Michael Walker

Football Writer

First published in The Observer in 1990, Michael Walker has covered World Cups and European Championships for The Guardian, Daily Mail and Irish Times among others. Author of two football books, one on England’s North-east, one on Ireland.

Sunderland's search for a manager invites questions, doubt and increasing anger

Sunderland have been looking for a new manager since February 19 - their shortcomings were supposed to be addressed this summer...

Philip Buckingham and Michael Walker19

Craig Bellamy won't join Vincent Kompany at Bayern Munich

Michael Walker13

A season in a day: The 2023-24 Premier League told from Stanley Park to San Sebastian

The Athletic UK Staff21

Manchester City winning four straight titles would be unprecedented - this is why it's so hard

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Derby Days, Dublin: Bohemians vs Shamrock Rovers

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Arsenal, Spurs, Man Utd and Newcastle: How new stadiums shape a club's future and soul

What can Arsenal and Tottenham's stadiums teach Manchester United and Newcastle about moving or rebuilding? We took the tours to find out

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The other Bellingham - 'I don’t think anyone will truly understand what it is like to be Jobe'

Jobe Bellingham has a prodigiously talented brother, but aged just 18 he is impressing in his own right

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The Premier League title race that is dividing the country - and where loyalties really lie

The Athletic spoke with supporters with no runners in the three-horse title race to ascertain whether the nation is truly transfixed

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Jurgen Klopp has learned from Liverpool history and chosen the perfect time to leave

Shankly and Paisley - and even Ferguson at United - have offered Klopp an ideal guide on the best time to walk away

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Cheick Tiote's magic to 'Crystanbul' - our writers' favourite comebacks

Our writers describe the greatest comebacks they have seen live - jump in, reminisce and then add your own…

Simon Hughes, Andy Mitten and more61

Former Manchester United defender John O'Shea named Republic of Ireland interim coach

John O’Shea has been named as the Republic of Ireland head coach on an interim basis. The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has announced that O’Shea, 42, will take charge when Ireland face Belgium and Switzerland in two friendlies in Dublin next month. They do not play again until June. Paddy McCarthy, who is an assistant coach at Crystal Palace, will assist O’Shea during the March games. O’Shea has been part of the FAI coaching set-up since 2020 with the under-21s and was assistant to senior men’s team manager Stephen Kenny until both left their roles in November. At...

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Michael Beale leaves Sunderland after 12 games in charge

Michael Beale has left Sunderland after just 63 days and twelve games in charge. The 43 year-old former Rangers and Queens Park Rangers head coach was appointed as Tony Mowbray’s successor in December but there has been no upturn in results. Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Birmingham City was Sunderland’s sixth under Beale and leaves them 10th in the Championship, though only four points outside the play-off places. Mike Dodds has been appointed as the club’s interim head coach and he will lead the first team until the end of the 2023-24 season starting with Saturday’s home game with...

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Morgan Rogers interview: What he learned at Man City, from EFL relegation and from facing Aston Villa

Rogers on his close friendship with Cole Palmer, dealing with self-doubt and what a short but peripatetic career in the EFL has taught him

Michael Walker12

Derby Days, England's north east: Sunderland vs Newcastle United

The distance is small between Sunderland and Newcastle but, as a landmark derby demonstrated, the clubs are further apart than ever

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Tony Mowbray replaces Wayne Rooney as Birmingham City manager

Former Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray been appointed as the new Birmingham City manager. Birmingham sacked Wayne Rooney earlier this month after the former Manchester United and England player won just two out of his 15 games in charge. Mowbray has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal and is joined by long-term assistant Mark Venus as the club’s new assistant manager. He will take training for the first time on Monday and his first game in charge is Saturday’s Championship clash at home to Swansea. “I can’t wait to get back on the training pitch and start working with this...

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Middlesbrough set to sign Aston Villa's Finn Azaz in permanent deal

Middlesbrough are set to sign Aston Villa midfielder Finn Azaz in a £2.5million deal. Azaz, 23, is poised to be recalled by Villa from his loan stint at Middlesbrough’s Championship rivals Plymouth Argyle — for whom he has impressed this season with seven goals and five assists. If registered in time, Azaz would be available to make his debut for his new club against Villa in the FA Cup on January 6. Villa signed West Brom youth academy graduate Azaz in 2021, but he never made a senior appearance for the club and has spent two-and-a-half seasons on multiple loan deals. The attacking...

Jacob Tanswell and Michael Walker24

Michael Beale announced as new Sunderland manager

Michael Beale has been appointed as the new Sunderland head coach. The 43-year-old Londoner has previously managed Queens Park Rangers in the Championship and Rangers in Scotland. Beale’s first game as Tony Mowbray’s successor will be against Coventry City at the Stadium of Light on Saturday. The Athletic reported on Friday that Beale was in advanced talks to succeed Mowbray in the Sunderland hotseat. Beale — who was sacked as Rangers boss in October — has joined Sunderland initially without the arrivals of additional coaching staff. Mark Venus, Mowbray’s assistant, also left...

Colin Millar and Michael Walker45

Michael Beale in advanced talks to become next Sunderland manager; expected to be at Bristol City game

Michael Beale is in advanced discussions with Sunderland to become their next head coach and talks have progressed to the stage where Beale is expected to attend their Championship match at Bristol City on Saturday. The 43-year-old Londoner has previously managed Queens Park Rangers in the Championship and Rangers in Scotland. Beale will not take the team in Bristol — caretaker coach Mike Dodds will remain in charge — meaning Beale’s first game as Tony Mowbray’s successor will be Coventry City at the Stadium of Light next Saturday. Sunderland then travel to Hull City on Boxing Day.

Michael Walker, Adam Leventhal and more48

How are Sunderland viewed by managerial contenders?

Sunderland are stepping up their hunt for Mowbray's successor - but with grand ambitions in place, how long will this patient approach last?

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Derby Days, Belfast: Glentoran vs Linfield, the 'Big Two' derby

The enmity around the 'Big Two' derby does not run along the traditional Belfast religious fault-line of Catholic and Protestant

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Sunderland sack head coach Tony Mowbray

Tony Mowbray has been dismissed as Sunderland head coach. Mowbray, 60 a fortnight ago, was appointed by the club at the end of August last year in the wake of Alex Neil’s decision to leave Sunderland for Stoke City. Mark Venus, Mowbray’s assistant, has also left. Mike Dodds will take the team for Saturday’s visit of West Bromwich Albion to the Stadium of Light. Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman commented: “All at SAFC have thoroughly enjoyed working with Tony and he is quite rightly held in high regard by our players and staff, and our supporters. “After arriving at an uncertain...

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Casement Park - Euro 2028's derelict stadium caught in a storm of politics and protests

Northern Ireland's nominated venue to host five Euro 2028 games is a crumbling shell in west Belfast owned by the GAA and unused since 2013

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Wayne Rooney’s Birmingham bow will linger in his memory - but for wrong reasons

Wayne Rooney made his return to English football on Saturday, but it was also the day Sir Bobby Charlton passed away

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Sir Bobby Charlton: Ordinary and extraordinary, he embodied the spirit of football

Sir Bobby Charlton died on Saturday. His was a football life, but it was profound for reasons that he never sought

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Jonny Evans, a Manchester United man returns: 'I love it every day'

Jonny Evans talks about his Manchester United return, his lifelong love of the club and signing on briefly on minimum wage