Chris Flanagan

Teddington

Senior Staff Writer at FourFourTwo

Senior staff writer for FourFourTwo, author of the book 'Who Put The Ball In The Munich Net?' (spoiler alert: it was Kevin Davies)

Articles

'Cristiano Ronaldo asked me to play at his 35th birthday party, which would have been amazing - it was going to be in Italy, when he was at Juventus. Then COVID happened. I was pretty gutted': BRIT Awards nominee reveals Portuguese superstar's request | F

4 days ago | fourfourtwo.com | Ryan Dabbs |Chris Flanagan

Cristiano Ronaldo recently celebrated his 40th birthday in Saudi Arabia, but when he turned 35 in 2020, the Portuguese superstar requested a BRIT Awards nominee to play at his party. At the time, Cristiano Ronaldo was playing for Juventus and in the middle of a profitable goalscoring 2019/20 season in which he bagged 31 goals in 33 Serie A games. Part of that was played behind closed doors, however, with COVID limiting attendances across Europe.
'To get that power is not common in football clubs. There are always people above you that you might be falling out with. Aston Villa is Unai Emery’s football club, and to have that power, to make decisions, to have a stable team, why would you leave?' Cl

1 week ago | fourfourtwo.com | Chris Flanagan

Unai Emery has been manager of Aston Villa for two-and-a-half years – his achievements in that time have written his name into the club’s history. Taking over a club that had been at the wrong end of the table under predecessor Steven Gerrard, Emery guided Villa into the Champions League in his first full campaign at the helm, after finishing fourth in the Premier League.
‘It’s hard to know which players could become presenters, but I see two current footballers who could be good pundits’ Gary Lineker tips duo for TV careers after retirement

2 weeks ago | fourfourtwo.com | Chris Flanagan

Gary Lineker has successfully hosted Match of the Day for 26 years, after making the transition from footballer to television presenter – and now he’s tipped the next two players who could make the move into broadcasting. Lineker made the transition into television after scoring 48 goals in 80 games for England, and starring for Leicester City, Everton, Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur.
‘Italia 90 is the one thing I look back on and think ‘If only’, because we would have had a real chance in the final - winning a World Cup is immortality, it’s forever’ Gary Lineker tells FFT about the biggest regret from his playing career | FourFourTwo

2 weeks ago | fourfourtwo.com | Chris Flanagan

Gary Lineker has achieved many things during his life in football – before becoming a successful television presenter, he was an England hero at two World Cups. Lineker is stepping down as host of Match of the Day next month after 26 years, and spoke to FourFourTwo magazine to mark the moment. On television, he learned from mentor Des Lynam, before succeeding the legend after Lynam moved to ITV in 1999.
‘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 | FourFourTwo

2 weeks ago | fourfourtwo.com | Chris Flanagan

Gary Lineker scored more than 200 goals in English football during a fine career – and he also earned popularity during three seasons in Catalonia. Lineker is stepping down as presenter of Match of the Day after 26 years at the end of this season, and gave an exclusive interview for the latest issue of FourFourTwo magazine. As part of a wide-ranging chat, he discussed his three-act career as a footballer, presenter and now podcast guru, via his Goalhanger company.
‘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

2 weeks ago | fourfourtwo.com | Chris Flanagan

Gary Lineker has hosted Match of the Day for 26 years, and one show may be remembered more than most. Lineker will step down as the programme’s presenter at the end of the season, having sparked much amusement on one particular episode in 2016. Back then, Lineker vowed that he would present Match of the Day in his pants if Leicester City won the Premier League, so small did he believe their chances were of actually succeeding.
‘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 |

2 weeks ago | fourfourtwo.com | Chris Flanagan

Gary Lineker will host his final Match of the Day on May 25 – and he admits he doesn’t know how he’ll feel at the end of his very last show. Lineker has presented the flagship highlights show since 1999, making him the longest-serving host in the history of Match of the Day.
‘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 | FourFourTwo

2 weeks ago | fourfourtwo.com | Chris Flanagan

For nine consecutive seasons between 1995 and 2004, every single Premier League title was won by either Manchester United or Arsenal. Arsene Wenger’s Gunners were crowned champions in 1998, 2002 and 2004, with Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United winning the other six titles. During that period, the rivalry between the two clubs became arguably the fiercest in the Premier League era, with emotions boiling over on a number of occasions.
‘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

2 weeks ago | fourfourtwo.com | Chris Flanagan

Gary Lineker is stepping down as host of Match of the Day next month after 26 years – and he’ll be replaced by not one but three presenters. Lineker became the fifth regular presenter of the flagship BBC highlights show when he succeeded Des Lynam in 1999. He’s also now easily the longest-serving host – prior to Lynam’s 11 years as host, Jimmy Hill chaired Match of the Day for 15 years, following David Coleman and original presenter Kenneth Wolstenholme.
‘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 | FourF

2 weeks ago | fourfourtwo.com | Chris Flanagan

Gary Lineker will step down as presenter of Match of the Day at the end of this season – but he’s not leaving the BBC just yet. Lineker is ending 26 years with MOTD in May, at the expiry of his contract, but he’s extended his deal with the BBC for one more year to host the World Cup. Before that tournament in North America next summer, the 64-year-old will also host the BBC’s live FA Cup matches during the 2025-26 campaign.

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Chris Flanagan @CFlanaganFFT

3 Apr 25

RT @FourFourTwo: 📸 Our latest cover star is @GaryLineker 🎙️ Read our in-depth interview on the eve of his MOTD departure 🛒 In shops now 📲…

Chris Flanagan @CFlanaganFFT

3 Apr 25

RT @richardkone17: I'm really honoured to be voted the League 1 Player of the Year by readers of @fourfourtwouk. It means a lot to me so th…

Chris Flanagan @CFlanaganFFT

3 Apr 25

Dan Crowley of @MKDonsFC has been voted by @FourFourTwo readers as the best player in @SkyBetLeagueTwo this season - Dan spoke to @edmccambridge for our new magazine, out now. https://t.co/FIQ0AgGQwj

Chris Flanagan

Articles

'Cristiano Ronaldo asked me to play at his 35th birthday party, which would have been amazing - it was going to be in Italy, when he was at Juventus. Then COVID happened. I was pretty gutted': BRIT Awards nominee reveals Portuguese superstar's request | F

'To get that power is not common in football clubs. There are always people above you that you might be falling out with. Aston Villa is Unai Emery’s football club, and to have that power, to make decisions, to have a stable team, why would you leave?' Cl

‘It’s hard to know which players could become presenters, but I see two current footballers who could be good pundits’ Gary Lineker tips duo for TV careers after retirement

‘Italia 90 is the one thing I look back on and think ‘If only’, because we would have had a real chance in the final - winning a World Cup is immortality, it’s forever’ Gary Lineker tells FFT about the biggest regret from his playing career | FourFourTwo

‘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 | FourFourTwo

‘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

‘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 |

‘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 | 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

‘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 | FourF

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