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      My manager asked me to draw an ELEPHANT in a team meeting – but there’s a good reason behind bizarre request

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      KELLEN FISHER was asked to draw an ELEPHANT by Norwich boss Johannes Hoff Thorup in front of stunned team-mates.But the Canaries right-back, 20, says there was a method to the madness as he revealed the Dane’s way of working.Kellen Fisher was asked to draw an elephant by Norwich boss Johannes Hoff ThorupFisher plays for England’s Under-21sFisher explained: “Everyone’s striving to do well since the new manager came in during the summer. Each day he’s asking us to be consistent.“We had a meeting and he got me up to draw an elephant.“After doing so, he asked how good I thought it was? I told him, ‘Not very’.“And then the manager asked, ‘If you practised it every day, how good would your elephant be?’READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS“I replied, ‘Pretty good’. He said, ‘In six months, your elephant will be perfect’.“He was comparing practising drawing an elephant to what we’re doing here.“We’ve just got to keep working hard and keeping our standards high to achieve better results.“It’s just the way this manager explains things, it’s eye-opening.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“Going up to draw an elephant on the board and comparing that to football isn’t something I was thinking about!”Although Norwich are lower mid-table as they travel to West Brom on Saturday, this has still been a breakthrough few months for the rookie.Delia Smith gives up control of Norwich City after 27 years and legendary cook won’t receive a penny from saleFisher, who was in non-league last year, has made ten Championship starts this term and earned a first England Under-21 squad call-up.It has been a whirlwind since he joined Norwich in the summer of 2023 from Bromley.Fisher was expected to be playing for the Canaries’ under-21s for a couple of years.Yet he was quickly dining with then-club owner Delia Smith and put in the first team by ex-boss David Wagner.And Fisher said: “Delia invited me and my family for a meal before a game to get to know us, asking where I’d been and stuff like that. She wanted to make us feel welcome.“I don’t think she physically cooked it but the food was so good, maybe she did! We had steak pie, mash and gravy.“She gave me a cooking book and signed it, which I’ve given to my mum because she’s a fan of hers.”Within six weeks, Fisher was handed his debut and set up Jonathan Rowe’s last-minute winner at QPR.Fisher went on to make another two starts and came off the bench six times.Fisher started his career at Sunday team Kingfisher based in BromleyCoaches and ex-team-mates at Bromley told SunSport they believe he will make it to the Premier LeagueHe admitted: “I struggled to adapt to this level for about  six months but everyone helped me settle in.“It was great working with Wagner. I thank him for giving me my debut. I really enjoyed working for him.”Under Thorup, since starting in the 4-1 win against Watford in September, the youngster has been an ever-present.Fisher was gutted the other week when his equalising ‘goal’ in a 3-3 epic with Middlesbrough was given as an own goal to keeper Seny Dieng.The right-back’s slightly miscued cross appeared to be heading in before the Boro stopper palmed it into the net.Fisher said: “I thought it was mine but then suspected it might be taken away.“I put the ball across the front zone and it went a bit more to the right than expected. It’s gone in off the keeper and the place erupted. It was a great moment.”Fisher even enjoyed a spot of dinner with former Norwich director and chef Delia SmithNorwich sit 14th in the Championship, seven points of the play-off placesFisher is yet to score in his senior career, which also included two loan spells at Welling and Cray Wanderers while at Bromley.But he used to be an attacker until Bromley academy coach Steve Harris switched him to right-back.Fisher said: “I was playing as a winger for the under-21s and randomly one game he said, ‘I want you to play right-back’.“At the time it was short-term because, after a few games, I was a winger again.“But then during the off- season Steve told me, ‘Right- back is your position now — and you’re not changing’. I’ve been there ever since.”Fisher rose through the ranks at Bromley after making his debut in an FA Trophy game at Dover, aged 17, in 2021.And he credited his ex-boss Andy Woodman for helping him grow into a man — including a half-time rollicking after a poor performance.Fisher said: “We were winning 1-0 in a game and, before half-time, conceded two stoppage-time goals. “He told me I wasn’t being aggressive enough and that I was playing like a little boy.“At the time I was a little boy but I understood what he meant. It was the first time he had a real go at me.“But the next day he pulled me in to check if I was OK. In football, you do sometimes need a little push.”There is no doubting that Fisher is a huge talent with so much potential.READ MORE SUN STORIESCoaches and ex-team-mates at Bromley told SunSport they believe he will make it to the Premier League.Maybe the youngster who started his football journey for local Bromley Sunday league side Kingfisher is destined to become a real King Fisher.Who are these famous footballers? More

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      Ruben Amorim reveals three major changes he wants from Man Utd players as he tells flops ‘there is no second way’

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      RUBEN AMORIM says this Manchester United team are not physically right and need to work harder.The new boss has inherited a Red Devils squad that has posted the club’s worst ever start to a Premier League season leading to the sacking of Erik ten Hag.Ruben Amorim is prepared to put United through their paces to instil his philosophyNow he is tasked to change that.And Amorim said: “We have to improve the physical aspect of the team, that is something we want to improve.“I think we lose the ball too often and we have to keep the ball.“We have to be better running back. I think that is clear for everybody. And we have to be very good in the details.READ MORE ON MAN UTD“Sometimes we are hoping to change a lot of things, big things, I think it’s the small things and we are here to improve on the small things, the way we see football, play as a team, understanding the game in one way,  that is the focus.“I can tell you in the small things I can help a lot these players.”Amorim insists that even though the players have only had a few days working with him, he will change how they play from the start of his first game away to Ipswich on Sunday.He will immediately take risks by employing a 3-4-3 as he stamps his mark on the way United are going to play going forward, right from the off.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHe said: “As a coach you have to choose one way or another, I choose always 100 percent our way. I choose to risk a bit.“I believe so much in our way of playing, they will believe too. There is no second way.How Ruben Amorim will resurrect Marcus Rashford’s Man United career with subtle position change“We will adapt some players because we don’t have a different profile. “Maybe on Sunday you will see the starting 11 and not feel a lot of change but you will see it in the game and the positioning or where they receive the ball.“It’s not revolution because football is not so different with five players, in the back, three players in the back or four players in the back.“I cannot say evolution because we will have to wait and see but we will play a different type of football, we have our ideas, I’m not saying these are the best ideas, but it’s our way of seeing football.“It’s not evolution or revolution, it’s a change in the way we play football.”“I think we have to improve in a lot of areas, the understanding of the game, I know it’s a different way of playing and we are changing in the middle of the season.”READ MORE SUN STORIESBut he thinks he has the players to do what he wants.He said: “Until they prove me wrong, I believe in the players.”Three Sporting stars Amorim could swoop for after joining Man UtdRUBEN AMORIM has ruled out poaching any of his Sporting Lisbon players in the January transfer window.But the Portuguese side’s chiefs expect Amorim will come calling in the summer – with his cheque book wide open.Here’s are three Sporting starts United could swoop for… but they won’t come cheap:VIKTOR GYOKERESAge: 26Position: StrikerCost: £84millionSwede has shone since joining Sporting last summer from Coventry — catching the eye of all Europe’s top clubs.Hit 43 goals in 50 games last season and boasts 18 strikes already this term.GONCALO INACIOAge: 23Position: DefenderCost: £50millionBall-playing centre-back was handed his debut by Amorim and has since become a key figure in Sporting’s recent title successes.Can also slot in at left-back if required and has 12 caps for Portugal.MORTEN HJULMANDAge: 25Position: MidfieldCost: £40millionDane is one of the top holding midfielders in Portugal — and made skipper by Amorim.He could be the man to replace Casemiro. More

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      West Ham ‘sound out former Champions League final manager’ as Julen Lopetegui ‘has TWO matches to save his job’

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      JULEN LOPETEGUI is not “listening or reading” about any sack speculation amid reports he has TWO matches to save his West Ham job.The Hammers are understood to have already sounded out Edin Terzic, who guided Borussia Dortmund to last season’s Champions League final before leaving the Bundesliga giants.Julen Lopetegui’s future could rest on results vs Newcastle and ArsenalCredit: RexEdin Terzic is rated a prime contender to step in if Lopetegui departsCredit: GettyAnd it’s claimed that should Lopetegui fail to get decent results away to Newcastle on Monday and then at home to Arsenal next Saturday, he will be shown the exit door.Typically, the West Ham hierarchy do not make mid-season firing but the club are 14th in the Premier League with only three wins from 11 matches.Terzic, a former Hammers’ assistant under Slaven Bilic, is regarded as a frontrunner should the Spaniard be replaced.He won the German Cup in his first spell in charge of Dortmund when he was interim chief.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLTerzic then returned to take the permanent position but quit in June this year after finishing fifth. TalkSPORT say West Ham Director of football Tim Steidten is a firm admirer of Terzic and that contact has already been made.It was put to Lopetegui, 58, that his time could soon be over in East London.But he responded: “The only thing I’m focused on is to be able to go to Newcastle in a tough match against a very good team.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“We have to be ready to improve and to overcome the kinds of difficulties that we are going to have as a team.“The rest of the things, believe me this is football, it’s up to you. I’m not focused on this.Who is Julen Lopetegui?“I’m not listening or reading. I’m focused on working in my daily work to be able to understand what things can happen to be a better team.“The rest of the things are out of my control.“We put all our focus on the things that we can control to be able to work better, with a high demanding, knowing that the players need to do better.“Knowing that the season arrives in May, not November. So, let’s see what happens in two, three months.”Lopetegui – who is without the suspended Edson Alvarez and Mohammed Kudus – said he “talks every week” with chairman and largest shareholder David Sullivan.He added: “Our life is to live under pressure. Our work is like this. That is why we choose this world.“The more important thing is that we are working very hard to be able to improve a lot.“The players have a big commitment to do this. I’m sure that we are going to achieve our levels.“It’s true that we are not happy with the position that we are in but it’s true that we have a lot of time to change this.READ MORE SUN STORIES“We have done good things, but not enough things and we have to do more good things. We have to be able to achieve the best level of all the players.“We have to increase the level of all the team. I’m sure that all the players are involved in this improvement.” More

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      Gary Neville admits ‘I got it wrong’ and apologises over Rashford criticism as Amorim demands Man Utd ‘change’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED icon Gary Neville has apologised for his criticism of Marcus Rashford and Casemiro in the wake of their trip to the USA last week.The duo spent the international break in the States after missing out on a call-up to their respective national teams.Gary Neville apologised for his comments on Marcus Rashford and Casemiro during a chat with Ruben AmorimCredit: YouTube/Sky Sports Premier LeagueRashford flew to New York for an NBA gameCredit: ReutersNeville did not shy away from criticising him and Casemiro, who travelled to Orlando, this weekCredit: PARashford was pictured watching Friday’s NBA clash between the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets at Madison Square Garden.Meanwhile, Casemiro flew to Orlando to enjoy a family holiday at Disney World and a Magic game at Kia Center.However, both players received backlash with ex-United defender Neville leading the criticism.Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, the pundit explained: “The professionalism, looking after your body and making sure you’re best prepared for the next training session is critical to every decision you make during the season.Read More on Man Utd”He has got a mental break, he’s got to get away and has got to rest with friends – then you talk about the choice of venue, how far do you fly, what’s the time difference, is that going to give a jet lag issue, is that going to give a stiffness issue from being on a flight for 12 hours?”This is on Casemiro more than Rashford but if I’m 30 years old and I’m looking after my body – and he’s won five Champions Leagues and is an unbelievable player, but if he was away with Brazil for 10 days, we would say he would struggle this weekend because he’s been away.”They have chosen that international break. If you are talking about the minor details in being as professional as you can be and as prepared you can be for a training session on a Monday night, that isn’t the best choice of venue.”But in a recent interview with new Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim for Sky Sports, he partially took back some of his criticism.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSNeville said: “I made a comment this week about Casemiro and Marcus Rashford travelling to America in their few days off.”It was just me thinking as a Manchester United player when I played here. How Ruben Amorim will resurrect Marcus Rashford’s Man United career with subtle position change”You’ve got a few days off, the club are 13th in the league, the manager has just been sacked, it’s a challenging part of the season and the new manager is about to come in.”And that focus and preparation and every single little detail is really important, and I said I don’t think I’d have chosen that trip to go to America with the time difference. I did get it wrong – they went to New York rather than Portland so I apologise for that. “But there’s still a 5-6 hour time difference, they’re on planes, Casemiro’s 30 years of age.”Amorim insisted it was not his decision to let the duo travel during the break.He even went as far as to suggest he would have banned them from flying.Amorim explained: “I think the main question here is that us, as a club, have to set the standards and have to manage that.”It is my decision if they can have five days [off], three days or three days to rest, you cannot fly.”This is something that us, as a club, have to decide. For me? Yes for sure [he would have banned them].Amorim claimed he would not have let them fly if the decision was up to himCredit: Getty”We cannot put this on the players. They [United] told them they can have five days off so they can fly anywhere because nobody at the club says you cannot fly.”Amorim’s reign at Man Utd will officially begin this weekend when the Red Devils face Ipswich at Portman Road.The ex-Sporting Lisbon manager is determined to change things at Old Trafford, with United currently 13th in the Premier League table.He said: “Call me naive. But I truly believe I am the right guy in the right moment.”I could be wrong but the world still will turn [and] the sun will rise again, I don’t worry about that.”I truly believe I’m the right guy for this job.”In two years you will understand if I am the right man to be in this process.READ MORE SUN STORIES”In two years you can understand if you want to continue on this path or you want to change.”I know if you are at Manchester United you have to win games, so I will not tell you I need a lot of time.”Ruben Amorim leaves Sporting on a highBy Charlie WyettRUBEN AMORIM would have preferred to leave Lisbon in a blaze of glory after winning a third Primeira Liga title.Yet football does not work like that. And in what was surely his final game before taking charge of Manchester United, Amorim prepared to say his goodbyes at a half-empty Estadio Jose Alvalade in a League Cup quarter-final against Nacional.Sporting won 3-1 thanks to  second-half goals by captain  Morten Hjulmand and Viktor Gyokeres, who scored two.Luis Esteves pulled back for Madeira-based Nacional.The stadium  will be a good deal more lively on Tuesday when Manchester City are here for  a Champions League match — although Amorim should by then have his feet firmly under his desk at Old Trafford.Liverpool and Aston Villa were both interested in Europe’s most sought-after coach. Even City could have been a possible destination post-Pep Guardiola.Yet the United job is one Amorim, 39,  could not turn  down — even if not everyone saw it that way at Sporting last night.There is clearly a huge split in the Portuguese club’s fan base over their coach leaving at this stage of the season with many believing he should have seen the job through.Yet Amorim, along with the three-man coaching team who are expected to follow him, leaves a club in a much better state than when he arrived here in 2020.Inside the stadium, there was applause — albeit muted — when his name was read out before the game along with the line-ups.And there did not appear to be any jeers when Amorim shuffled out from the tunnel awkwardly towards the dugout.So, while his departure is hard to take for some, none of the fans will forget his legacy.This is a club which is back as the dominant force in Portugal. Even this term, Sporting have won their first nine league games, scoring 30 goals and conceding just two.They are also eighth in the Champions League table, which is one hell of an effort.In contrast, Lisbon was not exactly hit by League Cup fever last night.Amorim made lots of changes, which saw Sporting’s star man Gyokeres, the former Coventry striker, start on the bench.There was, however, a first appearance in six weeks for former Tottenham winger Marcus Edwards. He is certainly one player who has been transformed by Amorim since arriving at the club from Vitoria in 2022 and will be sorry to see the coach leave.While he changed his team, Amorim stuck with his tried and trusted formation of a back three.It will certainly be something Manchester United’s fans will have to get used to over the  coming months.But looking at the Premier League table, none of them will be complaining about the change. More

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      I played for Man Utd legend and ex-Premier League manager – he taught me absolutely nothing

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      MARK HUGHES was a huge disappointment as Bradford boss and lacked people skills.That is the damning view of Bantams midfielder Richie Smallwood, who has revealed how underwhelmed he was by the Manchester United legend’s spell at the club.Richie Smallwood was expecting much more from Mark HughesCredit: RexHughes was an Old Trafford hero as a striker and managed Man CityCredit: AlamyHughes had an illustrious playing career which also took in Chelsea, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Southampton, Everton and Blackburn.He also managed Rovers, Manchester City, Southampton, Stoke, Fulham and QPR in the Premier League as well as his home nation, Wales.But he had 19 months in charge at Valley Parade before he was sacked in October 2023 with the club sitting 18th in League Two.Smallwood, 33, took a two-division drop in 2022 having just racked up 42 Championship appearances as Hull captain because of the lure of Hughes.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSBut Sparky could only lead the Bantams to play-off semi-final agony in his only full season in charge.Asked if he enjoyed working for the former star striker, Smallwood said: “To be honest, no. We didn’t get the job done despite having a good enough team.“I didn’t learn anything from him. I was expecting a lot more. That’s how it is in football sometimes.“Hughes was the big draw for people to come here.Most read in FootballHughes, who was a popular frontman for the Red Devils, hasn’t managed since being sacked by Bradford in October 2023Credit: RexFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“Because of the player he was and the capabilities he had you think that’s going to transfer over as a manager.“But sometimes it didn’t and that led to us not getting the job done. That was the way it was. I didn’t learn too much from him.”Ruben Amorim makes Man Utd transfers vow as new boss wastes no time in stamping authority on new employers Smallwood even hit out at his lack of man-management and communication skills.He added: “That wasn’t one of his strengths. That’s my honest opinion.”Bradford sit ninth, two points behind the play-offs and five off the automatic places ahead of entertaining Accrington on Saturday.And Smallwood believes the team are heading in a better direction under Hughes’ successor Graham Alexander.The former Salford, Scunthorpe, Fleetwood and MK Dons boss may not have had the glittering career of Hughes but he has played at all levels from League Two to the Premier League.Smallwood, who played for Alexander at Scunny, said: “He’s intense and gets to work. He’s always early doing his analysis, research and getting his stats together.“Graham got to know the players when he replaced Hughes and has put his stamp on things during the summer. It has paid off.“The big thing is our home form, that’s improved hugely this season. We all respect him greatly.”Bradford has been a tough job to crack in recent years.The Bantams get almost 17,000 fans at home and yet this is their fifth season stuck in League Two — and it has been 20 years since they were in the second tier and 24 since the Prem.Bradford chief Graham Alexander, seen dishing instructions to loan defender Jay Benn, has been praised by SmallwoodCredit: RexSmallwood said: “People look from the outside and see we get big crowds and have a big  stadium.“There is a big expectation that comes from that but we’ve not been able to deal with it.“We’ve had a lot of players here who haven’t played in front of those sorts of crowds before. That might be a factor.“Also opposing teams set up to keep the crowd quiet and frustrate us — and they can get edgy if we don’t score.“But things are changing. And there is a great stat that is consistent now — when we score first, we go on to win the game. We’re scoring the first goal more often.”Smallwood’s drop into the fourth tier from being a Championship captain did seem a strange one from the outside — even with the lure of  Hughes.Yet Smallwood said: “Hull went through a takeover and you find new owners want to get their own people in.“Often the captain bears the brunt of that.“But I was excited by the project here. The head of recruitment, Stephen Gent, is a relative of my missus and he sold it to me.READ MORE SUN STORIES“My partner was also expecting at the time and while some players who left Hull were patient to wait for an offer, I wasn’t. “I don’t regret it and, hopefully, we can be promoted this season.”Smallwood is now targeting promotion under AlexanderCredit: Getty More

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      Taylor Harwood-Bellis childhood incident practising DIVING that convinced dad Roy Keane’s son-in-law could be footballer

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      TAYLOR HARWOOD-BELLIS has had a taste of life at the top.Now England’s latest new-boy must turn his attention to taking on the best in the Premier League right now — and help shift Southampton off the bottom.Taylor Harwood-Bellis scored on his England debut last weekCredit: GettyHe is now prepared to face Liverpool with SouthamptonCredit: PAThe 22-year-old became the EIGHTH player to be handed a Three Lions debut during Lee Carsley’s interim spell in charge when coming on against the Republic of Ireland on Sunday in the Nations League.And he followed up Liverpool’s Curtis Jones’ feat versus Greece by also marking his bow with a goal to cap a blistering 5-0 win.Returning to the reality of Saints’ relegation battle must have been some comedown after such a high, particularly with imperious league-leaders the Reds up next.But while Harwood-Bellis is still buzzing to have proved he can mix it with the elite in this country, it is already just a memory ahead of Arne Slot’s winning machine — complete with a bang-in-form Mo Salah — rocking up at St Mary’s on Sunday.Read More on EnglandThe centre-back told BBC Radio Solent this week: “England is the pinnacle. The best English players, the best in the world are all there in one dressing room.“I’ve just got to focus on Liverpool. I’m not too bad at changing focus. Me scoring for England has not hidden the fact that we’re bottom of the league and we’ve got a big game on Sunday. That’s all my focus.”Brighton-born Southampton boss Russell Martin joked that Harwood-Bellis has barely stopped talking about it since his returning to training this week.Martin, who won 29 Scotland caps, said: “We have to make sure he keeps his feet on the ground but everyone’s so happy for him.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“If I’d played for England for ten minutes, I wouldn’t have shut up about it either.“I’d get hammered in Scotland for saying that, wouldn’t I? I was really proud to play for Scotland, so make sure that goes in there.Roy Keane reduces Ian Wright and Gary Neville to tears with crude comments about Premier League icon “I did celebrate his goal. We were all immensely proud of him at the club.“I see his mum and dad at games so when I see them next, I’m sure I’ll give them a hug and say congratulations.“I know they’ll be extremely proud and they know he’s in good hands here  with the amount of care and love he gets.”Harwood-Bellis’ headed goal at Wembley has been the talk of Saints’ training base this week, with team-mate Flynn Downes leading the banter.Midfielder Downes, 25, went to Wembley with Harwood-Bellis’ friends and family on Sunday as ex-Manchester City starlet Taylor made his first appearance.It was lucky he had not made it against Greece in Athens three days earlier, else his dad Martin and mum Tina would have missed it, having already booked a holiday to Cape Verde.Harwood-Bellis is another success story to come out of Stockport, along with fellow England internationals Phil Foden and Kobbie Mainoo.Dad Martin, who used to be Stockport County’s mascot Vernon Bear sensed his son might have a future in the game as a toddler.He revealed to BBC Radio Manchester: “The very, very early signs were when he was 18 months old and he was pretending to dive like a Premiership footballer.“He dived and broke his leg. A slight fracture. He had a plaster on his leg, I’ve still got the plaster, it’s only so big. He was still kicking a ball with a plaster on and he was kicking it straight to me. In fact he was kicking it better than I was kicking it to him and I had two good legs!”Harwood-Bellis’ old man also revealed how his son used to study football shows like Match of the Day, as well as what he saw from watching Stockport live, and implement what he had learnt at local side Spurley Hey.The youngster’s talent was quickly spotted and by six he had joined City.He was playing for England by Under-15 level, in an age group that included Tino Livramento, Morgan Rogers, Noni Madueke and Cole Palmer and also had Jude Bellingham playing a year up.Harwood-Bellis’ leadership qualities — attributes his future father-in-law Roy Keane would appreciate — saw him regularly named skipper  for club and country.He was known for his dedication, setting of standards in training and how vocal he was on the pitch as well as discipline off it.Harwood-Bellis is engaged to Roy Keane’s daughter, LeahCredit: officialkeane16 / InstagramThat sees him still today inspect the labels of all food at his parents’ house for fat content before eating it. City rated him highly but given the competition in Pep Guardiola’s first team, a series of loans began before one which ended in a permanent move to Saints.At Anderlecht and Burnley, the defender learned about detail and a relentless drive to win from working with Vincent Kompany.Phil Jagielka taught him about the dark arts of defending at Stoke.It was surprising to see no Premier League side sign him two summers ago, after he had captained England to Under-21 Euros glory.More physical defenders with a quicker top speed over the first ten-15 metres were favoured.But that overlooked Harwood-Bellis impressive reading of the game, with one of his  former coaches telling SunSport: “Taylor always has an extra yard in his head.”Southampton, then a Championship side, did not initially think they would be able to attract Harwood-Bellis.READ MORE SUN STORIESThat was until a season-long loan deal, with a £20million permanent option on  promotion, was proposed via TransferRoom, the digital football marketplace that more than 700 clubs worldwide use.Sam Stanton, Saints’ head of scouting  operations, said at the time: “We never thought he’d be available to us. So when he was pitched to us, we were really excited straight away.”The defender spent the 2022-23 season on loan at BurnleyCredit: GettyHe also enjoyed a short stay with StokeCredit: Getty More

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      Former Barcelona boss, 66, who managed Messi keen on job in England after visiting three Premier League clubs

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      QUIQUE SETIEN is keen to join the Premier League’s Spanish invasion.Former Barcelona boss Setien, 66, made a whistle-stop tour of the Prem and Championship earlier this month with managers desperate for an audience.Former Barca boss Quique Setien visited three different Prem clubsItalian Enzo Maresca was so eager to host Setien at Chelsea that he prepared a video showing the coach which tactical tricks he had copied from him.Fellow Spaniard Julen Lopetegui opened the doors at West Ham while Thomas Frank reached out after learning Setien would be at two Brentford games.And the respect does not stop there.Any clubs interested in speaking to the Spaniard will be blown away by his references.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSPep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti, Diego Simeone, Xavi and Luis Enrique are just a few.Just over a year after leaving Villarreal, the former midfielder is ready for a new challenge. So, did his trip tempt him to try England?Setien said: “Obviously. I have been out for a year and in Spain I didn’t have the feeling.“We follow all the Premier League. In Spain you watch one or two teams on TV, in England we watch all of them.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“We came here last year for seven days but this week has been  a huge surprise. I fell in love with people, the passion. “The supporters are doing their best and the game wasn’t exciting.”Spectacular Timelapse of the works in the Spotify Camp Nou There are already five Spanish Prem bosses and, after the FA made Thomas Tuchel the new England chief having targeted Guardiola first, English football is wondering how other nations have mastered the development of coaches.Setien believes English coaching may be on a similar course as in Spain… but it will take time.He said: “The reference for the best, like Pep, is Johan Cruyff. He was the change of mentality.“He changed the point of view of the sport in Spain, he changed the way to understand football. “Something was different when Cruyff arrived, suddenly from that club several players go to the national team and it began the process.“It’s like in England, with Pep arriving. It changes the mentality but this is a process that takes years.“It means probably the next  generation of English coaches and the teaching and learning process for the English coaches has begun in the last years.”Who are these famous footballers? More

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      England star, 31, opens up on second career as a mortgage advisor after battling way up from non-league

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      TYRONE MINGS never takes being a Premier League footballer for granted – he and his parents know all about the pain of rejection.Though he has reached the pinnacle – as one of almost 1,300 people in 152 years who have represented England at senior level – he remembers what it was like to be at the bottom.Tyrone Mings has revealed he worked in a bar and as a mortgage advisor while working his way up the football pyramidCredit: GettyThe defender suffered a serious injury last year that kept him out for the entire seasonCredit: PAAnd as he makes a slow return to the Aston Villa first team following a horror ACL injury that sidelined him for 14 months, he can take pride in the perseverance he showed during an unorthodox journey.It was 15 years ago that Mings was released by Southampton’s academy as the club struggled financially and slashed their youth budget.From there, he toiled away in the lower depths of the pyramid, earned a scholarship to prestigious Millfield School in Somerset and then paid his way by working in a BAR and as a MORTGAGE ADVISOR.In a new Sky Sports documentary – Chasing the Dream – Mings talks about his background in pubs, offices and non-league dressing rooms.Read More on EnglandHe recalled: “I joined Southampton’s academy at the age of eight, right until 15 or 16. Then got released.“It probably hit my parents harder than me. They were never pushy parents.“But as a parent, you want to see your child fulfil their dreams and be happy. At the time, I was physically weak. But mentally I’ve always been quite strong.“So, I never begrudged the decision they (Southampton) made. I never think they made a mistake.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“My mum wrote to every one of the 72 clubs in the Football league. I got trials at 4-5 different clubs.“Being at Millfield was amazing. I got a mixture of a football scholarship and a bursary. It was really comprehensive.’It felt like the beginning of the end for Harry Kane’ says Man Utd legend as he admits fears for England captain “It put me in some real uncomfortable situations. My family didn’t have much money growing up.“But the wealth at the school meant you had to find something else to make you cool. I always had football.“We trained 4-5 times a week, played once or twice. I probably got a better education than if I had been just at a football club.“I left school and worked in a pub first. Did a bit of labouring. Realised that wasn’t for me. I worked in field sales. Then I went to become a mortgage advisor.”His first Sliding Doors moment came in a charity game aged 18 alongside his dad – Mings played at left-back – when he was spotted by the boss of Yate Town, based in Gloucestershire.Mings recalled: “I had no idea what was going on. The shirt didn’t fit. Shorts didn’t fit.“But playing against seasoned professionals taught me a lot about looking after yourself. I was there for just over a year before I moved to Chippenham Town.”The next pivotal occasion came in a trial game at Ipswich in late 2012 when they were managed by Mick McCarthy – and within days he was moving to Suffolk.Mings, 31, said: “I rocked up with my Chippenham kitbag. They must have thought: ‘Who on earth is this?’“My mentality and the fact I didn’t really care who I was playing alongside – I could hold my own in men’s football – was probably the deciding factor for him signing me.“It all happened within the space of two days. I went from being a mortgage advisor to training with the Ipswich first team.“It was a bit of a whirlwind, the first two years of being a professional footballer.”Mings tells his story to former Stoke boss Tony Pulis, who is raising concerns about the welfare of young academy footballers and the failure rate.An investigation by Sky Sports News claims 1.65m boys play the national sport but less than one per cent make it into a professional club academy.Mings said: “My best piece of advice I’d give is to keep it fun for as long as possible.“Sometimes the pressures of academies, if you aren’t enjoying it, it’s a really tough place to be.READ MORE SUN STORIES“If you love what you do, of course, you’ll be able to get through the tougher times.”Chasing the Dream is available on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Football, with all episodes on demand from Sunday November 24. More