
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

How Ralf Rangnick became Manchester United's new manager – via Sussex, the England job, Jamie Vardy... and fake astronaut news
By Chris Flanagan published
INTERVIEW FFT visited Ralf Rangnick when he was sporting director at RB Leipzig in 2017 – and learned much about the incoming gaffer at Old Trafford

Toni Duggan interview: Winning it all with Manchester City, photos with Messi – and returning to the Barclays Women's Super League
By Chris Flanagan published
INTERVIEW Everton Women forward Toni Duggan tells FourFourTwo about coming back to England, and her plans to regain her place in the Lionesses squad

What's Xavi like as a manager? When FFT spoke to the Barcelona favourite about his coaching philosophy
By Chris Flanagan published
As a player, Xavi exuded the Barcelona philosophy: as a manager, he wants to take the club back to the very top

How Brighton went from the brink of extinction to the Premier League – told by their heroes
By Chris Flanagan published
Almost 25 years ago, Brighton were on the edge of oblivion. After two decades of hard work and heartbreak, they're now a Premier League staple – and they could go top with a win over Crystal Palace...

The rise of Jack Grealish: From Aston Villa starlet to Manchester City's record-breaking signing
By Chris Flanagan last updated
Jack Grealish became British football's first £100m player when he joined Manchester City this summer from Aston Villa, but he is more than the carefree playmaker we see each week tearing up the Premier League. As his former coaches and team-mates tell FFT, you don't know Jack...

Brentford back in the Premier League: how the Bees' Moneyball philosophy overcame play-off heartbreak to make it back to the promised land
By Chris Flanagan published
Brentford’s journey from League Two to the Premier League has featured controversial innovation, penalty chaos and enough play-off heartbreak to last a lifetime. Bees heroes past and present tell FFT how they did it...

The 58 things FFT can't wait to see this season
By Chris Flanagan, Joe Brewin, Richard Jolly, Ed McCambridge, Mark White, Greg Lea published
The last two seasons have been a trial for players, clubs and fans alike, but there's green shoots of optimism that 2021/22 could be the best campaign in recent memory. FFT runs down what we can't wait to happen this year...

Long read: Cristiano Ronaldo's incredible journey to 100 Portugal goals – and the all-time international record he broke this year
By Chris Flanagan published
LONG READ Soon, the world’s most relentless footballer will finally be able to call himself No.1. This is the story of how Ronaldo moved to the brink of becoming the greatest international goalscorer of all time – by those who know him best

The 50 greatest Paul Gascoigne stories... EVER!
By Chris Flanagan published
Paul Gascoigne was a one-off. The most naturally talented player of his generation was also the ultimate showman, whose enthusiasm was loved by all. FourFourTwo remembers the best stories, pranks and mishaps (usually involving fish) that made the legend that is Gazza...

England will learn from Euro 2020 - they're still on track for World Cup glory
By Chris Flanagan published
FFT were at Wembley to see the Three Lions narrowly miss out on a first major trophy for 55 years - but 2022 offers another chance

England vs Italy Euro 2020 final reaction: Pride remains at the end of an incredible summer
By Chris Flanagan last updated
FFT were at Wembley to see England beaten on penalties in their first major men's final since 1966

Harry Kane can emulate Geoff Hurst and Bobby Moore - he's peaking at the right time
By Chris Flanagan published
FFT were at Wembley to see the striker lead England into the final of Euro 2020 - now he wants his first ever trophy

England vs Denmark Euro 2020 reaction: 5 big talking points from the Three Lions reaching the final
By Chris Flanagan published
FFT were at Wembley to see England reach their first major tournament final since 1966 - thanks to Harry Kane's extra-time goal

The history of the Italy: why streetwise Azzurri will be formidable in the final of Euro 2020
By Chris Flanagan published
FFT were at Wembley to see Roberto Mancini's Italy side dig deep and book their place in Sunday's Euro 2020 showpiece

Italy vs Spain Euro 2020 reaction: 5 big talking points from the Azzurri's penalty shoot-out win
By Chris Flanagan published
FFT were at Wembley to see the Italians edge into the final of the Euros, after Spain were denied on penalties

Gareth Southgate: Now England's second greatest ever manager
By Chris Flanagan published
FFT were in Rome to see the Three Lions boss reach another semi final - surpassing Bobby Robson and Terry Venables

England vs Ukraine Euro 2020 reaction: 5 big talking points from the Three Lions' brilliant 4-0 win
By Chris Flanagan published
FFT were at Rome's Stadio Olimpico to see Gareth Southgate's side reach the semi finals with an emphatic display

Rafa Benitez: “Protest banners? There weren’t too many, and they were only A4”
By Chris Flanagan published
FFT spoke to new Everton manager Rafa Benitez back in 2019 after he left Newcastle for a new challenge in China – about a potential Premier League return and protests from unhappy fans in blue. It’s funny how things turn out…

Wembley atmosphere has to make England favourites for Euro 2020 - as long as they beat Ukraine
By Chris Flanagan published
FFT were there to see the England defeat Germany in the Euro 2020 last 16 – with a crowd behind them, they'll take some beating

England vs Germany Euro 2020 reaction: 5 big talking points from the Three Lions' 2-0 triumph
By Chris Flanagan published
Gareth Southgate's side swept to victory over their old rivals in the last 16 - FFT were at Wembley to assess the action

You Ask The Questions: Darren Bent – "It was the biggest slap in the face to miss out on England. Theo Walcott hadn't even played for Arsenal in 2006"
By Chris Flanagan published
Darren Bent wasn't selected for England's 2006 or 2010 World Cup finals, despite topping goalscoring charts. The former Tottenham, Sunderland and Aston Villa striker looks back on his career and why Paul Lambert wouldn't make his Christmas card list

Yugoslavia at Euro 92: how the Balkan Wars meant the end of an era for the best team never to win the Euros
By Chris Flanagan published
Prosinecki, Suker, Mijatovic & Co had been fearsome Euro 92 contenders, but civil war in the Balkans meant Yugoslavia were banned before they had the chance to prove it. Many thousands of lives were lost, along with a footballing dynasty
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