Chris Flanagan FFT
Chris joined FourFourTwo in 2015 and has reported from 20 countries, in places as varied as Jerusalem and the Arctic Circle. He's interviewed Pele, Zlatan and Santa Claus (it's a long story), as well as covering Euro 2020 and the Clasico. He previously spent 10 years as a newspaper journalist, and completed the 92 in 2017.
Latest articles by Chris Flanagan FFT
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Andy Cole: Mindset of a winner
By Chris Flanagan FFT last updated
Andy Cole The Manchester United legend tells you how to stay motivated to win the big prizes, year in, year out
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Behind the scenes at BT Sport on a Champions League night – what's it like to work in sports broadcasting?
By Chris Flanagan FFT last updated
UEFA Champions League FourFourTwo recently joined the BT Sport team to see how they cover the big match, as Barcelona visited the Etihad…
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Karen Bardsley: Build team spirit
By Chris Flanagan FFT published
Psychology Create a tightly-knit group with advice from Manchester City and England goalkeeper, Karen Bardsley
![Jack Wilshere](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KerWdzHcjsZN4cGGmDp5kY-320-80.jpg)
Jack Wilshere: “I thought it may be hard to watch the World Cup, but I'm viewing every game like a fan”
By Chris Flanagan FFT last updated
Jack Wilshere The former Arsenal midfielder tells FFT’s Chris Flanagan that he hasn’t been able to stop supporting his country this summer despite a difficult omission from Gareth Southgate's squad
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Behrami: "Elton John? Watford deserve a cup final for the Pozzos this time"
By Chris Flanagan FFT published
Valon Behrami Chris Flanagan sits down with the Hornets midfielder ahead of their big day out at Wembley…
![Nigel Pearson Leuven](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uRH7z9enyeLxQ37gXZskyg-320-80.jpg)
A week with Nigel Pearson in Belgium: "Seeing Leicester win the Premier League wasn’t particularly enjoyable – but I also felt pride in it too"
By Chris Flanagan FFT published
Nigel Pearson His tenure at Leicester may be remembered for touchline scraps and press room spats, but as FFT heads to Belgium to meet the boss of Leuven, we find a man who’s calm. Eerily calm…
![Christian Ziege](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FudUunfTCHx7Bhqj4QnjKY-320-80.jpg)
The big interview: Christian Ziege – "Liverpool was a bad move – Gerard Houllier never talked to me"
By Chris Flanagan FFT last updated
The Big Interview Did he nearly die while playing for Spurs? What really happened at Anfield? What's his best Gazza story? The ex-Germany international answered all in the June 2017 issue of FourFourTwo
![FC Santa Claus](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fHFQo8W2c6RY4iYYrNKyTF-320-80.jpg)
Inside FC Santa Claus: Lapland’s favourite football team – who are finally getting serious
By Chris Flanagan FFT published
Long Read We're approaching that most wonderful time of the year, but for the most festively named club in football, the 2016 season was not always one of goodwill. FFT went to Lapland to learn why – and about the exciting developments which could make such misery a thing of the past
![Bixente Lizarazu](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/e4UCgFV9PcHnTiQ7f24sJm-320-80.png)
The big interview: Bixente Lizarazu - "Alex Ferguson wanted to sign me... but it stopped very quickly"
By Chris Flanagan FFT published
The Big Interview Did he turn down a move to Old Trafford? Who was madder: Kahn or Effenberg? Why did he slap Lothar Matthaus? Your questions answered in August 2017…
![Jurgen Klopp](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HSYcujcLvz8n4Pz5f2EdsM-320-80.jpg)
Jamie Carragher: “I think Liverpool have sixth-best squad in Premier League – so top four would be very good season"
By Chris Flanagan FFT published
Liverpool are overachieving, but Champions League football and solving a crucial squad flaw will take Klopp's men to the next level says Reds legend
![Portrait: Richard Cannon](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ewods7xy32fATyvxWWV7nY-320-80.jpg)
You Ask The Questions: Chris Sutton - "I had to hide in a toilet against Arsenal once – it was the safest place!"
By Chris Flanagan FFT last updated
The Big Interview What did he do to aggravate the Gunners so much? How well did he really get on with Alan Shearer? And why didn't things work out with Gordon Strachan at Celtic? YOUR questions answered in February 2018...
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Michael Owen: Why I signed for Manchester United and Newcastle, not Rafa Benitez
By Chris Flanagan FFT published
Michael Owen BT Sport pundit tells FourFourTwo just how close he came to linking up with Rafa again at Liverpool
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Get better sleep and more energy
By Chris Flanagan FFT last updated
Pre-match To become a better player, prosperity begins at home. Customise your boudoir for a shot at matchday glory
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Argentina get technology boost for 2020 Olympics
By Chris Flanagan FFT last updated
Argentina The 2004 and 2008 gold medallists have introduced boot-mounted sensors in their bid for more success
![Arsene Wenger](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FfbN5mmpUDjgtAJNNf2qCe-320-80.jpg)
Alan Smith: "Arsenal are in no man's land – I can’t remember a situation like it"
By Chris Flanagan FFT published
Arsenal Arsene Wenger needs to show decisiveness, share power and keep hold of Alexis Sanchez says ex-Arsenal striker
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What's it like to attend a match behind closed doors? FFT finds out in Bruges...
By Chris Flanagan FFT last updated
UEFA Europa League Club Brugge's Europa League match against Napoli last night was played behind closed doors because of the recent terrorism alerts in Belgium. FFT's Chris Flanagan was there to discover just what it's like to watch a European fixture in an empty stadium...
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FourFourTwo's 50 Biggest Derbies in the World, No.3: Celtic vs Rangers
By Chris Flanagan FFT last updated
FourFourTwo It started out as an act of kindness, then took a religious turn before attracting some of the most reputable international stars. It's Britian's biggest derby...
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Marouane Fellaini: How to win an aerial battle
By Chris Flanagan FFT published
Marouane Fellaini Manchester United's towering Belgian has six tips to help you dominate your opponent in the air
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Goalkeeper training drills: Playing out from the back
By Chris Flanagan FFT last updated
Swansea City Become as comfortable in possession as Edwin van der Sar by using this drill
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Leeds will be back up with the best under Monk - Kewell
By Chris Flanagan FFT published
Leeds United
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A week in the life of Steph Houghton
By Chris Flanagan FFT published
Manchester City The England and Manchester City star reveals what it takes to be captain of club and country. Hope you like smoothies...
![James Milner interview](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/S8mjhSx5PjE56CUjPoFLGZ-320-80.jpg)
The big interview: James Milner – “My dad banned me from wearing red – I was brought up to dislike Manchester United!”
By Chris Flanagan FFT last updated
The Big Interview Is he bothered that people think he’s boring? What’s it like to be crushed by a dinosaur? How bonkers was Mario Balotelli? Your questions answered in September 2018…
![Tim Cahill](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3ioAYbhMYUGYfP2vDyYQxJ-320-80.jpg)
The big interview: Tim Cahill – “When I said I was leaving Everton, Phil Jagielka turned around and half-slapped me”
By Chris Flanagan FFT last updated
The Big Interview Is it true that Sean Dyche eats worms? Will he ever forgive Pierluigi Collina? What does he have against corner flags? Your questions answered in June 2018…
![Portrait: Garrod Kirkwood](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/doVETFYWRLYFH2pQHNYbPm-320-80.png)
The big interview: Steve McClaren - "Not qualifying for Euro 2008 was a crime, but ultimately there was one man responsible – me"
By Chris Flanagan FFT published
The Big Interview What was it like being No.2 to Sven and Fergie? Does he still have a future in management? And whatever happened to that brolly? Your questions answered in March 2018…
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