Daniel Taylor
@DTathletic
Followers
274K
Following
12K
Media
316
Statuses
23K
Senior football writer for @TheAthleticFC. 📚 Clough, Ferguson, Keegan, I Believe in Miracles 🌳👌🏻
Joined August 2009
Lovely to wake up with this today. Thank you to the @SportSJA and all the many brilliant people at @TheAthleticUK. @stujames75 and @AdamCrafton_ on the six-person shortlist too, so hopefully shows we are doing something right 👍🏻
78
24
684
Thiago should be a great signing for Liverpool - and another ‘what if’ moment for Man Utd. Thiago was Alex Ferguson’s leaving ‘present’ for David Moyes in 2013. Years of scouting, everything agreed. Then Moyes called it off because he didn’t feel he knew enough about the player.
383
2K
12K
This is a tough read in parts and, plainly, wasn't an easy decision for @RhianBrewster9 to make. But he deserves to be heard, and that goes to the top of the sport.
256
9K
10K
Ben Mee, Burnley's captain, superb on Sky re plane banner. "I'm ashamed, I'm embarrassed . these people need to come into the 21st century and educate themselves. They don't represent what we're about.".
156
1K
9K
Well, without wishing to be pedantic … there is also a team known as Nottingham Forest, founded in 1865. Two European Cups, one Super Cup (never liquidated)👌🏻.
💙 #RangersFC will celebrate becoming the first major European club to reach their 150th anniversary by hosting a galaxy of superstars for a Weekend of Legends, presented by @unibet, in March 2022. All the info & ticket details 👇.
419
977
9K
‘I prefer to set an example,’ says the man who walked out on his team while a game was still going on, who publicly slates his employers, undermines the manager and falls out with TV pundits unless they pretend it’s all perfectly normal behaviour.
154
1K
7K
Let’s be clear about this: Noel Gallagher doesn’t do the Poznan …
188
626
6K
Revealed: the FA secretly let off a manager who had been gambling on football. The manager - who cannot be named because of a court ruling - was spared at the same time Ivan Toney, and others, were being punished. The FA is refusing to say why . ⤵️ .
1
2K
6K
236
1K
5K
Man Utd, the 20-time champions of England, had 28% possession, one shot on target and two corners. These are the kind of stats you’d expect from a lower-league team on their big-day-out cup tie at Anfield.
93
761
5K
This bust-up in the tunnel at Old Trafford today. It wasn't handbags: Mikel Arteta was left with blood pouring down face. Bottles as well as punches thrown. Romelu Lukaku prominently involved, according to witnesses.
350
4K
4K
'It's time for the club to stand up and make the right decision.'. A group of #MUFC fans are planning protests to let the club know they don't want Mason Greenwood back. Their banner (see photo) will be on display before Monday's game v Wolves.
763
734
4K
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told us yesterday. He said there was no such thing in Man Utd's world as a lost cause. He talked about the importance of scoring first and about United's history for late drama. The bloke oozed confidence. Not many people believed him - and he got it spot on.
50
1K
4K
For all the stick he gets, Wayne Rooney's reaction to that winning goal - scored by the man who has put him out the team - says an awful lot.
83
2K
4K
This has got 91k likes and counting 🤯 … hate to ruin so many people’s fun, but that’s absolutely not the away end.
57
242
4K
Alexis Sanchez made Old Trafford sound like a five-star prison. When you’ve played that badly, and earned that kind of £££, please don’t push your luck trying to blame everybody else. My column for @TheAthleticUK.
125
624
4K
A lot of people wrote #NFFC off, thought they were nailed on to go down. Maybe they under-estimated Steve Cooper’s ability to create something special - and the loudest crowd I’ve ever heard at the City Ground. Beautiful afternoon down by the River Trent 🌳👌🏻
112
284
4K
Is there a more beautiful football ground in the country? 👌🏻 🌳 . Via @BridgfordReds #NFFC
196
507
4K
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on MOTD: ‘When you play Man City in the Carabao Cup and they put their strongest team out, you know you've gone places because that means they respect us.’. A) not even true, no Aguero, Bravo in goal etc. B) uproar if David Moyes had said this as MUFC manager.
210
501
4K
Lovely email from Louis van Gaal this morning after @TheAthleticFC feature (see below) on Kath Phipps at the weekend.
“Kath treated everyone like royalty. She was royalty herself.”. Kath Phipps was Manchester United's receptionist for 56 years. Her death was announced on Thursday, aged 85. Figures from the club, past and present, pay tribute. 📝 @DTathletic, @AndyMitten and more.
19
302
4K
Still reading - and hearing - the same old dirge that #MUFC fans are protesting against the Glazers only because of a strop re lack of trophies. Did I imagine all the protests from 2005-2010 when they were serial Premier League winners and getting to Champions League finals? 🤷🏼♂️.
54
602
3K
This says so much about the modern-day Manchester United player. Misses an absolute sitter with one of the worst headers you will ever see at this level … but prefers the post-match narrative/copout of blaming the referee. It’s no wonder Roy Keane kills these players.
"I’ll be sitting here and they can come.”. Bruno Fernandes says he’ll be waiting for an apology from refereeing chief Jon Moss over a penalty decision that did not go Manchester United's way during their 2-0 defeat by Tottenham. 📝 @awinehouse1 . ➡️
544
347
3K
🌳 21 in, 22 out.🌳 Over £150m on new players.🌳 Why #NFFC spent so big.🌳 Role of owner's son.🌳 Issues with resentful clubs.🌳 The Steve Cooper effect.🌳 A fractured leg . expertly hidden. It's the full, remarkable story of Nottingham Forest's summer.
86
450
3K
Some transfer news: Nottingham Forest want Dutch striker Jizz Hornkamp from Willem II. He’s 24, decent scoring ratio and once scored four in 34 minutes for previous club. Talks underway and, if all goes well, would be 13th signing of summer for #NFFC 🌳
742
483
3K
Really got to me, this story. Two young adults who came to Nottingham to experience a vibrant, student-friendly city and had so many years ahead of them. And then this. No words can do it justice really 😔❤️.
52
261
3K
@RhianBrewster9 I wouldn't normally ask for RTs but if a boy of 17 can already list seven incidents of alleged racism during matches - including five in the last seven months and one in the World Cup under-17s' final - please do if it helps bring it to the attention of @UEFAcom and @FIFAcom.
57
3K
3K
I might be biased, but I think we’ve seen today that the Premier League would be a better place with #NFFC in it. 🌳👌🏻.
119
190
3K
Manchester United are starting to look more like their old selves again. Rashford, Greenwood, Martial, Pogba and, at the heart of it all, Fernandes - these players are showing Jadon Sancho that #MUFC can be the right place for him. @TheAthleticUK
33
268
3K
And we’re on the move (including unexpected poodle photobomb)
130
505
3K
Thanks for watching everyone. I will always be in awe of Andy Woodward, Steve Walters, Gary Cliffe, Paul Stewart, David White and so many others - as Andy said, the numbers are scary and mind-boggling - for speaking out. Proper heroes, even if they don't view themselves that way.
117
175
3K
'I’ve seen it. He’d come to training on an empty stomach sometimes. I saw it and it was horrible.'. We wanted to tell the @MarcusRashford story in full. It was inspiring. The boy from Wythenshawe who became one of the heroes of our time.
40
428
3K
Today is - gulp - my last day at the Guardian/Observer. It's been lovely - bloody hell, 19 years, seven as chief football writer, five World Cups . I will always be grateful they took a chance on me. I will be back soon, possibly with a new Twitter pic. Thank you for reading!.
279
74
3K
What a beautiful sight for any Forest fan. No fluke either - best football I’ve seen from any #NFFC side since Frank Clark’s team (30 years ago!) 🌳👌
74
200
2K
Not sure I can ever remember a greater victory at #NFFC for fan power. What a turn-around.
Nottingham Forest is delighted to announce that Head Coach Steve Cooper has signed a new contract with the Club until 2025.
74
134
2K
I think this picture neatly sums up @JoeWorrall5 as well as #NFFC’s attitude under Steve Cooper. Broke his ribs on January 15 and was told he would be out for six weeks. Winning 4-1 and goes in for a tackle head-first. Did he win the tackle? Of course he did 🌳👌🏻
51
228
2K
There is another bus at team hotel but this is official one (and the tyres have just been let down)
127
722
2K
That’s one of the great days of #NFFC’s modern history. Even in the glory years - when Forest replaced Liverpool as kings of Europe (not sure we ever mentioned it) - we NEVER won at Anfield. Last one was February 1969! So today is special/emotional 🌳👌🏻.
61
230
2K
Can't stop watching this video. Every team has bad days but this is worse than that - they've given up, and can't even be bothered trying to hide it.
Absolutely terrible from Chelsea no desire to go and win the ball, no pressing, nothing.
156
1K
2K
Sky presenter referring to a "proper bottle job". Spurs had won nine in a row before tonight. They've made it a title race, not bottled it.
112
1K
2K
Matthew Langton, 20, took his own life after losing his chance to make it as a footballer. I spoke to his family about his life, their grief and what football needs to learn from his story. Please read. I’m grateful for their time and trust. 🙏
54
306
2K
Derby County relegated. Stayed up last season because of Sheffield Wednesday’s docked points, and down this season because of their own points deduction. It was always going to catch up with them in the end.
77
153
2K
The full interview: Eni Aluko's side of an incredible story. it's a lot of words but please read. She deserves that:
162
1K
2K
FA Cup wins. Chelsea 7, Liverpool 7, Aston Villa 7, Arsene Wenger 7. We all know his faults but that's managerial greatness.
46
2K
2K
Special report: The tragedy of Maddy Cusack - and why her family want a new investigation into her death. Please read: one of the more important stories I’ve covered for @TheAthleticFC. Full story (no paywall):
1
637
2K
Only one player should be banned here, and it's not the one in Villa's colours.
139
435
2K
An Evening with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. 🔴 Why takeover 'needs to be done'.🔴 Glazers 'neglected' Old Trafford.🔴 ‘I offered #MUFC Haaland for £4m’.🔴 Ferguson's apology re Ronaldo.🔴 'Snowflakes' in dressing room .🔴 Planning return to management
53
287
2K
This is a tough read (be warned). The court documents, obtained by @TheAthleticUK, about culture of ‘racist bullying’ at Chelsea in the 1990s. One coach, Graham Rix, accused of throwing scalding coffee over the head of a black youth-team player.
150
902
2K
Most of the people who know the truth are amazed Steve Cooper lasted as long as he did. Attitudes had hardened on both sides. All sorts of issues behind the scenes and, ultimately, a broken relationship with the #NFFC owner. So here's the truth ⤵️
121
204
2K
It’s easy to give Ivan Toney a kicking for his gambling ban. But what about the hypocrisies of a sport that bans betting but promotes bookmakers and puts temptations everywhere?. My column: Toney, gambling and football’s blurred priorities. @TheAthleticFC
162
239
2K
One of Kevin Keegan’s favourite photographs. I spoke to KK a couple of weeks ago and we talked about Ray. He loved this picture from the 1977 European Cup final - ‘the two lads from Scunny’ who went to the top of the sport. 🏆
13
184
2K
NEW: #NFFC have lodged written complaint re Ivan Toney's free-kick goal for Brentford on Saturday. Club asking PL/PGMOL a) whether players are allowed to move ref's line/vanishing spray and b) if not, why VAR didn't intervene as 'serious missed incident'.
235
132
2K
The best centre-half at Old Trafford last night was not, in fact, a centre-half. Juninho was great, Gilberto Silva and others too . but has there ever been a better Brazilian in English football than Fernandinho of Manchester City?. For @TheAthleticUK .
122
168
2K
Exclusive: Dario Gradi, former Crewe manager, has been stripped of his MBE. Gradi, who appointed Barry Bennell as Crewe's youth-team coach, has been suspended by the FA since 2016. His MBE has been removed due to 'professional disbarment'.
58
184
2K
Ed Woodward, the years of Manchester United drift and a recruitment system that plainly hasn't worked. Is it time he looked at his own part in this?. Weekend column for @TheAthleticUK .
73
453
2K
What a great, and timely, #NFFC performance. Everything you need against an in-form team - everyone on it, good on the ball, tactically spot on. Let this be a lesson for anyone daft enough to question Steve Cooper. Personally hope he is Forest manager for years and years 📈.
54
143
2K
Steve Cooper has been a breath of fresh air at #NFFC so far. Changed the tactics, relaxed the place, talked really well … and made the team fun to watch for the first time in a long time. Good stuff!🌳👌🏻.
41
141
2K
Sergio Aguero spent that entire match trying to score goals and play football. Diego Costa spent it trying to win free-kicks and pick fights.
98
3K
2K
It was Roy Keane's idea for Man United's players to wear 'Jimmy Davis' shirts to remember their team-mate. Jimmy would have turned 40 this weekend but for the tragedy that ended his life, aged 21. It's time to tell the story about who he really was.
26
195
2K
Lots of thoughts come to mind remembering Kevin Campbell. His goals, his smile, his popularity. All the tributes from Arsenal, Everton, Forest etc will say the same. It was an exciting day for #NFFC when he and Chris Bart-Williams signed. So sad to see this picture now. RIP ❤️
16
151
2K
That felt like a game to end the ‘Forest playing like a team of strangers’ narrative. Reminded me of the togetherness #NFFC showed last season - and that typifies Steve Cooper’s set-up. As for that late save by Dean Henderson … 👌🏻.
40
112
2K
What I love about Nottingham Forest: it’s always so stress-free. #NFFC 🌳👌🏻. (We’ve waited a long time for something like that @samba_brice ❤️).
41
77
2K
Losing count of the number of @David_Ornstein exclusives these last few years. The best story-getter out there bar none.
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Erik ten Hag to stay as Manchester United manager. #MUFC end-of-season review culminated with decision to keep 54yo in position. After talks today Dutchman will remain at Old Trafford + hold negotiations over contract extension @TheAthleticFC
20
77
2K
Reminder this is a #NFFC team that had their worst start to a season for 108 years (and spent 35 days at the bottom of the Championship). All credit to Steve Cooper for changing the entire mood of the club. The right manager at the right time 👌🏻.
The best managerial appointment of the season so far? That has to be Steve Cooper at #NFFC. How he transformed a drifting club — and what has to happen next.🌳. 🚨End-of-year sale, £2 per month.
24
187
2K
Every so often, we are reminded how football operates differently to just about every other walk of life. When a Premier League footballer is arrested on suspicion of rape and his club choose not to suspend him, it's one of those moments.
0
325
1K
Everyone's had their say on Man Utd's recruitment structure recently. But what about Man City's? An elite DoF, a global 'emerging talent' system and the influence of Cruyff. How MCFC do it very differently behind the scenes. For @TheAthleticUK
78
134
1K
Dean Saunders, Brian Clough and the story that went viral - a story that might be even stranger than you realise
174
885
1K
Are Manchester United editing out the Glazer protest chants from their footage? . Various times when ‘we want Glazers out’ has mysteriously disappeared on United’s social media. We went to #MUFC with the evidence.
67
443
1K
Nottingham Forest’s first semi-final since the 1990s - and another great moment under Steve Cooper. Special mention to Morgan Gibbs-White. Everyone’s gone on and on about his £ tag (mostly getting the numbers totally wrong) and missed one key point: the lad’s superb #NFFC 👌🏻.
30
118
1K
Since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took the job full-time he has a worse record than Unai Emery and won fewer points than any MUFC manager post-Ferguson. It’s getting harder and harder to understand why the club are so happy with him.
192
490
1K
The oldest club in the Football League and the owner who has put them back in reverse: 92nd and eight points from safety. My column on the sad story of Notts County, the 'Whatsapp Seven' and Big Alan Hardy
212
442
1K
Something had to change with #NFFC away form and already this season you can see how much better they look. That result today has been coming. As for Joe Worrall, what a hero after everything he has been through this last week 🌳👌🏻.
21
60
1K
We wanted to write the most comprehensive Evangelos Marinakis profile there has been. The man who took #NFFC to the Premier League and Olympiacos to 10 titles. Never dull, often controversial and, for the most part, very successful. Please read. 🌳⬇️
30
124
1K
Feel a bit sorry for Rob Holding. He looks what he is: a £2m signing from Bolton Wanderers, hopelessly out of his depth.
97
988
1K
Ed Woodward is leaving the building. For eight years, he hired and fired Man Utd's managers, ran their recruitment system and spent mind-boggling £ without ever seriously threatening to get it right. It's the end of an era, and the end of an error.
57
266
1K
Long thread coming up. Starting with this: FA "sincerely apologise" to Eni Aluko & Drew Spence after finding Mark Sampson DID make comments.
40
1K
1K
I think we all know which way it's heading with Steve Cooper. Everyone, on both sides, is preparing for it. Such a shame though - it's rare to find a manager with that connection to fans. And, overall, what a brilliant job he did. He's been immense, absolutely immense, for #NFFC.
68
93
1K
It’s true: Nottingham Forest really are trying to sign Jesse Lingard. Talks underway and #NFFC willing to break pay ceiling for former Man Utd and England player. Lingard has been speaking to West Ham but Forest trying to close surprise deal.
103
165
1K
Leeds United let in two after three minutes. They were 4-1 down at half-time. And lucky - to say the least - that it ended at six. Still wish my team could play like them . and I’d be pretty sure the same goes for the supporters of 90% of clubs.
111
107
1K
🚨 Aston Villa have agreed £14m fee for Matty Cash at Nottm Forest, potentially rising to £16m. Villa made four bids in total, starting at £10m, but Forest always made it clear they would not let Cash go cheap. @TheAthleticUK
91
176
1K
Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are going to entertain us for years. Just don’t assume they (or anyone) can ever emulate Lionel Messi v Cristiano Ronaldo — the two players who have redefined what greatness means.
26
140
1K
Whatever happens between now and the end of the season, it's so nice having a #NFFC team to be proud of again. From one to 11 (and the subs), every single player doing their bit. Superb again tonight. And a manager in the dugout who is absolutely the real deal. 🌳.
31
73
1K
Pep Guardiola is now the longest serving manager at #MCFC since the 1970s. It’s his fifth season - longer than he had at Barca and longer than he had at Bayern. But there’s also new pressure after the disappointments last season. For @TheAthleticUK
35
155
1K
Trying to be grown-up/professional (in reality, an emotional wreck) when it’s hard not to love this #NFFC team and their rather brilliant manager. Every single player gave absolutely everything today - and got exactly what they deserved 👌 🌳.
29
51
1K
Sofyan Amrabat introduced himself properly to Old Trafford tonight. 'He plays until he dies,' says one former coach. This is Amrabat's story, from Utrecht's academy, his time in Italy, World Cup stardom and now Manchester United. @TheAthleticFC #MUFC.
19
191
1K
Not the first time I’ve said this, but Morgan Gibbs-White is some footballer. Watch his turn and pass for the first #NFFC goal tonight …. Loves being the main man, runs his socks off, can play every type of pass and raised his levels again since Forest’s four-point deduction 👌🏻
40
49
1K
As guards of honour go, Derby lining up for Marcelo Bielsa and Leeds United tomorrow is going to have to sting 🔭.
45
149
1K
Football, at its highest level, is turning into such a tragicomedy. Sick of seeing big matches being decided by these absurd decisions and VAR buffoonery 👎🏻.
67
131
1K
Fortunately, Roy Keane is the forgiving type and won't hold that against Jurgen Klopp for, like, forever . .
24
75
1K
Most enjoyable #NFFC performance at the City Ground for … longer than I want to remember!. Everyone on it, every player good on the ball. Best atmosphere for a long time. Steve Cooper doing the business 🌳👌🏻.
47
76
1K
Old Trafford is one of football’s great monuments. It is also showing its age, in need of modernisation, and kept in a way that sums up MUFC in the Glazer era. My column:
71
366
1K
The full story of why Jonathan Morgan was sacked: a secret relationship with teenager from his own team. The girl and her family speak to @TheAthleticFC. 'It was an abuse of his power.'. Morgan has also spoken to us. It was wrong, he says. Full story:
1
251
1K