Greg O'Keeffe

Markovits' central character Tom Layward could be a spiritual successor to Richard Ford's memorable Frank Bascombe, and Markovits has a similar knack to Ford of inhabiting the inner minds of his subjects. I hope he returns to Tom in future work. Brilliant

Now to delve more into his back catalogue!

I really enjoyed 'Playing Days' by Benjamin Markovits a few years ago, so when I saw his latest novel 'The Rest of our lives' had been shortlisted for the Booker Prize, I quickly got hold of a copy. What a treat it was.

The life of a Premier League player’s personal chef 🧑‍🍳

✍️ @jacobtanswell.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...

Life for Manchester’s Jewish footballers in the wake of a terrorist attack: ‘Hatred is everyone’s problem’ Football is an escape for Jewish players in Manchester but this month's attack at a synagogue has left a community on edge

Spent time with Manchester Maccabi Jewish football club
on Sunday to learn how football is giving a frightened community some respite in challenging times since the Heaton Park synagogue attack

www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...

Forest hold talks on move for Milan's Musah

www.nytimes.com/athletic/654...

Matt Freese: My game in my words There's a method to the madness – and there's plenty of madness – that shapes the U.S.'s Gold Cup penalty-saving hero

Beyond big names, some MLS and #USMNT GK love:

My Game In My Words with Matt Freese @henrybushnell.bsky.social:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/653...

@charliedavies9.bsky.social on Matt Turner: www.nytimes.com/athletic/653...

@gregok.bsky.social with Jonathan Klinsmann: www.nytimes.com/athletic/652...

'It's not normal grass': Why field conditions at Copa America are causing concern (Published 2024)

"The ball bounces like a rabbit"

Almost exactly a year to the day we ran this 👇, we have more top managers raising concerns about pitches at a major U.S. tournament

It's less than 12 months until the World Cup...
#LuisEnrique #ClubWorldCup 🇺🇸

www.nytimes.com/athletic/558...

Brenden Aaronson: My game in my words From playing different positions to leading the press, the Leeds and USMNT attacking midfielder talks us through how he plays soccer

Brenden Aaronson played in all 46 Leeds United games this season as they were promoted to the Premier League.

His game is all-action, all the time, and he is often the player leading the press.

But the USMNT midfielder doesn’t even like running…

@gregok.bsky.social

Seattle Sounders 0 PSG 2 – Bizarre goal helps European champions qualify for last 16 Our writers analyse end evaluate the key talking points from Paris Saint-Germain's victory at the Club World Cup

NEW: @gregok.bsky.social break down PSG's 2-0 win over the Seattle Sounders.

- How gassed are the European champs?
- An odd opening goal
- Once again, Seattle did itself proud

www.nytimes.com/athletic/643...

Why Cristiano Ronaldo paints his toenails black The Portugal star has taken on a foot-hygiene regime popularised in MMA - but what advantages does it bring and will it catch on?

🖤 From CR7 to Israel Adesanya - sports stars are taking more interest in caring for their nails

And it's not just to look different
www.nytimes.com/athletic/642...

Brandon Williams and a case that highlights football’s laughing gas issue Nitrous oxide - or laughing gas - has been used by some footballers in recent years but it is now a banned substance in the UK

The sad tale of Brandon Williams - who was handed a suspended prison sentence on Friday - and a sorry case that highlights football’s issue with laughing gas

My piece with @gregok.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/athletic/630...

Tessmann: That Man Utd loss, Lyon's coach ban and fighting for a USMNT spot

Spoke to Tanner Tessmann about all things Lyon and USMNT

- Virtual HT team-talks from banned Fonseca
- Fear of being dropped driving #USMNT stars to play it safe
- Why he never gave up on another season in Europe with #Lyon

🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🖥️ ⚽
www.nytimes.com/athletic/637...

Mansfield’s Lucas Akins sentenced to 14 months in prison for causing death of cyclist while driving Lucas Akins’ Mercedes G-Wagon hit Adrian Daniel, who died in hospital 10 days later, in March 2022

Really sad case at Leeds Crown Court yesterday

www.nytimes.com/athletic/630...

It's premature to say the Marcus Rashford is back to his best, but his first goals for Aston Villa show he is moving in right direction.

📝 @gregok.bsky.social

🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/624...

One Painting Got Me Through Winter Piet Mondrian pioneered abstract painting. But he kept painting flowers — flowers that our critic Jason Farago can’t stop thinking about. What makes them so magnetic?

Wonderful

www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

UEFA confirms Relevent deal: What this means for UCL games in the U.S.

Now the UEFA/ECA link with Relevent is official the (informed!) speculation about Champions League games in US will 📈. But there are more immediate implications. As the NFL & NBA have shown, media rights deals are splintering, which 🟰 more subscriptions.

🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/620...

Julian Alvarez’s ‘two-touch’ penalty: Should UEFA rethink rules after Atletico striker’s miss? Alvarez's penalty was disallowed by the VAR after the slightest double-touch as he slipped. Should it really have been disallowed?

By the letter of the law, VAR was correct to overturn Julian Alvarez's fateful penalty last night but for fair-minded football fans perhaps the law needs to be re-examined

👇

www.nytimes.com/athletic/620...

Everton considering making Goodison Park new home for women’s team The men's team will move to a new 52,888-seater stadium from the start of the 2025-26 season, leaving the historic Goodison Park available.

Everton are considering making Goodison Park the new home for the club’s women’s team.

The men’s team are set to leave their historic Goodison Park home of 133 years to the Everton Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock at the start of the 2025-26 Premier League season.

thanks mate

Everton’s six big changes under David Moyes that stopped the rot The manager's return to Goodison had the retro vibes of 2012

If you're interested the piece is here:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/607...

Likely reported on my last #Everton game at the Old Lady yesterday and it was a pleasantly memorable farewell.

Couldn't resist this sentimental snap before I walked back to my car in Stanley Park

Pleased with the new #MOTD presenter line-up. Three highly experienced, knowledgable and likeable presenters

Ricardo Pepi and his mind-boggling metrics have big clubs circling

So many teams need a striker this window and one with great potential & eye-popping numbers can barely get a start for PSV 🔴⚪️

Here's what makes #USMNT star Ricardo Pepi so exciting (w/
@jeffrueter.bsky.social ) 🇺🇸

www.nytimes.com/athletic/605...

David Moyes’ Everton exit signalled the end of stability – his return has become a necessity The stable grasp of the man who made Everton the best of the rest at one stage might be exactly what they need for the immediate future

Really enjoyed this perspective from @gregok.bsky.social on a possible reunion between Everton and David Moyes.

Sometimes, going full-circle is advisable. www.nytimes.com/athletic/605...

likewise mate!

Ilona Maher sprinkles her stardust on England – U.S. rugby icon’s new team has had to find a bigger home stadium With over eight million social media followers and a Reese Witherspoon production following her, Maher is attracting a global audience

What a perfect way to start the year! I got to ask the endlessly iconic Ilona Maher some questions yesterday after she made her Bristol Bears debut. The word superstar doesn't do her justice.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/603...

The Daily Football Briefing Podcast · The Athletic · Welcome to The Daily Football Briefing from The Athletic. It’s all the football news you need in ten minutes or less. Subscribe now and you’ll never miss another story.

If you weren't already doing so, it's time to take Forest seriously says @mattdaviesadams.bsky.social on today's DFB. @gregok.bsky.social saw Pulisic lead AC Milan to glory AND we've only gone and got @david-ornstein.bsky.social on to discuss his big Auba interview.

podfollow.com/daily-footba...

Christian Pulisic lifted his first trophy for AC Milan as he once again led a comeback and beat rivals Inter 3-2 in the Italian Super Cup final.

@gregok.bsky.social on Pulisic’s goal and impact on the season ⤵️

www.nytimes.com/athletic/604...