Jacob Hansen
Senior Journalist
With more than 25 years of experience in the football industry, Jacob is Football Presse's senior journalist. Based in Denmark and fluent in English and German, he has spent decades interviewing some of the biggest names in the game. From Ståle Solbakken and Thomas Frank to Mario Basler and Michael Owen, Jacob continues to bring exclusive insight and opinion from football's leading figures to Football Presse.
Articles by Jacob Hansen
→Exclusive: Liam O'Brien talks Mirandinha - Newcastle's Brazilian pioneer
Long before Brazilian stars became a familiar sight in the Premier League, there was Mirandinha.
24 June 2026
→Luke Chadwick exclusive: Why Man United leaders must help JJ Gabriel handle spotlight
Manchester United supporters could be about to witness the emergence of the club's next academy sensation.
24 June 2026
→Exclusive: Ex-Chelsea scout reveals how Musiala, Colwill slipped Southampton net
Southampton academy head of recruitment Chris Robinson has revealed the remarkable story of how two of football's brightest talents – Jamal Musiala and Levi Colwill – grew up within sight of St Mary's Stadium before making their names elsewhere.
20 June 2026
→Kasey Keller exclusive: USA must reach final 16 but we can do without hydration breaks!
Former United States goalkeeper Kasey Keller believes a place in the last 16 would represent a successful World Cup for the USA.
18 June 2026
→Kasey Keller exclusive: USA expectations through roof after Paraguay and Pulisic is now our Messi
Kasey Keller has urged United States supporters to keep their feet on the ground after the host nation's stunning World Cup opening victory over Paraguay.
17 June 2026
→Chris Robinson exclusive: Why Chelsea signed Jimmy-Jay Morgan – and how academy recruitment is now big business
Few people understand Chelsea's academy recruitment strategy better than Chris Robinson.
9 June 2026
→Darren Moore exclusive: Bringing Villa keeper Gauci to Port Vale and making most of the loan system
For all the billions flowing through the top end of the game, one of English football's most important development tools remains surprisingly simple: the loan system.
9 June 2026
→Chris Robinson exclusive: Why I spent five years telling Chelsea to sign Shim Mheuka
Few things are more satisfying for a scout than watching a player you identified years earlier finally break through.
8 June 2026
→Darren Moore exclusive: Why Port Vale can dream of following Brentford and Brighton to the Premier League
Few managers understand the power of football clubs in working-class communities quite like Darren Moore.
8 June 2026
→Mikael Silvestre exclusive: Why I tipped Dembele for Ballon d'Or at Rennes (he was like Cristiano)
Mikael Silvestre says he knew Ousmane Dembélé was destined for the very top from the moment he first watched the teenager train at Stade Rennais.
28 May 2026
→Merson predicts Arsenal Champions League final win against PSG - with scoreline
Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson believes Arsenal can edge out Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in Saturday’s Champions League final.
27 May 2026
→Jeremie Aliadiere exclusive: My son Leo excited seeing Dowman, Salmon Arsenal breakthroughs
For Jeremie Aliadiere, Arsenal’s growing commitment to youth development is no longer something he views only as a former player.
24 May 2026
→Exclusive: Stefan Schwarz insists Isak hasn't reached his ceiling despite Liverpool injury concerns
Stefan Schwarz has seen elite forwards up close throughout his football life.
24 May 2026
→Paul Dickov exclusive: Manchester City’s ‘bad season’ shows how far Pep has taken them
For most clubs, winning two trophies and finishing second in the Premier League would represent an outstanding campaign. At Manchester City, it barely satisfies expectations anymore.
24 May 2026
→Paul Dickov exclusive: Man City (and myself!) will miss legend John Stones
Replacing legends is one of the hardest tasks in football.
22 May 2026
→Jeremie Aliadiere exclusive: I want Arsenal to sign Kvaratskhelia
There is one player Jeremie Aliadiere simply cannot stop talking about right now.
22 May 2026
→Stefan Schwarz exclusive: Bergvall destined for greatness for Spurs and Sweden
Stefan Schwarz understands better than most what it means to carry the expectations of Swedish football abroad.
22 May 2026
→Sebastian Bassong exclusive: Baleba can handle Man United pressure
When Sébastien Bassong speaks about Carlos Baleba, there is a noticeable certainty in his voice.
22 May 2026
→Sebastian Bassong exclusive: Levante ace Eyong has no ceiling
For former Sébastien Bassong, the excitement around Karl Etta Eyong is not simply about another promising youngster emerging from Cameroon.
20 May 2026
→Exclusive: Dickov agrees with Guardiola - "Doku belongs alongside Vini Jr and Yamal"
When Pep Guardiola publicly placed Jérémy Doku in the same conversation as Vinícius Júnior and Lamine Yamal, it immediately raised eyebrows across European football.
20 May 2026
→Stefan Schwarz exclusive: Yasin Ayari can be Sweden's next great midfield leader
Few Swedish footballers are better placed to judge the next generation than Stefan Schwarz.
19 May 2026
→Stefan Schwarz exclusive: Fiorentina, Batistuta and the team that could beat anyone
For Stefan Schwarz, few chapters in his career remain as vivid as his time in Florence.
18 May 2026
→Jeremie Aliadiere exclusive: Mbappe still world class - but something not right at Real Madrid
When Jeremie Aliadiere talks about Kylian Mbappe, there is obvious admiration.
17 May 2026
→Jermaine Pennant exclusive: Arsenal have been a 'hard watch' this season
If anyone understands what supporters mean when they say Arsenal have become “a hard watch,” it is Jermaine Pennant.
17 May 2026
→Jeremie Aliadiere exclusive: My heart says Arsenal - but PSG are strongest team in Europe
For Jeremie Aliadiere, the upcoming UEFA Champions League Final is far more than just another European showpiece.
12 May 2026
→Exclusive: ‘He put Cameroon back on the map’ - Bassong hails Mbeumo’s Manchester United impact
To understand why Bryan Mbeumo has become such a major figure for Cameroon, you first have to understand what his rise means beyond club football.
9 May 2026
→Jermaine Pennant exclusive: I can relate to Dowman and Ngumoha
When Jermaine Pennant talks about teenage hype, it is worth listening.
6 May 2026
→Exclusive: Paul Parker names Andoni Iraola as only outside candidate for Manchester United job
Paul Parker has named Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola as the only realistic outside candidate if Manchester United choose not to appoint Michael Carrick permanently.
27 April 2026
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Exclusive: Paul Parker tells Manchester United to sign Sandro Tonali as Casemiro successor
Paul Parker believes Sandro Tonali would be the ideal replacement for Casemiro if Manchester United move for a new holding midfielder this summer.
26 April 2026
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Exclusive: David Speedie reflects on Chelsea rise - "it all started with Bates"
David Speedie has credited Chelsea’s transformation to former owner Ken Bates while recalling his own rise at Stamford Bridge.
23 April 2026
→Exclusive: Michael Owen delivers verdict on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s first Real Madrid season
Michael Owen has described Trent Alexander-Arnold’s first season at Real Madrid as mixed, insisting the former Liverpool defender has shown quality but suffered through injuries and inconsistency.
23 April 2026
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Exclusive: David Speedie lifts lid on Graeme Souness relationship
David Speedie has delivered a blunt assessment of his relationship with Graeme Souness, insisting tensions between the pair were never resolved.
21 April 2026
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Hateley: Phones wrecking dressing room culture and unity
Mark Hateley fears modern footballers are losing something vital — and it’s nothing to do with tactics.
11 March 2026
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Parker: Size of Man Utd stunned me
Once Paul Parker made the decision, Manchester United gave him his first taste of a club far bigger than QPR.
11 March 2026
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Pallister on Fernandes turning down Saudi mega millions
Gary Pallister, a decorated Manchester United defender, reflects on Bruno Fernandes and the tough decisions elite players make about money and loyalty.
11 March 2026
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Mick Rathbone: What separates Moyes on matchday
Mick Rathbone insists David Moyes had something most managers don’t — a three-step half-time formula that worked every time.
11 March 2026
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Mick Rathbone: Earning my place at Man Utd
Mick Rathbone’s first day at Manchester United was never meant to unfold like this.
11 March 2026
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Hateley: What I taught Wenger at Monaco
Mark Hateley has revealed he once stood toe-to-toe with Arsène Wenger — and changed Monaco’s dressing room culture in the process.
11 March 2026
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Hateley: Difference between Liedholm and Wenger
Former England striker Mark Hateley — who won league titles in France and Scotland after starring for AC Milan — has revealed the moment Arsène Wenger won his respect in just one sentence.
11 March 2026
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Mick Rathbone: What Sir Alex told Man Utd youth teamers on his final day
Mick Rathbone was present on Sir Alex Ferguson’s final day at Manchester United — and he still struggles to process it.
11 March 2026