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

Emma Hayes looks on during Chelsea's WSL match against Aston Villa in November 2023.
‘I’ll never say never to managing my country, but I’m really happy now. As long as they’re not competing against the USA, I’ll always cheer on the Lionesses’: Emma Hayes on career future

By Sarah Rendell Published

Emma Hayes is currently in charge of the USWNT and has already had success

Interviews
‘Ruben is no miracle-maker. This year will be complicated and fans need to be patient, but he’s a perfectionist. He’s amazing at understanding players’ minds’: Manchester United manager will need time to implement ideas, says Amorim's former player

By Ryan Dabbs Published

Manchester United need to accept that this season might hurt with Ruben Amorim, but they'll reap the rewards later

Stories
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 22: Commentator Ally McCoist ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between Aston Villa FC and Bologna FC 1909 at Villa Park on October 22, 2024 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
'I was rooming with David Moyes and said to Moyesy, "Don’t open that door until I’m out of the bedroom". I remember running out and heading for safety': Ally McCoist recalls mischievous story from playing with Everton manager in Scotland's youth team

By Ryan Dabbs Published

Ally McCoist and David Moyes came through the Scotland youth ranks together, naturally getting up to no good due to one players' mischief...

Stories
Manchester United are said to be in the market for a new midfielder this month
‘Amorim’s starting point is completely different to Arne Slot’s. How long will it take? F**king hell, god knows. He must be very convinced about himself’: Ex-Manchester United coach highlights how much time is needed to turn things around

By Ryan Dabbs Published

Manchester United are under new management once again, with a former first team coach suggesting just how confident Ruben Amorim was to take the job

Stories
Thiago Silva, Wesley Fofana, Kalidou Koulibaly, Reece James, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell, Mateo Kovacic, Ngolo Kante, Joao Felix and Enzo Fernandez during the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal first leg match between Real Madrid and Chelsea FC at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 12, 2023 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Ruben de la Fuente Perez/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
‘I spoke to the other Chelsea guys at the time – everyone thought we came to Saudi just for vacation, but we’re here to work for the club. There’s pressure’: Former Blues star discusses swapping the Premier League for Al Hilal

By Ryan Dabbs Published

Chelsea lost three players to the Saudi Pro League in 2023, and the trio are attempting to improve the standards even more in the Middle East

Stories
Alphonso Davies of Bayern Munich celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Bundesliga match between FC Augsburg and FC Bayern München
‘It doesn’t work with Diogo Dalot at wing-back for Manchester United – I’d love to see them bring in Alphonso Davies to play there’ Former Red Devils defender identifies a potential signing that could strengthen Ruben Amorim’s side

By Chris Flanagan Published

An ex-Manchester United title-winner has given his verdict on the club's switch to 3-4-3 under their new Portuguese boss

Stories
DORTMUND, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 05: Robert Lewandowski of Dortmund celebrates after scoring his teams fourth goal during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and VfL Wolfsburg at Signal Iduna Park on November 5, 2011 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images) Sir Alex Ferguson Manchester United
‘I said yes to Manchester United, even though it was tough to understand everything that Sir Alex Ferguson was saying, but Borussia Dortmund said no’: Robert Lewandowski reveals failed Old Trafford move a decade ago

By Ryan Dabbs Published

Robert Lewandowski and Manchester United wanted to conclude a deal a decade ago, but Borussia Dortmund stopped a move from happening

Stories
Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold is out of contract in the summer
‘Every time Trent Alexander-Arnold has a bad game now, questions are going to be asked about his commitment ​​– it baffles me that Liverpool have let his contract run down’ Former Anfield star bemused by lack of resolution over full-back’s future

By Chris Flanagan Published

The Liverpool defender's difficult afternoon against Manchester United has left a former Reds striker concerned for the rest of the season

Stories
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‘I was planning to fly to Blackburn to see how the club looked, but couldn’t because of the volcano. Dortmund were in pole position to sign me, though’: Robert Lewandowski reveals why Premier League move fell through in 2010

By Ryan Dabbs Published

Robert Lewandowski was touted for a move to Blackburn in 2010 - but just how close did he actually come to signing?

Stories
PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 11: Actor Tom Cruise holds the Olympic flag during the Closing Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 11, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Fabrizio Bensch- Pool/Getty Images) Chelsea
'Tom Cruise walked in and all of my sisters, nieces and nephews were there – he said, "I thought you said just a photo with mum, not the whole family!"': Chelsea legend recalls encounter with Hollywood actor at 2024 Olympics

By Ryan Dabbs Published

Tom Cruise had an unexpected encounter with a Chelsea legend at the 2024 Olympics

Stories
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 01: The Liverpool team line up, back row l-r, Alisson Becker, Ibrahima Konate, Fabinho, Virgil van Dijk, Roberto Firmino, Trent Alexander-Arnold, front row l-r, Thiago Alcantara, James Milner, Curtis Jones, Konstantinos Tsimikas, Mohamed Salah during the UEFA Champions League group A match between Liverpool FC and SSC Napoli at Anfield on November 1, 2022 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
‘Leaving Liverpool wasn’t easy – I was very comfortable and had three years remaining on my deal, so I didn’t need to go. But I’m happy with my decision’: Former Reds midfielder opens up on swapping Anfield for Saudi Arabia

By Ryan Dabbs Published

Liverpool saw three key players depart Anfield in favour of Saudi Arabia in the summer of 2023, but there's been no regrets for one of the trio

Stories
City were again without injured captain Steph Houghton (Tim Markland/PA).
'Pep Guardiola inviting me to watch him coach and learn from him? There’s no way I can say no!' Steph Houghton on Guardiola's golden inviation

By Sarah Rendell Published

Steph Houghton has gone into the media after retiring from football in 2024

Sport
Steph Houghton
Steph Houghton: 'I did everything asked of me and then I was told I wasn't going to Euros 2022, it was massively upsetting'

By Sarah Rendell Published

Steph Houghton fought back from injury to be available for the Euros but was not selected

Sport
‘After training Alan Hansen was having coffee and I said “I’ll have the same” then just as Jock Stein walked in Kenny Dalglish put a pint of lager in front of me’ Ally McCoist discusses the perils of being a young Scottish international in the 1980s

By Matthew Ketchell Published

Debutant Scotland players needed their wits about them in the 1980s, especially with people like Kenny Dalglish about

‘Arsenal? Manchester United? I never get involved in transfer windows – I let my people take charge of things. If something is meant to be, it will fall into place’: Ivan Toney discusses his motivation for joining the Saudi Pro League

By Isaac Stacey Stronge Published

Ivan Toney swapped Brentford for Saudi Arabia in the summer, a move that took many by surprise

Interviews
‘I came up against Samuel Eto’o on my debut and have still got his shirt that I swapped with him afterwards. Mine? He probably used it to clean his windows’: Newcastle stalwart describes 'loving' baptism of fire on debut

By Ryan Dabbs Published

Newcastle managed to keep Samuel Eto'o quiet in 2004 - which is just as well for one youngster making his debut

Stories
Alyssa Naeher of the USA saves a penalty from Steph Houghton of England during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France Semi Final match between England and USA at Stade de Lyon on July 02, 2019 in Lyon, France.
‘To miss a penalty to potentially take you to a World Cup final is heartbreaking. There’s always got to be a scapegoat – David Beckham called me the next day’: England legend recalls 'devastating' moment

By Sarah Rendell Published

David Beckham called Steph Houghton after the 'devastating' moment in 2019

Interviews
Steph Houghton is battling to be fit for the summer
‘In terms of an ending Euro 2022 would have been perfect, but not many people have played for England over 100 times. I can be proud’ Steph Houghton on her ultimate career heartache moment

By Sarah Rendell Published

Steph Houghton won 121 caps for England during her career

Sport
Hero of the Year
Vote for the Hero of the Year! The FourFourTwo Alternative Awards of the Year 2024

By Mark White Published

It's the big one: Hero of the Year in the FourFourTwo Alternative Awards of the Year

Stories
“I told Sir Alex, ‘At St Mirren, you failed to sign a future double European Golden Boot winner, but to be fair, you didn’t half recover from that mistake’”: Scotland legend reveals Ferguson's huge mistake when starting out as manager

By Ryan Dabbs Published

Sir Alex Ferguson was proven wrong by one Scotland hero, though it didn't seem to affect him that much in his managerial career

Stories
Best Breakthrough Act
Vote for the Best Breakthrough Act! The FourFourTwo Alternative Awards of the Year 2024

By Mark White Published

It's the Best Breakthrough Act category - vote now in FourFourTwo's Alternative Awards of the Year 2024

Comeback of the Year
Vote for the Comeback of the Year! The FourFourTwo Alternative Awards of the Year 2024

By Mark White Published

The FourFourTwo Alternative Awards continue, with comebacks in the spotlight for today

Stories
31 Aug 1996: A portrait of Duncan Ferguson of Scotland taken before the start of the world cup qualifier against Austria in Vienna, Austria. The match ended in a goaless draw. Mandatory Credit: Clive Brunskill/Allsport Ally McCoist
‘Big Dunc took a few quid off me playing cards on a flight across the Atlantic, and bought a pigeon – for its maiden flight, it f**ked off and never came back’: Ally McCoist shares hilarious tale from Scotland duty

By Ryan Dabbs Published

EXCLUSIVE Ally McCoist and Duncan Ferguson spent a summer together with Scotland in 1992 - with the latter naming a pigeon after his team-mate

EXCLUSIVE
Disasterclass of the Year
Vote for the Disasterclass of the Year! The FourFourTwo Alternative Awards of the Year 2024

By Mark White Published

Who had the worst performance through all of 2024? It's the FourFourTwo Alternative Awards all this week

Stories
Masterclass of the Year
Vote for the Masterclass of the Year! The FourFourTwo Alternative Awards of the Year 2024

By Mark White Published

It's the FourFourTwo Alternative Awards all this week, with our vote for Masterclass of the Year now open

Stories
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