Chris Flanagan

Chris Flanagan

Senior Staff Writer

Chris joined FourFourTwo in 2015 and has reported from more than 20 countries, in places as varied as Ivory Coast and the Arctic Circle. He's interviewed Pele, Zlatan and Santa Claus (it's a long story), as well as covering the World Cup, AFCON and the Clasico. He previously spent 10 years as a newspaper journalist, and completed the 92 in 2017.

Latest articles by Chris Flanagan

Paul Gascoigne of England at Euro 96
‘Glenn Hoddle is a prick. Terry Venables warned me "Hoddle will try to make a name for himself" – he said it was because of my drinking, but six other players were out until 6am’ Paul Gascoigne speaks exclusively to FourFourTwo on his 1998 World Cup snub

By Chris Flanagan Published

EXCLUSIVE Paul Gascoigne recalls to FourFourTwo how he reacted after being snubbed for the 1998 World Cup

EXCLUSIVE
‘When the alarms go off, you go into the safe room for around five or 10 minutes, then come back out and carry on with your day. It was a strange experience’ Rory Delap on coaching in Israel

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE The former Stoke midfielder was Robbie Keane’s assistant at Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2023

EXCLUSIVE
‘I don’t remember it, but he’s always been an inspiration. Having a family member who won the World Cup has always been a great honour’ James McAtee on the sporting excellence that runs in his family

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE James McAtee’s great uncle was an England legend

EXCLUSIVE
Kevin Danso
‘I blame myself for how things went at Southampton but it was the best thing that happened to me – it’s been a dream to be back in the Premier League’ Tottenham Hotspur’s ‘Magnet Head’ speaks to FourFourTwo

By Chris Flanagan Published

After helping Spurs conquer Europe, charity-conscious defender Kevin Danso is relishing the battle for places in North London – and a potential first World Cup

Player
'If I hadn’t gone to jail, I’d be dead now. It was the hard reset I needed' Troy Deeney on prison, management and THAT Watford goal

By Chris Flanagan Published

EXCLUSIVE After drunkenly stumbling into professional football, Troy Deeney spent 13 weeks in prison, but emerged to become a Watford legend. He still has ambitions for a successful managerial career, too – just don’t ask him about Dale Vince…

EXCLUSIVE
Joe Cole
‘Sir Alex Ferguson asked me to walk out with the Manchester United team for the FA Cup final against Chelsea – I was 12 and I wanted to do it, but I said no’ Joe Cole speaks to FourFourTwo

By Chris Flanagan Published

As he launches his autobiography, the former West Ham and Chelsea star lifts the lid on a phone call from arguably the greatest manager of all time

Player
‘Leaving my childhood club was tough, but I think both Pep Guardiola and I knew it was the right time and the right thing to do’ James McAtee opens up on his Manchester City exit

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE The former City academy star ended his 12-year spell at the club this summer when he joined Nottingham Forest

EXCLUSIVE
‘People think it was all set plays and throw-ins at Stoke. It wasn’t. Tony Pulis recruited a team of characters who were tough and hard to beat, but we could play’ Rory Delap on the Potters’ other side under Pulis

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE Rory Delap was a key part of Tony Pulis’ cliche-ridden Stoke City side of the late 2000s

EXCLUSIVE
‘I felt I was going to be more impactful at the U21 Euros than the Club World Cup. I helped England qualify, so to miss out would have been heartbreaking’ Why James McAtee chose England glory over Club World Cup

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE The former Manchester City midfielder opted to represent his country, rather than get involved in FIFA’s rebooted club competition in the summer

EXCLUSIVE
James McAtee
‘I didn’t want to go in for the next three days after we got beaten 8-0 by Newcastle, I just wanted to hide under my bed’ James McAtee opens up on his Sheffield United loan spells

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE The midfielder spent two seasons on loan at the Bramall Lane side

EXCLUSIVE
Stoke City's Rory Delap prepares to launch his long throw in a game against Hull City.
‘I competed in javelin at county level and cleaned up. I think my personal best was 55 metres when I stopped at 14 or 15 and football took over instead’ Long throw ace Rory Delap on his incredible trademark

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE Stoke legend Rory Delap would secure a place in Premier League folklore history

EXCLUSIVE
James McAtee
‘I remember watching Cole Palmer score in the Community Shield and the Super Cup for the first team, thinking, “Yeah, I want to be doing that as well”’ James McAtee on his time in Man City’s youth system

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE Former Manchester City youth prospect James McAtee had the perfect role model in front of him

EXCLUSIVE
Troy Deeney, Watford
‘I can’t tell you if I actually scored seven, but I was definitely drunk!’ Troy Deeney opens up on the day he was scouted

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE The former Watford man has opened up on his eventful rise into professional football

EXCLUSIVE
Stuart Pearce
‘Gordon Banks’ save from Pele inspired me to become a goalkeeper. I only became a defender because the players in front of me were so shabby’ Stuart Pearce on his admiration for the England legend

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE Pearce went down as one of England’s finest-ever left-backs, but it could all have been very different….

EXCLUSIVE
Millie Bright of Chelsea celebrates with the Barclays Women's Super League Trophy following the Barclays Women's Super League Match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on May 10, 2025 in London, England.
‘I’ll retire at Chelsea, it’s my club, and I adore everyone there. There’s not been a moment where I’ve asked myself if I should leave’ Millie Bright on her love for the Blues

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE The Lionesses defender has won eight WSL title with the club since joining in 2014

EXCLUSIVE
Florian Wirtz of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield on August 15, 2025 in Liverpool, England.
‘Liverpool had no-one like Wirtz, and there’s probably been no-one like him since Philippe Coutinho. He’s got amazing bravery and creativity, and he doesn’t mind making mistakes’ Danny Murphy’s surprising assessment of big-money Anfield signings

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE The former Reds midfielder has run the rule over this summer’s new arrivals at Anfield

EXCLUSIVE
Troy Deeney
‘I bluffed being Watford captain for two years. For the first game of the season, the armband was on my seat, no-one had said, “You’re going to be captain”’ Troy Deeney on his personal turnaround with the Hornets

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE The striker captained Watford to promotion in the 2014/15 campaign

EXCLUSIVE
Alexander Isak signs for Liverpool in a British record transfer from Newcastle
‘I showed my frustration, and the week after I was training with the kids’ Alexander Isak's big Liverpool transfer saga shares parallel with ex-Anfield man

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE Liverpool had to wait until transfer deadline day to get their hands on the £125 million Swedish striker

EXCLUSIVE
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson celebrates with the Premier League trophy in May 2009.
‘Sack Ruben Amorim and who’s coming in? No-one can give you a name. If you brought prime Sir Alex Ferguson in, he wouldn’t be able to turn it around straight away. The club is rotten from the bottom at the minute’ Manchester United legend airs frustration

By Chris Flanagan Published

After beginning a new podcast, Class of 92 star speaks to FFT about his concerns over the state of affairs at Old Trafford

Team
Paul Scholes has worked as a pundit since his retirement in 2013
‘I don’t like speaking about sacking managers, but Ruben Amorim could have been fired by Manchester United and we’d have said it’s about time – he’s had everything he needs, he’s not winning enough games to warrant doing the job' Paul Scholes exclusive

By Chris Flanagan Published

With his new podcast underway, the legend speaks to FFT about the current Red Devils side, and the struggles of their manager

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Team
Millie Bright celebrates
‘Winning Euro 2022 was by far the best day of my career to date – but winning the Champions League at Chelsea will top it’ Millie Bright on her next major goal

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE The Blues defender has won the WSL eight times and conquered Europe with the Lionesses

EXCLUSIVE
Pearce
‘We beat Spain on the Saturday and went to see the Sex Pistols on Sunday. It was brilliant for me, but for Gareth Southgate I’m not so sure!’ Stuart Pearce recalls the time punk rock and Euro 96 collided

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE The former England left-back is a huge punk fan

EXCLUSIVE
Florian Wirtz of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield on August 15, 2025 in Liverpool, England.
‘I like the fact that Liverpool have numbers and options. They’re going to play 60 matches if they go far in all competitions, so the number of people who can turn a game will be key’ Steve McManaman on Liverpool’s depth

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE The former Reds winger has also given his early verdict on Florian Wirtz

EXCLUSIVE
Stan Collymore applauds the fans during a match between his former club Nottingham Forest and Everton in 2023.
‘Nottingham Forest won’t remain in a relegation battle, their squad is too good’ City Ground legend Stan Collymore backs his old club to climb Premier League table, despite Ange Postecoglou concerns

By Chris Flanagan Published

Nottingham Forest have started the season slowly, amid reservations about their new manager's defensive record

Competition
Ally McCoist playing for Rangers in 1992
Ally McCoist Tells FourFourTwo the Four People He Admires Most

By Chris Flanagan Published

The former Rangers and Scotland striker reveals the people that he looks up to more than anyone

Person
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