Ian Murtagh

Latest articles by Ian Murtagh

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'It was like being in Big Brother, you never felt comfortable, it was a bit of an issue for us': The inside story of Sunderland, Netflix and the streaming drama that ended happily ever after

By Ed McCambridge Published

LONG READ After a fall captured in all its miserable detail by Sunderland ’Til I Die, the Black Cats are back in the top tier – FFT looks back on an epic journey, aided by the documentary’s stars

LONG READ
MUNICH, GERMANY - MAY 30: Nottingham Forest captain John McGovern lifts the trophy as team mates Larry Lloyd (c) and Frank Clark (r) look on after the 1979 European Cup Final between Nottingham Forest and Malmo at the Olympic Stadium on May 30, 1979 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Allsport/Getty Images)
‘Newcastle’s board said I was over the hill, so I left and played 108 consecutive games and won the European Cup – not a bad way to answer that accusation!’: Ex-Magpies defender reflects on career highlight after proving former side wrong

By Ryan Dabbs Published

EXCLUSIVE Newcastle made a mistake in letting a defender go at just 31, who then went onto win the European Cup at 35

EXCLUSIVE
SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - March 2: Frank Clark Manager of Nottingham Forest on the side line during the Premier League match between Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough on March 2, 1996 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Graham Whitby Boot/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images) Manchester City
‘It was a mistake to become Manchester City boss – I should have taken six months off. It wasn’t a very nice club at the time, and I didn’t do a particularly good job’: Former Premier League manager reflects on making wrong career decision

By Ryan Dabbs Published

Manchester City have enjoyed great success in recent years, but one former manager regrets ever being the boss at the club

Stories
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 7: Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sunderland AFC and Stoke City FC at Stadium of Light on December 7, 2024 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)
‘I grew up admiring Wenger, I love watching Pep’s teams and I rate De Zerbi, but I like any coach whose team has an identity – it’s vital at an English club’: Sunderland manager lays out coaching philosophy

By Ryan Dabbs Published

Sunderland are doing well in the Championship this season, and their manager Regis Le Bris has highlighted why it's worked well so far

Stories
‘Even though Kevin Keegan was my boyhood hero, we never really saw eye-to-eye. That was an underwhelming time for me – I felt on the outside’: Newcastle cult hero reveals disappointment over how things went under King Kev

By Ryan Dabbs Published

Newcastle United reappointed Kevin Keegan as manager in January 2008 - but one boyhood fan didn't quite enjoy his return as much as expected

Stories
NEWCASTLE, UNITED KINGDOM: Newcastle's Alan Shearer (R) celebrates with Shola Ameobi (L) and Laurent Robert (C) after scoring against SC Heerenveen to make it 2-0 during their UEFA Cup football match at St James' Park in Newcastle, 24 February 2005. AFP PHOTO Paul Barker (Photo credit should read PAUL BARKER/AFP via Getty Images)
‘Early on, Shearer was quite rightly the main man, but being backup really grinded on me as the years wore on – I hated the role’: Newcastle United cult hero reveals annoyance at never being considered good enough for No.9 role at St. James' Park

By Ryan Dabbs Published

Newcastle United were blessed with Alan Shearer's goals in the 1990s and 2000s, but one former Magpie believes they still deserved more than secondary status at the club

Stories
‘That’s an easy one’ Lee Clark tells FourFourTwo who is the better player - him or his son Bobby Clark

By Matthew Ketchell Published

Lee Clark made 184 appearances in the Premier League, while son Bobby has just signed a five-year contract with a Champions League club at 19

Stories
‘I found it difficult, disappointment was my overriding emotion’ Lee Clark explains why he was one of the only Geordies who wasn’t celebrating Kevin Keegan’s arrival as Newcastle United manager in 1992

By Matthew Ketchell Published

East End lad Lee Clark grew up watching Kevin Keegan earn hero status as a player at St. James’ Park, so why wasn’t he excited to play under him?

Interviews
‘It’s something I wish had never happened, I realise you cannot bite the hand that feeds, and I understood the ramifications of what I did’ Lee Clark on the career regret that still haunts him

By Matthew Ketchell Published

EXCLUSIVE He has since issued a heartfelt apology, but of the three clubs Lee Clark played for, only two welcome him back with open arms

EXCLUSIVE
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19: Former Newcastle United and Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given looks on during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Everton FC at St. James Park on October 19, 2022 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Ex-Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given tells FFT major medal 'doesn't mean a lot'

By Tom Hancock Published

Given enjoyed the greatest success of his career with Man City – although it wasn't as enjoyable as it could have been...

Stories
Roy Keane Mic McCarthy
Roy Keane “must regret” walking out on Ireland at 2002 World Cup – Shay Given

By Ian Murtagh Published

Shay Given has told FFT that he wonders what could have been if Roy Keane hadn't left the Republic of Ireland squad 21 years ago...

Stories
Former Newcastle United physio Derek Wright inset picture, in front of a celebration scene outside St James' Park in October 2021 when Newcastle United were taken over
Newcastle United's long-serving physio on the 'volcano' that was the takeover and Eddie Howe's Keegan-like arrival

By Matthew Ketchell Published

He worked for 38 years at the club and served 32 different managers, but Eddie Howe's arrival and the takeover were unique moments

Stories
Dean Henderson of England and manager Paul Simpson ceebrate with the trophy after the FIFA U-20 World Cup Korea Republic 2017 Final match between Venezuela and England at Suwon World Cup Stadium on June 11, 2017 in Suwon, South Korea. (Photo by Alex Morton - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Former England youth manager believes homegrown coaches don’t get a fair chance in England

By Ryan Dabbs Published

U20 World Cup-winning England boss suggests other countries have more faith in homegrown coaches than England does in theirs

Stories
Neil Lennon Interview: Old Firm rivalry never diminishes – but it does go too far
Neil Lennon Interview: Old Firm rivalry never diminishes – but it does go too far

By Ian Murtagh Published

The former Celtic boss on touchline bust-ups with Ally McCoist, the Bhoys' doomed 10-in-a-row season, 'headbutting' Alan Shearer's boot and the time he told Ronaldinho he 'wasn't very good'

Callum Wilson Newcastle
Callum Wilson interview: “I’m in awe of the Newcastle No.9 shirt: I’d love to shake Alan Shearer’s hand!”

By Ian Murtagh Published

Callum Wilson was Newcastle’s shining light in the Magpies' darkest moments last season: now wearing the famous No.9 shirt, he’s got a century on his mind...

Interviews
Gary Speed
Remembering Gary Speed: A Premier League legend

By Ian Murtagh Published

Ian Murtagh, who has reported on Newcastle for a quarter of a century, remembers a brilliant, beloved figure whose tragic passing shocked the football world almost a decade ago

Stories

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