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    Sir Gareth Southgate fears boys are watching too much porn instead of ‘expressing their emotions’

    SIR GARETH SOUTHGATE fears boys are falling into unhealthy habits because they lack role models.The former England manager spoke about the troubles affecting boys, including isolation and a fear of failing.Gareth Southgate fears young boys are falling into unhealthy habitsCredit: TikTok/oliviadangerculpoHe believes many are turning to dangerous influencers due to an absence of effective role models.Southgate, 54, wants to encourage boys to try and fail as he feels overcoming a difficult experience is integral to growth.Currently, he feels too many find themselves in positions where they face adversity alone, and pick up bad habits after turning to alternative sources of influence.He said in a lecture for the BBC: “These are callous, manipulative and toxic influencers, whose sole drive is for their own gain.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”They willingly trick young men into believing that success is measured by money or dominance, that strength means never showing emotion, and that the world, including women, is against them.”Too many young men are isolated. Too many feel uncomfortable opening up to friends or family. “Many don’t have mentors – teachers, coaches, bosses – who understand how best to push them to grow. And so, when they struggle, young men inevitably try to handle whatever situation they find themselves in, alone.”Young men end up withdrawing, reluctant to talk or express their emotions.Most read in Football”They spend more time online searching for direction and are falling into unhealthy alternatives like gaming, gambling and pornography.”Southgate wants young boys to face challenges in adolescence so that they have experience in overcoming difficult situations for when they inevitably face tough moments in adulthood.From Gareth Southgate receiving a knighthood to Keely Hodgkinson’s MBE, all the stars who got gongs in New Year honoursHe continued: “In my opinion, if we make life too easy for young boys now, we will inevitably make life harder when they grow up to be young men.”Too many young men are at risk of fearing failure, precisely because they’ve had so few opportunities to experience and overcome it. They fail to try, rather than try and fail.””If I’ve learned anything from my life in football, it’s that success is much more than the final score.”True success is how you respond in the hardest moments.” More

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    Man Utd confirm where club will play matches during £2billion new stadium build as they release statement

    MANCHESTER UNITED have confirmed where they will play matches while their new £2billion stadium is being built.The Red Devils have unveiled plans to create an incredible 100,000-seater arena dubbed the “Wembley of the North.”Man Utd have revealed where they will play while their new stadium is builtCredit: AFPThe Red Devils are looking to create a 100,000-seater arenaCredit: PAThe incredible project will cost £2billionCredit: PAIt will reinvigorate the local areaCredit: PAThe new stadium would be the biggest in the country.And its unique design has already made it a talking point for fans around the world.Sir Jim Ratcliffe hopes a new home will help return United to the top of English football.While the local area will also experience a regeneration project, creating hundreds of new jobs in the process.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLUnited’s new stadium will be built close to where their current home of Old Trafford is situated.The famous arena will eventually be knocked down as part of the construction plans.But it’s led to concerns from fans that the Theatre of Dreams may be vacated sooner than expected, with a temporary home possibly needed.However, United have now confirmed that they will continue to play at Old Trafford while their new stadium is being built.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordArchitects revealed that although the two sites are near each other, there is enough room that Old Trafford will not be affected by any building work.And it means United fans can continue to enjoy their famous old ground for a few years longer.Sir Jim Ratcliffe explains his plans for the new Man Utd Stadium United will continue playing at Old Trafford as the new stadium is builtCredit: ReutersArchitects have revealed what will happen to the Trinity StatueCredit: PAThe future of the Munich Clock has also been revealedCredit: AlamyPatrick Campbell, an architect at Foster + Partners, told United’s official site: “The idea is to make sure that Manchester United can continue to play in Old Trafford throughout this whole process.“So we’re locating the new stadium broadly in the middle of the Bridgewater Canal and the railway line, just to the west of the existing stadium.Campbell also opened up on where key landmarks may move.On the Munich Clock, he said: “It’s so important and non-negotiable. That has to play such an important part in the design of how all this comes forward.”On the Trinity Statue, Campbell noted: “That’s 450 metres of tree-lined, activated — museums, shops, bars, hotels, entertainment — route, which links to the route coming from the cricket ground and Wharfside.“So that’s maybe where we put the Trinity Statue, so that just as today, it faces towards and honours the stadium.”Campbell also revealed Old Trafford’s pitch could be retained as a monument.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe added: “How does the existing stadium form part of the new chapter?“What elements of that — is it the penalty spot, the halfway line, how can that manifest itself along the processional route?” More

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    Championship side send 4,000 tickets to WRONG CLUB in major blunder as non-league outfit post cheeky ‘thank you’ message

    SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY have been left red-faced after mistakenly sending 4,000 tickets to the WRONG CLUB.Oxford United travel to Hillsborough on April 12 for a bumper clash in their quest to secure Championship survival.Sheffield Wednesday accidentally sent thousands of tickets to the wrong clubCredit: GettyA huge following is expected to follow Gary Rowett’s men into South Yorkshire with the U’s requesting an allocation of 4,000.But instead of sending them to the Kassam Stadium to be sold, the Owls incorrectly sent them to Oxford City – United’s non-league neighbours from four divisions below.The embarrassing gaffe was revealed by the National League South side on social media as they posted a photo of their surprise delivery at the MGroup Stadium.That was accompanied with a caption saying: “A big thank you to Sheffield Wednesday for the delivery of 4,000 tickets for your game vs Oxford United.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLA wink face emoji for the “intern at the Hillsborough ticket office” followed along with the message: “Don’t worry, we’ve all been there!”It finished with a “don’t panic” message and a promise to deliver the tickets to the Kassam “after lunch”.However, it seems their rivals “mustn’t have trusted” them as they headed straight round to collect them.Andy Gate, Oxford City’s press officer, said: “We do get calls now and then for people who want to get tickets to Oxford United and get the wrong number, and usually I’m quickly googling the Oxford United website to give them the number for the ticket office there. But we’ve had nothing like this, not at all.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“With the risk of sounding like Mick from Gavin and Stacey, it’s not the thing you expect when you come to work in the morning is it?”Sheffield Wednesday next face Cardiff City next Saturday, while Oxford United face Middlesbrough.’Arrogant’ Sheffield Wednesday chairman Dejphon Chansiri slammed for shoving young fan who filmed him while singing song More

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    ‘This is a joke’ – Danny Drinkwater reveals moment he was told he had ONE HOUR to leave Chelsea

    DANNY DRINKWATER has revealed he was given just ONE HOUR to leave Chelsea.The former Blues midfielder has lifted the lid on his brutal Stamford Bridge exile, which came just a year after his shock £45million switch from Leicester.Danny Drinkwater has revealed he was give just one hour to leave ChelseaCredit: https://x.com/FIVEUKHe stunned Rio Ferdinand with the tale about his brutal axeCredit: https://x.com/FIVEUKDrinkwater was signed by Chelsea in 2017 following their title-winning campaign under Antonio Conte.But a lack of form and several injuries saw him make just 12 Premier League appearances.And when Maurizio Sarri took charge in 2018, Drinkwater began to fear the worst.The Blues already had himself, Cesc Fabregas, N’Golo Kante and Ross Barkley on the books after Tiemoue Bakayoko was loaned out to AC Milan.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLA young Ruben Loftus-Cheek was making waves in the academy too.But Sarri’s arrival saw TWO more midfielders join, with Jorginho signing from Napoli and Mateo Kovacic coming from Real Madrid.It saw club captain Cesar Azpilicueta initially warn Drinkwater that he may have to start searching for a new side.The three-time England international told Rio Ferdinand’s podcast: “Looking back actually, I remember Azpi tried giving me the heads up about this when I was in that second season.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Chelsea Files every Tuesday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Stamford Bridge”So I was in there with Cesc on that Sarri first pre-season, so it would’ve been me and Cesc I think, Kova might have been there, and they were trying to bring Jorginho in.”N’Golo was obviously there wasn’t he? So N’Golo, Cesc and me, I can’t remember if Kovacic was there at the time.’Reminded me of Gerrard at Liverpool’ – Cole Palmer told he needs to LEAVE Chelsea and has outgrown the club alreadyMaurizio Sarri wanted to send Drinkwater to ItalyCredit: GettyThe midfielder stayed put but failed to make another appearance for ChelseaCredit: Getty“But then Azpi’s like, ‘Drinks, if they bring Jorgi in, which they’re going to, they want to, you need to think about what you want to do here.'”Despite the warning, Drinkwater ended up staying put at Stamford Bridge throughout the summer.He even came off the bench in the 2-0 Community Shield defeat to Man City, suggesting he still had a future at Chelsea.But on transfer deadline day, Drinkwater received the “joke” message he’d been fearing for several months.The midfielder was summoned to Sarri’s office after training, where he was told he was not in the club’s first-team plans.Sarri told Drinkwater that several teams wanted to sign him on loan, including one Italian side.But Drinkwater, father to a young baby at the time, dismissed any exit talk with just ONE HOUR left in the window and insisted he’d take his chances as a fringe player.He continued: “So Sarri’s English, again, when he came, wasn’t the best… That first window after that summer, it was like the last day of the window. Danny Drinkwater’s football careerMan Utd, 2008-2012: 0 games, 0 goalsHuddersfield (loan), 2009-2010: 37 games, 2 goalsCardiff (loan), 2010: 12 games, 0 goalsWatford (loan), 2011: 12 games, 0 goalsBarnsley (loan), 2011: 18 games, 1 goalLeicester, 2012-2017: 218 games, 14 goalsChelsea, 2017-2022: 23 games, 1 goalBurnley (loan), 2019: 2 games, 0 goalsAston Villa (loan), 2020: 4 games, 0 goalsKasimpasa (loan), 2020-2021: 11 games, 0 goalsReading (loan), 2021-2022: 34 games, 1 goalEngland, 2016: 3 games, 0 goalsTrophiesLeicester: Premier League, ChampionshipChelsea: FA Cup”My son was a year old here as well, so I’ve got stuff off the pitch that I’m focusing on as well.”Zola came and saw me, and said, ‘Drinks, the gaffer would like to see you.’ So I was like, ‘Yeah, buzzing, sweet.’ Didn’t expect anything from it.”I came up and he’s like, ‘I think you should go on loan.’ So I was like, ‘What? What time is it?’ I was like saying, ‘I’ve got an hour to get a club, what do you mean?'”And he’s like, ‘No no, loads of like… I’ve got a Serie A team, loads of teams asking about you.’ [I’m] like, ‘Nah nah, I ain’t going out of England, are you mad?'”Just had a baby, I’m a footballer but I’m a dad, I ain’t going anywhere. And he’s like, ‘Well, you might get frustrated.’ I was like, ‘Well, I’m going to get frustrated aren’t I? This is a joke.'”Drinkwater’s decision to stay at Chelsea saw him fail to add to his Communiy Shield cameo for the entirety of the 2018/19 campaign.The Premier League title winner eventually saw his career fade out with unsuccessful loans at Burnley, Aston Villa, Turkish side Kasimpasa and Reading.Drinkwater then retired from football aged 33 in 2023 after failing to find a new side.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe’s since lost £782,000 after going into the restaurant business.And last summer Drinkwater shared a photo of himself “grafting” on a building site. More

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    Family of international burglars facing jail for raiding Newcastle United ace Alexander Isak’s home

    A FAMILY of international burglars is facing jail for raiding footballer Alexander Isak’s home. Three previously admitted conspiracy to commit burglary while Valentino Nikolov, 32, was found guilty yesterday. The gang made off with £68,000 of jewellery and up to £10,000 cash from Newcastle star Alexander Isak’s Northumberland home last AprilCredit: MatchDay Images LimitedValentino Nikolov and Charlie Jovanvic both face jail over the raidThe gang drove from Italy to target homes in the North East — stealing more than £1million of items from two houses. They then made off with £68,000 of jewellery and up to £10,000 cash from Newcastle star Isak’s Northumberland home last April. Valentino and brother Giacomo, 28, their sister Jela Jovanovic, 43, and her son Charlie, 23, were traced and arrested. Judge Robert Spragg said jail “is inevitable” when they are sentenced at Newcastle crown court. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSDetective Constable Mark Armstrong, of the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit, added: “This is a fantastic result.” “Burglaries are an insidious crime and cause a great amount of emotional and financial trauma to victims.” Prosecutor Daniel Cordey said: “It is the prosecution case that they all travelled to the North East together as part of that conspiracy or agreement to commit high value targeted burglaries of residential properties. “The burglary was discovered when Mr Isak returned just after 10pm. He found his bins had been moved and entry had been gained by smashing a glass door leading from the back of the property to the TV room. Most read in Football”Inside an untidy search had taken place and cash to the value of between £5,000 and £10,000 had been stolen together with jewellery valued at about £68,000.” Giacomo Nikolov and sister Jela Jovanovic both played a part in the raidNewcastle’s Alexander Isak talks to Alan Shearer about Champions League desires More

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    Inside Tuchel’s plan to win World Cup from high-fives and NFL tactics to calling players at 10pm and telling them off

    THOMAS TUCHEL’S plan to win the World Cup has been revealed — and it is more about high fives than back fives.The new England boss has told his players he does not have time to introduce any visionary new tactics — but wants his team to become a ‘brotherhood’.Thomas Tuchel’s plans to win the World Cup have been revealedCredit: GettyTuchel wants his team to become a ‘brotherhood’Credit: GettyAnd the German believes body language is key, claiming that NBA outfits who perform the most high-fives with team-mates are more likely to win.Newcastle defender Dan Burn, who has the 6ft 7in frame of a basketball player himself, is in Tuchel’s squad as much for his strong character as his playing ability.And while Burn insists ‘I’m not just here to be a cheerleader’, he clearly buys into Tuchel’s philosophy that team bonding will play a major role at next year’s  tournament in USA, Canada and Mexico.Burn, 32, said: “The manager had a meeting on Monday night, saying that we have only got 24 training days until the World Cup, so it is not a lot at all.Read more football news“It is not going to be that he can really implement a strong way he wants us to play, which can take time, it is more about how we interact with each other and push each other. Not being afraid to speak up if something is not right.“Especially when I was younger, I would struggle with that because you didn’t want to ruffle any feathers.“But I think that is how you learn best about each other — if something is not right or you feel you could push more, I feel that is how we are going to have to be if we want to achieve that ultimate aim of winning the World Cup.”BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSAsked if he would be happy, as an international rookie, to have a go at Jude Bellingham or Harry Kane, Burn replied: “Absolutely. I’ve  no problem with that!”Most read in FootballTuchel has been asking previous tournament winners from other nations for insights on what makes a successful team, as well as studying  sports such as basketball.And Burn said: “There was more talk about ‘brotherhood’ in that initial meeting. It was more about mentality and how he wanted us to act around each other.Thomas Tuchel names his first England squad for upcoming match with Albania “He said he’d spoken to players from previous tournaments and from other countries about what the difference was between where they went out in early rounds and what happened when they won it.“And a lot of it was about interactions. The best teams historically in the NBA are normally the teams high-fiving each other, picking each other up and having a lot of those interactions.“We do a lot of that at Newcastle and speak about it, knowing those things keep people switched on and keep motivation levels high.“Working under people like Graham Potter and Eddie Howe, they say a lot of the time in meetings, people don’t want to speak up because they find it a bit embarrassing.“But I love the NFL and I feel like they’re really good at that. If they feel something going to help the group, they’ll just get up and say that — and I feel that’s something English football could probably  learn from.“I feel we’ll learn most about each other and you get close to each other as a team. When you do that, you take a risk and stand up in front of people and speak and be a bit vulnerable.”Burn has enjoyed a dream week, scoring the opener in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final victory over Liverpool, just two days after receiving his first England call-up from Tuchel.And the bruising defender admits he has to apologise to a few new team-mates, saying: “I absolutely smashed Jarrod Bowen when we were at West Ham and straight away, I went to apologise. I think it was a bit of red mist.”Burn confesses to having played his entire career with a ‘chip on my shoulder, wanting to prove people wrong’ after a career of ups and downs.Dan Burn spoke about Tuchel referencing NFL and NBA teams and their mentalityCredit: RexAnd he knows his ungainly frame can make him the target for excessive criticism.When Tuchel announced his squad last Friday he quipped that ‘despite being 6ft 7in, Burn was easy to overlook’.Burn said: “That made me laugh a little bit but it’s probably the story of my career. Visually, on the pitch, if I do make a mistake, I feel it is probably magnified just by how it looks. I was actually surprised how tall the gaffer is!”Tuchel is 6ft 4in and he made Burn feel ten feet tall when they spoke on FaceTime twice last week.Burn said: “It started off with the  manager FaceTiming me on Tuesday, saying they were debating calling me up and he’d let us know by Thursday.“Then it got to six o’clock on Thursday night and I’d not heard anything, so I said to my wife ‘nothing’s going to happen’. Then I got a text saying ‘are you still awake?’ at 10pm.“He FaceTimed, told us the good news and said I was very unprofessional for not being in bed by 10 o’clock!England’s stars enjoy a training session on Tuesday under Tuchel’s gazeCredit: GettyTuchel has 24 training days with his squad before the World CupCredit: Rex“He said he wanted me in the squad and just to use what he felt my strengths were.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I thought I could offer just as much off the pitch as on it. I feel I’m a leader on and off the pitch.“I know it’s going to be tough coming here with all these international players but that’s how I feel I can best help the team.” More

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    ‘Everyone was very impressed’ – Dan Burn reveals Thomas Tuchel’s rallying cry for England to win World Cup

    DAN BURN is determined to win England’s first trophy since 1966 – just like he ended Newcastle’s long wait for silverware.The 6ft 7in Toon defender earned his first international call-up two days after heading the opener in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final victory over Liverpool.Dan Burn has praised Thomas Tuchel after his maiden England call-upCredit: RexThomas Tuchel has told his player to ‘put a second star on the shirt’Credit: GettyIt was the Toon’s first domestic trophy in 70 years.  And now he wants to be part of England’s first World Cup success since 1966 – after revealing that new boss Thomas Tuchel has urged his players to ‘put a second star on the shirt’.Burn, 32, said: “I see a lot of similarities between Newcastle and England in that respect so it would be amazing for everyone associated with the whole country.“We’ve got a long way to go but I’d say from speaking to the manager, I’ve got confidence that everything possible will be done to finally bring the trophy home.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLEngland kick off their World Cup qualifying campaign against Albania at Wembley on Friday night.And as Tuchel assembled his squad for the first time at St George’s Park on Monday, he left them in no doubt that his ambition is to win the tournament in the United States next year.  Burn said: “He told us that the goal is to put another star on the jersey and, speaking to the lads afterwards, everyone was very impressed with how he came across, with his vision of what he wanted to do.“You could just see that people were tuned in and really want to buy into that.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS“Personally, I just want to make as much of a big impression as I can and then try and make the next camp.“Every little kid’s dream is to play in a World Cup or even just to play for your country so to know I have got that opportunity if I take it is special.”How Newcastle outsmarted Liverpool with Dan Burn and Alexander Isak’s genius tricks More

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    Fans convinced they know what Virgil van Dijk said to Newcastle hero Alexander Isak after Carabao Cup final

    LIVERPOOL fans believe they know what Virgil van Dijk said to Alexander Isak after the final whistle of the Carabao Cup final.When the whistle blew, Van Dijk was spotted congratulating several Newcastle players on the Wembley pitch following their 2-1 win.Virgil van Dijk and Alexander Isak embrace after the Carabao Cup finalFan are speculating van Dijk told Isak to join the RedsHowever, cameras soon panned to the Dutch defender embracing goal hero Isak.As the players came together, the Reds captain was seen whispering in the Sweden star’s ear.Now, Liverpool fans are speculating on social media what they think Van Dijk said to Isak.One wrote on X: “See you in pre season.”Read more football newsA second shared: “See you in the summer.”A third posted: “That was definitely Alex saying to Virg “see you next season.” Im so happy i could cry.”While a fourth added: “Virg telling Isak he’s Liverpool’s number 9 next season.”Isak was in inspired form for the Toon in their famous win over the Reds in the final.Most read in FootballCarabao Cup final ratingsNEWCASTLE ended their 70-year trophy drought in style by beating Premier League champions-elect Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.The 2-1 scoreline flattered the Reds in truth, with Eddie Howe’s Toon having produced a sensational performance to flatten runaway league leaders.Local lad Dan Burn, fresh off his first England call-up, rose highest to head his boyhood club into the lead on the stroke of half-time.Alexander Isak then deservedly doubled Newcastle’s lead shortly after the break.The Toon could have further increased their advantage, only for forgotten man Federico Chiesa to hand Liverpool a late lifeline on 94 minutes.But that goal was unable to spur a further comeback as Newcastle saw out the remaining added time.Here’s how SunSport’s Lloyd Canfield rated the Liverpool players and Gary Stonehouse rated the Newcastle players.BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSHis instinctive strike, Newcastle’s second goal of the game, proved to be the winner.The 25-year-old has scored 23 goals in 33 games this season, which has seen him linked with a move away from the club.Newcastle’s Alexander Isak talks to Alan Shearer about Champions League desires Arsenal are said to be interested in bidding for the Sweden international – who could cost over £100million.While transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Liverpool have made contact with people close to Isak, as they attempt to bring him to Anfield.Ahead of the cup final, Isak was asked about his future.He said: “This club can achieve great things.”I think we should really look at it one season at a time and this season we can achieve winning a trophy which would be amazing for everyone.”About my future, it’s nothing really I think about. I’ve said many times during a season – just focus on the job – and now is probably the worst time to think about anything else, so all of our focus is just on Sunday and doing good and hopefully bringing the trophy back to Newcastle.”READ MORE SUN STORIESWhen he was quizzed about signing a new contract, Isak added: “I’ve said I’m not really thinking about the summer, but yes, that’ll probably be a talking point once the season is finished.”We will really see because no talks have been held yet.”Isak scored Newcastle’s winner in the Carabao Cup final win over LiverpoolCredit: Rex More