
Leo Moynihan
Leo Moynihan has been a freelance football writer and author for over 20 years. As well as contributing to FourFourTwo for all of that time, his words have also appeared in The Times, the Sunday Telegraph, the Guardian, Esquire, FHM and the Radio Times. He has written a number of books on football, including ghost projects with the likes of David Beckham and Andrew Cole, while his last two books, The Three Kings and Thou Shall Not Pass have both been recognised by the Sunday Times Sports Book of the Year awards.
Latest articles by Leo Moynihan

'Beating Liverpool at Goodison was amazing. I knew we had a bad record, so it was nice for the supporters – those derby games are for the fans' Sean Dyche on his Everton highlights
By Joe Mewis published
The new Nottingham Forest boss spent two years in charge at Everton

'I don’t believe you can’t have a bit of a joke or banter. We have to be careful – managers now are just saying the same things' Sean Dyche says football takes itself too seriously
By Joe Mewis published
EXCLUSIVE Nottingham Forest have turned to former Burnley and Everton boss Sean Dyche in a bid to turn their season around

'Nobody could replicate Clough – he was such a one-off. What I do remember from my time with him, and maybe took with me into management, is the fact that he instilled a ‘Forest Way’ into everything we did' What Sean Dyche learned from Brian Clough
By Joe Mewis published
EXCLUSIVE New Nottingham Forest boss Sean Dyche came through the youth ranks under Brian Clough at the City Ground

'I wish I’d copyrighted "utter woke nonsense". Considering I didn’t actually say it, it does follow me around' Sean Dyche on the catchphrase he never actually uttered
By Joe Mewis published
EXCLUSIVE We've all seen the memes, but it's a phrase that the new Nottingham Forest boss has never actually said

“I’d pick a worm off the floor and hang it from the side of my mouth while saying, ‘Mmmmm, that’s delicious’” Sean Dyche on truth behind worm-eating legend
By Joe Donnohue published
Sean Dyche is back in Premier League management having taken over the vacant Nottingham Forest post this week

‘Brian Clough locked me in his office for three hours, gave my new wife flowers and chocolates, and told me I wasn’t leaving until I signed for Nottingham Forest’ Martin Keown discusses the grilling he got from Old Big ‘Ead’
By Matthew Ketchell published
EXCLUSIVE The former Arsenal and England defender recounts an audience with Brian Clough in detail to FourFourTwo

'My family were Arsenal fans, but I supported Liverpool and Kevin Keegan was my hero – I later told him he was my inspiration and he replied, "I get that a lot"': Gunners legend and ex-Everton defender reveals childhood fandom
By Ryan Dabbs published
EXCLUSIVE Arsenal legend Martin Keown grew up as a Liverpool fan because of Kevin Keegan, but quickly stopped his support when he became older

‘Arsenal’s Class of ’83 would give Man United’s Class of ’92 more than a good game – It’s a scandal that youth team isn’t talked about enough, if at all’: Martin Keown believes the Gunners team he grew up with doesn't get anywhere near enough credit
By Ryan Dabbs published
Martin Keown believes that his Arsenal youth team should be regarded as highly as the Manchester United Class of 92' side

‘I was 19 getting annoyed with Charlie Nicholas for changing into leather trousers on the team bus home – I should have been wondering where I could get a pair of leather trousers from!’ Martin Keown on standing up to Arsenal’s famous drinking culture
By Matthew Ketchell published
Fatherly advice kept Martin Keown from off-the-field distractions that became famous at Arsenal in the 80s and 90s

‘When Ruud van Nistelrooy missed his late penalty, I showed how I felt. You can say it’s not sporting, but I didn’t hit anyone, unlike Cantona. I have no regrets about it’: Ex-Arsenal defender Martin Keown discusses infamous 2003 moment at Old Trafford
By Ryan Dabbs published
Arsenal maintained their unbeaten start when Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy missed a last-minute penalty, with Martin Keown celebrating quite vociferously

‘I’m still annoyed about Giggs’ famous FA Cup winner. I allowed myself to be distracted by Yorke’s clever run – without it, Giggs wouldn’t have got past me’: Arsenal defender reflects on 1999 semi-final defeat to Manchester United
By Ryan Dabbs published
Arsenal failed to stop Ryan Giggs in the 1999 FA Cup semi-final, which still irks one of their former defenders

‘I never regretted not going to Manchester United – Fergie knew I was getting married and suggested I think of my family and take the bigger wages at Everton’: Sir Alex Ferguson indicated England international shouldn't sign for him due to money
By Ryan Dabbs last updated
Sir Alex Ferguson failed to sign a top centre-back while manager of Manchester United - and it was all through his own suggestion

MK Dons: Has the franchise worked?
By Leo Moynihan published
Twenty years after moving to Milton Keynes, the club slipped into League Two in 2023 amid dwindling crowds at the giant Stadium MK. With the stigma of their controversial move still hanging over them, FFT assesses their first two decades outside of London

How Vincent Kompany has Nedum Onuoha to thank for introducing him to his future wife
By Leo Moynihan published
Burnley boss Vincent Kompany married Carla in 2011, with former team-mate Onuoha playing matchmaker

‘One of the most aggressive players I’ve played with’: How Vincent Kompany's actions set the tone at Manchester City
By Ryan Dabbs published
Vincent Kompany was renowned for his defensive skills, and one former team-mate explains how the Belgian led by example

Meet the fan who followed Wimbledon from Selhurst Park to Milton Keynes in 2003 and has remained an MK Dons fan for 20 years
By Ryan Dabbs published
Many Wimbledon fans don't even recognise MK Dons in the modern game, though Matt Lazenby tells FourFourTwo why he continued his support for the club

Erling Haaland exclusive: "I've joined Manchester City to learn – and get even better"
By Mark White published
Man City striker Erling Haaland told FFT exclusively that he isn't in the Premier League to boost his goal tallies – he wants to become the undisputed best on Earth under Pep Guardiola

Erling Haaland exclusive: "There are a lot of Manchester United fans in Norway – I always had a go at them"
By Mark White published
Erling Haaland is already versed in the Manchester United rivalry – and tells FFT that he's been in the blue corner since his time in Norway

Erling Haaland exclusive: "I ran around the lounge with my top off when Aguero scored THAT goal"
By Leo Moynihan published
Manchester City's new superstar striker Erling Haaland recalls watching Aguero's iconic winner against QPR in 2011 as a child, with his father, back home in Norway

Erling Haaland exclusive: "Guardiola didn't have to sell Manchester City to me – he's special"
By Leo Moynihan published
EXCLUSIVE Manchester City's new weapon Erling Haaland talks to FFT following his big money move to the Premier League

Arsenal legend Paul Merson picks his greatest XI of team-mates – but snubs both Arsene Wenger and George Graham to manage them
By Leo Moynihan published
PERFECT XI Arsenal title winner Paul Merson played with some of the greatest in the game – and his Perfect XI is an embarrassment of riches

James Milner's Perfect XI: "Gerrard was the best all-round footballer I’ve ever played with"
By Leo Moynihan published
PERFECT XI Liverpool hero James Milner – formerly of Leeds, Newcastle, Aston Villa and Manchester City – picks a dream side of team-mates past and present. There’s no room for Mo, though
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