Latest articles by Paul Simpson
How Beckenbauer became the brains, guts and vision of Bayern Munich
Franz Beckenbauer Did Der Kaiser invent total football? Some say so...
The downfall of Michel Platini, the man behind Euro 2020
Michel Platini is an undisputable European Championship legend and, as UEFA president, was behind the plan for a Europe-wide Euro 2020. But you won't see him at any games this summer
27 forgotten British underdog shocks in Europe
We'll have another English champion of Europe by the end of this weekend - but these are the greatest underdogs we've ever had from these isles on the continent
When the FA Cup third round lasted 66 DAYS: 261 postponements, snow drifts... and flame-throwers
FA Cup Paul Simpson relives the Arctic anarchy of 1962/63, when the winter weather played havoc with the football fixtures. One team, dubbed the 'Ice Kings', somehow survived...
The Best Footballers in the World… in 1966. Who comes top?
FFT100 Had FourFourTwo been around (presumably under a different name) 50 years ago, who would have been in the FFT100? FFT’s launch editor Paul Simpson wonders...
Why derbies really matter to us – and always will
50 biggest derbies They’re the games we pick out on fixtures day, and keep us engaged throughout entire seasons. But why do we really care that much? Paul Simpson explains…
In partial defence of 'panic buys': What the January evidence really suggests
Premier League Clubs whose winter buys don't work out won't be allowed to forget them – but, writes Paul Simpson, are there actually any differences with the summer deals that don't work out?
World Cup icons: 17-year-old Pele makes Brazil's own psychologist look silly (1958)
World Cup 1958 On the anniversary of his first World Cup goal, we look back at how the Seleção's boy king conquered the world in Sweden – but only after some pre-tournament guff from within his own country's ranks
FourFourTwo’s 100 Best Football Stadiums in the World: No.3
100 Best Stadiums Third in our list, the former Empire Stadium that went from near-bankruptcy to being the Venue of Legends. Paul Simpson gets Wembley fever...
Analysing the superhuman resilience of Arsene Wenger
Arsene Wenger The Frenchman may be in his 18th year of managing Arsenal, but, writes Champions Matchday editor Paul Simpson, he is still steadfast in his vision for the club...
Long read: It's not the economy, stupid – how football cost Labour a general election
England When Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson decided to hold the 1970 general election during the World Cup, he was concerned what effect England's performance could have. Then, four days before the vote, the Three Lions were knocked out...
Wembley: born of folly and almost destroyed after two years
100 Best Stadiums The early history of English football’s home was anything but promising, reports Paul Simpson.
The inside story of England 2-2 Argentina at France '98 – told by the men involved
World Cup 1998 Great goals, seminal sendings off, penalty heartbreak, Mick Jagger: it was the game that had everything. Those involved tell Paul Simpson the story...
Why psychology could prove more decisive than tactics in the Champions League final
UEFA Champions League With the biggest ever Madrid derby looming, Champions Matchday editor Paul Simpson suggests keeping a cool head will be the key to success in the heat of Lisbon - and both managers seem to agree with him...
Estonia emerging from the shadows of Soviets and skiing
Estonia Former FourFourTwo Editor turned Champions chief Paul Simpson reflects on the Baltic nation determined to make its mark on Europe...
Fifty years on: Was England's 1966 winning XI destiny, fate, or a chance affair?
England It's a team ingrained in memory, but was it always destined to be that way? Fifty years on from that Wembley triumph, Paul Simpson explains how chance moulded Sir Alf Ramsey's legends of '66
