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      ‘In the bottom of my heart’ – Mauricio Pochettino makes Tottenham return admission with Ange Postecoglou under pressure

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      MAURICIO POCHETTINO is among the bookies’ favourites to replace Ange Postecoglou at Spurs in what would be a hugely emotional return.Sacked by Tottenham in 2019, Pochettino still feels he has unfinished business in North London — and he has a good relationship with owner Daniel Levy despite that axe.Mauricio Pochettino has opened the door to an emotional Spurs returnCredit: GettyTottenham manager Ange Postecoglou is under pressureCredit: Richard Pelham / The SunBut Spurs fans should avoid putting a few quid on the Argentine, 53, as he will not be heading back there anytime soon.Because the one person you would not want to upset in the world right now is Donald Trump.The US President expects Poch to deliver in his new job as manager of the country’s men’s football team.After leaving Chelsea last May, he was appointed as the States’ manager in September and will be in charge for the 2026 World Cup, which the nation is co-hosting.READ MORE IN football And he will hope for better luck next year . . . as the only time Poch played at a World Cup he lost to England in 2002.His seventh game as boss is tomorrow night against Panama in the CONCACAF Nations League semi-finals.Smiling, Pochettino said: “I was listening to a conversation between our President Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino from Fifa.“The President asked, ‘Can we win the World Cup?’ And Gianni said, ‘Yes’. But I was disappointed with this answer. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”He should have said, ‘You need to ask your great coach, Pochettino! He can give a better opinion’.“Pressure is there as we’re a host country. It’s also a country where the mentality is about winning.Ange Postecoglou snaps at journalist over question ahead of Tottenham vs AZ Alkmaar“Now with our President that likes to put pressure on, that is good. So, yes, we are ready to deliver.”Pochettino spent just one season at Chelsea after arriving in 2023.He led them to sixth spot — they were 12th the previous season — before leaving by “mutual consent”.Being diplomatic, Pochettino said: “It was very positive to join a project different to anything we’d done in the past. We learned a lot.“We already knew before we signed it was going to be a big challenge. In the circumstances, we can be proud of how we finished.”At the start, the team had many, many problems and even then were performing well without getting the results that we wanted.”But if you see the table in the last six months, you can see the progression was massive.Despite managing the US team, Poch has not had special treatment so is without a fabled green card — a permanent resident card.In the bottom of my heart I still feel the same. I would like one day to come back.Mauricio Pochettino on Spurs It means he must queue for ages at passport control like all other overseas visitors.Laughing, he said: “Last time in LA, we were waiting 1½ hours in the queue. Maybe one day they will give me the green card.”Yet you get the impression that after the next World Cup, Pochettino could return to club football.So could it be Spurs?He said: “In the bottom of my heart I still feel the same. I would like one day to come back. “Not because of my ego but as I’d like to win with Spurs. We were so close and it was so painful.“We spent nearly 5½ years at Tottenham. We not only played in the Champions League but were a Premier League contender.’I feel empty’“We improved the facilities — the training ground, the stadium. We did not sign a player for 18 months as the focus was on other things.“The problem was this type of journey creates a lot of friction. Also, I made mistakes. “But when you are clever, you learn from mistakes. When a relationship finishes, I feel empty.“I didn’t always manage well and that was part of my responsibility.“Now Tottenham is a club with an expectation to win because if you see the facilities — training ground and stadium — you can see it is about winning trophies.“That is why I would like one day to come back. It’s six years since we left and it’s always going to be a special club for me.”Poch still has a bond with Levy, who got rid of him following a poor start to the 2019-20 campaign.The Argentine added: “It’s true after nearly six years with all that we lived together, it was tough.READ MORE SUN STORIES“It’s difficult in football that that doesn’t affect your relationship.“For us, we split very well. Now, like the day after I left Tottenham, we have a very good relationship.”Poch still has a bond with Spurs chairman Daniel LevyCredit: Getty – Contributor More

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      Man Utd legend’s trendy restaurant shuts suddenly after going bust with eye-watering debts

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      A RESTAURANT owned by former Man United star Ryan Giggs has gone bust.George’s Dining Room and Bar, which shut suddenly last month, was wound up with debts of £563,600.George’s Dining Room and Bar was wound up with debts of £563,600Credit: Jim Clarke – The SunFormer Man United star Ryan Giggs owned the restaurantThe restaurant closed its doors last month, blaming ‘unforeseen circumstances’Credit: SplashThat included £129,357 owed to traders, £75,616 in taxes and £44,095 in bank loans and overdrafts, according to the last set of accounts for the business.Giggs, 51, opened George’s in Worsley, Greater Manchester, with old school pals Kelvin Gregory and Bernie Taylor in 2014.Last month, the restaurant closed its doors, blaming “unforeseen circumstances”.On March 7, the RKB Ventures Ltd company set up by Giggs and his mates to run the business was officially liquidated.READ MORE ON RYAN GIGGSWhen George’s shut, staff were sent text messages telling them bosses “regret to announce that with a heavy heart we have no alternative but to close George’s effective immediately”.The message added: “This is due to the obvious reduction   in trade and business against   the huge increases in costs of operating the business and the ongoing cost of ­living crisis.”A staff member said then: “It came totally out of the blue.”We were all supposed to be working today and then we got the text messages through, we are all stunned.” Most read in FootballFormer Man Utd stars Bryan ­Robson, Nicky Butt and Gary Neville were all at the opening of George’s.At the time Giggs, director of football at Salford City, said of his fellow owners: “We’ve known each other for 30 years and we always said it would be great to do something like this together.Man Utd legend Ryan Giggs talks about his relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson “We’re all local lads and have lived in this area all our lives so we wanted to do something in Worsley and we think we’ve got a really different offering for the area.”Giggs is involved in property development, hospitality and fashion.Last year girlfriend Zara Charles, 36, gave birth to daughter Cora. More

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      Jean-Philippe Mateta wears enormous bandage after horror ear injury so bad doctor wouldn’t show him picture

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      CROCKED Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta wanted to carry on playing despite suffering a gruesome gashed ear in the FA Cup win over Millwall.Lions goalkeeper Liam Roberts was sent off for a horror kung-fu kick to the head which resulted in the Frenchman needing 25 stitches.Jean-Philippe Mateta wanted to carry on playing despite suffering a gruesome gashed earMateta showing off his injured earBut Mateta was unaware of the seriousness of his injury and told Palace’s doctor he wanted to continue before being rushed to hospital.Mateta, 27, declared: “When the keeper kicked me, I was on the floor waiting for him to get the red card.“I was good to go. I thought, ‘just get the blood off and keep going’.“I was arguing with the doctor for 30 seconds, saying I wanted to play. The doctor saw the injury, but I couldn’t see it.READ MORE IN football “I couldn’t feel pain. The blood, for sure. But I thought it was a little cut.“My ear was like this (dangling). But it was not painful. I remember everything, I was not concussed.”Yet, despite Mateta insisting he wanted to carry on – the plastic surgeon who repaired his ear was left totally stunned.Mateta recalled the doc “didn’t know how he would start”, adding: “They showed me, the doc showed me three days after. He didn’t want to show me. But I was like, “show me the picture.Most read in Football”Everything was open, cut here, cut open, behind was worse, cut everywhere. It was crazy.”Mateta insisted his “reflex” head turn away from Roberts’ kick “saved me.”’Endangered his life’ – Crystal Palace owner gives Mateta injury update live on BBC and slams ‘reckless’ Millwall starRef Michael Oliver sent off the keeper – but only after a VAR intervention.Roberts – who suffered online abuse – has since been handed an extended six-match ban.Mateta underwent a successful operation in Paris last month to save his left ear.And, wearing a huge white bandage on the side of his head, he told Sky Sports: “Liam texted me while I was in hospital and I told him, ‘it is OK, it is football.’ He apologised. He was worried.“I don’t think he woke up and thought: ‘I want to cut the head of JP.’ There is a lot of pressure. “He wanted to do good, too much emotion makes you do crazy things. It was just a mistake. You learn from it.”Mateta, who has scored 15 goals in 33 appearances for Palace this season, has set his sights on an FA Cup quarter-final return against Fulham on March 29.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe added: “I will need to wear a mask, the best one, but, hopefully, I can play.“I feel great and can’t wait to come back. But the doc is the boss. He will decide.”Liam Roberts was sent off for a horror kung-fu kickCredit: GettyMateta underwent a successful operation in ParisCredit: GettyMateta remarkably wanted to carry on playingCredit: PA More

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      ‘He’d kick his granny if he needed to’ – Man who kickstarted Dan Burn’s career reveals what England star’s really like

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      WEMBLEY winner Gary Johnson has seen both sides of Dan Burn’s “passionate and aggressive” personality.Johnson kickstarted the Newcastle defender’s career when taking him on loan at Yeovil from Fulham in 2012.Gary Johnson has managed Dan Burn beforeCredit: GettyBurn played for Yeovil on loanCredit: PABurn helped fire the Glovers into the Championship for the first time in their history — notably scoring a header against Brentford in the League One play-off final.But just three months later, Johnson and Burn were squaring up to each other when he was playing for Birmingham in a Carabao Cup tie.Johnson, 69, now sporting director at Cheltenham, said: “Dan is unbelievably competitive, he would kick his granny if he needed to.”He was a main player for us because, at 6ft 7in, we’d set-up free-kicks and long throws for him.READ MORE IN football “He was quick for someone that tall, had a great left foot and could play anywhere down the left side which is what England has seen in him.“It was a great loan for everybody and it put him on the map.“Dan was a great lad but I remember after he left us it was World War 3 when we played against him and Birmingham.“Burn was in my face when Byron Webster scored a goal for us after Birmingham had put the ball out of play after an injury and expected us to give it back to them.Most read in SportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“I decided at first that we shouldn’t give it back and there was this kid, whose career I had helped, going nose to nose screaming at me.“That was the only lack of respect I saw from him — but I understood why he did it.”Thomas Tuchel shares hug with Dan Burn and Lewis-Skelly as England stars arrive at St George’s Park for double-headerJohnson has long forgotten that spat and has nothing but admiration for the Blyth boy, 32, who ended 70 years of hurt for Newcastle at Wembley on Sunday.Days after being called up by England Burn, was in dreamland heading the opener against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.Johnson said: “Not long after watching the final I got a text from Fulham’s academy keeping coach Vic Bettinelli saying: ‘You were the making of Big Dan Burn’.“That was kind of Vic but it was strange seeing Burn score with his head — and it was in the same goal. Our one was a bit closer but it put us 2-0 up just before half-time and it helped give us Championship football.“It brought back some fantastic memories. I am proud that me and the Yeovil supporters saw the early success of a young Dan Burn.”Burn has been called up by England for the first timeCredit: Rex More

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      ‘Reminded me of Gerrard at Liverpool’ – Cole Palmer told he needs to LEAVE Chelsea and has outgrown the club already

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      JAMIE CARRAGHER and Paul Scholes have urged Cole Palmer to leave Chelsea.The pundits were appearing on The Overlap Fan Debate, where they agreed that Palmer, 22, has outgrown the Blues.Cole Palmer has been urged to leave Chelsea after outgrowing the clubCredit: GettyCarragher also compared Palmer’s struggles to Steven Gerrard’s early years at Liverpool, when the Reds couldn’t match their talisman’s ambitions.Carragher said: “He played two great passes early on [against Brighton], but as the game went on, you could see his frustration.”It reminded me of Stevie at Liverpool because he was so much better than everyone else.”Palmer, who has a contract at Stamford Bridge until 2033, has scored 39 goals and registered 21 assists in 78 appearances for the West London giants.Read more football newsHowever, there are concerns about Chelsea’s lack of competitive edge following a poor display against rivals Arsenal over the weekend.Citing his long-term deal, Carragher added: “If he should be playing for a team looking to win the Champions League, how does he get out?”Meanwhile, Man Utd legend Paul Scholes was in full agreement with Carragher over Palmer’s plight.He agreed the attacking midfielder needs a bigger challenge.Most read in FootballScholes said: “It’s almost been too easy for him at Chelsea.Cole Palmer branded ‘gift that keeps on giving’ after Chelsea star reveals his meal deal sandwich “He knows he’ll play every week and be the best player. I don’t get the impression they are desperate to win anything.”Palmer missed the game at the weekend against Arsenal with an injury.His manager Enzo Maresca said: “He needs a scan, it is planned for Monday morning. It’s a muscle problem.”Probably in Cole’s case it will give him some rest physically and mentally. It could be good.”Palmer was unable to link up up with the England squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia. More

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      ‘Are you still upset with me’ – Thomas Tuchel’s awkward call to England star he snubbed before dramatic U-turn

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      THOMAS TUCHEL asked Morgan Gibbs-White whether he still had the hump after an initial England snub.The in-form Nottingham Forest midfielder was not included in Tuchel’s initial squad last Friday but was drafted in on Sunday due to fitness concerns over Chelsea’s Cole Palmer.Thomas Tuchel asked Morgan Gibbs-White if he wanted to be part of the squad after his initial snubCredit: GettyGibbs-White was added to the squad to replace Cole PalmerCredit: PAGibbs-White could feature in Tuchel’s first game versus Albania on FridayCredit: GettyGibbs-White said: “It was about 4 or 5 o’clock on Sunday. The manager, Thomas, sent me a message to say ‘are you free to talk?’ And I replied within seconds ‘yeah’.“He phoned me up and said ‘are you still upset with me, or do you want to come and join us and fancy training tomorrow?’“I said ‘I’d obviously love to come and join and train with the boys’, so, yes, I found out Sunday late afternoon-ish and I was just smiling from ear to ear.”Asked about his initial disappointment at not being in the squad, Gibbs-White told BBC Radio 5Live: “Obviously I was upset. Yes, a little bit disappointed. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”But at the same time, you also have to look at the quality of players that England have at the minute, so obviously I took that into consideration.“But when he told me, I respected his decision. The standard of players is top level.“I said to him ‘I feel like I’ve done enough to get the call up, considering the form level that I am in, but obviously you’re the manager, you make the decisions, and I respect that totally’.”Incredibly, it was a year ago yesterday when Nottingham Forest were deducted four points by the Premier League for breaking profit and sustainability rules.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSThey still escaped relegation but now, are flying high in third spot.Gibbs-White said: “It’s been a remarkable year, yes. Just to see where we’ve come from, from this time last year is incredible. I think the Forest fans deserve that the most.Thomas Tuchel names his first England squad for upcoming match with Albania “Obviously, getting back into the Premier League was one thing, and then scrambling away from relegation for the two years that we were in the Prem obviously wasn’t nice. It wasn’t good, it wasn’t enjoyable.“But now, obviously, we’ve given the fans something to sing about, to cheer about”. More

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      Thomas Tuchel promotes three players into England first-team training as Cole Palmer remains at Chelsea after injury

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      THOMAS TUCHEL has promoted three players into England first team training.Liam Delap, Adam Wharton, and Taylor Harwood-Bellis linked up with the senior squad for this afternoon’s session at St George’s Park.Thomas Tuchel has promoted three U21 stars to his senior England squadCredit: PACole Palmer is struggling with an injury and is staying at Chelsea to be assessedCredit: GettyThe trio featured after Cole Palmer was forced out of Tuchel’s first England squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia through injury.A statement on the England website confirmed: “Cole Palmer remains with Chelsea for further assessment on an injury sustained in training ahead of his club’s fixture at Arsenal last Sunday.”Over the weekend, the German tactician added Morgan Gibbs-White to his squad after news of Palmer’s fitness.Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca said on Palmer’s complaint: “He needs a scan, it is planned for Monday morning. It’s a muscle problem.Read more football news “Probably in Cole’s case it will give him some rest physically and mentally. It could be good.”Today’s session gave U21 stars Delap, Wharton, and Harwood-Bellis the opportunity to impress Tuchel.Delap has particularly impressed for strugglers Ipswich Town, following his summer switch from Man City.The striker has scored 10 Premier League goals in 28 outings for the Tractor Boys.Most read in FootballWharton has rediscovered form, after an indifferent, injury-hit start to the season with Crystal Palace.The midfielder has already appeared once for his country – as a sub during a 3–0 win against Bosnia and Herzegovina last summer, and was recently linked with Real Madrid.Thomas Tuchel names his first England squad for upcoming match with Albania While Harwood-Bellis has been one of the bright sparks in Southampton’s dismal Premier League campaign.Like Wharton, the centre back has appeared for the Three Lions before.Back in November, he made his debut against Ireland – scoring in a 5-0 rout. More

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      ‘Trent’s replacement sorted’ – Fans convinced Frimpong will join Liverpool after spotting his Holland camp antics

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      FANS are convinced Jeremie Frimpong is on his way to Liverpool after he hilariously attempted a Scouse accent.The Bayer Leverkusen right-back has been linked with replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold at Anfield amid interest from Real Madrid.Jeremie Frimpong did his best Scouse accent for Ryan GravenberchCredit: @OnsOranjeFrimpong was also all smiles with Virgil van DijkCredit: @OnsOranjeLiverpool fans reckon he could replace Trent Alexander-Arnold at AnfieldCredit: GettyDutchman Frimpong linked up with the rest of his international team-mates earlier today ahead of the Nations League quarter-final against Spain.And the 24-year-old seemed on particularly good terms with the Liverpool contingent in the Holland squad.Frimpong beamed at Ryan Gravenberch, greeting him by doing his best Scouse accent.He got the accent spot on while saying: “You alright la?”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFrimpong and Gravenberch then burst into laughter and gave each other a huge hug.Virgil van Dijk was seen giggling and he was then welcomed with a shout of “my G”.It made fans convinced that Frimpong is on his way to Liverpool, with one saying: “That’s Trent’s replacement sorted.”Another reacted: “If he ends up at Liverpool this summer, the announcement video is sorted.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSWith four goals and 11 assists for Leverkusen this term, Frimpong could step into Alexander-Arnold’s shoes.Real Madrid are set to swoop for the England star this summer after seeing a £20mllion bid rejected in January.’He’s going to Tranmere after this’ – Roy Keane rips into Trent Alexander-Arnold after ‘school boy’ defending vs Man UtdAlexander-Arnold’s contract expires at the end of the season and there is no sign he will agree to an extension. Despite him being set to leave on a free, SunSport exclusively revealed that Liverpool could still receive a fee as Real Madrid are keen to get the deal done in time for the new Club World Cup.The tournament in the US starts on June 15 and his contract does not end until June 30. More