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      Ally McCoist on heartbreaking moment live on air when he got call to tell him Rangers legend Walter Smith had died

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      ALLY McCOIST has told of his heartache at the passing of Scotland and Rangers legend Walter Smith.McCoist, 62, worked with Smith during stints with the national side and a return to their beloved Ibrox.McCoist played under the legendary manager at RangersCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdHe later joined his coaching team at IbroxCredit: ReutersThe much-loved Smith died after a battle with cancer in 2021 leaving his family and friends devastated.TV host McCoist has revealed how he received the news his former mentor had passed away aged 73.Detailing the moment in his new book, Dear Scotland: On the road with the Tartan Army, he said moments of football joy had turned to worry after Smith confided his illness with him.He said: “That joy turned to deep concern when some years later, Walter sat me down for a chat and told me he had cancer.“As usual, he was worried about the people he was telling, remaining upbeat and keeping that sense of humour, and as the months passed – with the operation seemingly a success – we hoped that he had rid himself of it.“But the cancer came back, and in the autumn of 2021, we received the news that he had died.”McCoist told how a phone call from Smith’s son Steven had broken the dreaded news of his friend’s passing.He said: “I was working at TALKSPORT, doing the breakfast show, when I saw I had a missed call from Steven, Walter’s son. I knew what was coming.Most read in Football“I’d been to the hospital and at the house to see him, and so knowing how unwell he was, I took myself away to make the call back.“Silence. It is hard to know what to say, but knowing just how much Walter adored his wife Ethel, his kids and his grandkids, and the severe grief they were now going through, my thoughts were immediately with them.Ally McCoist meets Sir Alex Ferguson in new TNT Sports show Ally’s Social Club “Neil and Steven are two chips off the old block, the best company like their father, and I am so pleased to call the whole family friends.“In the spring of 2024, Rangers unveiled a statue of Walter Smith. It depicts the man beautifully, and is the perfect tribute to all that he gave to the club and to the game.“It stands on the corner of the Copland Road stand, a spot that Walter first strolled along with his grandad Jock to see the club they loved, and one that he would serve so well.“Walter served the whole country in so many different ways, and all the achievements, the titles and the medals that he accumulated will always be there to remind us of what he did.Walter Smith’s statue being unveiled outside IbroxCredit: PA“They are not what really matter, though. Not in the long run. At Walter’s memorial service, I was honoured to be asked to say a few words.“In conclusion, I quoted the great American poet and activist, Maya Angelou, who wrote, ‘People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’”Today, I can think about my friend and whilst the pain of not having him with us remains, it subsides as I close my eyes and think of everything he was to me in my life. I can think of Walter and I can remember how he made me feel. Special.”Dear Scotland: On the road with the Tartan Army is published on October 24.READ MORE SUN STORIESOur New YouTube ChannelSubscribe to our new Scottish Sun Sport YouTube channel for all the latest football news, views and amazing moments.We’ve got every major development covered from Celtic, Rangers, Hearts, Hibs, Aberdeen and the rest of the Scottish Premiership.Plus we have TWO brilliant new podcasts to watch every week…MONDAYGo Ballistic with Roger Hannah and special guest Kris Boyd will dissect all the weekend action and deliver their no-holds-barred reaction.WEDNESDAYRobert Grieve and Bill Leckie chew over the tastiest topics in Scottish football and offer their unique takes in their Coffee Club.FRIDAYGo Ballistic is back with Roger Hannah and top tipster Jim Delahunt looking ahead to the weekend games and analysing the biggest talking points.Subscribe now and don’t miss a thing. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

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      Ex-Newcastle coach recalls famous Champions League night when unlikely hero came up trumps against Gianluigi Buffon & Co

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      IT IS 22 years ago since one of the most under the radar but magical European nights occurred at Newcastle – and Steve Harper got an incredible memento.Tino Asprilla’s incredible hat-trick in the 3-2 victory over Barcelona back in 1997 still takes some beating for those members of the Toon Army old enough to remember it.Simon Smith (left) was goalkeeper coach under Sir Bobby Robson (right)Credit: PA:Press AssociationNewcastle United’s Andy Griffin (C) scored the winner against Juventus in 2002Credit: ReutersWhile the stunning 4-1 thumping dished out to Paris Saint-Germain a year ago also goes down as one of the greatest nights in the history of the Magpies.However, another club famed for wearing black and white have also suffered disappointment under the lights at St. James’ – and it was packed with superstars.Alessandro Del Piero, Lillian Thuram, Pavel Nedved, Edgar Davids and Gianluigi Buffon were all part of the Juventus side that suffered a 1-0 loss to Sir Bobby Robson’s Newcastle on this very day in 2002.The Magpies had lost each of their opening group matches that year with a 2-0 reverse at Dynamo Kyiv, a 1-0 home setback to Feyenoord and a 2-0 defeat in Turin leaving them with a mountain to climb.REAL MORE ON FOOTBALLThe probability of them reaching the next round was slim – so much so that Sir Bobby opted to play back-up ‘keeper Harper in order to just give him experience.But it turned into an evening that the Toon legend would never forget as Andy Griffin scored the only goal to secure the win.It was a result that reignited their Champions League campaign, with following victories over Kyiv and in Feyenoord meaning they completed a remarkable turnaround to reach the next stage, where they would eventually be eliminated. Newcastle’s former Geordie goalie coach Simon Smith, who has also worked under the likes of Ruud Gullit, Steve Bruce and Eddie Howe during his two spells at his boyhood club, still remembers the game as if it was just yesterday.Most read in Champions LeagueFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHe told Sun Sport: “We thought that we were out. We hadn’t won one of our opening three games and then we had Juventus, who were packed with great players.“But, lo and behold, we won 1-0. We then went on and beat Feyenoord to get through into the next stage.I was earning £10,000 a week at Newcastle before I went to jail and I’d still be in the Premier League now if I’d behaved “There was no pressure at all. It really just felt like we hadn’t done very well and we were going out and Sir Bobby changed his team.“I know Harps played and I think Sir Bobby just wanted to give him some experience of playing in Europe, not thinking that we’d go any further. But he kept a clean sheet.”And Smith’s work was only just beginning once the full-time whistle had gone.He continued: “My main memory of that night is that Harps was desperate to swap shirts with Buffon.“He gave me his shirt to go and swap and I had to go and stand outside of their changing room and ask their staff if Buffon would exchange his shirt after they had just lost.“To be fair to him, he came out and it was a real classic pink and black goalie shirt, and he swapped it for Harps’ blue Newcastle one. A quite remarkable night really.”Newcastle’s Andy O’Brien battles with Juventus’ Edgar Davids in the Champions League matchCredit: PA:Press AssociationSmith enjoyed plenty of memorable moments sat in the dug-out at St. James’ – two of which came when the ground was being redeveloped into the huge arena it is now.He said: “I’ve had two really magical experiences of the place that will always stand out. One was when they built the new stands with the top on.“We had an afternoon out, just before it was finished, and went right to the top and looked down and we all just thought ‘oh my, this is unbelievable’.“Then they arranged for me to take Shay Given and Steve Harper to test out the floodlights when nobody else was there.“We pitched up at St. James’ one night, just the three of us, to have a kickaround and they switched all of the lights on and it was all to make sure that the new lights would not be shining in the eyes of the goalies.READ MORE SUN STORIES“So we did corners, free-kicks etc to make sure that the lights were on the right angle and it was totally unbelievable to be there, just the three of us with no crowd. That was very special.“The other special day was after Sir Bobby’s death and the tribute at the Leazes end with the scarves, flags – that was totally unbelievable.”Who are these famous footballers? More

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      Manchester United hero Roy Keane tipped for shock return to management in Scottish football

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      ROY KEANE has been tipped for a stunning return to football management – in Scotland.The Manchester United legend has been working full-time as a pundit with Sky Sports and ITV since his last coaching role ended five years ago.Roy Keane has been focusing on his punditry duties for the past five yearsCredit: GettyHe was recently spotted at Cork City vs WrexhamCredit: SportsfileCould he be tempted to return to management in Scotland?Credit: Sportsfile – SubscriptionKeane, 53, was last in the dugout as assistant to Martin O’Neill at Nottingham Forest.He left that position in June 2019 and hasn’t been in management since.Prior to that, he had a five-year stint with the Republic of Ireland national team as a coach, assisting O’Neill.Keane also had a brief spell as Paul Lambert’s No2 at Aston Villa in 2014 but left to focus on his role with Ireland.He has had two front-line managerial roles himself, spending two-and-a-half-years in charge at Sunderland from between 2006 and 2008 and just under two years as boss of Ipswich from April 2009 to January 2011.Now, he’s being mentioned as a potential next manager of Hibs.The Edinburgh club appointed David Gray as the man to succeed Nick Montgomery on a permanent basis, after a period as interim manager.But the Hibees have struggled mightily this season and go into this Sunday’s Edinburgh derby rock bottom of the Premiership table.Most read in FootballSpeculation has mounted that Gray could be sacked after another bad result and according to Gambling.com, former Man Utd and Celtic midfielder Keane is the leading contender.Also priced up by odds-makers are St Mirren’s Stephen Robinson – though he is set to sign an extension with the club – and Scott Brown, the Celtic legend who is currently managing Ayr United.GO BALLISTIC Kris Boyd insists Rangers have got WORSE since Philippe Clement replaced Michael Beale as managerA spokesperson for Gambling.com said: “Roy Keane has made no secret of his desire to get back into management, having been out of the dugout since leaving Ipswich 13 years ago.”The former Celtic midfielder has also been linked with Hibernian in the past. In 2022, he was reportedly keen to replace Shaun Maloney at Easter Road.”Nothing came of the speculation, but Keane is currently the 7/4 favourite to be Hibernian’s next manager.”Hibs are at the foot of the Premiership table after eight league gamesCredit: Kenny RamsayKeep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

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      Watch moment Arsenal wonderkid’s sub appearance is delayed by wardrobe malfunction as fans say ‘his mum will be fuming’

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      ARSENAL wonderkid Myles Lewis-Skelly was left baffled after being temporarily blocked from entering the pitch during Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk.The 18-year-old was introduced to replace Riccardo Calafiori in the 72nd minute.Myles Lewis-Skelly was baffled when he was briefly stopped from entering the pitchThe teenager made his second Champions League appearanceCredit: GettyHowever, he was briefly stopped from entering the pitch by the fourth official due to an earring.The official would not let him go on until he took the earring out – even though it was taped up.Lewis-Skelly quickly resolved the issue before running on for his second-ever Champions League appearance.Fans on social media found the mishap hilarious, with one person writing: “Myles Lewis-Skelly trying to come on for Arsenal with a brand new earring taped over. 4th official not having it 😂.”Read More in FootballAnother commented: “They made Lewis-Skelly take out his fresh piercing 😂 He better hope that don’t heal up and close on him.”While a third joked: “Lewis-Skelly’s mum is gonna be fuming 😭 his entry into a champions league game delayed because he has to take his earring off 🤣.”Arsenal went on to win the match 1-0 thanks to an own-goal.Gabriel Martinelli’s 29th-minute strike was deflected in off the back of Shakhtar keeper Dmytro Riznyk.Most read in Champions LeagueFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe Gunners had plenty of chances to extend their lead but failed to make the most of them.Leandro Trossard missed a golden opportunity to make it 2-0 from the penalty spot with 15 minutes left to play.Chelsea star spotted at Emirates Stadium watching Arsenal’s Champions League clash with Shakhtar DonetskThe Belgian fired his shot straight down the middle, making it relatively easy for Riznyk to save.Arsenal now have seven points from three games in the Champions League. More

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      ‘I blame myself and I blame Sir Alex Ferguson for Man Utd’s chaos – this is not the same club it used to be’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Patrice Evra has surprisingly blamed himself and Sir Alex Ferguson for the club’s disastrous decade.Since the legendary boss retired, Man Utd have not won the Premier League title and their fifth permanent manager Erik ten Hag is in danger of losing job.Patrice Evra slammed the current state of Man UtdCredit: GettyEvra even blamed Sir Alex Ferguson for the club’s declineCredit: GettyThe Red Devils crashed out the Champions League group stages and finished eighth in the Premier League with a negative goal difference last term.Evra departed Old Trafford in 2014 – a year after Sir Alex quit the club.And the outspoken Frenchman bizarrely blamed himself and his former gaffer for the club’s recent downfall.He told the BBC with a smile: “I blame myself, I blame Sir Alex Ferguson.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLEvra continued: “It’s always tough to talk about United right now because back in the day we used to play for the fans, for the badge, for the history.”When we left, we left too early and it’s difficult for the players because they don’t have any example.”I’m not inside, I don’t know what the problem is. The manager Ten Hag is trying to do his best – it’s not good enough. “But it’s not just about this season, it’s since we won the last league in 2013, the club has been in chaos.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”I’m a positive man, but it’s tough. Our rivals are getting better than us, play a better style of football. The future is not bright. It’s a tough moment.”Liverpool waited 30 years to win the Premier League again, now it’s been 11 years [since United’s last title]. I don’t want to wait that long.Inside Sir Alex Ferguson’s Biggest Bust-Ups”No matter what, I will be a United fan forever, but it’s quite tough to watch United play.”Ten Hag has often claimed success in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup means he should keep his job.But Evra says two trophies is “not enough” for a club like United, explaining: “I’m a straightforward guy. Even if you put the chef as a manager, I will support any manager.I’m not inside, I don’t know what the problem is. The manager Ten Hag is trying to do his best – it’s not good enough.Patrice Evra”Three years [Ten Hag has] been at the club and, yes, he’s won two trophies. “When you’re the manager of United, what people expect from you is to win the league every year.”We need to stop talking about the past. This is not the United it used to be. We have to rebuild it.” More

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      Laura Woods left baffled and watches on confused as Rio Ferdinand and Martin Keown go full Gary Neville live on TNT

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      RIO FERDINAND and Martin Keown channelled their inner Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher to leave lonely Laura Woods all on her own.The former centre-backs were on punditry duty at Villa Park on Tuesday night.Rio Ferdinand and Martin Keown walked off from Laura Woods live on TNTCredit: TNT SportsThe pair were doing a demonstration but left the presenter behind on her ownCredit: TNT SportsAston Villa moved top of the Champions League league phase table with a 2-0 win at home to Bologna.Jhon Duran grabbed the hosts’ second goal, turning home in smart fashion to find the bottom corner.And while analysing the finish, Ferdinand and Keown went full Neville and Carragher as they walked off from the TNT Sports pitchside table to do a demonstration.Keown even put his microphone down before taking up the new position. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThat left presenter Woods awkwardly lurking solo in the background – watching on from afar as the two ex-defenders talked through marking a physical striker. It is unclear if she knew what was about to unfold.But the popular host took a quick glance to someone off camera and smiled before diverting her gaze back to the pundits. And the funny scene had a similar feel to the famous Sky Sports moment in 2019.Most read in Champions LeagueFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThen, Kelly Cates asked Neville and Carragher a question before a Liverpool win at Southampton.But as Nev started his response at St Mary’s, the pair headed off along the touchline as the camera carried on rolling. How Liverpool outsmarted Chelsea with Slot’s genius ‘traffic jam’ trick and Curtis Jones masterclassThe incident went viral online – and even prompted Cates to hilariously recreate the moment as she got her revenge on the partners-in-punditry-crime duo. John McGinn got Villa’s opener ten minutes into the second half before Duran found the net on 64 minutes.That ensured Unai Emery’s side are the only side on a maximum nine points with three wins from three in their Champions League debut to sit top of the 36-team table ahead of Wednesday’s fixtures. Monaco, Sporting and Arsenal trail on seven points.Like the Gunners, Villa are yet to concede – beating Bologna to back up their memorable wins over Young Boys and Bayern Munich. Woods stood alone at the tableCredit: TNT SportsThe two former centre-backs got handsy with each otherCredit: TNT SportsThe duo returned to Woods after completing their practical demoCredit: TNT SportsWoods hosted the show as Aston Villa went top of the Champions League league phaseCredit: Getty More

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      Arsenal fans furious as Kai Havertz snubbed from taking penalty before ‘horrible’ spot kick

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      ARSENAL fans fumed as Kai Havertz was denied taking a penalty – before Leandro Trossard’s miss. The Gunners were leading Shakhtar Donetsk after Gabriel Martinelli’s strike on the half-hour mark forced an own goal from keeper Dmytro Riznyk.Leandro Trossard missed from the penalty spotCredit: RexFans slammed the spot kick as Trossard was left with his head in his handsCredit: RexBut Arsenal had the chance to wrap the game up with 15 minutes to go after Valeriy Bondar handled in the box. Following a VAR check, referee Benoit Bastien pointed to the spot. Bukayo Saka is Arsenal’s chief penalty taker but the England winger was ruled out with a hamstring injury. Havertz has taken a penalty for the Gunners before and has missed only once from 12 yards in his career.READ MORE ON Arsenal But still it was Trossard who was given responsibility – for the first time in an Arsenal shirt. And his effort was saved by the legs of Riznyk to make up for his earlier mistake. It left Gooners fuming as one said: “Havertz has scored 20 of the 21 penalties he’s taken in his career. Why was Trossard taking it?”Another added: “You get a penalty and give it to Trossard yet your best penalty taker (Havertz) is on pitch. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”We can really take risks and that’s not acceptable.”One raged: “Havertz is way too nice too. Should have snatched the ball straight away from Trossard.”Arsenal cult hero Podolski being investigated by police for ‘forbidden’ way he said goodbye to fans in last-ever game Arsenal ratings vs Shakhtar: Jesus reminds fans of his quality but Trossard flops for poor GunnersARSENAL continued their unbeaten run in the Champions League with a 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk – but it was far from a convincing performance.Gabriel Martinelli orchestrated the decisive goal when his low-driven strike hit the post and deflected in off the back of goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk.Here’s how SunSport’s Tony Robertson rated the Gunners…DAVID RAYA – 7Seldom asked to do much aside from recycle the ball to Gabriel or Saliba until the final stagesPushed a potentially dangerous cross out of danger in the 84th minute. Pulled out a magnificent low save in injury time before claiming a dangerous cross to keep his clean sheet.BEN WHITE – 6Back in at right-back today and played as if he had never been out of the team. Received a yellow card in the 34th minute. Subbed at half-time for Mikel Merino.WILLIAM SALIBA – 7In the team after his red card against Bournemouth, played like his typically assured self marshalling the defence.One or two sloppy passes late in the second half but otherwise can have no complaints with another solid performance.GABRIEL MAGALHAES – 5Sloppily gave the ball away to hand the visitors a dangerous chance out of nothing. Had another lapse just after the opener but in the end he was bailed out by Calafiori.Marked improvement in the second half.RICCARDO CALAFIORI – 6Skied a golden chance over the bar after six minutes. Tested the goalkeeper again after 24 minutes.Dragged his foot and went down injured after skipping under a tackle in the 67th minute. Replaced by Myles Lewis-Skelly in 71st minute.THOMAS PARTEY – 6Comfortable evening in midfield for him. Recycled the ball well when at his feet and kept play ticking over.Moved to right back as White was hooked but didn’t have too many worries. When he was caught out of position Rice was able to cover.DECLAN RICE – 6Like Partey, he had a quiet night in midfield with Shakhtar unable to retain meaningful possession.Moved into the six as White was hooked and Partey moved to right-back. Cut out a dangerous low cross at the edge of the area. LEANDRO TROSSARD – 4Nothing quite went right for him all night with some sloppy touches ending attacks and putting Arsenal in trouble.Summed up his night by missing a 77th minute penalty and was hooked in the 88th minute.GABRIEL JESUS – 8Wore the captain’s armband and looked bright down the right wing.Denied a well-deserved goal by the feet of the keeper in the 43rd minute after Havertz played him in.Second half saw more good link play, but never had another chance to end his goal drought as he was replaced by Sterling in the 68th minute.GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 7Grew into the game following a quiet start and was rewarded with a goal, of sorts, after 30 minutes.Brazilian cut inside from the left wing before firing a shot to the near post before the shot rebounded off the woodwork and hit the goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk to go in the net. KAI HAVERTZ – 7Centimeters away from getting Arsenal’s second in the 39th minute after Jesus squared a volley back across goal.Returned the favour to set up his team-mate moments later only for the goalkeeper to prevent a goal.Won a free-kick at the very end of the game to run the clock down.SUBSMikel Merino (on for White HT) – 6Some nice touches and stitched play together well. A solid yet unspectacular performance.Raheem Sterling (on for Jesus 68 mins) – 6Tried to play on the shoulder of the last man but did not have the pace find the clear cut chance he would have liked.Myles Lewis-Skelly (on for Calafiori 71 mins) – 6Slotted in at left-back and was not afraid to show for the ball but often did not receive it while tucking infield.Jorginho (on for Trossard 88 mins) – N/AAnother fumed: “Why didn’t Havertz take the pen? Of the 11 on the field, he is the logical penalty taker for Arsenal. Horrible penalty from Trossard.”Fortunately for Trossard, Arsenal held onto their 1-0 lead to win the game but Arteta said it was not his decision for the Belgian to take the penalty. He said: “I dunno the conversation as he [Havertz] is one of the takers, Leo decided to take it, okay he missed it unfortunately.” More

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      I couldn’t believe my eyes as I watched Mourinho’s Man Utd meltdown – but he’s still Special and can prove it vs Ten Hag

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      WITH his arms outstretched, holding the Europa League aloft, Jose Mourinho took the acclaim of Manchester United’s faithful.The date was May 24, 2017. The venue was the Friends Arena, Stockholm.Mourinho with the Community Shield in 2016Credit: Getty – ContributorHe won the League Cup the same seasonCredit: AFP or licensorsMourinho ended 2017 winning the Europa LeagueCredit: PAAt that moment — more than any other in the turbulent 11 years since Sir Alex Ferguson retired — it really did feel like Manchester United were back.They had faced a young Ajax team who were tipped to showcase the future with their short passing and high pressing against a man some were beginning to write off.Mourinho out thought his opposite number Peter Bosz who, after the final whistle, would bemoan the tactics United had employed.They were simple. If they want to press high and pass short we’ll whack it over them onto the head of Marouane Fellaini and he’ll lay it off to Marcus Rashford and go from there.READ MORE IN football It worked a treat, Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan getting the goals in a 2-0 win.Not long after, in a conversation with former chairman Martin Edwards, he said that the club really believed they were on to something special with Mourinho.He had already bagged the League Cup that season in what is still probably the most exciting final the new Wembley has seen as United beat Southampton 3-2.Foreign coaches tend to hold a lot more store by the Community Shield, or Super Cups as they are called abroad, so Mourinho was happy to claim a treble as he got his players to hold up three fingers at the final whistle in Stockholm.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSOn the team plane on the way home he was pictured laughing and joking with Pogba, the player who helped lead to his demise less than two years later.At the start of that season Mourinho was being written off as a United boss after a 1-0 away loss to Feyenoord sandwiched between defeats to Manchester City and Watford.Jose Mourinho booked after putting his laptop in front of TV camera to highlight referee’s wrong decisionYet it had been on the eve of that Feyenoord clash late at night outside a hotel in Rotterdam that Mourinho was returning from dinner with his staff and happened across three of us in the Manchester press pack.Asked for a chat, he came over and explained, off the record, what he was having to do to unpick the Louis van Gaal football to create his own brand.His football brand that was a step up from the drudgery under Van Gaal although not always popular with the United faithful.But they liked him, and the fact he won, he gave United standing again, an image, they felt big.True that first Premier League season did not go well as they came sixth. Asked for a chat, he came over and explained, off the record, what he was having to do to unpick the Louis van Gaal football to create his own brand.But he had worked out late in the campaign the Europa League would provide the easier route back into the Champions League and cleverly rotated his squad accordingly.The following season he boasted it was one his greatest-ever achievements to lead United to Premier League runners-up spot behind City.He would deny the neighbours claiming the title on derby day as the Red Devils came back from 2-0 down at the Etihad to win 3-2.It was Pogba’s only good game. It is often forgotten that Mourinho also led the Red Devils to an FA Cup final that season going down 1-0 to Chelsea in the final.So it was all heading in the right direction as the season ended. Then came the summer in LA and we all realised something was not right.In a building at their training base in UCLA he was asked an innocent question as to whether he thought he had the squad to now go a step further and challenge for the title.He replied: “I cannot answer that question.” Eyebrows were raised.Later in the tour he would be seen in the foyer of a stadium snarling down the phone ‘it’s s**t, s**t’. Uh-oh.It seems an unsuccessful pursuit of Harry Maguire was part of it but his relationship with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward was fracturing.Nobody wanted this all to unravel but the unravelling had started.He refused to engage in the traditional on-tour relaxed interview with the English media that every United boss has done. And saw criticism and injustice which was not there.The meltdown continued after a 3-0 home loss to Spurs he demanded ‘respect, respect respect’ from the media because he had won three titles.By the club’s Champions League exit to Valencia, he was questioning whether United had a ‘football heritage’ in Europe. Later in the tour he would be seen in the foyer of a stadium snarling down the phone ‘it’s s**t, s**t’. Uh-oh.Less than a week later, after a 3-1 defeat at Liverpool he was gone.“How on earth did it get to that point?” I asked Woodward later. He suggested if I had had to work with Mourinho, I would have known.He has never been easy. But as he sits in his Four Seasons’ suite on the banks of the Bosphorus tonight he will be planning to bring down his former club in the Europa League.There are already murmurings of unrest at his new club Fenerbahce.But United and Erik ten Hag know he is the man for the big occasion. READ MORE SUN STORIESHe has only lost five times against United as the opposition manager. He remains special.In years to come United fans may look back and realise that — for two years under him — it was special, too.Ten Hag’s five worst defeatsERIK TEN HAG has suffered some heavy defeats during his tenure as Manchester United manager.5. Copenhagen 4-3 Man Utd, November 2023The damaging defeat saw the Red Devils dumped out of the Champions League.4. Man Utd 0-3 Bournemouth, December 2023It was the first time the Cherries had ever won at Old Trafford with the players being booed off.3. Brentford 4-0 Man Utd, August 2022Perhaps a sign of things to come, in Ten Hag’s second Premier League game, his side was dismantled by the Bees.2. Crystal Palace 4-0 Man Utd, May 2024The heavy defeat to the Eagles saw the Dutchman edge ever closer to the sack.1. Liverpool 7-0 Man Utd, March 2023Man Utd were embarrassed at the hands of their bitter rivals as they crumbled at Anfield as it was the club’s worst defeat in 92 years. More