Rob Tanner
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Football writer for @TheAthleticFC. Writer of best selling book, 5000-1 The Leicester City Story. www.nytimes.com/athletic/author/rob-tanner/
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Articles by Rob Tanner
The Prospects: Jack McGrath, Aston Villa
For most clubs, developing their own talent has become increasingly important. For clubs needing to manage financial regulations while aspiring to challenge at the top of the Premier League, it is paramount. Two years ago, a generation came to the fore during a treble-winning season for Aston Villa Under-18s — when the team won the Under-18 Premier League South title, FA Youth Cup and Under-18 Premier League National Final.
Leicester City supporters criticise club over sponsor’s partnership with porn star
Leicester City’s supporters’ trust has renewed its criticism of the club’s partnership with front-of-shirt sponsor BC.Game after the gambling company announced a new link up with a porn star. The Foxes Trust said BC.Game’s partnership with Evie Elfie, who streams Esports and online gaming as well as making adult content, was a further move away from Leciester’s reputation as a “well-run family club”.
Love on the Run: Five couples whose enthusiasm for running turned into something bigger
Long-distance running doesn’t necessarily have to be a lonely experience. In fact, it can lead to love. Before this weekend’s New York City Marathon, The Athletic spoke to five couples who all found more than a running partner during their long slogs on the road. Whether it started with a chance encounter at school or a running club, a shared love of running blossomed into something much bigger for them all.
It is 2pm on a wet and windy Tuesday afternoon and, as the travelling fans gather outside King Power to embark on their latest away day, the weather is symbolic of the mood of a huge amount of Leicester City fans. Ten years ago, Leicester fans were travelling in their thousands to Copenhagen to cheer on the champions of England in the Champions League. It was the best of times.
The Prospects: Elijah Upson, Arsenal
Do young players who have professional footballers as fathers have an advantage when it comes to player development? There are a number of rising young talents coming through who come from footballing households, such as Manchester City’s Reigan and Jaden Heskey, sons of Emile Heskey; Manchester United’s Jack and Tyler Fletcher, sons of former United midfielder Darren Fletcher; former Wigan Athletic midfielder Ben Watson’s son Reggie at Chelsea; and Wayne Rooney’s son Kai at United.
‘Being a Black England coach doesn’t phase you when you’ve run into a burning building’
For 19 years, Chris Lock had to deal with the pressure of saving lives, so he has a very different perspective on the perceived pressures of being a football coach or even a member of a groundbreaking predominantly Black British international coaching team. Lock experienced some horrific moments during his time with the London Fire Service, regularly responding to house fires and road traffic accidents.
The Prospects: Samuel Alker, Leeds United
The international break is over and the focus has returned to domestic football. Some of England’s young talents played against challenging opponents in unfamiliar environments — experiences designed to aid their development.
The Premier League returns this weekend — and the picture has changed considerably since the last ball was kicked three weeks ago. How will that impact the return of domestic action? Looking away from City, who has most impressed The Athletic’s reporters this season? Who has surprised them? And who do they think will win the league?
Is Harry Kane England’s greatest player? The Athletic’s writers debate the best of all time
On Tuesday night, Harry Kane matched the record for the most appearances by any male English player. Kane started the game against the Czech Republic, picking up his 125th cap to draw level with Peter Shilton. He also scored twice as England won 3-0. The 33-year-old is also England’s all-time men’s top goalscorer, with 91 goals. Despite not winning any honours with his country, is Kane still England’s greatest men’s player? And if not Kane, then who?
The Prospects: Michael Mills, Newcastle United
This is a longer than usual international window, so several of the England youth sides have travelled overseas to test themselves in mini-tournaments. Will Antwi’s under-18s are in Switzerland for the Friendship Cup, where they were drawn against Colombia, Egypt and South Korea in the group phase. The Athletic tuned in to watch their opening game against the South Americans, and a young English winger who has already featured on the bench in the Premier League this season duly caught the eye.
I competed at the World Gurning Championships and nearly passed out. I must’ve been hideous
Whenever I made an insolent face as a child, my mother would issue a stern warning. “If the wind changes, you will be stuck like that,” she would say. Nearly 50 years later, I put that theory to the test again — at the World Gurning Championships. The annual event involves contestants putting their head through a horse collar, known as a braffin, and distorting their faces before a team of judges.
The Prospects: Hezekiah-Daniel Grimwade, Chelsea
The first international break of the season has arrived and it isn’t just the seniors who are taking a break from the domestic treadmill. The various international age groups will be in action over the coming weeks, and England’s pathway system will certainly be busy as some of the best young English players come together.
A football game in a river? Chaotic, wet and refereed by Superman
As the footballers emerge into the arena, they run over to the eager supporters on the sidelines and bellow a warning. “You will get wet!” That isn’t a phrase you will often hear uttered by the players at an English football match but, then again, this annual match played in the village of Bourton-on-the-Water is no ordinary game of football. For starters, it is played in a river.
The Prospects: Mor Talla Ndiaye, Liverpool
The UEFA Youth League has been in existence for 13 years, and it has become a valuable addition to the youth development calendar. This week, The Athletic watched Liverpool Under-19s, managed by former Wales international manager Rob Page, take on Atletico Madrid at Liverpool’s Melwood training centre — and there was plenty of young talent on show.
Will anyone challenge Arsenal for the title? The Athletic writers pick their contenders
After Arsenal beat Chelsea last weekend to make it three wins out of three to start their Premier League season, it felt reasonable to ask — can anybody challenge them for the 2026-27 title? Admittedly, they are currently level on points with Manchester City, but Arsenal already look better than last season, when they finished seven points clear at the top. Their performances have been ominous for the challenging pack. But surely it won’t be a walk in the park over the remaining 35 games?
The Prospects: Teddie Lamb, Manchester City
Premier League 2 took a break last weekend, so the focus fell on the under-18s Premier League and the UEFA Youth League, where English academies go head-to-head with their European counterparts. The spotlight shone on Manchester City and a centre-forward in superb form for the under-18s. However, there were more who caught the eye as City claimed an impressive 8-5 victory at Stoke City in the under-18 Premier League North.
Ballon d’Or 2026 nominees: Messi, Kane and Mbappe on shortlist for men’s award
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Ballon d’Or 2026 nominees: Messi, Kane and Mbappe on shortlist for men’s award The 30-player shortlists for the Men's and Women's Ballon d'Or have been released. September 8, 2026 at 5:10 PM GMT+2 The nominees for the 2026 Ballon d'Or are being announced today. Getty Images 2026 Ballon d'Or nominees revealed The nominees for the 2026 Ballon d'Or have been announced as the countdown continues to next month's ceremony.
By Ed Mackey, Nancy Froston Verified, Rob Tanner Verified, Jack Pitt-Brooke Verified, Steve Madeley Verified
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The New York Times
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Inside the weird world of strongmen: 8,000 calories a day, skip lifts and an awkward truth
First comes the guttural grunt. Then the clatter of the barbell as it bounces off the floor. Then, as the sparks fly behind him and the crowd screams in astonishment, the throat-busting roar of triumph. Mexico’s Raul Flores has just done something no man on earth had ever done before. He has broken the world deadlift record by raising a 511kg barbell to his waist. Or, to put it another way, he has just hoisted the equivalent of a grand piano or adult male grizzly bear.
The Prospects: Kaye Furo, Brentford
Premier League 2 is back in action and the best young academy prospects are going head-to-head once more in the hope they will get their breakthrough to first team football if they can impress. Thirty-one teams are competing this season in a unique format and with just two games gone, only four teams have a 100 per cent record. One of them is Brentford, who followed up an opening day 3-2 win at Stoke City with a 5-1 victory over Sunderland on Monday.
Conceived in a pub, held in a four-foot trench in Wales: Welcome to the World Bog Snorkelling Championships
When a six-time World champion offers you some advice, you really should listen. Neil Rutter has not only been crowned World Bog Snorkelling champion six times, but he is also the world record holder. And yet the nugget of knowledge from his vast experience of traversing 120 yards (110 metres) via two 60-yard lengths in a trench – dug 4ft deep and 3ft wide in a Welsh field – filled with murky, mucky river water is not a tip about technique. “Try not to swallow the water,” he tells The Athletic.
Are Parkinson’s side too ponderous? Has Chris Davies embraced direct football? Wrexham vs Birmingham takeaways
It has been dubbed the Hollywood derby, but there wasn’t much glitz or glamour about Birmingham City’s 2-1 win at Wrexham. Both sides had yet to record a Championship victory and both needed one. It was more a war of attrition, one that Birmingham won. Birmingham made life difficult for themselves by missing two glaring first half chances but two goals from set pieces from centre half Phil Neumann proved to be the difference.
From Oklahoma to Tamworth. The 24-year-old American property tycoon with EFL ambitions
Three words dominate the mind of Abdullah Ashraf: English Football League. To be more specific, it is the EFL’s League Two, the fourth tier of English football, that preoccupies the daily thoughts of this 24-year-old American businessman. Currently, 20 of the EFL’s 72 clubs, from the second tier through to the fourth tier, either have Americans as owners or prominent investors.
Nvidia Is Becoming The AI Nation-State
Aug 28, 2026, 1:57 AM ET, , Summary NVIDIA is behaving more like a nation-state, strategically subsidizing the AI ecosystem to expand its future market and defensible moat. NVDA's willingness to finance/backstop major AI infrastructure projects is rational ecosystem development, not classic vendor financing, leveraging unique informational and strategic advantages.
The Prospects: Darren Motsi, Manchester City
There have been plenty of departures from Leicester City this summer since the club were relegated to League One. Ten of the players to head for the exit were out of contract and needed to move on to ease the burden on the club’s finances after demotion to the third tier. Others were experienced performers who had to be sold, including Harry Winks, while Jannik Vestergaard’s last contracted year was paid up so he could also move on.
Life-changing injuries and postponed seasons: How the heatwave is impacting grassroots football
Footballers are suffering “life-changing” injuries on drought-affected pitches, according to a chairman of a senior amateur league. Grassroots leagues across England have been forced to adjust the start of their seasons after one of the hottest and driest summers on record left parched pitches dangerous to play on.
A brain injury changed David Jackson’s life. Now he’s running 100 ultramarathons in 100 days
When David Jackson woke up in hospital and saw he was still wearing his rugby boots, he knew something terrible had happened. He just didn’t know what. He turned to the familiar face sitting next to his bed and asked what had happened. But the answer — that he had had a seizure on the pitch after clashing heads with a teammate in training, which had also led to a bleed on the brain — was not the first time he had heard the devastating news.
Leicester City valuation sent to potential investors as King Power look to sell assets Original
A brochure detailing the sale of Leicester City and all its assets has been sent to potential investors. Global investment bank Citigroup has drafted the brochure, seen by The Athletic, titled Project Lineup, which details Leicester’s assets, including its women’s team, academy, King Power Stadium and the £100million Seagrave training base they moved to six years ago. Belgian sister club OH Leuven is also featured in the list of assets available.
That sinking feeling: The viral Brazilian goal celebration that went badly wrong
Brazilian defender Jacy Maranhao has not scored many goals — just nine across his senior career — so you could understand his excitement at finding the back of the net in Brazilian side Coritiba’s 2-1 league win against Chapecoense. Unfortunately, the club captain took his celebrations a little too far. The hosts were 1-0 up just before half-time when the 29-year-old Jacy headed home from a cross, then retrieved the ball from the net, stuffed it up his shirt and raced towards the corner flag.
That sinking feeling: The viral Brazilian goal celebration that went badly wrong
Brazilian defender Jacy Maranhao has not scored many goals -- just nine across his senior career -- so you could understand his excitement at finding the back of the net in Brazilian side Coritiba's 2-1 league win against Chapecoense. Unfortunately, the club captain took his celebrations a little too far. The hosts were 1-0 up just before half-time when the 29-year-old Jacy headed home from a cross, then retrieved the ball from the net, stuffed it up his shirt and raced towards the corner flag.
Chiller & Cooling Best Practices
This article details how Schneider Electric transformed waste heat into a reliable energy source at its Lincoln, Nebraska facility. By repurposing low-temperature process cooling water and optimizing building pressurization and controls, the plant significantly reduced natural gas use, water consumption and CO2 emissions while improving indoor comfort and air quality.
Why Man City have paid £12.5m for Jeremy Monga, Leicester’s 17-year-old wonderkid Original
Editor’s note: this is an updated version of an article first published in June. Manchester City have completed the £12.5million signing of Leicester City winger Jeremy Monga, after beating Arsenal in the race for the talented 17-year-old England youth international. Newly-appointed City head coach Enzo Maresca was behind the club’s drive for Monga, having known the player from his time as Leicester head coach in the 2023-24 season.
The England fan whose path to sobriety has allowed him to fulfil a lifelong World Cup dream Original
There will be a moment in the frenzy at the Estadio Azteca, probably as the teams take to the field or the first ball is kicked in anger, when Darren Thompson pinches himself to be witnessing all this first-hand. After all, it is not long since the England and Leicester City supporter was lying in a hospital bed, drifting in and out of hallucinations, and being warned what would happen if he did not stop drinking. The doctors did not beat around the bush. Quit or he would have six months to live.
England need a statement win against Panama. Who should Tuchel pick to deliver it? Original
The 0-0 draw on Tuesday raised familiar questions about the team’s inability to deal with sides set up to defend deep and whether this squad has the creativity needed to go deep into this tournament. It also meant that Saturday’s game against Panama, which most had expected to be a dead rubber, will assume far greater significance.
Bosnia take huge step towards USMNT knockout tie, Qatar out. Was this Alajbegovic’s breakout moment?
Bosnia and Herzegovina took a huge step towards reaching the last 32 of the World Cup and a probable meeting with the United States by beating Qatar 3-1 in Seattle — but they must now wait for confirmation about what comes next. This match was akin to a knockout tie itself, with both teams knowing a win would likely take them through from Group B, but a defeat would mean certain elimination. They soon doubled their advantage when Sultan Al-Brake turned the ball into his own net.
Bosnia set up likely USMNT meeting after beating Qatar at World Cup 2026: Live updates and reaction
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Bosnia set up likely USMNT meeting after beating Qatar at World Cup 2026: Live updates and reaction Bosnia are on course for a round-of-32 clash with the USA after a 3-1 win against Qatar. June 24, 2026 at 5:01 PM EDT The winner of this match is likely to face the USA in the round of 32. Reuters Result: Bosnia 3-1 Qatar Bosnia and Herzegovina will likely face the USMNT in the round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup after beating Qatar 3-1 in Group B.
By Ed Mackey, George Ramsay Verified, Simon Johnson Verified, Rob Tanner Verified, Simon Hughes Verified, Henry Bushnell Verified
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The New York Times
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Bosnia take huge step towards USMNT knockout tie, Qatar out. Was this Alajbegovic's breakout moment?
Bosnia and Herzegovina took a huge step towards reaching the last 32 of the World Cup and a probable meeting with the United States by beating Qatar 3-1 in Seattle -- but they must now wait for confirmation about what comes next. This match was akin to a knockout tie itself, with both teams knowing a win would likely take them through from Group B, but a defeat would mean certain elimination.
Iran holds Belgium to a 0-0 draw: Has the USA’s World Cup pathway just got easier? Original
Belgium stumbled to a 0-0 draw with Iran at SoFi Stadium on Sunday in a game that featured both a red card and perhaps the best save of the 2026 World Cup thus far. Belgium, the most talented team in Group G on paper, couldn’t unlock a resistant Iranian defense, and then had to survive the last 25 minutes of the match with 10 men after defender Nathan Ngoy was sent off for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Belgium vs Iran live updates: Taremi goal ruled out in 2026 World Cup clash
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Belgium vs Iran live updates: Taremi goal ruled out in 2026 World Cup clash Follow live coverage as Belgium and Iran meet in a pivotal Group G clash. June 21, 2026 at 3:48 PM EDT Mehdi Taremi’s strike was ruled out for offside Getty Score: Belgium 0-0 Iran Belgium and Iran are level in the opening half of their 2026 World Cup clash. Iran captain Mehdi Taremi thought he had given his side the lead with a fine finish, but his strike was ruled out by the VAR for offside.
By Luke Brown Verified, Phil Hay Verified, Nancy Froston Verified, Duncan Alexander, Rob Tanner Verified, Dermot Corrigan Verified, Laurie Whitwell Verified
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The New York Times
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World Worm Charming Championships: Noisy, frenetic and eccentric but there’s ‘magic about it’ Original
The cacophony was loud enough to deter any living creature: an almost state-altering din of weird and wonderful instruments being played to a questionable degree of proficiency. Some people were frantically hitting wooden sticks together to no discernible beat, others pinged pieces of metal to create a tinny echo. All the while, a trumpeter played the Indiana Jones theme. Tap, bang, thump. Dum, duh, dum, duuuum. It was a noise meant to be alluring. To earthworms anyway. Yes.
World Worm Charming Championships: Noisy, frenetic and eccentric but there’s ‘magic about it’
The cacophony was loud enough to deter any living creature: an almost state-altering din of weird and wonderful instruments being played to a questionable degree of proficiency. Some people were frantically hitting wooden sticks together to no discernible beat, others pinged pieces of metal to create a tinny echo. All the while, a trumpeter played the Indiana Jones theme. Tap, bang, thump. Dum, duh, dum, duuuum. It was a noise meant to be alluring. To earthworms anyway. Yes.
Leicester City’s decision to appoint Russell Martin is the biggest gamble yet of the King Power era
After back-to-back relegations to drop from the top flight to League One, there are a large number of Leicester supporters whose faith in the decision-makers is eroded beyond repair. Many are eager for a change of ownership a decade on from their Premier League title. Martin was first linked with the position two years ago, during the final days of Ruud van Nistelrooy’s tenure when Leicester’s second relegation from the Premier League in three seasons had been confirmed.
Leicester City's decision to appoint Russell Martin is the biggest gamble yet of the King Power era
After back-to-back relegations to drop from the top flight to League One, there are a large number of Leicester supporters whose faith in the decision-makers is eroded beyond repair. Many are eager for a change of ownership a decade on from their Premier League title. Martin was first linked with the position two years ago, during the final days of Ruud van Nistelrooy's tenure when Leicester's second relegation from the Premier League in three seasons had been confirmed.
Anthony Gordon, Marcus Rashford and how club football tensions can seep into the national setup
Marcus Rashford and Anthony Gordon are in direct competition for the left-sided attacking role in Thomas Tuchel’s England side. Yet it would be easy for the sense of rivalry between international team-mates to have been further stoked by recent events at club level. Gordon completed his dream €80million (£69.3m; $93.2m) move to Barcelona just prior to the national squad’s departure for their pre-World Cup training base in Florida.
Why Arsenal want Jeremy Monga – what the Leicester 16-year-old offers and what he can build on
Monga’s scholarship contract is set to become a professional one this summer when he turns 17 on July 10, meaning Arsenal will have to pay a fee for his services. There have been many clubs tracking Monga even before he became the second-youngest player to appear in the Premier League when he came on as a substitute aged just 15 years and 271 days in a 3-0 defeat to Newcastle 14 months ago.
Why Arsenal want Jeremy Monga - what the Leicester 16-year-old offers and what he can build on
As reported in The Athletic's Transfer DealSheet on Tuesday, Arsenal's pursuit of Monga is ongoing. Personal terms are not expected to be an issue but an agreement has not yet been struck between the clubs. Monga's scholarship contract is set to become a professional one this summer when he turns 17 on July 10, meaning Arsenal will have to pay a fee for his services.
Anthony Gordon, Marcus Rashford and how club football tensions can seep into the national setup
Marcus Rashford and Anthony Gordon are in direct competition for the left-sided attacking role in Thomas Tuchel's England side. Yet it would be easy for the sense of rivalry between international team-mates to have been further stoked by recent events at club level. Gordon completed his dream €80million (£69.3m; $93.2m) move to Barcelona just prior to the national squad's departure for their pre-World Cup training base in Florida.
World Shin-Kicking Championships: Broken legs and broken toes – ‘It’s not for the faint-hearted’ Original
“Kick him! Kick him! Kick him!” the baying crowd chant in unison. On a hill just outside Chipping Campden, a prosperous market town in the Cotswolds, a region 100 miles west of London, two pugilists are grappling with each other as 3,000 spectators roar for more. It is an incongruous scene for such an idyllic part of England.
England 2026 World Cup watch: Who should really feel hard done by over being ignored by Tuchel?
The makeup of Thomas Tuchel’s final 26-man squad for the World Cup this summer certainly created a stir. Within minutes of Friday’s flamboyant squad reveal, all delivered to the backdrop of The Beatles’ Come Together, alternative starting line-ups were being posted across social media of the players Tuchel chose not to name for the tournament starting in a couple of weeks in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Some of those omitted could certainly make a case for feeling hard done by.
England 2026 World Cup watch: Who should really feel hard done by over being ignored by Tuchel?
The makeup of Thomas Tuchel's final 26-man squad for the World Cup this summer certainly created a stir. Within minutes of Friday's flamboyant squad reveal, all delivered to the backdrop of The Beatles' Come Together, alternative starting line-ups were being posted across social media of the players Tuchel chose not to name for the tournament starting in a couple of weeks in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Some of those omitted could certainly make a case for feeling hard done by.
The Prospects: Ryan McAidoo, Manchester City Original
The FA Youth Cup final is one of the most prestigious games in academy football. Some of the current crop of the Premier League’s biggest stars — from Cole Palmer, Reece James and Marc Guehi to Kobbie Mainoo and Morgan Rogers — have showcased their skills in the final. Retreat back and Manchester United’s celebrated class of 1992 won the competition.
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