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

Liverpool squad for 2024/25 LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Darwin Nunez of Liverpool in action during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC at Anfield on August 25, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
‘Liverpool need to bring someone in to take the burden off Darwin Nunez – he’s not a starting player, the fee has weighed him down, he’s trying to too hard’ Former Reds record signing explains what it’s like when a price tag leads to unwanted scrutiny

By Chris Flanagan Published

Ex-Anfield striker explains to FourFourTwo why his old club may need to sign another striker to support the Uruguayan

Stories
null
‘In terms of credentials, he’s fantastic, but it’s our country against yours – if Southgate won the World Cup with Germany, what would English people say?’: Ex-Englaand striker weighs in on Thomas Tuchel and the foreign manager debate

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE Thomas Tuchel is the third overseas coach to take charge of the Three Lions

EXCLUSIVE
Thomas Tuchel
‘Southgate was criticised for his in-game management, but that’s Tuchel’s area of expertise – he can read the flow of a game and turn the tide in his favour’: Ex-England international outlines key Thomas Tuchel strength

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE Former Three Lions playmaker Joe Cole on where Tuchel can build on Gareth Southgate's foundations

EXCLUSIVE
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta now just has one more shot at silverware this season
‘Mikel Arteta could have handled the media differently recently – bad PR can take up so much of your time as a manager, but your brains are scrambled’ Ex-Premier League boss explains why Arsenal boss got it wrong

By Chris Flanagan Published

Experienced former gaffer offers Spaniard advice on how to navigate tricky situations during post-match interviews

Stories
Liverpool boss Arne Slot could still win the Premier League in his first season in England
‘Five more wins should give Liverpool the title – they’re facing questions after their two cup defeats, but the Premier League was always the be all and end’ Former Anfield star explains how many points the Reds need to secure the title

By Chris Flanagan Published

Ex-Liverpool defender backs his old club to recover from recent results and cruise to a first league triumph in five years

Stories
SAITAMA, JAPAN - MARCH 20: Japanese players pose for photographers as they qualified for the World Cup 2026 during the FIFA World Cup Asian qualifier Group C match between Japan and Bahrain at Saitama Stadium on March 20, 2025 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Kaz Photography/Getty Images)
Why Japan WON'T be happy they've become first nation to qualify for 2026 World Cup

By Ryan Dabbs Published

Japan confirmed their spot in the 2026 World Cup on Thursday, but they might have rather waited a week...

Stories
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk is out of contract in the summer
'Centre-half is a position where the more experienced you are, the better you get – to get back to the player he is now after that injury has been amazing’: Former Liverpool star in awe of Virgil van Dijk's continued excellence

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE Former Liverpool defender Neil Ruddock is full of praise for the Reds skipper

EXCLUSIVE
Caoimhin Kelleher
‘They probably have the best goalie squad in Liverpool history. No one moans if Alisson is missing a game, because the other one produces the same level’: Former Liverpool coach on Caoimhin Kelleher’s vital role

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE Caoimhin Kelleher has had to play back-up to Alisson in one of the Premier League's most stocked goalkeeping departments

EXCLUSIVE
Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel, waving
‘Certain people are suited to international football. Sven was, Southgate was, but I think Thomas Tuchel might be more suited to club football like Pep and Klopp’: John Barnes reveals his major Thomas Tuchel fear

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE Former England winger John Barnes has a nagging doubt over the new Three Lions boss

EXCLUSIVE
England manager Thomas Tuchel
‘Thomas Tuchel's made his name as a cup manager, and they get no bigger than the World Cup. He’s a planner, he’s painstaking, he could be England’s secret weapon’: Emile Heskey's great hope for England's new boss

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE Thomas Tuchel is getting set for his first game in charge of the Three Lions

EXCLUSIVE
Thomas Tuchel has been appointed the new England manager
‘Thomas Tuchel galvanised Chelsea – he quickly identified which players could fit into a system that would win matches. They were putty in his hands from day one’: Joe Cole on why fans should expect a fast start from the new England boss

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE Tuchel's England tenure finally gets underway next weekend when the Three Lions host Albania on Friday night

EXCLUSIVE
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 30: Matthijs de Ligt of Manchester United controls the ball under pressure from Bilal El Khannouss of Leicester City during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Manchester United and Leicester City at Old Trafford on October 30, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
‘Manchester United already have the talent at centre-back to climb the table – they just have to protect them with legs in midfield’ Former Old Trafford defender explains how his old club can become consistent again

By Chris Flanagan Published

Talking to FourFourTwo, an ex-Premier League title-winner has given his verdict on the club's current central defensive options

Stories
Daniel Levy
‘It’s not Daniel Levy’s fault that Spurs haven’t won a trophy – they can win one under him, and I think they can still win one this season’ Former Tottenham Hotspur boss offers his backing to under-fire chairman

By Chris Flanagan Published

In an exclusive interview with FourFourTwo, ex-manager defends head honcho after a difficult season under boss Ange Postecoglou

Stories
13 October 1993 Rotterdam, World Cup Qualifying match, Netherlands v England, Ronald Koeman scores a goal from a free kick. (Photo by Mark Leech/Offside via Getty Images)
‘Yes, Ronald Koeman should have been sent off against England in 1993, but David Platt also could have stayed on his feet – that’s never mentioned’ Former Three Lions star on playing in one of the country’s most infamous matches

By Chris Flanagan Published

Ex-defender remembers a night in Rotterdam that ended England's World Cup hopes – and ultimately Graham Taylor's reign as boss

Stories
US President Donald Trump waits to speak in Emancipation Hall during inauguration ceremonies at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025. (Photo by Greg Nash / POOL / AFP) (Photo by GREG NASH/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) with the Rangers crest behind him
‘I was aware of the rumours of Donald Trump buying Rangers – my first sit-down board meeting with him would have been interesting…’ Ally McCoist gives verdict on reports of a high-profile takeover

By Chris Flanagan Published

Legendary striker tells FourFourTwo about the time that the current US president was linked with a move into Scottish football

Stories
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim continues to face struggles at Old Trafford
‘Ruben Amorim needs to be more flexible – the best bosses are able to switch between formations’ Former Manchester United defender voices concerns at manager’s tactics

By Chris Flanagan Published

One Manchester United star insists that the Portuguese gaffer can't afford to be too wedded to one formation

Stories
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 09: Ange Postecoglou manager / head coach of Tottenham Hotspur after the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur at Villa Park on February 09, 2025 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
‘I still back Ange Postecoglou – people haven’t respected what he’s said, that injuries have made a massive difference’ Tottenham Hotspur legend defends manager from criticism

By Chris Flanagan Published

Former striker explains why he remains fully supportive of the club's Australian boss, despite a difficult campaign

Stories
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - AUGUST 24: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Adrian, Alisson Becker, Caoimhin Kelleher of Liverpool and John Achterberg first-team goalkeeping coach during a training session at AXA Training Centre on August 24, 2021 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
‘I’d watched Alisson since 2012, but he had no EU passport. I did my own work and thought if we were to spend money, he was the only one to spend it on’: Liverpool waited patiently for Brazilian goalkeeper before finally making £67m signing in 2018

By Ryan Dabbs Published

EXCLUSIVE Liverpool had been keeping tabs on Alisson for six years before he moved to Anfield

EXCLUSIVE
MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM: Arsenal players (L-R:) Martin Keown, captain Patrick Vieira,keeper David Seaman, Ashley Cole,Ray Parlour, and Edu celebrate after a premier league match win over Manchester United at Old Trafford 08 May 2002. The win secured Arsenal the double after winning the cup final 04 May 2002. (Photo credit should read PAUL BARKER/AFP via Getty Images)
'Winning the league at Old Trafford tops White Hart Lane – you can imagine Fergie saying, "Don’t let this mob beat us to win the title at our own stadium"': Arsenal legend preferred sealing 2002 title against Manchester United than in 2004 versus Spurs

By Ryan Dabbs Published

EXCLUSIVE Arsenal have managed to win the Premier League at both Manchester United and Tottenham, and one player who featured in both title wins has his say on which was better

EXCLUSIVE
Liverpool star and Real Madrid target, Trent Alexander-Arnold
‘Trent has won everything he can for Liverpool, but of those who’ve left that we wanted to stay, who’s actually done better? I can only come up with one’: Reds legend highlights potential danger of Alexander-Arnold moving to Real Madrid

By Ryan Dabbs Published

Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold is at risk of joining Real Madrid in the summer - but a club legend has warned him about leaving

Stories
US President Donald Trump (L) holds a football as he speaks with FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the Global Chief Executive Officers dinner at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on January 21, 2020. (Photo by JIM WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)
The Donald Trump World Cup? Why the United States president is set to overshadow the 2026 tournament

By Chris Flanagan Published

Donald Trump will be in office as the 2026 World Cup heads to North America - and could the president get in the way of the tournament?

Stories
Donald Trump vs the United States: A timeline of the president's spat with the national team

By Chris Flanagan Published

Donald Trump started off positively about the United States' football/soccer team, but things haven't gone quite as well in recent years...

Stories
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk
‘The anxiety was the price - there were players who were 80 per cent as good and 80 per cent of the cost. The question was, ‘Do we want to spend a world-record fee?’ Revealed: why Liverpool broke the bank for Virgil van Dijk

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE Liverpool shelled out a world record transfer fee for a defender to land Virgil van Dijk in January 2018

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.
‘He instantly popped into our ratings as one of the best U21 midfielders in Europe. The impressive thing is Slot has made him into more of a no.6' Inside Ryan Gravenberch's transformation at Liverpool

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE Liverpool wanted to sign a new No.6 in the summer transfer window, but Ryan Gravenberch has now made that position his own

EXCLUSIVE
Ray Parlour, Arsenal
‘Tim Lovejoy was probably right, to be fair! I went to Ian Poulter’s stag do and knew Tim was going, so I took a big a poster saying, ‘It’s only Ray Parlour!’”: Arsenal legend's admission over iconic FA Cup final goal

By Joe Mewis Published

EXCLUSIVE Ray Parlour broke the deadlock in the 2002 FA Cup Final when he scored a famous Arsenal goal against Chelsea

EXCLUSIVE
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Archives

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