The Football Boardroom
The Football Boardroom pulls back the curtain on football's corridors of power. Hosts Christian Purslow, former CEO of Liverpool and Aston Villa, and Henry Winter, seven-time Football Writer of the Year, reveal the deals, decisions, and power plays that shape the clubs we love. They provide insider access to the rooms where football's future is decided, offering fans the answers they've been searching for.
Episodes
How difficult will it be to sell Everton? | The Football Boardroom
After less than two years of ownership, the Friedkins have put Everton up for sale.
What are the reasons behind the decision? What challenges lie ahead? And what can fans expect next?
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What does the ‘State of the Game’ report mean for the future of football? | The Football Boardroom
The ‘State of the Game’ report has placed the precarious nature of football finance firmly in the spotlight.
How bad is the situation? How much worse could things get? And what are the solutions to the fiscal problems that bedevil the game?
Henry and Christian are joined by the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy to assess the fallout and discuss the way
What do Manchester City’s leaders do next? | The Football Boardroom
A critical few days await Man City as the players return from international duty and prepare for the huge game against Liverpool.
But, from media strategy to internal meetings with the dressing-room leadership group, how might City’s bosses set about navigating the next swell of this storm?
Christian and Henry head down into the crisis management bunker and role play the various scenar
Man City appeal confirmed | The Football Boardroom
Christian and Henry react to the latest news in a story that has rocked English football.
They reflect on the developments of the last few days, analyse the chances of a successful City appeal and look ahead to what we can expect to happen next.
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Manchester City’s financial ‘sham’ | The Football Boardroom
It has been described as ‘the most significant case in Premier League history’.
As damning new details emerge from the independent commission’s report into breaches of financial rules by Manchester City, Henry and Christian give their reaction to the dramatic latest twists and turns of a saga that has convulsed the English game.
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Manchester City case: The need for a comprehensive settlement | The Football Boardroom
The dust is still settling on last week’s seismic developments around Manchester City’s rule break charges.
As turmoil, chaos and division threaten to engulf the English game, what is the best way to move forward? How do we get to a comprehensive settlement and what does that look like? And what is at stake if this can’t be reached?
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Man City found guilty on 114 Premier League charges | The Football Boardroom
Christian and Henry give their reaction to the latest news around the Manchester City Premier League rule break charges.
What next for the club? What does the process look like? And what might be going on behind the scenes?
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What next for Man Utd’s JJ Gabriel and the ‘academy star wars’? | The Football Boardroom
The international break is here and one player who was due to represent his country is JJ Gabriel. Instead, the highly-rated youngster finds himself at the centre of intense speculation around his future.
Will he stay at Man Utd? What can the club do to keep him? And what does his case reveal about the wider issues around the development and movement of academy players?
Henry and Christian t
Q & A: Chelsea ownership, a Liverpool sale, the future of Man Utd and more | The Football Boardroom
The time has come to dive back into the mailbag and answer your questions!
In this Q & A episode, Henry and Christian address the most pressing boardroom concerns of the day, including the ownership latest at Chelsea, how things could pan out for Sir Jim Ratcliffe at Old Trafford and what next for West Ham’s shareholders.
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The art of Premier League survival for a promoted club | The Football Boardroom
Getting into the Premier League may be one of the toughest challenges in football. But once you reach sport’s Promised Land, how do you stay there?
Christian and Henry swap milk and honey for transfer strategy, wages and financial regulation as they fashion a guide to Premier League survival and discuss the subsequent stages of the laddering-up process.
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Transfer window deep dive | The Football Boardroom
In the wake of another record-busting transfer window, Christian and Henry pore over the big deals and pick apart the phenomena driving the market forces.
Who are the main winners and losers? What’s the recipe for a £100m deal? And why are so many of these transfers being done between Premier League clubs?
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Is the Ratcliffe approach the right way to run Man Utd? | The Football Boardroom
So a less than ideal start for Man Utd’s season after their mauling at Hull.
But, two and a half years after Sir Jim Ratcliffe bought into the club, how are things shaping up behind the scenes? What are the current fiscal and footballing priorities for United if they are going to once again challenge for the Premier League and Champions League? And what does this transfer window’s activity
Would Boehly’s exit be a good thing for Chelsea? | The Football Boardroom
It looks like the long-running boardroom tensions at Stamford Bridge may soon be resolved, with Clearlake Capital set to gain full control.
But why are Todd Boehly and Mark Walter in talks to sell their stakes? What are the implications for the club’s value and capital structure? And what does it mean for Chelsea going forward?
Henry and Christian go west to dissect a deal that could f
What would the Bezos deal mean for Liverpool? | The Football Boardroom
It looks like Jeff Bezos is about to park his vans on the Anfield lawns. But will the proposed investment he is part of deliver for Liverpool?
Christian and Henry get under the chassis of one of football’s deals of the century. What’s really going on? Why now? And what impact could it have going forward?
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Q&A: Infantino, Gambling, England’s DNA and more | The Football Boardroom
We've finally got round to diving into the TFB mailbag for this week's Q&A!
Christian and Henry take on a host of your questions, from forcing Infantino out of FIFA to the flawed thinking around front-of-shirt sponsorship for gambling brands in the Premier League. Much more, too - is the Vinícius to Arsenal deal even real, and ten years after winning the Premier League, whatever next for
Inside the West Ham deal | The Football Boardroom
Amanda Staveley wants in at West Ham United.
This bonus episode tells you everything you need to know about what’s happening at the club.
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Howe leaves Newcastle | The Football Boardroom
Eddie Howe has left Newcastle United, walking away from St James’ Park after almost five years.
He won the club’s first trophy in 70 years and brought back Champions League football.
But exactly what is Howe leaving behind?
In this bonus episode, Christian Purslow and Henry Winter look at the foundations on which the Saudi project is built.
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What does the FIFA private investment plan mean for football? | The Football Boardroom
As the dust settles on a revenue-busting World Cup, a new plan to generate even more money emerges from FIFA HQ: selling off stakes of its competitions to private investors.
The proposal has sparked uproar. But what’s behind it? Where will it end? And can it be stopped?
Christian and Henry follow the money and unpick the power plays and political dimensions of a deal that could change
What does the Morgan Rogers deal mean for Villa, Chelsea and Arsenal? | The Football Boardroom
The British transfer record has been broken again. This time the player is Morgan Rogers and the buying club is Chelsea.
What are the domino effects of the deal, not just for the Blues, but for the selling club Aston Villa and Arsenal, who missed out?
Christian and Henry take a deep dive into the dynamics of an intriguing transfer and assess what it says about the clubs involved and how they
Did the FA make a mistake with Tuchel? | The Football Boardroom
England are out of the World Cup and the footballing post-mortem is well underway.
Amidst the debate around substitutions, squad selection and man-management, Henry and Christian hone in on a key decision- the contract extension of Thomas Tuchel back in February.
Was it flawed from the start? What are the consequences now? And what next for both the FA and Tuchel?
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Will FIFA’s red card gamble backfire? | The Football Boardroom
The decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s red card will go down as one of the most controversial in the history of the World Cup.
But what does the rabbit-in-a-hat moment say about the current balance of money, power and politics in the international game? What are the long-term ramifications? Will it prove to be the ultimate FIFA own goal or can Gianni Infantino ride out the global backlash?
Why Premier League boardrooms have become so ruthless | The Football Boardroom
It’s only early July and yet the big transfer deals are flowing. And it’s not just players on the move, with new faces in numerous dugouts.
These moves are increasingly being characterised by a ruthlessness in the dealings between clubs as they look to exploit the positions of others and maximise their own hand.
What is behind this cutthroat cultural change? How are clubs adapting? And who a
Will this World Cup change the way we watch football? | The Football Boardroom
Hydration breaks have become a much-maligned talking point of this World Cup, it’s very own ‘water cooler’ moment if you like.
But what are the factors at play driving these changes? How will such ‘innovations’ evolve? And will we see a knock-on impact in how the Premier League is broadcast and watched going forward?
Henry and Christian talk money, power and politics in the realm of sports
What does the Burnley v Everton legal verdict mean for football? | The Football Boardroom
Christian and Henry unpick the details of the Burnley v Everton legal case in the wake of an initial verdict in Burnley’s favour. How was the decision arrived at? What next? And what are the wide-ranging implications?
The guys also cast their eyes over Spurs’ new transfer strategy and take a look at the other potential movers and shakers in the market.
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Tom Heaton | The Football Boardroom
The World Cup is underway and one man who knows what life’s like at a major tournament camp is Tom Heaton.
The Manchester United goalkeeper joins Henry and Christian to take us inside an international squad on the road, as well as giving the lowdown on what it requires to be a leader at Old Trafford and how more former players can build successful careers in the boardroom.
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What does Sullivan’s resignation mean for West Ham? | The Football Boardroom
Christian and Henry examine the boardroom ramifications of David Sullivan stepping down from his position as co-chair and director at West Ham.
What next for the club? Will Daniel Kretinsky be looking to making his move? And what are the potential implications for West Ham’s stadium situation?
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Football in America: where is it at? | The Football Boardroom
On the eve of the 2026 World Cup, Christian and Henry take a look at the challenges and opportunities presented by a tournament co-hosted by the USA.
They’re joined by the only current MLS coach to have managed in the Premier League, Dean Smith, who gives his unique perspective on a range of issues, including the salary cap, why more and more Americans are investing in English football and whet
Which England players will move this summer and where will they go? | The Football Boardroom
England’s World Cup training camp has begun out in Florida, but it’s not just the players who are busy. Owners, managers and club executives are already making their moves in the transfer market.
Who from Thomas Tuchel’s squad is likely to follow Anthony Gordon to pastures new? Where will they go and why?
Henry, our man in America for the course of the tournament, joins Christian from hot an
What next for West Ham and Spurs? | The Football Boardroom
The relegation trapdoor separated Tottenham and West Ham as the Premier League season finally drew to a breathless halt.
But what now for two of London’s most storied clubs? In different ways and with distinct challenges, they both face a summer of radical restructure and change.
Henry and Christian survey the scene at two crossroads clubs, assessing the pivotal decisions that loom and iden
Money, power & politics: Inside the world of a Premier League CEO | The Football Boardroom
Brighton’s Paul Barber is one of football’s most experienced chief executives. But what makes a top CEO in today’s game?
Paul joins Christian and Henry to talk crisis management in the midst of the Southampton spygate scandal, managerial succession, player recruitment and how the Premier League can maintain the competitive edge that makes it such compelling global viewing.
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Could Hearts become European football’s biggest success story? | The Football Boardroom
Hearts have radically shaken up Scottish football this season, challenging the 40-year dominance of the Old Firm in fearsome fashion.
How have they done it? How crucial has Tony Bloom’s involvement been? What about the cutting edge role of Jamestown Analytics? And if we are only at the foothills of a multi-year project, what does the summit look like?
Henry and Christian dig into a footballi
What would relegation mean for West Ham? | The Football Boardroom
This week it’s Hammer time. After the defeat at Brentford, West Ham have three games left to save their season…but what happens if the Premier League bubble bursts?
Christian and Henry take a deep dive into the dynamics, dilemmas and doomsday scenarios facing the Irons as the pressure furnace heats up.
Who’s calling the shots? What are the far-reaching implications of relegation? And are fo
Coventry owner Doug King on promotion and Premier League survival | The Football Boardroom
Coventry City are back in the Premier League after a 25-year absence.
What were the principal factors that propelled the club’s return to football’s Promised Land? And how do they stay there?
City owner Doug King breaks off from the much-deserved festivities around Coventry to join Christian and Henry and discuss the club’s remarkable odyssey, his experiences as a football owner and the pla
Should Arsenal fans be careful what they wish for? | The Football Boardroom
Arsenal fans may be licking their wounds after another defeat to Man City, but do the reasons to be cheerful still eclipse any sense of gloom over the Emirates?
Christian and Henry put the business into the business end of the season as they assess the Gunners’ financial firepower and overall strategy and look at the profiles of the people pulling the strings behind the scenes.
They also dis
Chelsea sack Rosenior | The Football Boardroom
Another Premier League sacking and that can mean only one thing at The Football Boardroom…time for another emergency pod!
Henry and Christian react to the breaking news of Liam Rosenior’s Stamford Bridge exit.
Why now? What were the key factors behind the decision? And what next for Chelsea?
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Is the Chelsea project broken? | The Football Boardroom
It’s been anything but quiet on the West London front this season at Chelsea. Ill-discipline on the pitch, fallings out off it at both boardroom and dressing-room level, financial losses, a controversial fine, question marks around the head coach…
And it promises to be a summer of discontent in SW6 should the club fail to qualify for the Champions League.
What exactly is the owners’ strateg
Why are Championship clubs in financial freefall? | The Football Boardroom
Portsmouth's chairman just rang the alarm bell on Championship finances. So we did what we do — pulled the accounts, ran the numbers, and asked the uncomfortable questions.
Why do these clubs keep losing money? Why does anyone still want to own one? And is there a solution to the crisis?
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Q & A: Liverpool ticket prices, Man Utd’s ownership, SCR and more
After a flurry of breaking news stories, we’ve finally managed to dive into the mailbag for our Q & A episode!
Christian and Henry tackle a host of your questions, from price rises at Anfield to ways to maximise commercial revenue at Villa and how a club on the verge of promotion gets Premier League ready off the pitch.
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Spurs land De Zerbi | The Football Boardroom
Another week, another Spurs manager. This time it’s Roberto De Zerbi taking his place in the Tottenham Hotspur hot seat.
How did they get the deal over the line? What’s the nature of the agreement? And is he the man to keep Spurs in the Premier League?
Christian and Henry get into the thickets of the deal as they talk numbers, clauses and boardroom dynamics in what is a season-defining mome
Salah Exit Explained | The Football Boardroom
It’s the end of an era at Liverpool as Mo Salah heads towards the Anfield exit.
But what’s behind the timing, who benefits most and what’s next for Mo?
Henry and former Liverpool MD Christian dive into the details and crunch the numbers of the deal.
Plus, as Henry returns from his trip to St George’s Park in the midst of the international break, should Premier League owners care more abou
Were the Premier League too lenient on Chelsea? | The Football Boardroom
We were all set to answer your audience questions this week - but then one of the most significant boardroom stories in Premier League history dropped into our lap.
Chelsea have been hit with a record £10.75m fine after admitting to £47.5m in secret payments during the Roman Abramovich era.
Former Chelsea head of commercial activities Christian Purslow gives an inside perspective that few e
Relegation: Who has the most to lose? | The Football Boardroom
This season’s race to avoid relegation is a gripping one. But if you’re in the boardroom of one of the clubs involved in the scrap, the drama comes with a swarm of concerns, consequences and questions.
In this week’s episode, Christian and Henry step into the drop zone to analyse the main issues facing the owners and executives running Tottenham, West Ham, Nottingham Forest and Leeds.
Who
Sean Dyche | The Football Boardroom
Takeover dramas, relegation dogfights, shifting dynamics in the modern game. Sean Dyche has seen it all.
In his first interview since leaving Nottingham Forest, the former Burnley and Everton manager joins Christian and Henry to talk money, power and politics in football, breaking down just how complex and challenging life in the Premier League can be.
From heavily incentivised contracts fo
Gareth Southgate | The Football Boardroom
Gareth Southgate discusses the risks and rewards of being England boss, whilst shining a light on the unexpected challenges that an elite manager must deal with at every twist and turn.
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Man City & The 115 Charges | The Football Boardroom
It is the biggest story in English football. But the wait for a verdict on the 115 charges Manchester City are facing for allegedly breaching financial regulations goes on.
Why such a delay? Where are we at with the case? And what comes next?
Christian Purslow and Henry Winter tackle the topic that could have seismic repercussions for the Premier League and beyond, debunking myths and precon
What Next for Newcastle? | The Football Boardroom
Mid-table heading into the final block of the Premier League season, it’s fair to say things haven’t quite gone as planned for Newcastle or Eddie Howe this season.
But why not?
As the fifth anniversary of the PIF takeover looms large, Christian Purslow and Henry Winter look under the bonnet at Newcastle to examine the impact of FFP, the role and future of the manager, and why some big decisio
Forest Sack Dyche & England Keep Tuchel | The Football Boardroom
Henry Winter and Christian Purslow react to the latest Premier League managerial departure after Evangelos Marinakis called time on Sean Dyche’s tenure.
One manager who is sticking around for a bit longer is Thomas Tuchel at England. They give their verdict on the FA’s decision to extend his contract ahead of the World Cup.
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Spurs Sack Frank | The Football Boardroom
Was Thomas Frank always on borrowed time at Tottenham? And where do Spurs go from here?
In this bonus episode, Christian Purslow and Henry Winter dive into the breaking news around Frank’s departure and examine what comes next to arrest the decline.
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The Price of Sterling | The Football Boardroom
On the face of it, the transfer window might have appeared relatively uneventful - but dig into the weeds and you find all kinds of juicy stuff.
How much did Raheem Sterling’s exit end up costing Chelsea? And what is behind the evolution and ever-increasing intricacy of loan deals in football?
Christian Purslow and Henry Winter put a different lens on the January window and focus on three d
Inside The Guéhi Deal | The Football Boardroom
What does Marc Guéhi’s move to the Etihad tell us about the current positions of Man City, Liverpool and Crystal Palace?
In this bonus episode of the new podcast The Football Boardroom, Christian Purslow and Henry Winter delve into the far-reaching impacts of the Guéhi transfer.
They dissect the timing, cost and wider implications for a host of clubs and the league itself- shining a light on
Man Utd’s Big Dilemma | The Football Boardroom
What do Man Utd do next? And which factors will decide whether Michael Carrick lands the job?
A fast start has done wonders for Carrick, but is he the right man to lead long-term?
In the first episode of the brand new podcast The Football Boardroom, Christian Purslow and Henry Winter hone in on the appointment that Manchester United simply cannot get wrong.
If Carrick stumbles, what are the p
Welcome to The Football Boardroom
Former Premier League executive Christian Purslow has run three of the biggest clubs in the country: CEO at Liverpool and Aston Villa, managing director at Chelsea.
Henry Winter is a pillar of British football journalism who has spent decades chasing the stories that matter, the ones often hidden behind boardroom doors. Now, he doesn't need to knock. He's got an access-all-areas pass.
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