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

Three match officials in black uniforms stand on a football pitch, preparing to officiate an under-19s fixture at the University of Warwick.
'Have you ever played the game, ref?' FourFourTwo travels to Warwick to meet the 10 former footballers aiming to make it as match officials

By Chris Flanagan Published

They have, if you must know – via a World Cup and a stint as a US Open golf caddy…

Person
Troy Deeney celebrates a goal for Watford against Birmingham in February 2013.
‘If I didn’t go to jail, I would have been dead. It was like a hard reset for me – I had to sit for 13 weeks in jail and figure out who I was’ Troy Deeney on turning his life around following his prison spell

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE The former Watford striker was sentenced to ten months’ imprisonment in 2012

EXCLUSIVE
Millie Bright on the pitch for England
‘I was at home watching all the Lionesses games – I did a lot of pacing up and down the living room, and a lot of shouting at the screen!’ Millie Bright on what it was like to watch England’s Euro 2025 success

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE Millie Bright ruled herself out of selection from the Lionesses squad shortly before their Euro 2025 tilt

EXCLUSIVE
Chelsea celebrate with the trophy after winning the 2012 Champions League final against Bayern Munich
‘I used the disappointment of the 2008 Champions League Final to fuel me again in 2012. That was the last chance for the likes of JT, Lamps, Petr Cech and Drogba. It had become an obsession’ John Obi Mikel on Chelsea’s historic European title

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE Chelsea clinched their first Champions League title when they defeated Bayern Munich in the 2012 final

EXCLUSIVE
John Obi Mikel
‘I knew exactly what I’d done – I had made a massive mistake. When Chelsea saw what had happened, they were furious’ John Obi Mikel opens up on transfer tug of war

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE The Nigerian international was the subject of a battle between Manchester United and Chelsea

EXCLUSIVE
England manager Gareth Southgate celebrates after his side's Euro 2024 semi-final win over the Netherlands.
‘For Gareth Southgate to go from player to manager at such a young age, then arguably become England men’s most successful manager, my admiration for him is massive’ David James on his respect for the ex-England boss

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE James was a teammate of Soutgate for both club and country

EXCLUSIVE
Champions League trophy
Everything you need to know about the new Champions League format following the league stage draw

By Steven Chicken Last updated

Europe’s biggest club competition has become even bigger – FFT explains what to look out for in the revamped format

Competition
Arsenal Women
‘No-one would have thought Arsenal could have won the Champions League, and they did it. They proved their character - they were resilient and hard to beat’ Rachel Yankey on Arsenal’s WSL hopes

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE The Gunners will be hoping to end London rivals Chelsea’s recent WSL domination

EXCLUSIVE
Aberdeen manager Alex Ferguson poses with the Scottish Premier Division and Scottish Cup trophies in August 1984.
‘That game is still the last time that Real Madrid lost a major European final. We were led by Sir Alex Ferguson, arguably the best manager of all time, who just scared you into winning!’ Gordon Strachan on Aberdeen’s iconic 1983 Cup Winners’ Cup victory

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE The Dons saw off Real Madrid in the 1983 Cup Winners' Cup final

EXCLUSIVE
null
‘Mourinho had to put me in my place very quickly. He sent me to the academy, then brought me back when I was ready to know I was in the big boys’ league’ John Obi Mikel recalls his early Chelsea learning curve

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE The Nigerian international was the subject of a controversial transfer to Chelsea in 2006

EXCLUSIVE
Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi is entering the last 12 months of his contract
‘I deeply hope Marc Guehi is still at Crystal Palace for the rest of the season – when the window shuts, I’ll go to the pub and order a pint of beer’ Boss Oliver Glasner speaks out on Liverpool target

By Chris Flanagan Published

Eagles gaffer is holding on to hope that his star defender will remain at Selhurst Park for the rest of the campaign

Coaches & Managers
img_48-1.jpg
Welcome to Kairat Almaty: the Champions League's easternmost fixture

By Chris Flanagan Published

LONG READ As Central Asia prepares to be represented at the World Cup for the first time by Uzbekistan, FFT visited the region to witness a European match near the Chinese border

LONG READ
Lamine Yamal on the ball for Barcelona against Royal Antwerp in the Champions League in September 2023.
'If you’re going on holiday with an older woman, make sure it’s your mother!’ Legendary wonderkid Freddy Adu offers Lamine Yamal advice on how not to get derailed by media attention

By Chris Flanagan Published

The American once dubbed 'the next Pele', has been impressed by Yamal's talents, but warns of the potential pitfalls ahead

Player
England boss Thomas Tuchel has laid down the law
‘He’s got a really tough job to keep everything Southgate built up, add his own style of play and push this side over the last hurdle and win a trophy, in less than two years’ Teddy Sheringham on Thomas Tuchel’s England challenge

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE The former Three Lions striker has weighed up the size of the task facing the England boss

EXCLUSIVE
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest at Anfield on October 29, 2023 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by MB Media/Getty Images)
‘I understand the pressures Alisson has to play under. So much goes on in footballers’ lives, but he kept his performance levels up as Liverpool won the Premier League last season’ David James’ admiration for his Reds successor

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE The former Reds and England stopper has been impressed by the Brazilian’s consistancy

EXCLUSIVE
Sir Alex Ferguson looks on during a Manchester United game against Charlton Athletic in May 2003.
‘It was just Sir Alex and me in a room. It was difficult to say no to the greatest manager of all time, to his face’ Why a teenage John Obi Mikel turned down Manchester United

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE The Nigerian was the subject of a long-running transfer dispute between Chelsea and Manchester United as a teenager

EXCLUSIVE
John Obi Mikel
‘This agent had a briefcase full of cash sitting right next to him, about £50,000. I was only 16, and all of these crazy things had already started happening’ John Obi Mikel on the surreal race for his signature

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE The Nigerian was the subject of a controversial 2006 transfer when Manchester United and Chelsea fought for his signature

EXCLUSIVE
Ryan Gravenberch of Liverpool during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid C.F. at Anfield on November 27, 2024 in Liverpool, England.
‘Liverpool’s midfield has looked more vulnerable defensively so far, but that’s not because of Florian Wirtz – they need Ryan Gravenberch back, he’s been so underrated’ Former Anfield pass master assesses their new-look side

By Chris Flanagan Published

EXCLUSIVE Ex-Reds midfielder tells FourFourTwo why the Dutchman could be crucial again for Liverpool this season, on his return to the team

EXCLUSIVE
Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak was substituted during the win over Brentford
‘It was easy to judge Alexander Isak when we were only hearing Newcastle United’s side of the story – these kinds of arguments happen at all clubs, it happened to me with Tony Pulis’ Former Liverpool attacker DEFENDS star at centre of transfer dispute

By Chris Flanagan Published

EXCLUSIVE Ex-Anfield ace tells FourFourTwo what it's like for a player to be refused a move that they've set their heart on – and believe they've been promised

EXCLUSIVE
Nottingham Forest players celebrate victory in a penalty shootout in the FA Cup quarter-final against Brighton & Hove Albion, March 2025
‘It’s not going to be that easy, but Forest’s ability to counter-attack will stand them in massively good stead, particularly away’ Stan Collymore outlines why Forest could be suited to European football

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE Forest are back in Europe for the first time since the 1995/96 season

EXCLUSIVE
Chelsea and Donald Trump with the Club World Cup trophy
‘I want to see them push the teams who’ve been challenging regularly over the past few seasons. To truly challenge, I think Chelsea need two more years’ William Gallas on Chelsea’s next steps

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE The former Chelsea defender assesses his old club’s progress under Todd Boehly

EXCLUSIVE
Manchester United minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe
‘No European football means less money to spend, and less reason to choose Manchester United over others’ Brian McClair on Manchester United’s major transfer issue this summer

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE The Red Devils limped to a 15th-place finish last season

EXCLUSIVE
Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank reacts prior to the pre-season friendly match between Reading and Tottenham Hotspur at Select Car Leasing Stadium on July 19, 2025 in Reading, England.
‘He’s taking over a squad that were terrible last season but have Champions League football, it’s literally the best opportunity to take over a football club. You’ve got a team who can’t get any worse than 17th’ Jamie O’Hara on Thomas Frank at Spurs

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE Thomas Frank replaced Ange Postecoglou in the Tottenham dugout this summer

EXCLUSIVE
Rodrygo has been linked with a move to the Premier League over the past week
‘I can’t see Rodrygo leaving Real Madrid for Manchester City, but things didn’t work for him last season – maybe Kylian Mbappe's arrival unbalanced the team’ Steve McManaman talks to FFT about his old club, and why they’re still favourites for La Liga

By Chris Flanagan Published

The Real Madrid legend speaks exclusively to FourFourTwo ahead of the start of the new Spanish top-flight season

Team
Liam Delap
Former Republic of Ireland star dad Rory tells FFT about his stance on Liam Delap’s international future: ‘He’s spoken to both England and Ireland – I’m so proud of what he’s achieving’

By Chris Flanagan Published

Long throw cult hero Rory Delap gives thoughts on his son's fine progress – and why he swapped the Champions League for Prenton Park

Player
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Archives

Other versions of this page are available with specific content for the following regions: