Jonathan Northcroft
@jnorthcroft.bsky.social
Football correspondent for The Sunday Times. "A carefully rehearsed piece of tomfoolery."
Pinned
Dwight Yorke v Steve McClaren for a place at the World Cup.
Caught up with Yorke about his coaching journey - he's driven, driving standards and creating a buzz about his team. Chats with Fergie and little old ladies feature too.
#MUFC #AVFC #Concacaf
thetimes.com/sport/football…
Caught up with Yorke about his coaching journey - he's driven, driving standards and creating a buzz about his team. Chats with Fergie and little old ladies feature too.
#MUFC #AVFC #Concacaf
thetimes.com/sport/football…
November 12, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Dwight Yorke v Steve McClaren for a place at the World Cup.
Caught up with Yorke about his coaching journey - he's driven, driving standards and creating a buzz about his team. Chats with Fergie and little old ladies feature too.
#MUFC #AVFC #Concacaf
thetimes.com/sport/football…
Caught up with Yorke about his coaching journey - he's driven, driving standards and creating a buzz about his team. Chats with Fergie and little old ladies feature too.
#MUFC #AVFC #Concacaf
thetimes.com/sport/football…
As a big fan of chicken shops and nights out in Liverpool (though has been a while) I loved this. Written by a mate. He captures the scene perfectly - and why we keep coming back, against our better judgement, for "chicken roulette"
open.substack.com/pub/liverpoo...
open.substack.com/pub/liverpoo...
The Business Of The Chicken: 12 hours in Chicken Bazooka
Perhaps this venerable, bonkers, mediocre chicken shop is the greasy, indestructible heart of Liverpool
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:59 AM
As a big fan of chicken shops and nights out in Liverpool (though has been a while) I loved this. Written by a mate. He captures the scene perfectly - and why we keep coming back, against our better judgement, for "chicken roulette"
open.substack.com/pub/liverpoo...
open.substack.com/pub/liverpoo...
Amazing privilege to receive an Honorary Doctorate from #DeMontfortUniversity even if it meant wearing Dundee United colours and looking a bit like Henry VIII. There's a particular energy to DMU - seen in how students celebrated getting their degrees :) Thanks @leemarlow.bsky.social and @dmu.ac.uk
August 22, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Amazing privilege to receive an Honorary Doctorate from #DeMontfortUniversity even if it meant wearing Dundee United colours and looking a bit like Henry VIII. There's a particular energy to DMU - seen in how students celebrated getting their degrees :) Thanks @leemarlow.bsky.social and @dmu.ac.uk
Good on Vitinha for being too embarrassed by that pathetic VAR penalty to take it properly
May 7, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Good on Vitinha for being too embarrassed by that pathetic VAR penalty to take it properly
Arne Slot's success raises an awkward question for those (like me) who thought Jurgen Klopp did an incredible job. Was Klopp not the man we thought?
Or...did what he hand on, and how and why he did it, show how good he was?
www.thetimes.com/article/df2b...
Or...did what he hand on, and how and why he did it, show how good he was?
www.thetimes.com/article/df2b...
Why Liverpool are a better team since Jurgen Klopp departed
German has watched happily as his Bob Paisley — Arne Slot — has improved what he handed over, but was Klopp actually an underperformer? The truth is a little more nuanced
www.thetimes.com
April 27, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Arne Slot's success raises an awkward question for those (like me) who thought Jurgen Klopp did an incredible job. Was Klopp not the man we thought?
Or...did what he hand on, and how and why he did it, show how good he was?
www.thetimes.com/article/df2b...
Or...did what he hand on, and how and why he did it, show how good he was?
www.thetimes.com/article/df2b...
...but what were Real Madrid doing with their wall?!
April 8, 2025 at 8:32 PM
...but what were Real Madrid doing with their wall?!
Remember David Moyes telling me years ago: "Dec - he's got a kick like a horse"
Feels like there are fewer brilliant free kick goals these days but that was one of the best you'll see from Rice.
Feels like there are fewer brilliant free kick goals these days but that was one of the best you'll see from Rice.
April 8, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Remember David Moyes telling me years ago: "Dec - he's got a kick like a horse"
Feels like there are fewer brilliant free kick goals these days but that was one of the best you'll see from Rice.
Feels like there are fewer brilliant free kick goals these days but that was one of the best you'll see from Rice.
Our paywall is down this weekend and all Times and Sunday Times content is free 🧵
I wrote these two pieces in December about football losing variety and flair through coaching that takes the agency away from players.
This on the general theme 👇
www.thetimes.com/sport/footba...
I wrote these two pieces in December about football losing variety and flair through coaching that takes the agency away from players.
This on the general theme 👇
www.thetimes.com/sport/footba...
How Pep Guardiola and data destroyed game’s beautiful variety
Ever felt like Premier League clubs now all play the same? You may be right, as The Times’s data team reveal the stats behind top flight’s growing and underwhelming uniformity
www.thetimes.com
March 15, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Our paywall is down this weekend and all Times and Sunday Times content is free 🧵
I wrote these two pieces in December about football losing variety and flair through coaching that takes the agency away from players.
This on the general theme 👇
www.thetimes.com/sport/footba...
I wrote these two pieces in December about football losing variety and flair through coaching that takes the agency away from players.
This on the general theme 👇
www.thetimes.com/sport/footba...
Salah could do a Rubik's cube with the outside of that foot
February 26, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Salah could do a Rubik's cube with the outside of that foot
Great trip to Leverkusen, getting to understand the rise of a clever but grounded club - and the Xabi Alonso effect.
My god he's good.
Wouldn't mind watching that football for €17/game.
Xabi loves details and the bashed up bin in the away dressing room is one.
www.thetimes.com/article/5142...
My god he's good.
Wouldn't mind watching that football for €17/game.
Xabi loves details and the bashed up bin in the away dressing room is one.
www.thetimes.com/article/5142...
No one has plotted career as impeccably as Xabi Alonso. Next stop, Real?
From ‘Neverkusen’ to ‘Neverlosing’, Xabi Alonso’s impact in Germany has been compared to a UFO landing and he is now regarded as Carlo Ancelotti’s heir apparent
www.thetimes.com
February 16, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Great trip to Leverkusen, getting to understand the rise of a clever but grounded club - and the Xabi Alonso effect.
My god he's good.
Wouldn't mind watching that football for €17/game.
Xabi loves details and the bashed up bin in the away dressing room is one.
www.thetimes.com/article/5142...
My god he's good.
Wouldn't mind watching that football for €17/game.
Xabi loves details and the bashed up bin in the away dressing room is one.
www.thetimes.com/article/5142...
City v Real Madrid: great entertainment but essentially because it's so ragged.
Both sides poor versions of themselves at the moment.
Both sides poor versions of themselves at the moment.
February 11, 2025 at 8:53 PM
City v Real Madrid: great entertainment but essentially because it's so ragged.
Both sides poor versions of themselves at the moment.
Both sides poor versions of themselves at the moment.
Ideas lose power, revolutions fade.
I've felt this for a while, watching positional (Pep-style) football.
Players who once wowed playing safe or touching the ball 4 times in a half. Patterns we've all seen before.
There are other ways to play...as 24/25 shows.
www.thetimes.com/sport/footba...
I've felt this for a while, watching positional (Pep-style) football.
Players who once wowed playing safe or touching the ball 4 times in a half. Patterns we've all seen before.
There are other ways to play...as 24/25 shows.
www.thetimes.com/sport/footba...
How teams are embracing chaos to upset the Pep Guardiola school of tactics
Manchester City manager’s rigid positional play appears to be losing its edge as more risk-embracing styles bring Premier League rewards for a new breed of coaches
www.thetimes.com
February 9, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Ideas lose power, revolutions fade.
I've felt this for a while, watching positional (Pep-style) football.
Players who once wowed playing safe or touching the ball 4 times in a half. Patterns we've all seen before.
There are other ways to play...as 24/25 shows.
www.thetimes.com/sport/footba...
I've felt this for a while, watching positional (Pep-style) football.
Players who once wowed playing safe or touching the ball 4 times in a half. Patterns we've all seen before.
There are other ways to play...as 24/25 shows.
www.thetimes.com/sport/footba...
Richard Hughes. Know it's an unpopular opinion, but I think he's quite good at his job.
From hiring Slot to getting it right on Gravenberch to bringing Iraola to England to putting this brilliant Bournemouth squad together...some of the reasons are in here:
www.thetimes.com/sport/footba...
From hiring Slot to getting it right on Gravenberch to bringing Iraola to England to putting this brilliant Bournemouth squad together...some of the reasons are in here:
www.thetimes.com/sport/footba...
Why Liverpool trust Richard Hughes, the man who signed Slot and Iraola
Richard Hughes, who built team at Bournemouth, has shown how clever deals and letting players like Ryan Gravenberch develop can benefit club more than flashy signings
www.thetimes.com
February 1, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Richard Hughes. Know it's an unpopular opinion, but I think he's quite good at his job.
From hiring Slot to getting it right on Gravenberch to bringing Iraola to England to putting this brilliant Bournemouth squad together...some of the reasons are in here:
www.thetimes.com/sport/footba...
From hiring Slot to getting it right on Gravenberch to bringing Iraola to England to putting this brilliant Bournemouth squad together...some of the reasons are in here:
www.thetimes.com/sport/footba...
Brendan Rodgers 2.0. His second coming in Glasgow.
He has had a sustained career of fine football and achievements but his current work at Celtic might prove his best yet.
www.thetimes.com/article/326b...
He has had a sustained career of fine football and achievements but his current work at Celtic might prove his best yet.
www.thetimes.com/article/326b...
How Brendan Rodgers 2.0 evolved into one of Britain’s best managers
The 51-year-old may have matured but he is no less hungry for success as he bids to take his Celtic side as far as possible in the Champions League
www.thetimes.com
January 26, 2025 at 10:12 AM
Brendan Rodgers 2.0. His second coming in Glasgow.
He has had a sustained career of fine football and achievements but his current work at Celtic might prove his best yet.
www.thetimes.com/article/326b...
He has had a sustained career of fine football and achievements but his current work at Celtic might prove his best yet.
www.thetimes.com/article/326b...
Reposted by Jonathan Northcroft
NEW!!
Sunday Times football correspondent Jonathan Northcroft is one of the very best in the business.
We talk about his time in football from Aberdeen to Leicester, Sir Alex Ferguson to David Moyes, England and much more!! @jnorthcroft.bsky.social
markgordon.media/jonathan-nor...
Sunday Times football correspondent Jonathan Northcroft is one of the very best in the business.
We talk about his time in football from Aberdeen to Leicester, Sir Alex Ferguson to David Moyes, England and much more!! @jnorthcroft.bsky.social
markgordon.media/jonathan-nor...
Jonathan Northcroft - Aberdeen, England, Fergie and the Foxes - markgordon.media
Jonathan Northcroft is a football correspondent for The Sunday Times with nearly 30 years of experience mixing with the greats of the game.
markgordon.media
January 19, 2025 at 9:23 AM
NEW!!
Sunday Times football correspondent Jonathan Northcroft is one of the very best in the business.
We talk about his time in football from Aberdeen to Leicester, Sir Alex Ferguson to David Moyes, England and much more!! @jnorthcroft.bsky.social
markgordon.media/jonathan-nor...
Sunday Times football correspondent Jonathan Northcroft is one of the very best in the business.
We talk about his time in football from Aberdeen to Leicester, Sir Alex Ferguson to David Moyes, England and much more!! @jnorthcroft.bsky.social
markgordon.media/jonathan-nor...
Hugh McIlvanney said Denis Law was the only British footballer who would have got into Brazil's divine 1970 team.
His finishing was razor sharp, cheeky, as refined as art.
Aberdeen's greatest.
And just a lovely man who wore his greatness lightly, with a twinkle in his eye.
His finishing was razor sharp, cheeky, as refined as art.
Aberdeen's greatest.
And just a lovely man who wore his greatness lightly, with a twinkle in his eye.
January 17, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Hugh McIlvanney said Denis Law was the only British footballer who would have got into Brazil's divine 1970 team.
His finishing was razor sharp, cheeky, as refined as art.
Aberdeen's greatest.
And just a lovely man who wore his greatness lightly, with a twinkle in his eye.
His finishing was razor sharp, cheeky, as refined as art.
Aberdeen's greatest.
And just a lovely man who wore his greatness lightly, with a twinkle in his eye.
I'll probably get chased out of Leicester for saying this - but loving the Forest story.
Doing things differently, doing things the Nuno way, doing things that have an element of Clough.
They have same points after 20 games as Leicester in 15-16...
www.thetimes.com/sport/footba...
Doing things differently, doing things the Nuno way, doing things that have an element of Clough.
They have same points after 20 games as Leicester in 15-16...
www.thetimes.com/sport/footba...
Inside Nottingham Forest’s rise: Nuno’s simplicity and Clough counters
Revitalised under Nuno Espírito Santo, the club are moving forward as one and their surge up the Premier League table has serious vibes of Leicester in 2015-16
www.thetimes.com
January 12, 2025 at 10:45 AM
I'll probably get chased out of Leicester for saying this - but loving the Forest story.
Doing things differently, doing things the Nuno way, doing things that have an element of Clough.
They have same points after 20 games as Leicester in 15-16...
www.thetimes.com/sport/footba...
Doing things differently, doing things the Nuno way, doing things that have an element of Clough.
They have same points after 20 games as Leicester in 15-16...
www.thetimes.com/sport/footba...
David Moyes has agreed to become Everton manager again. Will return on a two and a half year deal. Official announcement soon.
January 10, 2025 at 8:43 PM
David Moyes has agreed to become Everton manager again. Will return on a two and a half year deal. Official announcement soon.
Reposted by Jonathan Northcroft
• Kolo Muani's next club
• Rashford leads Man Utd exodus
• Slot's bald genius
• Fixing Man City
• Arsenal's Arteta error
• Do-or-die Tottenham pursue Skriniar
• Dani Olmo
• Forest & Villain
@transferscast.bsky.social special with @jnorthcroft.bsky.social
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
• Rashford leads Man Utd exodus
• Slot's bald genius
• Fixing Man City
• Arsenal's Arteta error
• Do-or-die Tottenham pursue Skriniar
• Dani Olmo
• Forest & Villain
@transferscast.bsky.social special with @jnorthcroft.bsky.social
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
January 8, 2025 at 3:03 PM
• Kolo Muani's next club
• Rashford leads Man Utd exodus
• Slot's bald genius
• Fixing Man City
• Arsenal's Arteta error
• Do-or-die Tottenham pursue Skriniar
• Dani Olmo
• Forest & Villain
@transferscast.bsky.social special with @jnorthcroft.bsky.social
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
• Rashford leads Man Utd exodus
• Slot's bald genius
• Fixing Man City
• Arsenal's Arteta error
• Do-or-die Tottenham pursue Skriniar
• Dani Olmo
• Forest & Villain
@transferscast.bsky.social special with @jnorthcroft.bsky.social
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
The more you look at, and look into, Arne Slot the more you realise he's a special manager.
When did he last lose an away game? 2023.
Enjoyed delving into his background, appointment and methods for this.
Might need to work on his dad jokes.
www.thetimes.com/article/aff4...
When did he last lose an away game? 2023.
Enjoyed delving into his background, appointment and methods for this.
Might need to work on his dad jokes.
www.thetimes.com/article/aff4...
How Liverpool knew Arne Slot was the right man for them
Data-driven approach identified Dutchman as better fit for club than Ruben Amorim and he’s repaying faith with tactical tweaks that have reinvigorated Mo Salah
www.thetimes.com
January 5, 2025 at 10:04 AM
The more you look at, and look into, Arne Slot the more you realise he's a special manager.
When did he last lose an away game? 2023.
Enjoyed delving into his background, appointment and methods for this.
Might need to work on his dad jokes.
www.thetimes.com/article/aff4...
When did he last lose an away game? 2023.
Enjoyed delving into his background, appointment and methods for this.
Might need to work on his dad jokes.
www.thetimes.com/article/aff4...
The journalist, the manager, the fax machine and the hairdryer - www.bbc.com/sport/footba...
Sporting Giants: A journalist's first meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson
Journalist Jonathan Northcroft tells Kelly Cates about his first experience of meeting Sir Alex Ferguson.
www.bbc.com
January 2, 2025 at 8:00 AM
The journalist, the manager, the fax machine and the hairdryer - www.bbc.com/sport/footba...
Reposted by Jonathan Northcroft
My friend & exceptional writer @jnorthcroft.bsky.social recently wrote one of those controversial articles that makes you think. The headline is like a hammer: "How Pep and data destroyed game's beautiful variety" 😱🫤
I spoke to him about it on #CoffeeWithGuillem:
youtu.be/Z_3A9G4JxL0
I spoke to him about it on #CoffeeWithGuillem:
youtu.be/Z_3A9G4JxL0
Is Pep Destroying Football? #CoffeeWithGuillem ft. Jonathan Northcroft
YouTube video by Guillem Balague
youtu.be
December 30, 2024 at 8:53 AM
My friend & exceptional writer @jnorthcroft.bsky.social recently wrote one of those controversial articles that makes you think. The headline is like a hammer: "How Pep and data destroyed game's beautiful variety" 😱🫤
I spoke to him about it on #CoffeeWithGuillem:
youtu.be/Z_3A9G4JxL0
I spoke to him about it on #CoffeeWithGuillem:
youtu.be/Z_3A9G4JxL0
Went home to Aberdeen and to Govan/Manchester to help BBC make these: rich new TV doc and podcast series on Fergie.
Somehow he seems even bigger from a distance.
Watch Sir Alex on iPlayer
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
Sporting Giants: Sir Alex Ferguson on Sounds
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand...
Somehow he seems even bigger from a distance.
Watch Sir Alex on iPlayer
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
Sporting Giants: Sir Alex Ferguson on Sounds
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand...
Sir Alex
Phenomenal talent, unwavering passion and a legendary will to win. Friends and foes on the incredible career of Sir Alex Ferguson - Britain's most decorated football manager.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 26, 2024 at 12:29 PM
Went home to Aberdeen and to Govan/Manchester to help BBC make these: rich new TV doc and podcast series on Fergie.
Somehow he seems even bigger from a distance.
Watch Sir Alex on iPlayer
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
Sporting Giants: Sir Alex Ferguson on Sounds
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand...
Somehow he seems even bigger from a distance.
Watch Sir Alex on iPlayer
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
Sporting Giants: Sir Alex Ferguson on Sounds
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand...
Cole Palmer: a superstar in sliders who makes you love football all over again.
Watch him and smile.
Hear him and smile.
My player of 2024 and it wasn't even close.
www.thetimes.com/article/7efc...
Watch him and smile.
Hear him and smile.
My player of 2024 and it wasn't even close.
www.thetimes.com/article/7efc...
Scallywag, genius – why Cole Palmer is the hero modern football needs
Chelsea forward’s laid-back manner belies an incredible technique and game intelligence matched by very few. He is my footballer of 2024 – and it isn’t even close
www.thetimes.com
December 22, 2024 at 10:41 AM
Cole Palmer: a superstar in sliders who makes you love football all over again.
Watch him and smile.
Hear him and smile.
My player of 2024 and it wasn't even close.
www.thetimes.com/article/7efc...
Watch him and smile.
Hear him and smile.
My player of 2024 and it wasn't even close.
www.thetimes.com/article/7efc...