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

Gary Lineker
‘I was glad I went to Barcelona, it was a madhouse but it was wonderful – it shouldn’t have been a hard decision to go there, but I was happy at Everton’ Gary Lineker tells FFT about his move from Goodison Park to the Camp Nou

By Chris Flanagan Published

EXCLUSIVE In an exclusive interview with FourFourTwo, the striking great discusses swapping English football for La Liga in 1986

EXCLUSIVE
Gary Lineker
‘As I was delivering the first line in my pants, all I could see in my peripheral vision was four shoulders going up and down, of Alan Shearer and Ian Wright giggling’ Gary Lineker tells FFT about the night he hosted Match of the Day in his underwear

By Chris Flanagan Published

EXCLUSIVE In an exclusive interview with FourFourTwo, the presenter relives arguably his most famous moment on the flagship programme

EXCLUSIVE
Gary Lineker has an exclusive interview with FourFourTwo
‘I won’t miss Match of the Day as that’s the person I am – I’ve never missed playing football, even though I loved it. The show will be fine – I’m thrilled to be leaving it in good health’ Gary Lineker tells FFT how he’s feeling about the end of an era

By Chris Flanagan Published

EXCLUSIVE In an exclusive interview, the BBC presenter admits he's unsure what it will be like emotionally during his final show

EXCLUSIVE
Patrick Vieira
‘So many times when we played Manchester United, arguments would start before the first whistle had even blown – the players would try to kill each other with their eyes’ Former Arsenal star remembers famous Premier League rivalry

By Chris Flanagan Published

Ex-Gunners ace explains why matches against the Red Devils were more intense than any other fixture

Stories
Gary Lineker has an exclusive interview with FourFourTwo
‘I take it as a compliment that I’ve got three replacements, but it’s down to the fact it’s a massive commitment. They’re top presenters and will do a great job’ Gary Lineker offers his verdict on the broadcasters stepping into his Match of the Day shoes

By Chris Flanagan Published

EXCLUSIVE Gary Lineker has given his backing to the trio stepping into his shoes at Match of the Day in an exclusive interview

EXCLUSIVE
Gary Lineker has an exclusive interview with FourFourTwo
‘It felt like the right time to leave Match of the Day, but I liked the idea of finishing at a tournament – mainly as I want my last words to be “England have won the World Cup”’ Gary Lineker reveals why he’s staying with the BBC for one more year

By Chris Flanagan Published

Gary Lineker explains in an exclusive interview why he still has one last dream as a broadcaster

Stories
Dan Crowley
MK Dons midfielder Dan Crowley chosen as our League Two player of the season: ‘When Arsene Wenger tells you he wants you to join Arsenal, it’s hard to turn him down’

By Chris Flanagan Published

Former prodigy explains what it was like to join the Gunners, as he wins FourFourTwo's divisional award

Stories
Richard Kone
Wycombe Wanderers forward Richard Kone named as our League One player of the season: ‘Even as I was signing the contract to join the club, I was like “I’m going to wake up soon!”’

By Chris Flanagan Published

Chairboys striker wins our fan vote, as we unveil FourFourTwo's best 50 players in the Football League during 2024-25

Stories
Borja Sainz
Norwich City’s Borja Sainz voted best player in EFL in FourFourTwo’s annual fan poll – Wycombe Wanderers striker Richard Kone wins League One award, Dan Crowley of MK Dons named best in League Two

By Chris Flanagan Published

Trio take the honours as we unveil our list of the best 50 footballers in the Football League this season

Stories
Gary Lineker has an exclusive interview with FourFourTwo
‘I remember the first time I was on Match of the Day, I had an absolute shocker. When I arrived home, I even got the piss taken out of me by my own family!’ Gary Lineker tells FourFourTwo about his unfortunate start to life on the flagship show

By Chris Flanagan Published

EXCLUSIVE In an exclusive interview, the presenter reveals why his relationship with Match of the Day didn't get off on the right foot

EXCLUSIVE
Gary Lineker
‘Sir Gary Lineker? I don’t know how you comment on that – I’ve never even considered it. I just try to stand up for the things I believe in’ England legend tells FFT why he won’t stop raising humanitarian issues, even if it affects potential honours

By Chris Flanagan Published

EXCLUSIVE In an exclusive interview, the goalscorer, TV presenter and podcaster explains why it's important to speak up for things he believes in

EXCLUSIVE
MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND - August 28: Ray Parlour of Middlesbrough shouting during the Premier League match between Middlesbrough and Crystal Palace at Riverside Stadium on August 28, 2004 in Middlesbrough, England. (Photo by Stewart Kendall/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
'The fans were very genuine. I find northern people a lot better than southern people because you know where you stand. Everyone was the same level. Playing football doesn’t mean I’m bigger than you': Ray Parlour reveals love for Middlesbrough spell

By Ryan Dabbs Published

EXCLUSIVE Ray Parlour enjoyed his time at Middlesbrough between 2004 and 2007, noting the "genuine" people as a highlight

EXCLUSIVE
Ray Parlour
‘I’d train at Arsenal all week, go up on Friday, train with the lads, play Saturday and then go back to London – they had great fans and I was like a messiah’: Ray Parlour reflects on Hull City spell fondly

By Ryan Dabbs Published

EXCLUSIVE Arsenal kept Ray Parlour fit during the week as he starred for Hull City in the Championship during the 2006/07 season

EXCLUSIVE
Gary Lineker has an exclusive interview with FourFourTwo
‘I understand why fans moan about the 3pm blackout because you can watch any game abroad. It’ll go at some point as broadcasters cough up more cash’ Gary Lineker discusses current TV rules with FourFourTwo

By Chris Flanagan Published

EXCLUSIVE Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker speaks exclusively to FourFourTwo about the 3pm blackout regulation

EXCLUSIVE
Tottenham Hotspur target Andoni Iraola manager of AFC Bournemouth during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Manchester City at Vitality Stadium on February 24, 2024 in Bournemouth, England.
‘If I was Bournemouth, I’d be thinking if they can get past Manchester City, there’s no-one to stop them winning the FA Cup for the first time ever’ Former England star believes the Cherries have the ability to make history

By Chris Flanagan Published

EXCLUSIVE Ex-England ace isn't ruling out a shock cup triumph this season for Bournemouth

EXCLUSIVE
Gary Lineker has an exclusive interview with FourFourTwo
‘I wasn’t concerned I’d done anything wrong – I stated a fact. It was taken out of proportion and people have recognised that they misread the situation a bit’ Gary Lineker gives FourFourTwo his thoughts on BBC suspension for asylum seeker tweet

By Chris Flanagan Published

EXCLUSIVE Gary Lineker speaks exclusively to FourFourTwo about the time he was asked to step back from Match of the Day

EXCLUSIVE
Gary Lineker has an exclusive interview with FourFourTwo
‘I’ve had talks with Sky at various points, but I just loved being with the BBC. Also, I’m quite loyal. I’ve had the same guy cut my hair for the last 40 years’ Gary Lineker talks exclusively to FourFourTwo about his presenting career

By Chris Flanagan Published

BBC presenter Gary Lineker reveals that he's turned down interest from Sky during his distinguished career on television

Stories
Gary Lineker has an exclusive interview with FourFourTwo
Gary Lineker exclusive: ‘I’m prouder of my presenting career than my football career – I was born to be in the box, not on the box. I had to battle with television for a long time’

By Chris Flanagan Published

EXCLUSIVE Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker talks to FourFourTwo, as he prepares to step down after 26 years in the role

EXCLUSIVE
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is expected to sanction plenty of sales this summer
‘Pep Guardiola had issues in his personal life – was that partly why he didn’t commit earlier, and why they’ve struggled? Were the club reluctant to buy players, in case he left?’ Former Manchester City defender gives view on difficult campaign

By Chris Flanagan Published

EXCLUSIVE Former Manchester City star ponders the reasons for club's decline as well as Pep Guardiola's struggles

EXCLUSIVE
Ian Rush celebrates after scoring for Liverpool against Everton in the 1986 FA Cup final
‘Nobody is irreplaceable at Liverpool – Kevin Keegan left but Kenny Dalglish came in, Ian Rush left and they still won the league’ Former Anfield star explains why the Reds wouldn’t be crippled by departure of key player

By Chris Flanagan Published

EXCLUSIVE Ex-Liverpool midfielder looks to history for reasons why the Reds can cope despite potential exit of star

EXCLUSIVE
Ranked! The 100 best Premier League players ever
Ranked! The 100 best Premier League players ever

By Mark White Published

RANKED! The best Premier League players ever, as we rank the ultimate icons who defined over three decades of thrills and spills

RANKED!
Thomas Tuchel smiles after being announced as England head coach, October 2024
‘The fact he’s on a short deal doesn’t sit well. Gareth laid the foundations for players coming through. All Tuchel’s got to worry about is the here and now’: England hero lays out his issues with Thomas Tuchel appointment

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE Former England striker Teddy Sheringham has a number of concerns regarding Thomas Tuchel

EXCLUSIVE
Thomas Tuchel has been appointed the new England manager
‘England supporters are craving some success. If Tuchel can come in and finish the brilliant job Gareth Southgate started, nobody will care if he leaves’: Ex-Three Lions international gives his take on Thomas Tuchel's short-term deal

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE Thomas Tuchel has signed an 18-month deal as Three Lions boss that runs until the end of the 2026 World Cup

EXCLUSIVE
Martin Keown at Arsenal in 1996
‘Everything he did, I clapped, saying, “What a player!” Then Dennis did it in the second half. Arsene Wenger must have been listening to us because he signed him!’: Arsenal legend reveals his brilliant Martin Keown prank

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE Arsenal defender Martin Keown was left seething as his team-mates praised a trialist during their training sessions

EXCLUSIVE
Thomas Tuchel has been appointed the new England manager
‘If an Englishman with the credentials was available, fair enough, but I don’t think there was. If Tuchel gets the job done, it doesn’t matter where he’s from’: Ex-England midfielder weighs in on foreign manager debate

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE Thomas Tuchel followed in the footsteps of Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello to become England's third foreign boss

EXCLUSIVE
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