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    Andy Carroll: West Ham was a really stressful time, I was at rock bottom, just falling apart and making bad decisions

    ANDY CARROLL admits he hit “rock bottom” during his time at West Ham.The 35-year-old is now playing away from the limelight with Bordeaux in the French fourth tier.Andy Carroll has opened up on his struggles while in the Premier LeagueCredit: ReutersHe is now enjoying life with fourth tier French club BordeauxCredit: AFPCarroll made the shock move in the summer after the club were relegated two divisions due to falling into administration. While many chase a final career payday, the nine-time capped England star is enjoying a “quieter and relaxed” life in France.He admits he is much happier now after battling injuries during his years in the Premier League with Newcastle, Liverpool and West Ham.Carroll opened up to Foot Mercato, admitting on his days at the Hammers: “It was a really tough time in my life. It was a stressful time for me.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”I was at rock bottom, everything was dark. “It was hard to get back up. I was just falling apart and making bad decisions. It was just really tough. “As a player, you just want to be out there playing. But sometimes you hear people saying: ‘Oh, he’s still injured, he should retire.’ Things like that that are not nice. “At that point you are in a hole, in your shell and you are just trying to get out of it. Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”Luckily, I managed to get out of it and I had a positive ending. “So now I just love playing football. I get paid to play football. I get paid to do what I love.Watch Andy Carroll score twice in a ‘PARK’ and celebrate wildly as he tears up fourth tier of French football “I’ve had a lot of injuries in my career. I have been on the bench, been a bit-part player and off the pitch sometimes, only playing the last ten minutes. “I just want to finish my career playing as much as possible. And it is not about money. It is just about enjoying my life.”Carroll, who recently divorced his wife Billi Mucklow and started dating Lou Teasdale, is reportedly on £750-a-week at Bordeaux.The target man is already proving useful for the fallen giants, scoring four goals in his first two games. Who are these famous footballers? More

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    Iceland 2 Wales 2: Craig Bellamy’s men throw away two-goal lead as Dragons lose ground on Turkey in Nations League group

    CRAIG BELLAMY suffered the first setback of his Wales reign as his team chucked away a two goal lead.Brennan Johnson’s goal-scoring streak now stands at seven games after he tapped in the opener before Harry Wilson added a second.Wales keeper Danny Ward produced a late own-goal leveller for IcelandCredit: APLogi Tomasson celebrates sparking Iceland’s second-half comeback winCredit: APBrennan Johnson celebrates his Wales opener but the hosts fought backCredit: APThe Dragons were cruising at the break but then Iceland stormed back with sub Logi Tomasson bringing them back into it.He also forced an own goal off keeper Danny Ward three minutes later as Wales were left clinging on to a point in the end.Such an end to the game looked impossible as the visitors ran riot early on.Wilson sprang the offside trap to go through on goal and his effort was partially stopped by home keeper Hakon Rafn Valdimarsson.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe got back to stop the ball trickling over the line but could only divert it into the path of Johnson who couldn’t miss.That was only a fourth goal in 31 internationals for the Spurs man – but seven in his last seven games for club and country.Wilson’s deflected shot struck a post but he did not have to wait long to double his team’s lead as he latched onto a sweeping pass from Neco Williams.The Fulham man was again in the clear and his first touch was brilliant – giving him the chance to despatch it past Valdimarsson.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSWilliams then made his mark at the other end as he got back to clear a shot by former Burnley man Johann Gudmundsson off the line.But the Dragons were a constant threat going forward and Sorba Thomas could have wrapped it up when he ran onto Wilson’s through ball but was denied by Valdimarsson.Top 10 highest-paid Premier League starsThe only disappointment in an otherwise perfect first half for Bellamy’s men was a yellow card for Johnson – for a needless skirmish with Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson.That means he misses Tuesday night’s home game against Montenegro – and he did not reappear after the restart.It was a very different game after the re-start with Mikael Ellertsson firing over and Orri Oskarsson bringing a smart save out of Ward.Andri Gudjohnsen – son of former Chelsea forward Eidur – fluffed a golden chance while Gudmundsson was denied by Ward.But from the resulting corner, Tomasson was given far too much time to shoot through a crowd of players and into the corner from the edge of the box.And three minutes later he beat Connor Roberts and his low cross from the left was diverted into his own net by Ward’s elbow. READ MORE SUN STORIESNow it was Iceland who looked the more likely to win it and the Dragons were relieved to see Thorsteinsson’s shot hit the base of the post.The draw leaves Wales second in their group, two points behind Turkey.Craig Bellamy watched on frustrated as the Dragons couldn’t hold onCredit: AFP More

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    James McAtee pays tribute to tragic pal George Baldock as Man City star scores dramatic late double in England U21s win

    JAMES McATEE paid tribute to George Baldock after firing a late double to seal an epic comeback over Ukraine.McAtee lifted his shirt up twice to reveal the name of his old Sheffield United team-mate, who was found dead in a swimming pool in Greece on Wednesday.James McAtee marked his two goals for England U21s with another tribute to George Baldock, who he played with at Sheffield UnitedCredit: GettyMcAtee shot home twice from the 88th minute to clinch victoryCredit: GettyMcAtee remembered Baldock before the match and during itCredit: GettyThe Manchester City starlet played alongside the former Greek defender in loan spells at Bramall Lane over the past two seasons.And after both his fine finishes for the Young Lions, McAtee peeled his shirt up to show a white top with the words “GB 2 REST EASY BROTHER X”.Ahead of kick-off, the 21-year-old had posted: “I love you to bits brother, thank you for looking after me and also thank you for the memories that we shared together.”Thoughts go out to your amazing family. Special player, special teammate, special person.”READ MORE TOP STORIESOn the pitch it looked like the Young Lions would endure the same fate as the senior side the previous night as Dynamo Kyiv defender Taras Mykhavko put Ukraine ahead on 70 minutes at a sold-out Vitality Stadium.But McAtee, who has made just one Premier League appearance for City this season, saved the day with a ferocious strike into the top corner on 88 minutes.He then wrapped things up by firing in a fierce, low drive for the winner two minutes later to give Pep Guardiola some food for thought following his first-ever City goal against Slovan Bratislava a week ago.The defending champions are now two points behind Group F leaders Ukraine with one match to play against Azerbaijan next Tuesday, while the table-toppers will take on Serbia.Most read in FootballEngland were in the driving seat for most of the game with Ipswich’s Omari Hutchinson being teed up by Aston Villa’s Jaden Philogene, but blazing over the bar.The best chance of the first-half came 23 minutes in when McAtee stung the hands of an onrushing Ruslan Neshcheret with a rasping, close-range shot.Winger McAtee turned the game around after Ukraine led 1-0Credit: GettyTragic George Baldock is shown waving to Blades’ fansCredit: GettyAfter the break, the Young Lions had a fire lit in their bellies with Neshcheret tipping a rocket strike from Liam Delap over the bar before McAtee fired one agonisingly wide moments later.England were wasteful in front of goal though and scuppered another peach of a chance as Philogene broke free in front of goal but fired straight at Neshcheret.Greece star’s classy gesture to tragic footballer George Baldock caught on live TV after shock win over England The hosts shirked their defensive duties and Kostiantyn Vivcharenko nearly poked one home before Jack Hinshelwood cleared the danger.England should have seen the warning signs as Mykhavko headed home after an inch-perfect corner from Oleh Ocheretko with half-an-hour to go.The hosts were handed a golden chance to get back in it when Maksym clattered into McAtee on the edge of the box before the winger equalised and hit the winner.The Young Lions are now two points behind group leaders Ukraine More

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    I’ve refereed Cristiano Ronaldo matches a number of times… Man Utd legend is very difficult and complains a lot

    A HONDURAN referee has lifted the lid on a heated exchange he had with a “difficult” Cristiano Ronaldo after revealing what it’s truly like to manage the superstar on the pitch.One of the spats ended with the Portuguese striker later offering a sincere apology.A Saudi Pro League referee has detailed his experience of working with Cristiano RonaldoSaid Martinez claimed Ronaldo became irate after two goals were ruled out by VARSaid Martinez has officiated a number of games involving Ronaldo throughout his career.And he has now recounted one particularly edgy incident involving the former Man Utd and Real Madrid star.Martinez claimed that he was refereeing an Al-Nassr game when he disallowed two of the 39-year-old’s goals for offside.An irate Ronaldo reportedly made his feelings surrounding the quality of Martinez’s officiating known.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSMartinez told Mexican outlet Mediotiempo: “Cristiano Ronaldo is very difficult due to his temperament.”He is a very competitive person, which makes him feel there’s a lot of injustice towards him, so he complains a lot.”We disallowed two goals for him, with VAR and everything, but there was a play that upset him because he felt he was fouled in attack, leading to a goal against them. They were losing.The 33-year-old added: “He stayed 10 metres away from me and said: ‘It’s always the same with you lot, you always think you’re the stars.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”‘But we don’t bring you here to be the stars, we are the stars’, in perfect Spanish.”He started calmly but then got agitated and I just looked at him provocatively to see if he would get closer to me, but he didn’t.” Inside Cristiano Ronaldo’s former Cheshire home on sale for £5m with seven bedrooms, padel courts, pool and guest barnHowever the Fifa-accredited official spoke to Ronaldo about their disagreement in the tunnel after reviewing the incidents.The referee said: “After checking the VAR, I asked him to come closer. Cristiano is Cristiano, and if he doesn’t want to come, he won’t.”But he came over to where I was and I said to him: ‘You’re a great player, but what you said at half-time isn’t right. I respect you a lot, but we’re here to do our job just like you are’.”He replied: ‘Yes, you’re right; it wasn’t the right way to express myself. I apologise’.” Ronaldo’s ultimate expression of regret speaks volumes about his sporting personality.Martinez then revealed that the Portugal captain left him alone in the second half and went on to score a stunning free-kick.Meanwhile, Ronaldo has received 12 red cards in his career.READ MORE SUN STORIESOf those, eight were direct red cards and four dismissals have come through double yellow cards.The former Juventus star was booked for dissent during Portugal’s defeat to Georgia in Euro 2024.Ronaldo is known for his passionate defences on the pitch More

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    ‘He reeks of football’: French fans in love with Andy Carroll as he reveals how he ended up in country’s FOURTH division

    ANDY CARROLL has proven to be an instant fan favourite across the Channel after making a stunning transfer switch to fourth tie of French football.Carroll, 35, completed a surprise move to crisis club Bordeaux from Amiens in September.Andy Carroll has made himself an instant fan favourite at Bordeaux after scoring four goals in two gamesCredit: AFPCarroll revealed the reasons behind his attraction to the clubCredit: AFPThe former Newcastle, Liverpool and West Ham ace has had an electric start to life in the French wine region with four goals in two games, and helping the club land their first win of the season in his last game.Last season Bordeaux played football in Ligue 2, but gave up its professional club status and were relegated down to the fourth tier of French football after going into financial administration.However, Carroll has revealed that the fallen giants maintained a huge appeal to him before he was convinced to join by head coach Bruno Irles.Speaking to Foot Mercato, Carroll said: “I had the opportunity to do it. I had the chance to speak with the coach. I like the idea of ​​this project to go back up to Ligue 1 and it’s something I wanted to do. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”When I spoke to the coach, I was very confident about what we could achieve here in Bordeaux. That’s probably the main reason why I signed here in the summer. “Of course, it’s also a very big club with a huge fan base, great facilities and that’s something I want to be a part of…”I don’t think I needed any convincing honestly. Bordeaux is a very big club and as soon as I had the opportunity to sign here, I did it. “I was enthusiastic about trying to come and play here, I’m happy, even glad, to have done it.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSWhen asked about the drop down from professional football to amateur, he said: “Not at all. It’s just football. No matter what level you play at, it’s still football. And it’s something I want to do. “A few years ago, when I was out of contract and had no club, I used to play every week with my friends. Andy Carroll ‘playing 5D chess’ as former England star steals show on debut after dropping down to fourth tier”We used to play 11-a-side games on Thursday nights. And playing football is something I’m going to continue to do as much as I can…”Not at all. Football is football. I mean, there are obviously different pitches, but at the end of the day, it’s football. “I’ve played on a lot of pitches in my career and it’s true that it’s not great when the pitches are not good quality. But I haven’t complained since I’ve been here. “We have a fantastic training pitch. The stadium pitch is incredible. We’ve played away too and it was a decent pitch. I’m not complaining at all.”Fans were loving the nine-cap England international’s response, with one saying: “He reeks of football.”A second said: “Bravo, he exudes passion”, while a third said: “Top mentality of the player.”Yeah, but I mean, I get paid to play football. I get paid to do what I love. And if I wasn’t a professional footballer, I would have played football anyway and I wouldn’t have gotten paid. Andy CarrollFoot MercatoAnother said: “Very good mentality, respect.”While one added: “What a godsend for a player with his experience. A total star.”He revealed that his friends and family were all “happy” for him and wanted him to enjoy playing football.Carroll added that upon learning of his desire to join Bordeaux, they told him to “sign right away”.However, Carroll has admitted that some of his team-mates did not understand his decision to make such a sudden drop down the divisions.He added: “(Laughs) Yes, there are several players who have asked me what I was doing there and why. Carroll reveals plans to keep playing for Bordeaux until he’s 40ANDY CARROLL wants to keep playing until he hits 40 – and dreams of partnering his eldest boy up front.The ex-Newcastle, Liverpool and West Ham striker enjoyed a dream debut for Bordeaux with two goals to earn a draw with Chateaubriant.And despite years of injury issues during his time in the Premier League, the nine-capped England international says he wants to continue “another five years until I’m 40”.Carroll, father to sons Lucas, 14, Arlo, eight, and Wolf, five and two daughters, said: “My sons keep saying, ‘Oh, you should go into management’.”But I’ll keep saying well, ‘hopefully, one day, you’re old enough that you can join me and be my strike partner in the same team playing with each other’.“They are really good players. So that’s probably more my dream than retiring and doing something else.”Read the full story by Gary StonehouseHERE.But I know why I signed here and I know it was the right decision. It’s a big club and I’ve said it before, but I want to be part of this adventure. “And when I spoke to the coach, everything went exactly as I wanted.”Despite his positive outlook on the situation, it has not been all rosy for him, with Carroll admitting that “everything was dark” as he struggled to battle injuries.He said: “Yeah, but I mean, I get paid to play football. I get paid to do what I love. And if I wasn’t a professional footballer, I would have played football anyway and I wouldn’t have gotten paid. “I’m grateful for the money I’ve earned in the past and still today, it allows me to continue playing football. That’s exactly what I wanted for myself. I just want to play. “I’ve had a lot of injuries in my career, I’ve been on the bench and I’ve been a bit player on and off the pitch sometimes. Only playing the last ten minutes. It was a really tough time in my life [at West Ham], really. It was a stressful time for me. I was down in the dumps, everything was dark. It was hard to get back up. I was just falling apart and making bad decisions and mistreatment and bad things. As a player, you just want to be out there and playing.Andy CarrollFoot Mercato”I just want to finish my career playing as much as possible. And it’s not about money. It’s just about enjoying my life…”It was a really tough time in my life [at West Ham], really. It was a stressful time for me. I was down in the dumps, everything was dark. It was hard to get back up. “I was just falling apart and making bad decisions and mistreatment and bad things. It was just really tough. You know, as a player, you just want to be out there and playing. “But sometimes you hear stories, people saying, ‘oh, he’s still injured’, ‘he should retire’ and things like that that are not nice. “At that point, you’re in a hole, in your shell and you’re just trying to get out of it, because it can be dangerous. “Luckily, I managed to get out of it and I had a more positive ending. So now I just love playing football.”There has been a lot of press about my injuries and other things, and it is not helpful. Those who know me know that I did not want to be injured and I want to be on the pitch to help the team. “But the press had been very negative with me saying that I did not want to be on the pitch and that I should leave the club. But for me, I have always been motivated by the idea of ​​playing and being on the pitch. READ MORE SUN STORIES”And maybe sometimes I was too motivated, I forced myself when I was probably not 100%. I collapsed. It is part of the things that you have to experience to learn. But I feel very good now.”Carroll revealed that he was loving the “quiet” lifestyle in southwest France, having been “very well received” by a “great group of guys” in the dressing room.Help for mental healthIf you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support.The following are free to contact and confidential:Mind, www.mind.org, provide information about types of mental health problems and where to get help for them. Email info@mind.org.uk or call the infoline on 0300 123 3393 (UK landline calls are charged at local rates, and charges from mobile phones will vary).YoungMinds run a free, confidential parents helpline on 0808 802 5544 for parents or carers worried about how a child or young person is feeling or behaving. The website has a chat option too.Rethink Mental Illness, www.rethink.org, gives advice and information service offers practical advice on a wide range of topics such as The Mental Health Act, social care, welfare benefits, and carers rights. Use its website or call 0300 5000 927 (calls are charged at your local rate).Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk, is the a mental health initiative spearheaded by The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales. More

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    Jurgen Klopp’s new job shows why England fans should NOT expect a big name manager to replace Gareth Southgate

    JURGEN KLOPP is banking around £9million as Red Bull’s ‘head of global soccer’.The German’s salary for his cushy new job is half of the £18m of what he was earning at Liverpool – yet it is still nearly double what Gareth Southgate received for managing England.Jurgen Klopp halved his Liverpool pay but it’s double what Southgate gotCredit: PADefeat against Greece undermined Lee Carsley’s chances of landing the permanent England job but it’s unclear if or how much he wants itCredit: AlamySaudi Arabia chief Roberto Mancini is the top earner on £21m a yearCredit: AFPAnd this tells you everything you need to know about the current economics of international football.Klopp’s past and current wages illustrate why it is a pointless exercise playing fantasy manager in terms of who the Football Association should be looking to appoint as the next boss of England.Lee Carsley, who has been earning about £300,000 a year as manager of the Under-21s, has not exactly enhanced his prospects as manager.Equally, although the 2-1 defeat to Greece on Thursday was an embarrassment, it would be unwise to take Carsley out of the equation.READ MORE TOP STORIESIf England are still able to win their next three games, including a comfortable win over Greece in Athens to top the group, then – potentially – the job could still be his.If he wanted it, naturally, and even that is up for debate.After this six-game Nations League programme is complete, FA chief executive Mark Bullingham will sit down with the organisation’s technical director, John McDermott, who is the man charged with recruiting the next head coach, to discuss the next appointment.Although the FA want the best man for the job, basic economics come into play.Most read in FootballPep Guardiola seems interested in the England role but maybe not yetCredit: AlamyFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSWhen the FA appointed Sven Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello, they were able to recruit who they felt were the best coaches in the world at that time.Yet club football has moved on in terms of cash. Southgate was the top earning coach at Euro 2024 on £5m, with Germany’s Julian Naglesmann close behind on £4m.Lee Carsley’s slip of the tongue after Greece nightmare hints he wants England U21s job back and not replace SouthgateEngland player ratings vs GreeceBy Tom BarclayLEE CARSLEY’S tactical experiment of playing no strikers backfired as Vangelis Pavlidis’ double secured an emotional shock win for Greece at Wembley.Interim England boss Carsley played all three of our nation’s gifted No10s – Phil Foden, Jue Bellingham and Cole Palmer – in varying positions.But it did not work and the Greeks took a deserved lead thanks to Pavlidis’ belting second-half finish.The visitors then held up a shirt in celebration bearing the name Baldock – in reference to their team-mate George Baldock, whose passing at the age of just 31 on Wednesday rocked the world of football.Bellingham looked to have ensured the points were shared with a thunderous strike with three minutes to go.But there was still time for Pavlidis to expose some woeful defending deep into injury time by firing past Jordan Pickford.Here are SunSport’s player ratings from a dire night for England under the arch.Jordan Pickford: 4Wandered into no-man’s-land territory outside his box early on and lost the ball, allowing Greek skipper Tasos Baksetas a free shot at goal – only to be saved by Levi Colwill’s last-gasp clearance. Did not instil confidence, despite his experience.Trent Alexander-Arnold: 6Some tasty passes – they are his speciality, after all – but not great at the back. He, John Stones and Cole Palmer were weak in their attempt to close down Vangelis Pavlidis before the Benfica man smashed home the opener.John Stones: 5Made captain for what was his 82nd cap, surpassing Rio Ferdinand’s haul. But it was a shaky display from his defence and Stones should have done better to stop Pavlidis.Levi Colwill: 7Greece would have been ahead far sooner were it not for Colwill’s athletic hack away to deny Bakasetas. Replays showed it would have crossed the line had the Chelsea man been a split second later with his incredible intervention.Rico Lewis: 6Tried to bomb up the left flank where he could but, just like Kieran Trippier at the Euros, was hamstrung by constantly having to cut back onto his favoured right foot.Declan Rice: 6Played as England’s only holding midfielder, as fans had been imploring Gareth Southgate to use him for years. It was not like he was overrun but his side did look vulnerable on the counter.Phil Foden: 4Spent most of the game pressing the Greek backline as a false nine without really getting on the ball and causing any damage. Ineffective. Cole Palmer: 6Deployed in a deeper, central-midfield role which at least meant he saw plenty of the ball, though he blazed England’s best chance of the first half over the bar. Remarkably, his first competitive England start, despite being named on Tuesday as Three Lions player of the 2023-24 season. Bukayo Saka: 5Struggled to get into the game and then was forced out of it, worryingly limping off early in the second half. The last thing Arsenal fans wanted to see.Jude Bellingham: 7 STAR MANPlayed in a false nine position and had a belting early shot well saved. The system did not work but Bellingham still so nearly emerged as the saviour by banging in his first goal of the season for club and country.Anthony Gordon: 5Caused Greece few problems and his touch looked off it. Had a decent chance from Alexander-Arnold’s peach of a delivery but headed over.SUBS: Noni Madueke (for Saka 52): Played out on the left, rather than his natural right, when coming on. Went down in the box deep into injury time but no penalty was given. 6Ollie Watkins (for Gordon 60): Almost scored with his first touch when played through by Palmer, but smashed just over. 7Dominic Solanke (for Foden 72): Grabbed an assist when laying the ball back to Bellingham who thumped in the leveller. 7Manager Lee Carsley: 4Seemed to gamble unnecessarily with this experimental system instead of playing it safe to add another win to boost his case to earn the job full-time. Carsley played without a natural centre-forward when winning the Under-21 Euros because he had to after Flo Balogun switched the USA and Rhian Brewster got injured, but here he did it by choice and it did not work. Bellingham looked to have saved his bacon – but then Pavlidis struck again.In contrast, even the inexperienced Kieran McKenna earns £5m a season at Ipswich after he signed a new deal due to interest from Manchester United and Chelsea.The best paid manager in the world is Roberto Mancini who is scooping up £21m a year in Saudi Arabia but the mega-rich state is on a different level to everyone else.Interestingly, the next 14 best-paid managers in the world are all with club teams.This includes Pep Guardiola who earns about £20m a year at Manchester City.The England job does appear to interest him although this is one for the future. Whether the Spaniard would take a monumental pay cut remains to be seen.The FA is a not-for-profit organisation and they plough all their spare money into the game. This includes a commitment to deliver 4,000 quality pitches and to increase FA Cup prize money for the men’s and women’s game.Even if the FA decide to back away from Carsley, financial considerations will dictate who they appoint.Eddie Howe would be a popular choice and he would be interested in the England job.While the FA could give him an increase from his £4m salary at Newcastle, the north-east club would demand a huge amount in compensation which the FA would be unwilling to pay.Thomas Tuchel would be keen on taking charge of the Three Lions – with reports in Germany claiming he is ready for talks.He last earned £8m at Bayern Munich and would take a pay cut but he remains an outsider.READ MORE SUN STORIESGraham Potter was on £10m at Chelsea but would clearly love to take charge of the national team and money would not be an issue.So, while some fans might still dream of seeing Guardiola or Klopp lead the team into the next World Cup, they have to get real. It will be either Carsley or Potter.Thomas Tuchel would like to boss the Three Lions but is an outsiderCredit: Rex More

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    Man Utd in huge security scare as changing room at Aston Villa is bugged with Erik Ten Hag’s team talks recorded

    MANCHESTER United’s dressing room was bugged before their match at Aston Villa in a shocking security breach.A prankster claims he hoodwinked Villa Park staff to sneak in and plant a hidden device two days before the 0-0 draw last Sunday.Manchester United’s dressing room was bugged before their match at Aston Villa in a shocking security breach, pictured embattled manager Erik ten HagCredit: PAA prankster used a dodgy Chinese phone to record ten Hag’s team talkCredit: GettyIt recorded under-fire manager Erik ten Hag’s team talks for the crunch Premier League game.A source said: “This is a shocking breach of security and some serious questions will be asked as to how this was allowed to happen. Fortunately, there was nothing sinister to this incident.“It was just a prankster, who’s actually a United fan, being silly and wanting to hear what was said inside those four walls. But it will definitely be a cause for concern about how they managed to get inside a changing room at one of the Premier League’s biggest clubs just days before a match.”The Sun has heard the recordings but is choosing not to publish details of them.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSHowever, we can reveal Ten Hag’s instructions to the team and individual players can clearly be heard.The Sun understands the prankster used a phone from China that has a setting where a microphone can be activated by calling it from another device.He had sticky-taped the handset somewhere out of sight in the United dressing room and only rang it when he knew the manager would be in there.High alert Sources claimed the culprit responsible even had the nerve to collect the device on Monday.Most read in FootballIt is a similar stunt to the one that saw a Match of the Day studio hit with porn noises while live on air in 2023.Gary Neville explains what happened in Man Utd meeting amid pressure on Erik ten Hag’s jobThat was the work of Daniel “Jarvo” Jarvis. However, it is believed that he had no involvement in the Villa recordings.The latest stunt comes with Premier League chiefs already on high alert after a string of pranks targeting stadiums and teams.In May, United were targeted by YouTuber Lizwani – who previously got on stage at the Baftas alongside the Oppenheimer cast.He managed to sneak on to the Red Devils’ team bus after a 4-0 hammering at Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park.Lizwani brazenly took a seat before he was removed.They are doing it to get a load of hits on YouTube and make their fans laugh. They aren’t trying to cause trouble or do harm to anyoneA sourceThat breach led to Prem bosses firing off alerts to the top flight’s 20 clubs advising them to watch out for similar stunts.A source said: “These people are mostly harmless and doing it for a bit of fun.“They are doing it to get a load of hits on YouTube and make their fans laugh. They aren’t trying to cause trouble or do harm to anyone.”Manchester United have suffered their worst start to a Premier League season, sitting in 14th on just eight points after seven games.Ten Hag, 54, told the media after the game at Villa he was “very pleased” with the performance.It came off the back of a 3-3 draw at Porto in the Europa League – where they blew a 2-0 lead – and a 3-0 pummelling by Spurs at Old Trafford.Seven hour meetingThe Villa 0-0 was the Red Devils’ fifth game without a win – their last being a 7-0 Carabao Cup win over League One side Barnsley.It is a far cry from the glory days of former manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who famously called high-pressure moments “squeaky bum time”.The game ended 0-0 in BirminghamCredit: GettyThe United hierarchy — including co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe — held a seven-hour meeting at Old Trafford last week with Ten Hag’s future up in the air.They have remained silent over the manager’s position, with Sir Jim recently failing to publicly back him.However, Ten Hag — currently on holiday during the international break — insists he still has the bosses’ support.He said: “I don’t have any idea that is different because they should have told me.“We communicate — very open, very transparent. I would say every day we talk, so I expect I will speak with them.”He dismissed the “external noise”, adding: “Internal, we are disappointed.“We know we have to do better. Especially, we need to score more.”In 2016, Old Trafford suffered a bomb scare after a dummy device planted by a security company was found in a a toilet.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe fiasco led to United’s Premier League game against Bournemouth being called off.Man Utd and Aston Villa were approached for comment yesterday.Erik ten Hag’s role as Man Utd coach is hanging in the balance following a string of disappointing resultsCredit: GettyPorn stunt on Match Of The DayBy Amir RazaviMATCH of the Day viewers were stunned to hear porn noises during the show in another phone prank.They were coming from a device stuck to a wall by Daniel “Jarvo” Jarvis before a Wolves-Liverpool FA Cup tie at Molineux in 2023.He activated its speaker remotely from another device during the live broadcast, to the amusement of presenter Gary Lineker.Jarvo, also behind a string of other pranks at major sporting events, told The Sun at the time: “These things are all about confidence. If you hesitate, then you’ll get asked questions. People from Wolves thought we were with the TV, and vice versa.” More

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    Karren Brady: The Premier League is the envy of world football.. now Man City’s rivals must fight to save it THIS WEEK

    PREMIER LEAGUE meetings are usually cordial, professional and unobtrusive affairs.All 20 clubs, plus their executives, sit in a room and ignore the massive elephant that also lurks in every meeting — the ongoing litigation and the £50million-plus of legal costs racked up fighting and defending claims.Man City made it four straight Prem titles in may and now face a big fight with the Prem off the field, but so far have a winning PR teamCredit: ReutersPep Guardiola’s men are predictably again in contention for the top-flight crown but it’s less easy to say what will happen in a big meeting next weekCredit: GettyBut at the League meeting next week that elephant is going to get an introduction, as we have just tripped over his trunk.Manchester City versus the Premier League feels like a boxing match, where at the end of the final round both fighters put their hands up claiming the victory.If the judges of this heavyweight bout were the public, then City would be clear winners.They not only have the world’s best team on the pitch but also have the best off it too.READ MORE TOP STORIESTheir PR and media team got their message across while making the Prem’s set-up look like a lower league outfit by comparison.But it’s not the public or the media the Premier League has to worry about.It’s the clubs, the rules that govern them and what on earth happens now.Next week’s meeting is to decide exactly that.Most read in FootballMan City vs the Premier League: Q&ABy Martin LiptonBOTH Manchester City and the Premier League were claiming a win after their legal scrap over Associated Party Transactions.SunSport sifts the claims to try to explain the latest issues.What was the case about?City were furious that Prem bosses brought in new tougher regulations – by the smallest possible majority under League rules – in February. They were aimed at blocking clubs bypassing financial controls by earning “unfair” amounts via sponsorship from a company with the same owners, or selling players on the cheap to teams under the same ownership umbrella.Why were City so upset?The Etihad club argued that the rules were illegal and had been deliberately aimed at them by rivals and were both flawed and politically driven. They also branded the “two thirds support” rule that has been part of Prem regulations since its inception as a “tyranny of the majority”This was an Arbitration Tribunal – explain that?Under Prem rules, any club has the right to ask for Arbitration if they are unhappy about the regulations or due process. The three retired judges heard evidence in June and their full ruling was distributed to the 20 Prem clubs on Monday afternoon.And what did they say?Depending on who you listen to, they either totally vindicated one side or the other. The actual answer is that there were “wins” for both City and the Prem. But it’s your choice which ones meant more.OK, what were City’s wins?Maybe the most important one in terms of the repercussions. That both the new rules and the previous version – brought  in after Saudi Arabia’s PIF bought Newcastle in 2021 –  were “unlawful” as they exclude shareholder loans to clubs in any APT calculations.  City also won over their claims that the rulebook prevented them from responding to Prem decisions over whether two proposed deals with Abu Dhabi companies represented “Fair Market Value”, access to the “databank” of comparable deals and the time it took for decisions to be reached.That sounds pretty big. So what about the Prem’s side?The key finding as far as the League is concerned is that the Tribunal backed the concept of APT rules as well as the Fair Market Value tests. Additionally, City’s challenges to the actual decisions on the two proposed deals “failed”. Prem bosses insist the “rulebook has been found to comply with competition and public law standards and is an effective and necessary system”.Is that it, then?Of course not. That shareholder loan issue is a big deal, given that it is believed owners have loaned around £1.5bn at low or preferential rates across the Prem. Those loans will almost certainly have to be calculated at commercial rates now, unless the owners convert them into shares. But the League is convinced the main thrust of the rules remains valid.And what will be the impact on the “115 charges” case?Probably nothing. That is an allegation of breaking the rules, while this matter was City questioning whether one small element of the current rulebook was legitimate. But City are using the same legal team, headed by £10,000 per hour Lord Pannick KC. And the stakes on the bigger case are a great deal higher.FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBut how did we get here?Most supporters have never heard of the term APT — Associated Party Transactions — or knew about the new rules regulating them when they came into play in 2021.Love rat Kyle Walker’s wife Annie Kilner fires first warning shot of divorce after secretly meeting with lawyersAPT rules were accepted by the majority of clubs — although by no means all — and were put in place to ensure that all clubs’ sponsorship deals reflect a true and fair market value.It was hoped to prevent clubs from earning revenue through inflated sponsorship deals from companies related to their owners.This is important, as the value of sponsorship and other commercial revenue is used to offset the costs of the clubs, like player salaries, agent fees and the manager, which leaves you with a number, usually a loss.If you go over the League’s number of what they consider to be an acceptable loss — as Everton and Nottingham Forest did — you get a fine, a points deduction or possibly both.So, the higher your sponsorship, the higher your costs can be and the less you get into trouble.City challenged the legality of these rules, alleging the APT Rules breach competition and public law and the League’s application of the rules also breached public law standards.The Prem claims the three-man Arbitration Tribunal endorsed the overall objective of their rules.No one wants it to become a competition between too few clubs, usually by rich ones who can afford multiple multi-million transfers and top wages.They also agreed that if the price of an APT is evidently not at fair market value — what anyone else OTHER than the party connected with the owner would have paid — then the competition will be distorted as the club would be benefitting from what effectively is a subsidy.The Prem needs a financial system to ensure that football is, remains and will always be competitive.The undiminished competitiveness of the Premier League is the envy of every other foreign league and club and the reason why our top-flight is the best in the world.No one wants it to become a competition between too few clubs, usually by the rich ones who can afford multiple multi-million transfer fees and top wages.So next week clubs have to agree to make the necessary changes to the APT rules to address the Tribunal’s concerns.This requires 14 votes — at least 14 clubs have to agree — or the whole system is thrown into chaos.READ MORE SUN STORIESIt needs to be so that the system can continue to be effective.We must stop clubs spending whatever they like to get an unbeatable team and create an uncompetitive league. More