technology innovation. Through engaging conversations, the podcast explores their journeys—celebrating successes and acknowledging the balance between work and family. Most importantly, it asks: when was the moment you realized you hadn’t just arrived—you were truly in your element? About The Hosts: Suchi Srinivasan is an expert in AI and digital transformation. Originally from India, her career includes roles at trailblazing organizations like Bell Labs and Microsoft. In 2011, she co-founded the Cleanweb Hackathon, a global initiative driving IT-powered climate solutions with over 10,000 members across 25+ countries. She also advises Women in Cloud, aiming to create $1B in economic opportunities for women entrepreneurs by 2030. Kamila Rakhimova is a fintech leader whose journey took her from Tajikistan to the U.S., where she built a career on her own terms. Leveraging her English proficiency and international relations expertise, she discovered the power of microfinance and moved to the U.S., eventually leading Amazon's Alexa Fund to support underrepresented founders. Subscribe to In Her Ellement on your podcast app of choice to hear meaningful conversations with women in digital, business, and technology.…

about a year ago 50:23

MP3•Episode home

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

264 episodes

Building the ideal modern day centre-back

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast

28 subscribers

published about a year ago

MP3•Episode home

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

264 episodes

#Sports #Soccer #American Football #Athletics #Premier League

All episodes

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast

1
Foreign International Managers 53:01

5 days ago53:01

53:01

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…

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast

1
Who are the Champions League favourites now? 51:12

12 days ago51:12

51:12

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…

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast

1
Are set pieces more important than ever? 50:48

19 days ago50:48

50:48

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…

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast

1
How every position has evolved 53:28

26 days ago53:28

53:28

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…

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast

1
How data and AI is shaping football 51:22

5 weeks ago51:22

51:22

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…

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast

1
Building the ideal modern day centre-back 50:23

6 weeks ago50:23

50:23

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…

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast

1
Which January signing will have the biggest impact? 45:15

7 weeks ago45:15

45:15

This week we are analysing the winter transfer window signings who could have a big, tactical impact on their clubs over the rest of this season and beyond. We go for some obvious ones — but we’ll also talk about moves you may have missed! Host: Michael Bailey With: Mark Carey, Liam Tharme, Thom Harris and Michael Cox Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast

1
Premier League analysed: A stat for every club 49:14

8 weeks ago49:14

49:14

This week we are bringing you a Tactics staple - a key statistic for every team in the Premier League. From Liverpool’s direct attacks to Crystal Palace’s runs in behind - we have you covered. Host: Michael Bailey With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast

1
Tactically interesting teams to watch in 2025 47:19

9 weeks ago47:19

47:19

This week we are all about the tactically interesting teams you should be looking out for throughout the rest of 2025. What is it about them that has intrigued us; is there an up and coming manager doing something different, and who are the hidden gems in their squad? Host: Michael Bailey With: Michael Cox,Thom Harris and Liam Tharme Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast

1
Myth-busting pundit cliches 49:24

10 weeks ago49:24

49:24

This week… we’re dipping our toes into the world of pundit cliches. Should you always shoot across goal, should goalkeepers always save a shot at their near post… and is Zonal Marking any good - the defensive corner tactic, that is. Not the Tactics podcast legend that is Mr Michael Cox. Host: Michael Bailey With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast

1
Mailbag: PL experience in January and left-footed centre-mids 42:44

11 weeks ago42:44

42:44

This week… we’ve had SO MANY brilliant, insightful messages that it was about time to got stuck into our second Tactics Mailbag of the season. So today we’re talking… The importance of “Premier League experience” for January signings, when do new managers get “found out”, left-footed central-midfielders and much more! Host: Michael Bailey With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast

1
Festive Football Tactical Notebook 49:45

12 weeks ago49:45

49:45

In this episode, we navigate through the feast of festive football. With so many games played in such a short space of time, we pore over the tactical tidbits that have emerged. From Fulham in a back five to Chelsea leaking goals to yet another weakness in Manchester United. We also look at Arsenal’s Saka-shaped hole, which type of passes Manchester City seem unwilling to play and much more. Host: Michael Bailey With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Thom Harris. Producer: Steve Hankey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast

1
2024 tactical trends 53:50

14 weeks ago53:50

53:50

This is the last show of the year, so the perfect time to look back on the tactical highlights of 2024. We’re talking trends, teams, players, standout moments and of course, our tweak of the YEAR! Host: Michael Bailey With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Thom Harris Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast

1
The Premier League’s overachievers 44:07

15 weeks ago44:07

44:07

This week we’re looking at the Premier League teams who are punching above their weight… we’re talking Nottingham Forest, Brighton, Bournemouth, Brentford, Fulham and maybe a few others. How do these clubs build their status in the English top flight and climb the table in the years after promotion? Host: Michael Bailey With: Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme Producer: Mike Stavrou Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast

1
How to manage leads and dangerous scorelines 45:15

16 weeks ago45:15