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      Darwin Nunez handed Arne Slot snub as Liverpool boss claims Reds have two ‘more logical number 9s’

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      DARWIN NUNEZ did not get a rousing vote of confidence from Arne Slot after he revealed Diogo Jota will be missing for weeks.It appears the mercurial Uruguayan is THIRD in manager Slot’s pecking order of Liverpool’s No 9s.Darwin Nunez has started just two Premier League games this seasonCredit: GettyJota looks unlikely to return until after November’s internationals amid abdominal damage suffered in the 2–1 win over Chelsea ten days ago.And Federico Chiesa could be out for even longer as the £10million arrival from Juventus is struggling following a series of niggling injuries.Yet Slot says he would have turned to the Italian — and not £64m man Nunez — in the absence of Jota.The Dutchman starts a run of four games in 11 days before the next international break with a Carabao Cup trip to Brighton.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd Slot admitted: “It is a pity that Jota is not available.“And Chiesa is also not available as they were, in my opinion, the most logical No 9s but we still have other options.”One possibility there is Nunez, who has played in the main striker’s role for the last three games, scoring in the 1–0 Champions League win over RB Leipzig.But Kop boss Slot, who had only started him in two of the ten previous games since taking over from Jurgen Klopp, admits he is “worried” about the loss of Jota and Chiesa ahead of a punishing spell.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSFormer Feyenoord gaffer Slot brushed off suggestions Chiesa could return to Italy on loan in January.And he was not jumping for joy at being forced to turn to Nunez, who has just 35 goals in 106 appearances since arriving from Benfica more than two years ago.How Arteta dominated Liverpool with stealth Havertz trick before genius Slot switch saved the daySlot added: “About Darwin, I gave him credit for the fact he worked so hard in previous weeks when he didn’t play a lot to be able to play three games in a row.“Three games in eight days, so that says a lot about him.“But it also says a lot about the quality of our performance staff and medical staff that we were able to give him the right sessions to prepare him in the right way.“You always need the player to buy in because you can give him the right sessions but if he doesn’t give everything then it is very difficult for him to do what he did.”Slot also points to the fact that Nunez had a five-game international ban revoked having joined team-mates to battle rioting Colombian fans after his country’s Copa America semi-final defeat in August.He played against Peru and Ecuador last month, with Slot saying: “It was a good thing his ban for the Uruguay team was cancelled so he could play.“That has probably really helped him to play the way that he did in the last three games.“I’m not talking about the quality he played with, but the intensity he played with. The quality was also good — so that was a positive thing.”Slot is planning on making changes on Wednesday night as Liverpool host Brighton in the Prem on Saturday, as well as ex-Kop hero Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League before a visit from Aston Villa.READ MORE SUN STORIESSeagulls boss Fabian Hurzeler is without defender Lewis Dunk who has a “small muscle issue” and conceded his captain is “not easy to replace”.Hurzeler added: “He’s a great healer, so we have to go day by day. For sure, we can’t take any risks with him — but he’s keen on coming back as soon as possible.” More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo blasts 96th minute penalty over bar as Al-Nassr bow out of Saudi Cup in shock defeat

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO blazed a stoppage-time penalty over the bar as Al-Nassr were dumped out of Saudi Arabia’s biggest cup competition.Ronaldo and Co hosted Al-Taawoun on Tuesday night in the last 16 of The King Cup.Cristiano Ronaldo had a penalty to equalise in stoppage timeThe Al-Nassr forward stepped up and blasted his spot kick over the barAl-Nassr lost 1-0 as Al-Taawoun dumped them out of The King CupAl-Nassr sit seven points above Al-Taawoun in the Saudi Pro League and were expected to book their place in the quarter-finals.But they fell behind with 19 minutes remaining as Waleed Al-Ahmed gave the visitors a shock lead.Ronaldo, who scored and assisted against Al-Taawoun in the Saudi Super Cup back in August, was given the perfect opportunity to equalise in added time when Al-Nassr were awarded a penalty.But he stepped up and fired well over the bar from 12 yards as Al-Nassr crashed out.READ MORE ON CRISTIANO RONALDOManchester United and Real Madrid icon Ronaldo, who has nine goals in 12 games this season, was left with his head in his hands after his late miss.Reacting to the penalty, one fan said: “Madrid fans need a break 😂.”While another added: “No way he missed a pen and knocked his team out of the competition 😭😭.”A third replied: “Gifted him a penalty to level the game and he roofed it!”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAnd a fourth responded: “No way Penaldo missed the penalty.”The result means a golden opportunity for silverware goes begging, with Al-Nassr already playing catch-up in the league.Cristiano Ronaldo sits in on son Cristiano Jr’s training session as 14-year-old looks to follow in dad’s footsteps They sit six points adrift of table toppers Al-Hilal after drawing three of their opening eight matches.Ronaldo’s only silverware since joining Al-Nassr was last year’s Arab Club Champions Cup. More

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      I partied with Rodri & Man Utd’s Alejandro Garnacho at Ballon D’or – Harry Kane let slip plans for Prem League return

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      IT was a glitzy night with football’s biggest stars – and I was one of the lucky few invited to attend.More than 500 bottles of Champagne were cracked open before the creme de la creme watched Manchester City’s Rodri and Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati receive the Ballon d’Or.Ellie Henman with her Tottenham hero Harry Kane in ParisCredit: SuppliedEllie with Man Utd’s Alejandro GarnachoCredit: SuppliedMan City’s Rodri picked up the men’s Ballon d’OrCredit: ReutersHe was helped on stage by former Manchester City player George Weah in the closing segment of the eveningCredit: SuppliedBut the caterers scored an own goal when they ran out of platters to serve their nibbles — forcing the chefs to send out waiters holding metal colanders full of macaroni cheese balls.That flash of chaos did not affect the presentation of the only two balls that really mattered — the rotund golden trophies that were carefully wheeled on to the stage in Paris.There was even more fanfare to the moment than I’ve seen at the Oscars and the Baftas.The gongs came in custom-made Louis Vuitton cases, which each took three people to open, while fireworks threatened to set off the fire alarm as the crowd watched in bewilderment.READ MORE IN SPORTSSome hours before then, my evening began by navigating four road closures and more than 200 confused French coppers to get to the Theatre du Chatelet in the French capital on a windy Monday night.Rabid selfie-takersOnce inside, I stood shoulder-to-shoulder with football heavyweights including French legend Marcel Desailly and Barcelona president Joan Laporta — who was flanked by heavies to bat off rabid selfie-takers, myself included.My first port of call was tracking down Harry Kane, the former captain of my beloved Tottenham Hotspur, who on the night picked up the Gerd Muller trophy with Kylian Mbappe as they had both scored the most goals in Europe this season.Grabbing Harry for a chat before he was celebrated for his 44 goals in 45 matches, he admitted he was loving his new life at Bayern Munich.Most read in Football“I’m really enjoying it,” Harry told me with a grin on his face, although he went on to admit his German could still do with a bit of work.“I am learning and doing two lessons a week,” he added. “I have a good teacher at Bayern.Harry Kane scores incredibly rare German hat-trick in Bayern Munich’s 4-0 win over Stuttgart“For me it is difficult but hopefully I will be there for many years and at some stage will be able to talk a bit of German.”But what about coming back to Spurs I plead, given we desperately miss our golden boy.“Maybe one day,” Harry tells me with a somewhat sympathetic smile. Although I suspect, deep down, I may be left wanting.The reception waiters are bringing out posh canapes in great haste but I spy Marcel Desailly waving away cubes of raw cod — which, given they were room temperature, was a wise decision.After I introduced myself, the Chelsea legend gossiped about Real Madrid’s decision to snub the big night after learning star forward Vinicius Junior would not be awarded the top prize.Lamine Yamal with mum Sheila and brother KeyneCredit: RexSpanish footballer Jennifer Hermoso got the first standing ovation of the night as she won the Socrates awardCredit: ReutersEllie hanging out with Marcel Desailly at the bashCredit: SuppliedInsiders at the glitzy bash told me the club’s decision to not send a single delegate caused a big headache and a hurried last-minute switch to the seating plan on the theatre floor.Elsewhere in the bash, Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho was tucked away in a corner of the champagne reception furiously tapping away on his mobile phone as his glamorous female companion stared blankly into space.I am learning and doing two lessons a weekHarry KaneIt wasn’t surprising the striker only had eyes for his iPhone, given just six hours before he arrived his gaffer Erik ten Hag was handed his P45.I chose to not mention the chaos when I started up a conversation but it was clear Garnacho was so deep in the club WhatsApp group gossip that time for a chinwag with me was not on the cards.He sat with schoolboy-like stoicism on the front row next to Harry as the awards began. By this point, more than 500 bottles of Taittinger had been cracked open and the players, Uefa bigwigs and everyone in between were certainly well-oiled.As the players started to take their seats I went down on to the floor and spotted Barcelona’s teenage wonderkid Lamine Yamal — who won the best young player trophy at the ceremony — carrying his toddler brother Keyne around to meet his peers.The tot won hearts when Lamine carried him out on to the pitch after Spain won the Euros this summer and he was the centre of attention at the ceremony.As Keyne was passed from player to player, Lamine looked on proudly as they cooed over him.And later that evening, at just past 11pm, he was among the last to leave as proud Lamine carried the tuxedo-wearing tot down the red-carpeted stars and off to bed. Spanish footballer Jennifer Hermoso got the first standing ovation of the night as she won the Socrates award.Jennifer — the woman at the centre of the storm last July when she was kissed without consent by Fifa’s ex- vice-president Luis Rubiales — was the first woman to be handed the gong and used her time on stage to push for equality.‘Make a better world’She said: “This award is not just mine, but belongs to all my teammates, with whom I share a space where equality is not always a given.“That’s why we all work day by day with the hope and desire to leave women’s football in a better place for the new generations.”She added: “I’d like to tell all women to keep being courageous. Work together in order to make a better world possible.”Two hours in, and the ceremony came to a close with the unveiling of the top award, the Ballon d’Or.Barcelona’s Aitana won the women’s gong for a second year in a row and was handed the accolade by Hollywood actress Natalie Portman.The Black Swan star, who part-owns LA-based football team Angel City FC, told me she was a regular at Paris Saint-Germain games with her teenage son — who worked the theatre floor like a pro and took selfies with everyone from Harry to Rodri.I’d like to tell all women to keep being courageousJennifer HermosoCollecting her prize, Aitana paid tribute to her teammates Caroline Graham Hansen and Salma Paralluelo who were left in second and third place respectively.The pair did not seem too impressed with her sentiments, though, and struggled to raise a smile as Aitana spoke about them.Afterwards, when the Champagne started to flow again, they made a beeline for the dessert table and I stood and watched as they despondently ate miniature cream cakes and poached pears as Aitana swerved the after-party.Man City’s Rodri, who picked up the men’s Ballon d’Or, was helped on stage by former Manchester City player George Weah in the closing segment of the evening.The midfielder is on crutches after undergoing surgery following a nasty injury last month, but refused to pose with his sticks and handed them to a flunky as he stood on stage clutching his prize.“I am feeling much better,” he reassured the crowd. “This is a big injury for me. Football has a lot of risks and this is the first time in my career to have something like this.“I am trying to rest and recuperate and come back stronger.”He was joined by his parents, who were seated towards the back — and when I saw him leaving the theatre, his mother had to fight through a crowd of 20 heavies to reach her boy to give him a kiss.It just goes to show, you are never too old, or too successful, to get a smacker from Mum.Back inside the bash, there was uproar at the decision to shut the bar at 11pm — two hours before the official closing time.READ MORE SUN STORIESWith all the stars gone, though, and the warm, raw cod starting to repeat on the most prestigious of guests, it was best to call it a night.Until next year, Paris.Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati receive the Ballon d’OrCredit: ReutersWaiter and colander full of nibbles after platters ran outCredit: suppliedNatalie Portman, who presented an awardCredit: GettyEllie at the awards in ParisCredit: Supplied More

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      Sporting 3-1 Nacional LIVE RESULT: Viktor Gyokeres fires hosts to victory on Ruben Amorim’s potential farewell

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      SPORTING have beaten Nacional 3-1 to secure their spot in the semi-finals of the Taca de Liga.The win is expected to be Ruben Amorim’s final game in charge of the Portuguese champions before he makes the proposed switch to Manchester United.On Tuesday, Sporting revealed that the Red Devils will pay the 39-year-old’s £8.3million release clause to all-but confirm Amorim as the man to replace Erik ten Hag in the Old Trafford hot seat.United are reportedly keen to have the Portuguese coach in charge for their crunch Premier League clash against Chelsea on Sunday.Match result: Sporting 3-1 NacionalSporting team: Kovacevic, Fresneda, Esgaio, Inácio, Reis, Catamo, Morita, Hjulmand, Araújo, Edwards, HarderNacional team: Franca, Gomes, Ze Vitor, Ulisses, Aurelio, Reis, Dias, Penha, Esteves, Macedo, IsaacFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSFollow our live blog below…That’s all, folks!Sporting are into the semi-finals of the Taça da Liga but it remains to be seen if Amorim will be in charge by the time the next round rolls around.Man Utd are said to be willing to trigger his £8.3m release clause, so we could see him at Old Trafford sooner rather than later.Copy linkCopiedAmorim discusses futureThe Sporting boss was asked about links to Man Utd after the match.He responded saying: “Nothing is decided yet… I don’t know if it’s the farewell game or not.”Copy linkCopiedFT Sporting 3-1 NacionalIf that was Amorim’s Man Utd job interview he passed with flying colours.Sporting offered 22 shots and the boss made astute changes which won his side the game – thought it always helps to have someone of Gyokeres’ quality to bring on.Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedFT Sporting 3-1 NacionalGyokeres was the two-goal heroCredit: EPACopy linkCopiedFull-time Sporting 3-1 NacionalSporting are into the semi-finals!Amorim is a happy man as he shakes hands with his opposite number before quickly heading down the tunnel.Copy linkCopiedSporting 3-1 Nacional90. Gyokeres is named Man of the Match for his second half impact.Copy linkCopiedSporting 3-1 Nacional89. Quenda sparks a move again after winning the ball on the edge of his own box.Sporting win a corner which is easily cleared.Copy linkCopiedSporting 3-1 Nacional87. Hjulmand this time. Quenda is caughing all kinds of problems down the right.A cross is cleared only as far as Hjulmand again but this time he fires wide from outside the box.Copy linkCopiedSporting 3-1 Nacional86. Sporting close to a fourth as a cross flashes across goal before reaching Araujo.The keeper was scrambling but he couldn’t get his shot away.Copy linkCopiedSporting 3-1 Nacional83. Sporting counter quickly from a corner and Harder is played down the left.He creates an opening and flashes the ball just wide of the post. Good effort.Copy linkCopiedSporting 3-1 Nacional81. Substitute Quenda shows pace down the right and works his way into the box before firing his shot straight at a defender.Copy linkCopiedSporting 3-1 Nacional78. Chance missed! The corner is whipped in and Gomes is free at the back post but can only head wide.Copy linkCopiedSporting 3-1 Nacional77. Nacional work the ball really well – their best move of the match – and win a corner as Penha’s shot is blocked.Copy linkCopiedSporting 3-1 Nacional73. Sporting continue to attack as they look to put the game to bed but a move down the left comes to nothing.Copy linkCopiedSporting 3-1 Nacional70. Gyokeres has changed the game.He showed brilliant technique to whip that ball into the corner. It was on the keeper’s side but he was left helpless between the sticks.Copy linkCopiedGoal Sporting! 3-1!70. Trincao wins a free-kick in a dangerous area after his ankles are clipped.Gyokeres lines it up and fires spectacularly into the far corner. Nothing the keeper could do.Copy linkCopiedSporting 2-1 Nacional67. The referee checks for a possible offisde but VAR finds no infringement.Game on!Copy linkCopiedGoal Nacional! Sporting 2-1 Nacional66. That came out of nowhere! Esteves shoots from distance at the ball is delfcted by his own team-mate and into the back of the netCopy linkCopiedGoal! Sporting 2-0 Nacional64. Gyokeres converts! There was never any doubt there as the striker fires straight down the middle.Copy linkCopiedSporting 1-0 Nacional63. Penalty Sporting! Gyokeres is fouled in the area.Copy linkCopiedSporting 1-0 Nacional61. Sporting keeper Kovacevic is forced into a good save low down to his right. Penha’s curling effort looked destined for the bottom corner.Copy linkCopiedSporting 1-0 Nacional56. Sporting try to build on their opener as Harder’s cross is met by Gyokeres.But the former Coventry man was stretching and he couldn’t direct the ball towards goal.Copy linkCopiedSporting 1-0 Nacional53. Morita breaks the lines and is just played onside.His cut back is cleared half-heartedly only as far as Hjulmand who drives the ball into the far corner.Copy linkCopiedGoal! Sporting 1-0 Nacional53. And there’s the breakthrough! Hjulmand finds the bottom corner.Copy linkCopiedSporting 0-0 Nacional52. Nacional break and Isaac makes one of the worst attempts ever at scoring from inside his own half.Copy linkCopied More

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      Man Utd ‘face further chaos and could be forced to wait WEEKS before Ruben Amorim takes charge’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED may have to wait a number of weeks before Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim takes charge as their new manager, reports claim.Sporting all but confirmed United will poach Amorim after announcing the Premier League giants are willing to pay his £8.3m release clause.Manchester United may have to wait ‘a number of weeks’ to sign Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben AmorimCredit: PATalks between Man Utd and Sporting have reportedly hit a snag regarding Amorim’s notice periodCredit: APThe Lisbon giants did not confirm whether they had accepted the Red Devils’ advances in a letter to the Portuguese stock exchange but reports suggested it’s only a matter of time until a deal is finalised.According to The Mail, however, talks have hit a snag regarding the Portuguese tactician’s notice period, which will last several weeks.United are happy to meet the 39-year-old head coach’s clause but are currently negotiating when he can start.Amorim may now not be in the dugout when the Premier League giants host Chelsea on Sunday.Read More on Man UtdIn fact, the Sporting boss may not take charge until Man Utd visit Ipswich on November 24.Interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy will be in charge against Leicester in the Carabao Cup last 16 on Wednesday at Old Trafford.Van Nistelrooy may also be in the dugout for the game with Chelsea, the Europa League encounter at home against PAOK and the Premier League clash with the Foxes on November 10 at Old Trafford.Amorim may not assume his new position until after the international break, meaning club chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe may not get his man for another four weeks.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSSporting issued the following statement: “Manchester United has expressed an interest in hiring coach Ruben Amorim, with the Board of Directors of Sporting SAD referring to the terms and conditions set out in the employment contract in force between the Company and the coach, specifically the respective termination clause and the amount of 10m Euros.”Manchester United has expressed an interest in paying Sporting SAD the amount of the aforementioned clause.”How ‘Mourinho 2.0’ Ruben Amorim can revive Man Utd after being overlooked by Liverpool in summerAmorim broke his silence on the likelihood of taking over at Old Trafford during a press conference on Monday.He said: “I was already expecting this question [about Man Utd] and obviously I’m not going to talk about the future, because otherwise I’ll always have to comment.”I’m very proud to be Sporting coach, that’s all.”United sacked Erik ten Hag after the club’s worst ever start in the Premier League era.Ruben Amorim is ‘Mourinho 2.0’ who turned Sporting from ‘walking dead’ into Portuguese champs… he can revive Man UtdWHEN Ruben Amorim took charge of Sporting Lisbon in March 2020, one club official compared their situation to the “walking dead”, writes Jordan Davies.Optimism and hope was at an all-time low.But the Amorim-effect was almost instantaneous, guiding the Portuguese sleeping giants to their first league title for 19 years in 2020/21, losing just once and only conceding 20 goals.Since then, Sporting have lifted another league title in 2023/24 – as well as two League Cups – and currently sit top with nine wins from nine this term.He may be young, but Amorim already has an eye for rebuilding and revitalising fallen super powers with his infectious charisma and intense tactical philosophy that hardly ever wavers. The “walking dead” at Manchester United must be praying for a similar sort of revival.And they may just get it from one of the most talented young coaches on the continent – a man accustomed to breathing new life back into crumbling institutions such as Old Trafford.Amorim has spent the last decade dreaming of one day gracing England’s Premier League, such was his admiration for an ex-United boss in Jose Mourinho growing up.Often nicknamed ‘Mourinho 2.0’, Amorim spent a week with his coaching idol in an internship capacity at United’s Carrington training base in 2018, going on to cite him as his “reference point”.United should not be expecting a mini-Mourinho, as Amorim said himself: “Mourinho is one of a kind. There won’t be another Mourinho. Mourinho is unique.”And yet, you cannot help but compare the two.For all the mismanagement in the Old Trafford hot seats over the years, this would be a real get – finally a slap in the face United’s Prem rivals have no answer for. More

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      Jose Mourinho jokes that he could become Millwall manager as he says ‘it’s just across the bridge from my house’

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      JOSE MOURINHO has joked he could become the manager of MILLWALL after exclaiming “it’s just across the bridge from my house!”.The Special One has made no secret of his desire to return to English football one day, having managed three clubs in the Premier League.Jose Mourinho has jokingly suggested he could eventually manage MillwallCredit: GettyMourinho enjoyed two spells in London with Chelsea, where he won three Premier League titles.The Portuguese boss then led Manchester United to Europa League glory.And he later returned to the capital for a spell with Tottenham.Mourinho is now in Turkey with Fenerbahce, having also managed Roma since leaving Spurs in 2021.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe is endearing himself to fans in Istanbul, especially with last week’s 1-1 Europa League draw against former side United.But Mourinho jokingly admits he could end up coming back to London as manager of Chelsea and Tottenham’s rivals Millwall, who sit just outside the Championship play-off places.When asked by Sky Sports about whether he’d manage teams fighting relegation in the Premier League, Mourinho answered: “Millwall. Millwall. I just cross the bridge from my house! Millwall.”He continued: “I’m never going to a team fighting relegation. It’s too hard.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“It’s more difficult than playing for titles. It has to be very hard emotionally because it’s something that changes lives.“I think it’s brave guys that do it. I had three clubs in England, four different periods and I love it.Jose Mourinho makes cheeky dig at the referee after being sent off against old club Manchester United“My family lives in London. London is home so one day I have to be back unless no one wants me.“But don’t get me wrong, for the next two years no one will take me from Fenerbahce.” More

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      Premier League cult hero, 38, appointed manager of Ayia Napa FC in shock career move

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      PREMIER LEAGUE cult hero Jason Puncheon has made a shock move into management with second-tier Cypriot side Ayia Napa FC.The former Crystal Palace forward spent the best part of a decade in England’s top flight.Former Premier League star Puncheon has joined the second-tier Cypriot sideCredit: GettyHe scored 24 Premier League goals and came off the bench in the 2016 FA Cup final defeat to Manchester United.Prior to his seven-year spell at Selhurst Park, he had enjoyed stints on loan at Millwall, Blackpool and QPR while with parent club Southampton.And after his time at Palace came to an end, he moved to Cyprus for the final four years of his professional career.Now he has taken to management with second division side Ayia Napa – having previously coached Peyia 2014 and AEZ Zakakiou.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLA club statement read: “Agia Napa Athletic Club announces the start of its partnership with coach Jason Puncheon.”Jason has previously been the coach of the PEGEIA team and also of Sa Zakakiou. The agreement with him is until May 2025.”A member of the technical team will also be Christos Tsapatsoulis, who will be the direct partner of our new technician.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSJason Puncheon enjoyed seven years at Crystal PalaceCredit: Getty Images – Getty”The board of directors wishes both of them every success with our team.”Most read in FootballAyia Napa is a tourist resort on the southern coast of Cyprus and is famed among Brit partygoers for its thriving nightlife.Football icons’ strange hobbies More

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      Inside Ten Hag’s humiliation of Cristiano Ronaldo with dressing room ban so strict youth player had to get his trainers

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO reportedly had to send a youth player to retrieve his trainers after being banned by Erik ten Hag from Manchester United’s dressing room.The Red Devils parted ways with their Dutch manager on Monday after a disastrous start to the new season.Cristiano Ronaldo sent a youngster to get his boots after being banned from Man Utd’s dressing room by Erik ten HagCredit: AFPTen Hag won just four of his 14 games following last term’s shock FA Cup final win.And Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim now looks set to take charge at Old Trafford.Ten Hag’s time at the club saw him clash with several players including Jadon Sancho, who was offloaded to Chelsea over the summer.But his biggest battle came against Ronaldo in 2022.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe pair failed to see eye-to-eye before things came to a head in a major bust-up.Ten Hag banished club legend Ronnie from first-team affairs.And ESPN now claims that even the dressing room was off-limits for the iconic striker.Indeed, he was once barred by staff from entering the area to retrieve a pair of trainers.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAnd Ronaldo reportedly asked a youth player to go inside and get the offending shoes on his behalf.This exile apparently did not go down well with United players, who felt Ten Hag went “too far” with his punishment.Erik Ten Hag SACKED by Man United – here are the SIX candidates to replace himRonaldo left the club soon after when his contract was terminated.It came as he spilled the beans on Ten Hag’s management style in an explosive interview with The Sun columnist Piers Morgan.Last month, Ronaldo once again hit out at the Dutchman over his time in the United hotseat.Ronnie told Rio Ferdinand: “As I told you, Manchester, they need to rebuild everything, in my opinion.“The coach, they say they cannot compete to win the League and Champions League.“(As) Manchester United coach, you cannot say that you’re not going to fight to win the League or Champions League. “You have to be, to mentally say, listen, maybe we don’t have that potential, but I cannot say that. We’re going to try. You have to try.”Ten Hag’s Man Utd signingsThe Dutchman has brought in 21 players since moving to Old Trafford in 20222022-23:Antony, (Ajax) £86mCasemiro, (Real Madrid) £70mLisandro Martinez, (Ajax) £46mTyrell Malacia, (Feyenoord) £13mChristian Eriksen, (Brentford) freeMartin Dubravka, (Newcastle) loanWout Weghorst, (Burnley) loanJack Butland, (Crystal Palace) loanMarcel Sabitzer, (Bayern Munich) loan2023-24:Rasmus Hojlund, (Atalanta) £72mMason Mount, (Chelsea) £60mAndre Onana, (Inter Milan) £47mSofyan Amrabat, (Fiorentina) loanAltay Bayindir, (Fenerbahce) £4.3mJonny Evans, (Leicester) freeSergio Reguilon, (Tottenham) loan2024-25:Leny Yoro, (Lille) £52mManuel Ugarte, (Paris Saint-Germain) £50mMatthijs de Ligt, (Bayern Munich) £45mJoshua Zirkee, (Bologna) £36.5mNoussair Mazraoui, (Bayern Munich) £12.8m More