Talking City

Txiki Begiristain has officially left Manchester City, bringing one of the most successful eras in the club's history to a close. In this episode of the Talking City Podcast, Alex and Simon dive deep into Txiki's impact on City, the transfers that shaped a dynasty, and what his departure means for the future of the club. We break down how Txiki revolutionised Man City's recruitment, the secrets behind his most iconic signings, and who could be next to take the reins. Can City maintain their dominance, or is this the start of a new era? Join the debate in the comments, hit subscribe for all the latest City updates, and let us know your thoughts on Txiki's legacy!

Manchester City are back for pre-season, but is this the toughest summer Pep Guardiola has ever faced as City boss?

Join Alex James and City correspondent Tyro Marshall as they break down all things Manchester City! This episode dives into Pep Guardiola's squad updates, summer transfer rumours, pre-season predictions, and whether City are ready to defend their title. We talk new signings, potential departures, and what fans can expect in the Premier League and beyond.

Manchester City have landed Norwegian sensation Sverre Nypan, but the big story could be Jack Grealish's future. On this week's Talking City, Alex James and Tyrone Marshall dig into the possibility that a loan spell is now the only realistic route out for Grealish, with permanent interest drying up in the market. Meanwhile, academy star James McAtee looks set to depart—possibly the only significant outgoing this window. We break down what Nypan brings to Pep's squad, whether loaning out Grealish makes any sense for City, and if this transfer window is shaping up to be a success or a letdown. Plus: What does the lack of big-money sales mean for City's summer strategy? Are fans right to feel frustrated, or is this just a new era of quiet evolution? Drop your thoughts below—should City loan Grealish, or fight to keep him? And are you excited about Nypan's arrival?

Welcome to the latest edition of the Talking City podcast with Alex James, Tyrone Marshall, and special guest Dave Powell Today's episode is all about **Manchester City's record-breaking £1 billion kit deal with Puma**, what it means for the club's future, and why City are leading the Premier League off the pitch as well as on it. We break down: - The details behind the new kit deal: how long, how much, and why it's so big - The global appeal and “brand synergy” between City and Puma - Why Haaland's superstar status is crucial to City's growth - The financial muscle that lets City keep buying top talent - How City's academy strategy keeps the money rolling in - The business side of football: why City's approach works and what rivals can learn Whether you're a City fan, a business of football geek, or just want to understand why the Blues are *so* far ahead, this is the episode for you! Let us know your thoughts below – are City changing the game off the pitch? Would you ever want to see a different kit manufacturer?

Welcome back to the Talking City podcast from the Manchester Evening News!

Welcome to another edition of the Talking City Podcast with Alex and Simon! This week, we're (temporarily!) remote while the shiny new Reach studio gets a makeover, Lawrence Llewellyn-Bowen and Carol Smiley not included. In this episode: Man City's summer of uncertainty: Why is there more flux than usual at the Etihad? Nico Gonzalez transfer talk: Could City really sell a £50m January signing already? Or is this classic silly season? Squad in limbo: Why is no one leaving, but everyone wants to stay? What does it mean for squad depth, new signings, and the new sporting director Hugo Viana? Walker out, Burnley in: Kyle Walker's surprising move, how his City legacy has shifted, and what went wrong after last summer's captaincy. Pre-season & the “Anglo-Palermitan Trophy”: How City's early Club World Cup exit affects preparations, who'll get minutes in pre-season, and the weirdness of facing Inzaghi brothers back-to-back. Pep, depth, and new arrivals: How City's big squad and incoming signings like Reijnders and Marmoush shake up the plan, and why the summer is unlike any in recent years.

City fans, this one's for you, and it's not pretty. In the latest episode of the **Talking City Podcast**, Tyrone Marshall and Simon Bajkowski break down Manchester City's shocking exit from the Club World Cup at the hands of Al-Hilal. Just days after talk of “City being back,” the Blues crash out in dramatic fashion, raising big questions about Pep Guardiola, the squad, and what comes next for the Premier League champions.

Welcome to a late-night Talking City podcast! Tyrone Marshall and Simon Bajkowski break down Manchester City's statement 5-2 win over Juventus in the Club World Cup. Is this the best Pep Guardiola performance in a year? Are City finally BACK to their best? In this late night episode we dive into: Doku's performance Reijnders & Aït-Nouri: the signings making a difference Squad depth, new signings, and selection headaches Foden's spark: is this his comeback? What's changed in mentality and style? Should City fans dare to dream of more silverware? Drop your thoughts in the comments: Are City back? Who impressed you most against Juventus?

Manchester City have started their FIFA Club World Cup campaign in style! Two games, two wins, and now a huge clash with Juventus on the horizon! Alex James and Simon Bajkowski, break down all the action so far, the key players, and what Pep Guardiola's side need to do to lift another piece of silverware. PLUS: How City's style is adapting to the Club World Cup format Key performances & tactical tweaks The Juventus test: what to expect, dangers to watch Could a Real Madrid rematch be waiting in the quarterfinals?

Welcome to a special edition of the Talking City Podcast!

In this episode of the Talking City Podcast, Simon Bajkowski and Alex James react to Manchester City's new ticket pricing structure following a key meeting between the club and fan board City Matters. A £60 cap will be introduced for the most high profile games next season, with category-based pricing bringing cheaper tickets for many fixtures. The club has listened, and fans are seeing real change. Also on the agenda: ⚽ A look ahead to Man City in the Club World Cup as the competition kicks off in the US

Manchester City are wasting no time this summer, adding Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders to the squad ahead of the Club World Cup. On this week's Talking City Podcast, Tyrone and Simon discuss how the new signings could reshape the midfield, what they bring to Pep Guardiola's side, and what the transfer business so far tells us about City's priorities. We also explore what moves might still be coming, potential exits, and how ready the squad is for the season ahead.

In this Talking City episode, Alex James and Simon Bajkowski reflect on Manchester City's underwhelming 24/25 season — one that ended without silverware.

Welcome to the Talking City Podcast by the Manchester Evening News, covering everything Manchester City featuring Chief Manchester City writer Simon Bajkowski, Senior football writer Tyrone Marshall and Manchester City writer Joe Bray. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex James and Joe Bray reflect on Manchester City's final day win at Fulham to secure Champions League football and decide who is the Blues' Player of the Season. They discuss why the best players from the campaign are the unexpected ones, and look ahead to which players might have played their final game for the club. There is an update on Ilkay Gundogan's future while Jack Grealish's omission at Fulham puts his own place in doubt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Manchester City have lost the FA Cup Final. In this Talking City special, Simon Bajkowski and Alex James react to City's 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at Wembley, and break down where it all went wrong.

Joe Bray and Simon Bajkowski are back ahead of the FA Cup final and ask whether it even matters if Manchester City beat Crystal Palace at Wembley. They discuss the tricky call over starting Kevin De Bruyne and then delve into Erling Haaland's weird lack of goals in cup finals for the Blues. Will he break that duck on Saturday? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Manchester City scraped through the weirdest of matches on the south coast — but with Wembley around the corner, are Pep's men really ready? In this week's Talking City, Alex James and Simon Bajkowski break down:

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta believes his team should have two Premier League titles , but City fans (and stats) say otherwise. In this week's Talking City, Joe Bray and Simon Bajkowski react to the viral Arteta comments, assess City's run-in, and lay out what Pep's men need to do to clinch it again. Inside:

Manchester City's incredible U18 winning run came to a dramatic end at Villa Park in the Youth Cup final. On this week's Talking City, Joe Bray and Simon Bajkowski break down:

Manchester City are starting to look like their old selves again! But a Friday night test against Wolves could shake things up. On this week's Talking City, Simon Bajkowski and Joe Bray reflect on:

Manchester City are back at Wembley — and they're not finished yet. On this week's Talking City, Tyrone Marshall and Simon Bajkowski break down another big semi-final win, a huge moment for Rico Lewis, Kovacic's best performance in a City shirt, and the major decisions looming ahead of the FA Cup Final. Inside the episode:

City are back in the top 5 mix after a vital win over Aston Villa — but with the FA Cup semi-final looming, what matters most in the final run-in? Tyrone Marshall and Simon Bajkowski are in the studio breaking down: ⚽ Key takeaways from the Villa win

Manchester City are heading to Goodison Park for the final time — but Everton away has never been straightforward. Alex James and Joe Bray break down: ⚠️ Why this Everton game is a huge banana skin

Manchester City are entering the final stretch — but with injuries piling up and pressure mounting, every game now matters more than ever. Simon Bajkowski and Alex James break down: ⚽ City's Top 5 push — is it slipping away?

With just 7 Premier League games remaining, Manchester City face a must-win at home to Crystal Palace to keep their top five hopes alive. Simon Bajkowski and Alex James break down: ⚠️ The Top 5 race – and how many points City really need

Kevin De Bruyne has announced he's leaving Manchester City — and the derby didn't help the mood. In this episode of Talking City, Simon Bajkowski and Alex James reflect on a frustrating draw at Old Trafford and what it means in the title race, before diving into KDB's legacy, what City will miss most, and where Pep goes from here. Also on the show:

It's Manchester Derby weekend — and we've gone BIG for it. Tyrone Marshall hosts a dual special podcast with Samuel Luckhurst from Manchester Is Red and Simon Bajkowski from Talking City as we preview the huge showdown at Old Trafford. Topics include: Are United even capable of stopping City right now? Can City's “old guard” handle the derby intensity? Haaland's injury latest and who replaces him Why this derby could shape both clubs' seasons Whether you're red or blue — this is the Manchester derby preview you can't miss.

City are off to Wembley for a record seventh FA Cup semi-final in a row — but the big story is how they got there. On this episode of Talking City, Tyrone Marshall and Simon Bajkowski react to Manchester City's 2-1 win at Bournemouth in the FA Cup quarter-final. We break down: Pep Guardiola's bold team selection How the ‘old guard' proved everyone wrong Bernardo Silva's fiery post-match interview The impact of Nico O'Reilly's second-half performance A worrying injury update on Erling Haaland Whether this win marks a true turning point in City's season Leicester preview and who should get a rest midweek With the derby looming, this might be City's most significant week of the season.

As Manchester City prepare to face Bournemouth in the FA Cup quarter-final, Luke Walters and Joe Bray are back to tackle the biggest issue facing fans right now. £750+ season ticket prices. Is the club pricing out its most loyal supporters? Are tourists being prioritised over locals? With the Viagogo deal and cost-of-living pressures, City fans are voicing frustration louder than ever.

In this special 2025 episode of Talking Manchester, we're joined by Crunk Chocolate from the Shades of Blue podcast — an American voice repping the Cityzens across the Atlantic!

Manchester City's struggles continue after another frustrating result, and questions are mounting about their top-four hopes. Simon Bajkowski and Alex James break down all the key talking points, including: ⚽ City's loss of control – why can't they dominate games anymore?

Joe Bray and Simon Bajkowski discuss City's stuttering tactics this season and why it isn't working after defeat at Forest. They look at why City sacked manager Gareth Taylor this week on the eve of the Women's League Cup final, and ask what the men's team need to do to beat Brighton.

In this episode of the Talking City Podcast, hosts Simon and Alex delve into Manchester City's alarming downturn:​ Shocking Statistics: 15 losses in 30 matches across all competitions – a stark contrast to their previous dominance.​ 9 Premier League defeats – an unprecedented figure in recent seasons.​ Analysing the Crisis: Is Pep Guardiola's tactical approach under question?​ Are the players' performances to blame?​ Could complacency after years of success be a factor?​ Jack Grealish Under the Microscope: With zero goals and only one assist in 16 league appearances, is it the end of the road for him at City?​ Join us as we dissect these pressing issues and explore what lies ahead for Manchester City.

Joe Bray and Simon Bajkowski discuss City's chances against Nottingham Forest in the toughest game they have left this season. They assess Nathan Ake's injury blow and who could benefit, before talking tickets and travel as fans are given updates on the Real Madrid fiasco and the upcoming FA Cup trip to Bournemouth. And there's lots of love for the academy, who are on for a remarkable quadruple this season.

In this episode of Talking City, we dissect Manchester City's recent 3-1 FA Cup victory over Plymouth Argyle. Despite making 11 changes to the starting lineup, City faced an early scare when Plymouth took the lead. We analyse the performance of the rotated squad and discuss the pressure on these players to step up. We also highlight teenage sensation Nico O'Reilly, who netted two crucial goals to steer City into the quarter-finals. ​ We delve into Erling Haaland's impactful cameo off the bench, providing the assist for Kevin De Bruyne's late goal that sealed the win. De Bruyne's overall performance is evaluated, highlighting his creative influence and leadership on the pitch. ​ Looking ahead, we preview the upcoming Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest, a pivotal match in the race for a top-four finish. We assess Forest's impressive form this season and the challenges they pose, setting the stage for a thrilling encounter.​ Join us as we delve into these topics and more, providing in-depth analysis and insights on all things Manchester City.

Joe Bray and Luke Walters discuss City's toothless Champions League exit to Real Madrid and discuss Erling Haaland's injury mystery ahead of the Liverpool game. They ask why Kevin De Bruyne didn't play at the Bernabeu - but also pick out one positive from going out of Europe. Looking ahead to Liverpool, can City win and slow the Reds' march to the title?

Joe Bray and Simon Bajokowski are back to heap praise on Nico Gonzalez and Omar Marmoush for their performances vs Newcastle and bring the latest on Erling Haaland's injury vs Real Madrid. Simon is in Madrid and the pair discuss who starts in the crucial Champions League clash - with Pep Guardiola giving City just a 1% chance of progressing.

Manchester City's mentality and game management come under scrutiny in this episode of the Talking City Podcast. Joe Bray and Simon Bajkowski break down City's painful collapse against Real Madrid, Pep Guardiola's concerns over consistency, and key injuries that could impact the crucial Premier League clash against Newcastle. Can City bounce back, or are deeper issues at play? Plus, the team debates Erling Haaland's frustration, Rico Lewis' struggles, and what's next for City in the title race and Champions League.

Tyrone Marshall and Simon Bajokowski discuss City's win at Leyton Orient as they avoided an FA Cup calamity. They look at what went wrong and what went right and discuss how the Blues can possibly take on and beat Real Madrid in the Champions League. Is the Etihad set for a wild ride on Tuesday night? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special episode of Talking City, Simon Bajkowski sits down with Barry Silkman, former Manchester City and Leyton Orient midfielder, to discuss his incredible career, his time under the legendary Malcolm Allison, and his experiences in football management and transfers. Silkman shares fascinating behind-the-scenes stories about his time at City, how the game has evolved, and his views on Manchester City's current squad, transfer strategy, and the state of modern football.

Alex James and Simon Bajkowski react to Manchester City's shocking 5-1 defeat to Arsenal, with Pep Guardiola and John Stones branding the performance "unacceptable." As the transfer deadline looms, will City make any last-minute signings to strengthen the squad? The guys break down the fallout from the crushing loss, potential deadline-day moves, and what needs to change before it's too late. Don't miss the latest Talking City podcast!

Manchester City are on fire—literally!

In this episode of the Talking City Podcast, we break down Manchester City's crucial 3-1 victory over Chelsea, analyzing the resilience of new signings Kusinov and Marmoush, Erling Haaland's unstoppable consistency, and Phil Foden's return to form. We also discuss Pep Guardiola's plans for the Champions League clash against Club Brugge and the team's ambitions to remain top-four spot. Plus, transfer window updates, tactical insights, and a preview of City's brutal February fixtures.

Joe Bray and Alex James discuss City's disaster at PSG and rate their chances of reaching the Champions League knockouts. Three new signings have arrived - but could they play vs Chelsea? There is more bad news on the injury front, and the panel discuss a season-defining fixture list that will save the campaign or plunge City into an even bigger crisis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joe Bray and Simon Bajkowski dive into Manchester City's preparations for their huge Champions League clash with PSG. Can Pep Guardiola's side outshine Ousmane Dembélé and company in their toughest test yet? The duo also reflect on City's 6-0 demolition of Ipswich, Jeremy Doku's incredible performance, and what this form means for their European ambitions.

Erling Haaland has dropped a bombshell, signing a record-breaking 10 year contract with Man City worth £500k a week! In this episode Luke Walters and Joe Bray dive into what this means for City's future, Haalands legacy and the Premier League's new wage benchmark. Did Haaland really snub Real Madrid for Loyalty, or is this a masterclass in career strategy? Plus we break down City's draw with Brentford, defensive struggles, and January transfer updates. Don't miss the latest Talking City!