Soccer

FORMER Newcastle United ace Dwight Gayle was left shocked by Steve Bruce after sensational claims that his former manager told the team: “I don’t do tactics”.Gayle, who played under Bruce for over two years, has suggested that his old gaffer didn’t put enough focus on the tactical side of the game while at St James’ Park.Dwight Gayle has said he was left shocked by something Steve Bruce said during his time as Newcastle managerCredit: X/MagpieMediaXGayle has claimed Bruce said he ‘doesn’t do tactics’ during a 5-0 defeat to Man CityCredit: Getty Images – GettyBruce was in charge of Newcastle from July 2019 to October 2021, ultimately being replaced by Eddie Howe following the club’s Saudi Arabian takeover.Gayle, 35, played 45 times under Bruce during his time on Tyneside, scoring five goals and registering three assists.And the striker, who now plies his trade with Hibernian, has spoken about being left shocked by Bruce’s comments during a 5-0 defeat to Man City in 2020.He told the Open Goal podcast: “I remember like some of the boys got chucked into the Man City shift, basically.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”We had like a three-game week, and I think the gaffer sort of chucked a few of the boys under the bus in terms of who had to play against Man City away. “And me and Matty Ritchie were asking for tactical improvements for weeks or months or whatever.”And then we come in at half-time, and I think we were 2-0 or 3-0 down, and he’s like, ‘Boys, you keep asking for tactics – I don’t do tactics! Just put your boots on and work hard.'”[Against] Man City, that’s not good enough to be like, ‘Just run about!’ I was just in shock, but yeah, that’s what he said.”Most read in FootballGayle played 45 times under Steve BruceCredit: PACASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSGayle also lifted the lid on training sessions under Bruce, telling the podcast that he “didn’t really do much” before the Saudi takeover.He explained: “He didn’t really do much on the training pitch. But then, obviously, when the Saudi owners came in, he stuck his boots on and the whistle and was like, ‘If I’m going, then I’m going to run you into the ground’, or something like that.Alan Shearer is wild with celebration as Newcastle win the Carabao Cup “So, we’re doing some running drills and he’s just running us and he’s blowing his whistle and it’s just, like, making it into a little bit of a joke and stuff. He’s like, ‘They’re over there watching you’.”Adding: “[Training] was okay. I felt that he didn’t perhaps spend enough time on working on a lot of things with us.”I think he was trying to go game by game rather than perhaps develop us as a team. I just felt like we could have improved with a lot of things.”Bruce had had an impressive career as a top manager, taking charge of over 475 Premier League games with five different top flight teams.The retired Manchester United star is now manager of League One outfit Blackpool.The Tangerines are currently 10th in division this season, having won 13, drawn 13 and lost six league games under Bruce this term.SunSport have contacted Blackpool for comment from Steve Bruce.Gayle also discussed how Bruce would help keep spirits high with funny comments in the dressing room and press conferences.He said: “Oh mate, [there were] some classics, we used to die.READ MORE SUN STORIES”He used to say some crackers in the interviews, man. ‘How’s the bacon?’ That was so funny.”We used to just giggle about it. Again, me and Karl Darlow used to just be dying.”Gayle opened up on training under BruceCredit: GettyBruce is now boss at Blackpool in League OneCredit: GettyDwight Gayle is playing for Scottish side HibernianCredit: Alamy More

THOMAS TUCHEL didn’t hold back in his assessment of Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden’s performances during his first game in charge of England.New boss Tuchel got off to a winning start at Wembley, guiding the Three Lions to a 2-0 victory over Albania, but he still felt there was plenty to work on.Thomas Tuchel gave an honest assessment of England’s wingers against AlbaniaCredit: GettyPhil Foden and Marcus Rashford struggled to impact the game from wide positionsCredit: GettyThe German manager put his faith in Marcus Rashford by handing the forward a first England start since November 2023, following his return to form on loan at Aston Villa.While Phil Foden was also given the nod from the off despite struggling for Man City this season and failing to make any tangible impact for England at Euro 2024.Those decisions didn’t pay off, with both Rashford and Foden replaced in the 74th minute by Jarrod Bowen and Anthony Gordon.And Tuchel gave his brutally honest thoughts on why it didn’t work with the pair starting on the wings.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe said: “I think both of our wingers who started [Foden and Rashford] were not as impactful as they normally can be, or as they normally are in club football.”At the moment, I’m not too sure why we struggled to bring the ball to them quicker and to bring the ball in more open positions to them. I need to review the match. “I’m not so sure why it took us so long. I think we lacked a little bit runs off the ball. So it was a bit too much passing and not enough dribbling.”Not enough carrying the ball and driving with the ball. Not aggressive enough towards goal.Most read in FootballPhil Foden was unable to have much of an impact on the gameCredit: RexFoden’s stats vs AlbaniaMarcus Rashford struggled to influence the game tooCredit: GettyRashford’s stats vs AlbaniaCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”They trained very well, they were very decisive in training – that’s why I think they deserved [to start]. They were also very good in the last weeks for their clubs.”We will keep on encouraging them and make sure to create a structure for them that they can show their potential in.”He added: “We hope for more impact in these positions. More dribbling and more aggressive runs towards the box.”In general that was missing. The chances come from the little runs behind the line. They were not as decisive as they can be.”Rashford has managed four assists in nine appearances for Villa since joining on loan from Man Utd in January.While Foden has scored 10 goals and registered six assists in 38 appearances for Man City this term.England ratings vs Albania as Lewis-Skelly enjoys dream debut but Tuchel fails to solve Foden issue By Tom BarclayMYLES LEWIS-SKELLY made history and Harry Kane extended his own record-breaking as England sunk Albania in Thomas Tuchel’s first game.Lewis-Skelly became the youngest player to score on his Three Lions debut and top goal-getter Kane notched his 70th international strike as Tuchel began his World Cup qualifying campaign with a modest 2-0 win.New boy Dan Burn partnered Ezri Konsa in central defence at Wembley, while Marcus Rashford and Curtis Jones were also handed starts.Meanwhile, Tuchel wrestled with the same issue faced by predecessor Sir Gareth Southgate – deciding where to fit in Phil Foden.Left-back Lewis-Skelly, 18, slotted home on 20 minutes following a delightful turn and even better pass from Jude Bellingham.But England stuttered after the break – until skipper Kane classily took down a Declan Rice pass and curved home the clincher.Here’s how SunSport’s Tom Barclay rated the Three Lions in German manager Tuchel’s opening match…Tuchel has strong opinions on what else his team can do to improve going forward.”We weren’t disciplined in the structure”, he said. “We tried a little bit too much alone and out of possession.”It was a fluid game in the opponents’ half but not in the final 20 metres. We need to take more risk with chipped balls behind the line.”I had the feeling there was more frustration in the second half, we couldn’t play in our structure and it became more complicated. We need to play through people and find a better rhythm.”We’ll get better. We’ll understand better and I’ll understand the players better, to find more aggressive movements.”It was debutant Myles Lewis-Skelly who opened the scoring for Tuchel’s reign, becoming England’s youngest ever debut goalscorer at 18 years and 176 days.READ MORE SUN STORIESWhile Harry Kane typically popped up with a goal to seal the deal on a 2-0 victory for the Three Lions.Tuchel will now look ahead to Monday’s clash with Andorra, with Wembley playing host to England’s second World Cup qualifier in the space of four days.Rashford has been in good form since joining VillaFoden is still putting up good numbers at Man CityMyles Lewis-Skelly scored on his debut to ring in the Thomas Tuchel eraCredit: GettyHarry Kane sealed the deal for the Three LionsCredit: AFP More