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

Scott McTominay warms up for Napoli, November 2024
'You wonder about Manchester United's decision to sell Scott McTominay – if you were picking a team to save your life, would you have him in it? I would. Some of the others, I wouldn't' Ex-Old Trafford star on why the Red Devils have missed Napoli ace

By Chris Flanagan Published

Speaking to FourFourTwo, a former Manchester United winger explained why letting McTominay leave has backfired

Stories
Gary Lineker has an exclusive interview with FourFourTwo
I interviewed Gary Lineker last month – he didn’t want his TV career to end like this, the World Cup was supposed to be his grand finale

By Chris Flanagan Published

After three decades, the former England striker still dreamed of finishing his career with a Three Lions triumph next summer

Stories
Football songs: The history of the beautiful game's relationship with music

By Ed McCambridge Published

LONG READ From El Tel to John Barnes, footballers once delivered a string of memorable tunes and even the odd No.1 - FFT salutes a lost tradition

LONG READ
David Beckham celebrates after his iconic free-kick against Greece
‘I got invited to a World Cup party at Becks' house – white tie and diamonds was the dress code! I spent most of the time with my lad in the kids’ play tent!’Danny Mills recalls entering the orbit of David Beckham

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE Danny Mills was present to witness David Beckham’s stunning free-kick against Greece and England’s subsequent 2002 World Cup campaign

EXCLUSIVE
David Beckham of Manchester United, October 1996
‘It suited him better to play wide, to allow him to do his creative stuff. I don’t think he initially wanted to play there by choice, but his delivery was deadly’: David Beckham’s early Manchester United days recalled by former team-mate

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE David Beckham had to change position in order to break through at Manchester United

EXCLUSIVE
Conor Bradley
‘I’d leave Liverpool’s right-back position with Conor Bradley next season, I’d only sign a back-up – at left-back, I’d still start Andy Robertson, even if they bought Milos Kerkez’ Former Anfield full-back has has say on club’s transfer business

By Chris Flanagan Published

Ex-Reds defender has faith in Northern Irishman to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold as a regular starter

Stories
Jack Grealish, Aston Villa
‘No one gave us a chance, but we felt we could cause an upset. That game was the emergence of Jack Grealish – the bigger the stage, the more the kid grew’ Tim Sherwood on the moment a star was born

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE The former Aston Villa boss on the moment that Jack Grealish announced his arrival

EXCLUSIVE
Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho has spent the season on loan at Chelsea
‘Jadon Sancho needs to leave Chelsea for his own sake – do you want to be a player who comes on sometimes, or one who plays every week? He’s good enough to play every week’ Former Blues star explains why loanee has been outshone by another wide man

By Chris Flanagan Published

In an exclusive interview, an ex-Stamford Bridge winger gives his view on whether Sancho should stay with the club

Stories
Best players in the Premier League
Ranked! The 50 Best Premier League players of the season

By Ed McCambridge Published

RANKED! From warhorses to Wor History-Makers, FourFourTwo ranks a half-century of talent from 2024/25 – has your man made the cut?

RANKED!
Kenny Dalglish, Tim Sherwood
‘When we knew United had drawn at West Ham, it was just relief. It still gives me goosebumps talking about lifting the trophy, but my barnet was a regret!’ Tim Sherwood on what winning the Premier League meant

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE Sherwood captained Blackburn Rovers to the Premier League title in the 1994/95 season

EXCLUSIVE
Nicole Scherzinger perfors at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards Pre-Show at The Palms Hotel and Casino on September 9, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
'I was trying to tell Nicole Scherzinger that Boro are a proper football club, but she asked, ‘Where are all of the trophies?’ I said, ‘Don’t worry about that…’' The celebrity Middlesbrough fan who attempted to recruit X Factor judge

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE It’s fair to say Nicole Scherzinger has not been a Riverside regular in the years since

EXCLUSIVE
Arsene Wenger, Emmanuel Petit
'Arsene Wenger came to watch a game on a Sunday morning, then told me, ‘From tomorrow, you’re training with us’. I never left the first team after that!' Emmanuel Petit recalls the moment Wenger took a gamble on him

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE A teenage Petit was handed a senior debut by Wenger at Monaco

EXCLUSIVE
Katie Chapman, Women's FA Cup, Arsenal vs Chelsea
‘Things are better for mothers in football now. You take the time with people who do an ACL – why can’t you do that with a pregnant woman? It’s the same’ England great Katie Chapman on how women’s football has changed

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE The former Arsenal and Chelsea star racked up 28 trophies during her career

EXCLUSIVE
Tore Andre Flo celebrates with Gianfranco Zola after scoring for Chelsea against Barcelona in the Champions League, 2000
Revealed: Former Chelsea star Tore Andre Flo explains which current League One club he’s supported since he was eight years old – and why he’s excited for their future

By Chris Flanagan Published

The ex-Norway World Cup striker grew up following an unlikely club, and is still cheering them on from afar

Stories
Dimitar Berbatov, 2017
'It was a different time when Manchester United had myself, Rooney, Ronaldo and Tevez upfront. The manager’s patience might run out this summer – the current strikers either produce and start scoring now, or they could be sold' Dimitar Berbatov exclusive

By Chris Flanagan Published

Speaking to FourFourTwo, former Manchester United star Dimitar Berbatov gives his thoughts on the club's current firepower options

Stories
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly
‘I’m sometimes furious when I see Chelsea, because they’re going nowhere – their plan is like RB Leipzig or Monaco, but with their history, it shouldn’t be the same’ Former Stamford Bridge star expresses FRUSTRATION at Blues’ strategy

By Chris Flanagan Published

In an exclusive interview, ex-Chelsea defender explains why he's not happy with the club's plan since the arrival of Todd Boehly

Stories
'Cristiano Ronaldo asked me to play at his 35th birthday party, which would have been amazing – it was going to be in Italy, when he was at Juventus. Then COVID happened. I was pretty gutted': BRIT Awards nominee reveals Portuguese superstar's request

By Ryan Dabbs Published

EXCLUSIVE Cristiano Ronaldo made a special request for a BRIT Awards nominee to play at his 35th birthday party

EXCLUSIVE
Borja Sainz
‘This has been my best year in football – when I play and I enjoy it, goals and assists will come. I want to represent Spain and play in the Premier League’: Norwich sharpshooter Borja Sainz sets out his future ambitions

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE The Spanish striker is gunning for the Championship golden boot this season

EXCLUSIVE
Gustavo Hamer of Sheffield United during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United at City Ground on August 18, 2023 in Nottingham, England.
‘When you get beat 8-0, 5-0, 4-1, it’s a bit grey, like Sheffield outside! It’s hard to recover. We must give our fans promotion – if we don’t, then it’s a s**t year’ - Gustavo Hamer on Sheffield United’s promotion push

By Joe Mewis Published

The Blades are in a three-way battle for a top two spot and promotion back to the Premier League

Stories
Fulham squad for 2024/25 BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 13: Jay Stansfield of Birmingham City during the Sky Bet Championship match between Birmingham City and Coventry City at St Andrews (stadium) on April 13, 2024 in Birmingham, England.(Photo by Copa/Getty Images)
‘If it was £500,000 or £15m, I would have come back, because the club means everything to me. I try to just do all of my talking on the pitch and score goals’: Jay Stansfield on his record-breaking Birmingham City move

By Joe Mewis Published

Jay Stansfield's League One record signing has helped fire Blues back to the Championship

Stories
Caoimhin Kelleher file photo
‘Caoimhin Kelleher leaving Liverpool for Manchester City might suit both parties – it’s only 45 minutes down the road, he wouldn’t even need to relocate’ Former goalkeeping ace explains why a rare move between rivals makes sense this summer

By Chris Flanagan Published

Ex-Reds and City shot-stopper explains why Irishman could be a good fit at the Etihad

Stories
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery looks on from the dugout during the Champions League last 16 first leg match against Club Brugge at Jan Breydel Stadium in Bruges, Belgium on 4 March, 2025
‘Real Madrid are tough to turn down, but why would Unai Emery leave Aston Villa? He’s more powerful than the sporting director and chief executive – he might not get that elsewhere’ Ex-Villa star explains why even the Bernabeu may not tempt boss away

By Chris Flanagan Published

Former favourite insists that there's no reason for Emery to leave Villa Park any time soon, despite links

Stories
Derby County managers Billy Davies and Paul Jewell during the 2007/08 season as the Rams suffered relegation from the Premier League with the lowest points total ever
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

Longform
Gary Lineker has an exclusive interview with FourFourTwo
‘It’s hard to know which players could become presenters, but I see two current footballers who could be good pundits’ Gary Lineker tips duo for TV careers after retirement

By Chris Flanagan Published

EXCLUSIVE In an exclusive interview for FourFourTwo, the long-serving Match of the Day picks out two players who could have futures on television

EXCLUSIVE
Gary Lineker has an exclusive interview with FourFourTwo
‘Italia 90 is the one thing I look back on and think ‘If only’, because we would have had a real chance in the final – winning a World Cup is immortality, it’s forever’ Gary Lineker tells FFT about the biggest regret from his playing career

By Chris Flanagan Published

EXCLUSIVE In an exclusive interview with FourFourTwo, the striking legend reveals the most crushing disappointment he experienced

EXCLUSIVE
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