Half-time honours for the Premier League season 2024-25
Highlights include: Jude’s flair, long hair and the end of an earpiece for Gary Lineker.
ByFootball
Dive into the world of football with our collection of columns from Jonathan Liew and Hunter Davies, as well as longer-read features from guest writers.
Sven-Göran Eriksson’s struggle
The football manager’s posthumous memoir A Beautiful Game reveals his battle to make England’s golden generation shine.
By Why be depressed about the state of football?
The pleasures of the game are everywhere, from its integration into the English language to Ally McCoist.
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In praise of herd mentality
The best crowds are joyful expressions of democracy and belonging. So why do we fear them so much?
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Inside Gary Lineker’s Match of the Day exit
Also this week: keeping shrimp and a new role for Hugh Grant.
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David Peace: “There aren’t enough working-class stories around”
The great chronicler of England’s traumas on class, national identity and the importance of football novels.
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Erik ten Hag couldn’t save Manchester United from itself
Self-flattery is no way to salvage an institution hollowed out by managerial failure.
By Why has no one gotten back to me about managing England?
I’m more than qualified: I’ve got time and I like money.
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How black Arsenal changed football
For fans and players, the north London club has come to offer a sense of belonging.
By Pep Guardiola’s gift to his team is a world away from the football of old
I remember the days when footballers earned £10k a year and lived in a modest semi-detached.
By Arsenal Women must regret letting go of their star player
The news that Vivianne Miedema was let go on a free transfer to Man City was met with incredulity from…
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Starmer wisely resists going to watch Arsenal vs Man City
Your weekly dose of gossip from around Westminster.
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The hostile takeover of English football
From the row over Premier League regulation to Hollywood investors, the national game has never felt more distant from its…
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David Peace’s footballing saints
The novelist laureate of English football succumbs to hero-worship in his reimagining of the Busby Babes’ tragic demise.
By Unfamiliar managers and radical new hair – but it’s the same old Prem
Welcome to a wonderful new season.
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I am a natural sportsman while sedentary
The more tennis and football I played, the worse I got.
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Only football can puncture a nation’s joy so absolutely
Also this week: Why Frank Skinner is the best person to watch the beautiful game with, and what the sanctification…
By Spain dashed English dreams, but there were other Euros winners too
Keir Starmer, Denzel Dumfries, and pubs did remarkably well during the tournament.
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Southgatism will endure
Left conservatism is a winning politics for Starmer, Southgate and our times.
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Don’t compare men’s and women’s football
They are different entities. But one is not less important than the other.
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