Photo of Rory Smith
Rory Smith

Football Correspondent

Rory Smith is The Observer‘s Football Correspondent, covering the forces, trends and ideas shaping the world‘s most popular sport. He previously worked for The New York Times, and can also be found on Men In Blazers, Libero and BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club. He is the author of two books — Mister and Expected Goals — both of which almost won awards. He has one dog and two children, none of whom are in the slightest bit impressed by any of the above.

Photo of Rory Smith

Rory Smith

Football Correspondent

Rory Smith is The Observer‘s Football Correspondent, covering the forces, trends and ideas shaping the world‘s most popular sport. He previously worked for The New York Times, and can also be found on Men In Blazers, Libero and BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club. He is the author of two books — Mister and Expected Goals — both of which almost won awards. He has one dog and two children, none of whom are in the slightest bit impressed by any of the above.

  • Rory Smith
    Why New Zealand Rugby are cashing in on the secrets of their success

    Money’s tight, and businesses will pay to learn what’s made them great

    Sat, 15 Nov 2025

  • Rory Smith
    X’s transfer window whisperer

    What does influencer Indykaila tell us about the growing power of digital natives and our relationship with the truth?

    9 min • S1, E1177

  • Rory Smith
    Pochettino, Pulisic and the USMNT puzzle

    Recent results have lifted the mood but hurdles lay ahead to avoid home embarrassment next summer

    Fri, 14 Nov 2025

  • Rory Smith
    Inside the world of Superbikes

    Two deaths a fortnight ago haven’t dimmed the high-octane appeal of motorsport. So when tragedy hits a high-risk sport like this, what keeps riders coming back?

    7 min • S1, E1112

  • Rory Smith
    Premier League crypto sponsors not covered by regulators

    European football has enthusiastically embraced the industry, including firms flagged as posing financial risks to consumers

    Wed, 12 Nov 2025

  • Rory Smith
    Arsenal hoisted by their own Ballard to give rivals a glimmer

    “For the rest of the league, it is just a glimmer of hope. But that will do, for now.”

    Sun, 9 Nov 2025

  • Rory Smith
    Erling Haaland embraces the absurd in his new YouTuber role

    Undercover as the joker? The Norwegian’s content creator era softens his robotic edges

    Sun, 9 Nov 2025

  • Rory Smith
    Bournemouth’s Bill Foley – ‘I don’t want to be arrogant, but I’m a good owner’

    The 80-year-old US billionaire on the secrets of the Cherries’ rise and why free car washes can win titles

    Sat, 8 Nov 2025

  • Rory Smith
    Hearts project enjoys early bloom as winter approaches

    The Jam Tarts remain unbeaten after fine victory over Celtic

    Mon, 27 Oct 2025

  • Rory Smith
    Don’t believe your eyes – inside Real Madrid’s world of artificial reality

    Is the club’s TV channel harmless propaganda, or something more sinister?

    Sun, 26 Oct 2025

  • Rory Smith
    Hearts aim to break Glasgow duopoly – but can it continue?

    History suggests early-season form will falter – but Tony Bloom’s influence may see them last the course

    Thu, 23 Oct 2025

  • Rory Smith
    Liverpool try to restart the engine

    Maintaining the Premier League title is a delicate process – and any number of factors can upset that chemistry

    Tue, 21 Oct 2025

  • Rory Smith
    Will the low block trip Liverpool again?

    Arne Slot spotted his side’s frailty to deep defences last season – a summer of radical changes is yet to fix that

    Sun, 19 Oct 2025

  • Rory Smith
    Far-right football supporters in pitch protest over Gary Neville

    Former Manchester United and England player accused of being a ‘traitor’ over St George flag comments

    Sun, 19 Oct 2025

  • Rory Smith
    Rolling the dice on young talent, Burnley intend to stick around

    Club’s win and high spend safeguards future in the closed-shop Premier League

    Sun, 19 Oct 2025

  • Rory Smith
    The joy of qualifying belongs to the few, not the powerful

    The Faroe Islands prove that while qualifying may be imperfect, it remains the beating heart of international football

    Tue, 14 Oct 2025

  • Rory Smith
    England’s Foreign Legion raise the hopes of the lands of their fathers

    Countries across the world are tracking down British-born players with family links who can bolster their national teams

    Sat, 11 Oct 2025

  • Rory Smith
    How the World Cup shaped football’s gilded age

    Books by Jonathan Wilson and Simon Kuper trace the tournament’s history through corruption, controversies and the fierce competition to host the lucrative game

    Fri, 10 Oct 2025

  • Rory Smith
    Why the Premier League has turned into the late, late show

    More stoppage time, more subs and more corners – or just better players?

    Sat, 4 Oct 2025

  • Rory Smith
    The mid-table draw that became a Hollywood thriller

    With both teams going down a storm in the US, a vital market is opening for EFL clubs

    Sat, 4 Oct 2025

  • Rory Smith
    Nostalgia exposes yearning for a time football was more fun

    There is a reason why we have a fascination with the late 1990s and early 2000s

    Fri, 3 Oct 2025

  • Rory Smith
    The Premier League is a (relative) haven from the nation’s political strife

    It is instructive that, while abuse remains a problem, the game is now resolutely apolitical

    Sat, 27 Sept 2025

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