Michael Walker
@mwalkerfoot.bsky.social
Freelance football reporter at The Athletic and Irish Times. NUJ. FWA.
FT Hearts 2-2 Celtic. Hearts players walk off after a drama of a match. They still lead in Scotland. It still can happen.
January 25, 2026 at 5:14 PM
FT Hearts 2-2 Celtic. Hearts players walk off after a drama of a match. They still lead in Scotland. It still can happen.
FT Middlesbrough 4-0 PNE. Boro's fourth win in a row, Preston's fourth loss in a row. Way too easy for Boro, real contenders for automatic promotion under Kim Hellberg.
HT Middlesbrough 3-0 PNE. Boro, fluid, creative, could have scored 5. Preston flimsy.
January 24, 2026 at 2:30 PM
FT Middlesbrough 4-0 PNE. Boro's fourth win in a row, Preston's fourth loss in a row. Way too easy for Boro, real contenders for automatic promotion under Kim Hellberg.
HT Middlesbrough 3-0 PNE. Boro, fluid, creative, could have scored 5. Preston flimsy.
January 24, 2026 at 1:19 PM
HT Middlesbrough 3-0 PNE. Boro, fluid, creative, could have scored 5. Preston flimsy.
Reposted by Michael Walker
'Berman's lyrics are often melancholic, deceptively simple, funny and modest, with a sense of acute intelligence and curiosity that has somehow fallen in on itself under the weight of it all, left standing bemused and amused in the wreckage'
The Strange World of #DavidBerman
buff.ly/wf8j77h
The Strange World of #DavidBerman
buff.ly/wf8j77h
January 22, 2026 at 2:00 PM
'Berman's lyrics are often melancholic, deceptively simple, funny and modest, with a sense of acute intelligence and curiosity that has somehow fallen in on itself under the weight of it all, left standing bemused and amused in the wreckage'
The Strange World of #DavidBerman
buff.ly/wf8j77h
The Strange World of #DavidBerman
buff.ly/wf8j77h
Reposted by Michael Walker
Ex-MLS coach Adrian Heath thought the offer of a coaching job in Saudi Arabia could be a logical next career step.
Instead, it led to the former Everton player being kidnapped in Morocco, held at knifepoint, and left fearing for his life.
@paultenorio.bsky.social
Instead, it led to the former Everton player being kidnapped in Morocco, held at knifepoint, and left fearing for his life.
@paultenorio.bsky.social
The extraordinary story of a soccer coach, a kidnapping and a Saudi job that didn’t exist
Adrian Heath was duped into thinking he was on the verge of a new job – only to be held at knifepoint in Morocco. Turns out he's not alone
www.nytimes.com
January 21, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Ex-MLS coach Adrian Heath thought the offer of a coaching job in Saudi Arabia could be a logical next career step.
Instead, it led to the former Everton player being kidnapped in Morocco, held at knifepoint, and left fearing for his life.
@paultenorio.bsky.social
Instead, it led to the former Everton player being kidnapped in Morocco, held at knifepoint, and left fearing for his life.
@paultenorio.bsky.social
Reposted by Michael Walker
Carrick’s at the wheel. Get the contract out and let him write whatever numbers he wants because Manchester United are BACK*.
*No, but seriously (heh heh) they were really good yesterday. Best they’ve played in ages, like a switch had been flicked #MUFC
www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
*No, but seriously (heh heh) they were really good yesterday. Best they’ve played in ages, like a switch had been flicked #MUFC
www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
Manchester United are back*
Saturday's display could have been United's best since 2024, but we have been here before with interim managers...
www.nytimes.com
January 18, 2026 at 10:32 AM
Carrick’s at the wheel. Get the contract out and let him write whatever numbers he wants because Manchester United are BACK*.
*No, but seriously (heh heh) they were really good yesterday. Best they’ve played in ages, like a switch had been flicked #MUFC
www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
*No, but seriously (heh heh) they were really good yesterday. Best they’ve played in ages, like a switch had been flicked #MUFC
www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
FT Bristol Rovers 0-1 Colchester United. The sun going down on Rovers. Another Saturday, another home defeat.
January 17, 2026 at 6:15 PM
FT Bristol Rovers 0-1 Colchester United. The sun going down on Rovers. Another Saturday, another home defeat.
Big win for Boro. Superb team goal to clinch it late.
January 16, 2026 at 9:54 PM
Big win for Boro. Superb team goal to clinch it late.
Very good piece on Antoine Semenyo, by Stuart James. www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...
The making of Antoine Semenyo, Man City’s £62.5m signing who never gave up hope
Rejected by Arsenal, Tottenham, Crystal Palace and Fulham as a teenager, those who helped coach Semenyo to the top tell his story...
www.nytimes.com
January 15, 2026 at 8:57 AM
Very good piece on Antoine Semenyo, by Stuart James. www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...
Tottenham and West Ham are not what they were, nor, in terms of potential, what they could be. The Way the clubs played seems like a relic of history, yet a sense of it is still entwined in the current fanbase disaffection and disconnection. www.nytimes.com/athletic/692...
West Ham and Tottenham have lost their Way
The two clubs have huge histories but a modern malaise - unhappy fans, owner issues, unpopular managers, and recruitment failings
www.nytimes.com
January 15, 2026 at 8:52 AM
Tottenham and West Ham are not what they were, nor, in terms of potential, what they could be. The Way the clubs played seems like a relic of history, yet a sense of it is still entwined in the current fanbase disaffection and disconnection. www.nytimes.com/athletic/692...
Reposted by Michael Walker
Michael Carrick is a man who ‘hates’ the word philosophy, but has firm football convictions; he can be standoffish but never goes after players in public; and he is a disciple of Sir Alex Ferguson.
This is what to expect from Manchester United’s new head coach.
@mwalkerfoot.bsky.social
This is what to expect from Manchester United’s new head coach.
@mwalkerfoot.bsky.social
Michael Carrick, the football manager: ‘I hate the word philosophy’
The former Man Utd midfielder is no ideologue but has firm coaching convictions which he will hope to instil at his old club
www.nytimes.com
January 13, 2026 at 7:28 PM
Michael Carrick is a man who ‘hates’ the word philosophy, but has firm football convictions; he can be standoffish but never goes after players in public; and he is a disciple of Sir Alex Ferguson.
This is what to expect from Manchester United’s new head coach.
@mwalkerfoot.bsky.social
This is what to expect from Manchester United’s new head coach.
@mwalkerfoot.bsky.social
A Steve Holland interview from 2021. Lots of coaching, two mentions of Michael Carrick. www.nytimes.com/athletic/294...
‘Success is a consequence of consistently being close’ – Steve Holland on England and the evolution of player development
Having worked as a coach from the age of 22 with Crewe, Chelsea and England, Steve Holland is well placed to say how coaching has changed
www.nytimes.com
January 13, 2026 at 12:26 PM
A Steve Holland interview from 2021. Lots of coaching, two mentions of Michael Carrick. www.nytimes.com/athletic/294...
Reposted by Michael Walker
Reposted by Michael Walker
🚨 Manchester United reach agreement in principle with Michael Carrick + coaching staff to take over until end of season. Appointments subject to finalising contract details & announcement. In position for #MUFC ahead of #MCFC visit on Sat 🚨 @theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...
Manchester United reach agreement in principle to appoint Michael Carrick as interim head coach
Should everything progress as planned Carrick's first game in charge would be against rivals Manchester City on Saturday at Old Trafford.
www.nytimes.com
January 13, 2026 at 9:08 AM
🚨 Manchester United reach agreement in principle with Michael Carrick + coaching staff to take over until end of season. Appointments subject to finalising contract details & announcement. In position for #MUFC ahead of #MCFC visit on Sat 🚨 @theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...
FT West Ham United 2-1 QPR. Hammers needed extra time to beat Championship opponents. Summerville good, made a difference. Kolli and a few others bright for Rangers in front of their 9000 travelling fans. Deserved a replay, in old money.
January 11, 2026 at 5:35 PM
FT West Ham United 2-1 QPR. Hammers needed extra time to beat Championship opponents. Summerville good, made a difference. Kolli and a few others bright for Rangers in front of their 9000 travelling fans. Deserved a replay, in old money.
FT Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Aston Villa. Spurs beaten again. Got better in second half. Simons bright. But Villa such a good unit. Well deserved win. Martin Chivers and Terry Yorath saluted before kick-off.
January 10, 2026 at 7:58 PM
FT Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Aston Villa. Spurs beaten again. Got better in second half. Simons bright. But Villa such a good unit. Well deserved win. Martin Chivers and Terry Yorath saluted before kick-off.
Reposted by Michael Walker
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Bukayo Saka agrees new + improved 5yr contract at Arsenal. 24yo England int’l currently at #AFC until June 2027; fresh terms to summer 2031 in process of being finalised. Deal to recognise winger’s standing among Europe’s best 🚨
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/625...
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/625...
Bukayo Saka agrees new five-year Arsenal contract
The latest deal will be at a level that recognises the 24-year-old's standing as one of the leading players in the Premier League and Europe
www.nytimes.com
January 9, 2026 at 2:05 PM
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Bukayo Saka agrees new + improved 5yr contract at Arsenal. 24yo England int’l currently at #AFC until June 2027; fresh terms to summer 2031 in process of being finalised. Deal to recognise winger’s standing among Europe’s best 🚨
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/625...
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/625...
Reposted by Michael Walker
Kevin Kilbane on the Saipan film: I was there – Roy Keane did not call Mick McCarthy an ‘English c**t’
Kevin Kilbane on the Saipan film: I was there – Roy Keane did not call Mick McCarthy an ‘English c**t’
Cartoonish film is funny but the record needs to be set straight on a few falsehoods
www.irishtimes.com
January 9, 2026 at 6:02 AM
Kevin Kilbane on the Saipan film: I was there – Roy Keane did not call Mick McCarthy an ‘English c**t’
Reposted by Michael Walker
The Ocean is running out of life
At current rate world's oceans will be emptied for fish by 2048.
Only 10% of all large fish left in global ocean
90 % all large fish including tuna, marlin, swordfish, sharks, cod are gone
5 million fish killed every minute by fishing industry
At current rate world's oceans will be emptied for fish by 2048.
Only 10% of all large fish left in global ocean
90 % all large fish including tuna, marlin, swordfish, sharks, cod are gone
5 million fish killed every minute by fishing industry
January 9, 2026 at 1:50 AM
The Ocean is running out of life
At current rate world's oceans will be emptied for fish by 2048.
Only 10% of all large fish left in global ocean
90 % all large fish including tuna, marlin, swordfish, sharks, cod are gone
5 million fish killed every minute by fishing industry
At current rate world's oceans will be emptied for fish by 2048.
Only 10% of all large fish left in global ocean
90 % all large fish including tuna, marlin, swordfish, sharks, cod are gone
5 million fish killed every minute by fishing industry
Reposted by Michael Walker
I call on my party and my government to remove themselves entirely from X and communicate with the public where they actually participate online and can be protected from such illegality.
January 8, 2026 at 12:31 PM
I call on my party and my government to remove themselves entirely from X and communicate with the public where they actually participate online and can be protected from such illegality.
Reposted by Michael Walker
🇦🇷 THREE Pairs of Diego inspired Socks to choose from
sockcouncil.com?s=Diego&post...
The great man could even play with snow!
sockcouncil.com?s=Diego&post...
The great man could even play with snow!
January 8, 2026 at 11:00 AM
🇦🇷 THREE Pairs of Diego inspired Socks to choose from
sockcouncil.com?s=Diego&post...
The great man could even play with snow!
sockcouncil.com?s=Diego&post...
The great man could even play with snow!
Reposted by Michael Walker
Reposted by Michael Walker
And now Igor Thiago: signed for initial £28million, scorer of 16 goals in 21 Premier League games this season
Brentford's striker recruitment is outstanding and the fact they lost a pair who scored 39 of 66 league goals last season while barely skipping a beat is remarkable work
Brentford's striker recruitment is outstanding and the fact they lost a pair who scored 39 of 66 league goals last season while barely skipping a beat is remarkable work
Brentford and forwards
• Bryan Mbeumo: cost initial £5.8m, sold £65m
• Yoane Wissa: cost initial £8.5m, sold £55m
• Ivan Toney: cost initial £5m, sold £34m
• Ollie Watkins: cost initial £1.8m, sold £28m
Initial £21m v £182m sales - albeit some sell-ons to deduct
• Bryan Mbeumo: cost initial £5.8m, sold £65m
• Yoane Wissa: cost initial £8.5m, sold £55m
• Ivan Toney: cost initial £5m, sold £34m
• Ollie Watkins: cost initial £1.8m, sold £28m
Initial £21m v £182m sales - albeit some sell-ons to deduct
January 8, 2026 at 9:11 AM
And now Igor Thiago: signed for initial £28million, scorer of 16 goals in 21 Premier League games this season
Brentford's striker recruitment is outstanding and the fact they lost a pair who scored 39 of 66 league goals last season while barely skipping a beat is remarkable work
Brentford's striker recruitment is outstanding and the fact they lost a pair who scored 39 of 66 league goals last season while barely skipping a beat is remarkable work
Reposted by Michael Walker
🚨 Manchester City to complete signing of Antoine Semenyo outside release clause. Deal worth £62.5m + £1.5m & 10% of future sale profit to Bournemouth. 26yo Ghana attacker to join #MCFC from #AFCB on 5.5yr contract, subject to medical today 🚨
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...
Manchester City finalise Antoine Semenyo agreement without release clause activation
The deal will see City pay £62.5million across 24 months rather than immediately.
www.nytimes.com
January 8, 2026 at 9:12 AM
🚨 Manchester City to complete signing of Antoine Semenyo outside release clause. Deal worth £62.5m + £1.5m & 10% of future sale profit to Bournemouth. 26yo Ghana attacker to join #MCFC from #AFCB on 5.5yr contract, subject to medical today 🚨
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...
Reposted by Michael Walker
“i want back my rocking chairs, / solipsist sunsets, / & coastal jungle sounds...”
A poem by Renee Nicole Good, who was murdered by ICE earlier today.
lithub.com/renee-nicole...
A poem by Renee Nicole Good, who was murdered by ICE earlier today.
lithub.com/renee-nicole...
Renee Nicole Good, murdered by ICE, was a prize-winning poet. Here’s that poem.
Renee Nicole Good, 37, mother to a six-year-old boy, was murdered earlier today by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, a few blocks from her home. According to the Minnesota Star Tribune: [An ICE agent] s…
lithub.com
January 8, 2026 at 3:54 AM
“i want back my rocking chairs, / solipsist sunsets, / & coastal jungle sounds...”
A poem by Renee Nicole Good, who was murdered by ICE earlier today.
lithub.com/renee-nicole...
A poem by Renee Nicole Good, who was murdered by ICE earlier today.
lithub.com/renee-nicole...