Chris Flanagan
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 the World Cup, 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
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'LGBTQ+ fans will be respected at a World Cup in Saudi Arabia, everyone is welcome' 2034 tournament bid chief's promise
By Chris Flanagan published
Ahead of the country being awarded the tournament next month, FFT spoke to the bid CEO about some of the important issues that have been raised
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Happy 30th anniversary, FourFourTwo: The story of the ‘quite remarkable’ football magazine
By Chris Flanagan published
Three decades ago when FourFourTwo launched, no-one imagined it would lead to an all-nighter with Delia Smith, being abducted by an Israeli taxi driver and sending Bobby Robson bottles of HP Sauce through the post. We speak to every previous editor, to hear the full story of the ‘quite remarkable’ football magazine

‘If I thought I was out of contention for the England squad, I’d tell you, but I don’t. If moving to Saudi Arabia has damaged my chances though, I can’t really change that’: FourFourTwo hear from Ivan Toney in Jeddah
By Chris Flanagan published
Former Brentford striker Ivan Toney gave a rare interview to the media, ahead of Al Ahli’s derby clash with Al Ittihad
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‘Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk coming to join me in Saudi Arabia? I don’t know - it’s not my problem!’ Former Liverpool star teases his ex-Anfield team-mates leaving Merseyside
By Chris Flanagan published
One of the Liverpool duo's former Anfield pals has been asked about their potential move to the Saudi Pro League
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‘The ball came to Ian Durrant, and Graeme Souness smashed him. Durranty said ‘Is that your best?’ Souness said ‘No, this is’ – bang! Then we were all into it, a good old-fashioned scrap!’: Ally McCoist on the training ground fights that were ENCOURAGED
By Chris Flanagan published
Former Rangers and Scotland hero Ally McCoist tells FourFourTwo about the day when a five-a-side match got out of hand

‘If England appointing a German boss is a major concern, the lack of black managers should be too – people are only interested because it's affecting white English managers, let's not pretend’: John Barnes gives his views on the Thomas Tuchel debate
By Chris Flanagan published
The former Three Lions winger says a lack of diversity should get just as much attention as a lack of English bosses at the top level
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‘He doesn’t get the respect his talent deserves, he’s got everything you’d look for in a striker – if I could pick anyone for Chelsea to sign, I’d pick him’: Glen Johnson names the star that he’d love the Blues to recruit in January
By Chris Flanagan published
The former Stamford Bridge defender knows exactly who he'd like to see his old club sign
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"Winning the Champions League was like Denmark in 1992 – nobody put a lot of money on us, but when it's only one game, anything can happen': Former Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool forward on his European heroics
By Chris Flanagan published
Striking great tells FFT how he's now trying to help boost his old club's profile around the world
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Liverpool will get Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk to sign new contracts, it’s just a matter of time: Former Reds striker explains why he’s confident all three stars will stay at Anfield
By Chris Flanagan published
An ex Liverpool forward is not concerned over the future of some of the club's best players
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Derby County's shocking 2007/08 revisited: the Premier League's worst ever season, told by those who were there
By Chris Flanagan last updated
Derby County endured misery, torment and torture during the 2007/08 season, with no Premier League side having come close to their dismal, record-breaking campaign
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Ex-Arsenal hero Theo Walcott names the underrated Gunners player that he’s a ‘big fan of’
By Chris Flanagan published
One player has caught the eye of a former star early in the season – and it may not be the person that you expect
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Padbol? Jorkyball?! The surprise investment Theo Walcott has made after retirement
By Chris Flanagan published
The former Arsenal and England winger explains to FFT about the hybrid sports he's now passionate about
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They’ve missed him for his legs, energy levels and work rate, they need the whole team to be like that: Lee Sharpe pinpoints the one player that Manchester United have suffered without
By Chris Flanagan published
The Red Devils have been inconsistent again this term – speaking to FFT, a former hero explains which player's absence is felt
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'I got a few kisses and a few rollickings from Brian Clough: I travelled on the bus with Nottingham Forest, but once he marched me out of the dressing room' – Clive Tyldesley on working with English football's most famous managers
By Chris Flanagan published
EXCLUSIVE Former ITV commentator Clive Tyldesley had a good grounding, working with legend of the game Brian Clough at the start of his career

'I think Arsenal are still missing a striker – Kai Havertz has made a good start to the season, but they miss someone who can give them a plan B': Gunners legend gives his thoughts to FFT after opening matches of the new campaign
By Chris Flanagan published
EXCLUSIVE Mikel Arteta's side were held to a draw at home to Brighton on Saturday, and an Arsenal great thinks they need more options
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'I went too early didn't I?' How Adam Armstrong's greatest moment in football was also his most embarrassing
By Chris Flanagan published
EXCLUSIVE The Southampton striker scored the winning goal in May's play-off final, but celebrated victory a little prematurely
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'Some people weren’t happy when I left for Liverpool, I want to repair those wounds': Former England international opens up to FFT
By Chris Flanagan published
Moving to Anfield wasn't universally popular for the midfielder, but he's determined to win the supporters back
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Can Manchester United or Tottenham Hotspur face old boss Jose Mourinho in the Europa League? All the details of this week's league stage draw
By Chris Flanagan published
Europe’s second club competition has undergone a format change this season – FFT explains what to watch out for
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Who could Chelsea face in the Conference League? All the details of Friday’s league stage draw
By Chris Flanagan published
Europe’s third club competition has undergone a format change this season – FFT explains what to look out for
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Everything you need to know about the new Champions League, ahead of the league stage draw
By Chris Flanagan published
Europe’s biggest club competition has become even bigger – FFT explains what to look out for in the revamped format
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Sven-Goran Eriksson's 10-step guide to managing at the top level
By Chris Flanagan published
EXCLUSIVE Sven-Goran Eriksson coached for 42 years, winning 19 trophies and reaching five European finals. In 2019, he told FourFourTwo the secrets behind his successful career – via Becks, Rooney and taming Roberto Mancini
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When is the Carabao Cup third-round draw due to take place, and why is it different to normal? The format, how to watch and more
By Chris Flanagan published
The Premier League’s big boys will be among the 32 teams discovering their opponents, in a draw with a difference
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WATCH: Mascot race ends with controversial winner – Grimsby Town’s Mighty Mariner denied victory
By Chris Flanagan published
Popular footballing figures faced off at Epsom Downs Racecourse, but the victor was unexpected
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'I broke the cardinal rule of commentary by saying "And Solskjaer has won it" - if Manchester United hadn't won, there would have been an effigy hanging of me in the Arndale Centre!': Clive Tyldesley relives his most famous moment
By Chris Flanagan published
The former ITV commentator relives Manchester United's famous night in Barcelona when Sir Alex Ferguson's side became European champions

‘At no point did I think we’d lost 1999 Champions League Final – we’d scored in injury time a few times that season. What was surprising was scoring twice!’: Peter Schmeichel relives Manchester United's miraculous victory
By Chris Flanagan published
EXCLUSIVE The legendary Red Devils goalkeeper relives the glory of the famous victory over Bayern Munich at the Camp Nou
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