What was your football highlight of 2024?
I am half-Spanish so Spain reclaiming the Euros… even if I went through the odd experience of covering it all from England’s perspective. I of course maintained professionalism throughout that (including very much sitting on the fence when asked about it on a TV news interview)!

Either on the pitch, or behind the scenes working in football, who is your person of 2024 and why?
Lise Klaveness, for speaking out when none of her peers would.

Who in football would you like to give a Christmas present to and what would you gift them?
The Super League, and a ladder, so they stop digging.

Who in the world of football should be on Santa’s naughty list and why?
Gianni Infantino and Aleksander Ceferin. Both for the way they illustrate the issues with executive presidential structures within bodies of such power.

If you could make one change to football in 2025, to improve the way the game is played or governed, what would that change be and why?
Drastically strengthen financial rules in terms of what you can spend but also greatly improving redistribution. It would eliminate a lot of problems at source.

Off the field, what are going to be football’s main talking points in 2025?
The City hearing, the Club World Cup, the long build-up to 2034 and further legal action. Is this the year a refereeing decision is challenged in court? It’s been getting closer.

Thomas Tuchel was recently appointed England’s men’s team manager, can he deliver the World Cup success the English fans so desperately crave?
Yes. England are so close. He can offer the final touches.