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      Man City chief slams ‘awful’ transfer window after Treble as stars either wanted more money or were ‘p***ed off’

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      MANCHESTER CITY’S historic Treble led to one of their most troubling transfer windows ever, club chief Txiki Begiristain has revealed.City matched the historic feat oftheir bitter rivals Manchester United in the 2022/23 season by winning the Champions League, FA Cup and Premier League.Manchester City won a historic Treble in the 2022/23 seasonCredit: GETTYBut club chief Txiki Begiristain has revealed the historic season led to a summer of turmoilCredit: GettyBut their success, according to Begiristain, prompted a slew of players – some of whom left the Etihad the following summer – to lay down ultimatums to the club.The Spaniard – who is set to leave at the end of the season – said in the soon-to-released Together: 4 in a Row documentary: “The transfer window was a bit awful.”At least for me. After winning the Treble, everyone was confused.”The protagonists from those trophies were thinking they should get more or new contracts and take the opportunities.READ MORE ON CITY”And the ones who didn’t play in finals were p***ed off and trying to get out from the club.”Cole Palmer, Riyad Mahrez, Aymeric Laporte and Ilkay Gundogan would all leave the Etihad in the months that followed City’s Treble.And the club broke their wage structure in order to stop skipper Kyle Walker from joining German giants Bayern Munich.The slew of departures, however, didn’t stop City from winning a historic fourth Premier League title on the trot last season in what was set to be manager Pep Guardiola’s penultimate season with the club.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSWhat will happen to Man City?MAN CITY are favourites to win the Premier League title yet again – but there is one elephant in the room that threatens to put the skids under the Etihad giants.Sunsport’s MARTIN LIPTON discusses what the next few months could hold with Head of Sport SHAUN CUSTIS….Custis: So the big question – will there be a resolution this season?Lipton: Yes…. probably! We know the case will start to be dealt with in October or November.It will take at least a month to go through the evidence. So I suspect around March, April time, we will get a result. But that’s where it starts to get tricky.Custis: Why is that?Lipton: If the result is in City’s favour, that’s the end of the matter. They will be cleared. They will have no punishment to face.But if City are found guilty, these will be the heaviest penalties ever imposed by the Premier League.I suspect if they are found guilty, they will be expelled from the league or given a massive points deduction and a huge fine so that they’re not in the Premier League next season.Check out the full discussion on Man City’s future.But the Spaniard is said to be on the verge of inking a new deal with the Citizens.It’s claimed Guardiola, who was on the FA’s shortlist of candidates to replace Gareth Southgate as England manager, is on course to sign a new one-year extension at Eastlands.Pep Guardiola applauds ‘unbelievable’ Erling Haaland’s stunning acrobatic goal Manchester City will be back in action on Saturday evening, welcoming Tottenham to the Etihad. More

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      New Last Man Standing Prize League starts this weekend – pick your team now and compete for £2,000 jackpot!

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      WHAT better way to celebrate the end of the international break than a brand new Last Man Standing Prize League?Dream Team’s third Prize League of the season is free to play with a £2,000 jackpot up for grabs.Play Last Man Standing now!Credit: Dream TeamOur first two Prize Leagues are still active with just 18 entrants remaining in the first contest (talk about squeaky-bum time) but that doesn’t affect this latest edition whatsoever – if you’re still alive in either of the first two Prize Leagues you can also enter the third.PLAY LAST MAN STANDING NOW AHEAD OF LATEST PRIZE LEAGUE – £2,000 CASH UP FOR GRABS!Last Man Standing is a simple yet compelling game.Ahead of each Matchweek (MW), you simply have to select one Premier League team to win their upcoming fixture.If your chosen team wins, you progress to the next Matchweek and take another step towards the cash prize.However, if your team draws or loses, you are eliminated.But here’s the thing, you can only select each team ONCE.For example, if you back Liverpool to beat Southampton this coming weekend and they hammer Saints 5-0 you will progress to the next Matchweek but Arne Slot’s side will be unavailable to you for the remainder of the contest.Most read in FootballLiverpool are league leaders ahead of Matchweek 12Credit: PAThe eventual winner, the last entrant active after everyone else has been eliminated, will know when to play it safe and when to roll the dice.Here is the first set of fixtures (Matchweek 12) for you to weigh up:Leicester v ChelseaBournemouth v BrightonArsenal v Nottingham ForestAston Villa v Crystal PalaceEverton v BrentfordFulham v WolvesManchester City v TottenhamSouthampton v LiverpoolIpswich v Manchester UnitedNewcastle v West HamPick a winner from that bunch and you’ll take a step closer to the £2,000 prize.Score PredictorPlay Score Predictor with Dream Team this season!FREE to play£250 weekly prizePredict scores of five selected Premier League fixtures and earn points for accuracyMost points wins weekly cash prizePLAY NOWNaturally, Liverpool’s trip to the south coast jumps out as a mega mismatch given the two sides are separated by the full length of the Premier League table.But do you want to use up your only chance to back the Reds straight out of the gate? Decisions, decisions…For more information on Last Man Standing please read the Game Rules.BetMGM sign up offerBetMGM: Get £40 in free bets — HERE**New cust only. 7 days to opt in by placing a £10 qualifying bet at 1/1 (2.0) odds or greater to receive 4x Free Bets: 1 x £10 horse racing, 1 x £10 Bet Builder, 1 x £10 Acca and 1 x £10 football. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs apply.Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org More

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      ‘You couldn’t’ – Ice cold Cole Palmer shuts down Amelia Dimoldenberg in viral interview at GQ’s Men of the Year awards

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      COLE PALMER had fans in stitches as he quickly shut down Amelia Dimoldenberg in a cheeky interview.The pair met on the red carpet at GQ’s Men of the Year awards.Cole Palmer and Amelia Dimoldenberg had an interesting exchange on the red carpetCredit: X @BritishGQPalmer had a cheeky retort for one tricky questionCredit: X @BritishGQAnd Palmer put his interviewer on the spot with some clever retorts, comfortably dealing with Amelia’s trademark awkward style.He was asked a string of questions from his potential to be a pundit to whether he would rather score an own goal or be substituted in the first half.Palmer, 22, manoeuvred each question with composure before turning things back around on Amelia, after she asked whether he would score a bicycle kick or a goal from his own half.The Chelsea star replied saying: “It’s tough I don’t know. I feel a bicycle kick is harder.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAmelia interjected, saying: “I could probably do both.””You couldn’t”, Palmer hit back immediately, before adding: “I can’t really do a bicycle kick though.”Fans loved the reaction with some suggesting it is another example of ‘Cold Palmer’ in action.One fan said: “You couldn’t”🧊🥶”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnother added: “Haha classic Cole Palmer response 🤣”A third wrote: “Did cole palmer kinda keep up with Amelia… whaaat.”Chelsea Cole Palmer reveals his favourite post-match meal which includes ‘chippy chips’ More

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      Ex-Premier League prodigy jailed for stabbing teen with Rambo knife after turning to crime when footie career flopped

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      A FORMER Premier League prodigy has been jailed for stabbing a teen with a Rambo knife after turning to crime when his career flopped.Causso Darame left 19-year-old Ronnie Evans partially paralysed with “life-changing injuries” after attacking him in a “vicious” robbery.Causso Darame stabbed a teen in a violent robberyCredit: SolentDarame slipped into a life of crime when his contract was terminatedCredit: GettyThe 25-year-old, who was signed by Swansea City FC when they were in the Premier League, stole the teen’s neck chain and bracelet.Darame has now been jailed for four years and four months after he admitted robbery and possession of a knife.Portsmouth Crown Court heard the horror unfolded in the early hours of May 12 last year near Ken’s Fried Chicken restaurant.Ronnie was with a pal when he clocked Darame, who had a large, Rambo-style hunting knife.Read more newsThe court was told the pair “became aware” of the failed winger behind them.As they began to run, Darame yelled after them: “I’m going to catch you, and when I catch you, I’m going to kill you.”The thug then knifed Ronnie in the leg and snatched his jewellery before fleeing.Ronnie suffered a huge amount of blood loss after two of his major nerves were severed.Most read in FootballProsecutor Paul Fairley said: “Luckily, as far as everyone in the case was concerned, the knife missed by a few millimetres the major blood vessels in his leg.”In a victim impact statement, Ronnie said he has been left with paralysis from the knee down – meaning he cannot walk without a splint on his foot.As a result, he has been unable to continue his work as an apprentice electrician and can no longer play tennis to a high level like he used to.The court was told Darame was given a youth contract with Swansea City FC from the age of 15.The footballer, who once compared himself to Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo, was then handed two-year professional contract when he turned 18.His lawyer Daniel Reilly said he felt like a failure when his contract was terminated and began mixing with drug dealers after “struggling to cope”.Sentencing, Judge Daniel Neill said Darame’s actions had changed the life of a man “in the prime of his youth”.He added: “You had hoped to become a professional footballer, it didn’t work out.”Many dreams don’t work out, many ambitions.”By the time that your professional football contract sponsorship came to an end, you had a partner and a newborn child you felt you were failing.”READ MORE SUN STORIESIn August last year, Darame was sentenced to 28 months in prison after police found him with £1,000 worth of heroin and cocaine.At the time, the court heard he turned to drug-dealing to make money because he refused to accept unemployment benefits. More

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      Ruben Amorim’s backroom staff: Who are the coaches working alongside Man Utd boss?

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      RUBEN AMORIM is the sixth permanent manager Manchester United have appointed since club icon Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.The young Portugese coach follows David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Erik ten Hag in the Old Trafford hot seat.Ruben Amorim joined Manchester United in November 2024Credit: GettyAmorim is highly thought of in the world of football after a very successful tenure at Sporting.In his first full season at the club, he guided the Portugese giants to a domestic double, including their first league title in 19 years.Sporting only suffered one defeat in Liga Portugal all campaign, which came on the penultimate weekend after they had already become champions.The season before Amorim joined Man Utd, he led the Lisbon club to a second league title in four years, developing some of the hottest talents in Europe, including goal machine Viktor Gyokores.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe 39-year-old will be hoping he can replicate his success at Sporting in Manchester and end the post-Sir Alex Ferguson struggles at the club.But who has Amorim brought along for the journey at the Red Devils?Ruben Amorim’s Man Utd backroom staffRuben Amorim has brought SIX members of his Sporting backroom staff to Man Utd.All six worked alongside the Man Utd boss during his four-year spell at the Portugese giants.Most read in FootballCarlos Fernandes is Ruben Amorim’s assistant at Manchester UnitedCredit: GettyCarlos Fernandes will be Amorim’s assistant head coach, the same job he occupied while working in Lisbon.The 30-year-old first linked up with the Red Devils gaffer at Casa Pia in 2018 – and the two have worked alongside each other since.In addition to Fernandes, Adelio Candido and Emanuel Ferro join Darren Fletcher and Andreas Georgson as Man Utd first-team coaches.Jorge Vital takes up the role of first-team goalkeeper coach – and will be assisted by Craig Mawson – while Paulo Barreira arrives as physical performance coach.Amorim has also brought 39-year-old analyst Eduardo Rosalino with him from Sporting. More

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      ‘He’s got to be the man, surely’ – Jeff Stelling names his favourite to replace Gary Lineker on Match of the Day

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      JEFF STELLING believes there is only one man up for the job of replacing Gary Lineker on Match of the Day.There are several candidates mooted to replace legend Lineker, who will step down after 25 years at the end of the season.Jeff Stelling believes Mark Chapman should be the next presenter of Match of the DayCredit: Getty Images – GettyChapman is the host of Match of the Day 2Credit: PAGary Lineker will step down after 25 years at the end of the seasonCredit: ReutersFormer footballers and presenters have been linked to the role but Stelling believes the BBC should appoint Mark Chapman.He pointed to Chappers’ good sense of humour, with the Match of the Day 2 host already familiar with several pundits too.Stelling told The Telegraph: “Chappers is the man for the job. Great presenter, nice sense of humour, good rapport with the guests, he’s got to be the man, surely.”Stelling, 69, knows all too well what it is like to step down as a presenter from an iconic role, having left Soccer Saturday after 25 years in 2023.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe now presents talkSPORT Breakfast but he saw big changes during his time at Sky Sports, including the departure of several close colleagues as the company sought to appeal to a new demographic.The BBC could adopt a similar strategy to finding Lineker’s replacement, something Stelling is sceptical of.He continued: “Demographics? I’ve never bought the stuff about a new demographic.“It’s a forlorn pursuit to look for a younger audience that probably aren’t interested in the programme anyway by having younger presenters, influencers, social-media types. I’ve never believed that was the way forward.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS“Call me old-fashioned, but I’ve always felt the way to attract an audience of any demographic is to make sure you put out a high-quality product. “If the programme is watched by mums and dads in their forties, make sure it is good enough so that when the new generation reach their forties it is something they want to watch.Gary Lineker will stop presenting Match of the Day the end of this season at and will quit Beeb by 2027“If I’m going to hear somebody talking about a football match, I’d rather it was somebody who had played the game and is able to see things people like me standing on the terraces can’t see, than is a big figure on social media.”Who could replace Gary Lineker as MOTD host?GARY LINEKER dropped the shock news that he is QUITTING Match of the Day.The popular presenter, 63, took over hosting duties on the flagship BBC programme from Des Lynam in 1999.But after more than 25 years in the studio hotseat, he has called time on his MOTD gig.But as part of a huge shake-up, the BBC is considering rotating the presenters on a weekly basis.So with Lineker vacating the chair, new names will step into his giant boots. But who could they be?MARK CHAPMANChapman, 51, is the obvious early favourite to follow on from Lineker as MOTD presenter.He already has the gig as MOTD2 host on a Sunday night plus landed the presenting job for the new BBC Champions League highlights show.ALEX SCOTTScott gets the nod from the Beeb bosses when Lineker is away.The former right-back, 40, is used to presenting the Saturday night show as well as live match coverage – plus ticks the box as a former England international.GABBY LOGANLike Scott, Logan, 51, is one of the understudies to step in when Lineker is not available.She has done most gigs since joining the BBC in 2007, including Olympics, Sports Personality of the Year and Final Score.MICAH RICHARDSLineker’s top pick to replace him is exuberant former Man City defender Richards.The departing host told his close pal, 36, on their Stick to Football podcast: “I’d love to see you take over Micah, I think you’d be brilliant in the chair.”JASON MOHAMMADMohammad could earn the “promotion” from Final Score to Match of the Day.The 51-year-old Welshman – who took over from Logan in 2013 – is one of the BBC’s top earners already and is more senior than fellow Final Score and BBC Sport broadcaster Kelly Somers, who could in theory become the main live host for the afternoon slot.JEFF STELLINGHe couldn’t, could he? While Lineker has been the face of Saturday night TV for football fans for years, the face of the afternoons was Stelling in his role as Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday presenter.He would bring plenty of on-screen charisma, wit and legendary TV expertise – but at nearly 70 and currently with talkSPORT, the Hartlepool fan would not be a cheap or long-term appointment. More

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      Liverpool and Newcastle set for Bryan Mbeumo transfer battle with Brentford hotshot seen as potential Salah replacement

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      LIVERPOOL and Newcastle are set to battle it out in a race for one of the Premier League’s hottest properties.The current league leaders and the Geordie giants are both tracking Bryan Mbeumo – whose form for Brentford this season has been electrifying.Bryan Mbeumo is a transfer target for both Liverpool and NewcastleCredit: PAEddie Howe has long been an admirer of the forward, who has scored eight goals in 11 Premier League starts this season.However, the Cameroonian hitman has now caught the attention of Arne Slot.He regards the Brentford forward as a brilliant option for Liverpool due to the versatility he offers.Like ex-cult hero Sadio Mane, the 25-year-old would be able to comfortably fit into any of the front three roles at Anfield.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLLiverpool have been scouting the forward all season and are now weighing up a summer move for the player.He’s even seen as a potential replacement for Mo Salah – whose future at Liverpool remains unclear.But the Merseysiders won’t have things all their own way.Scouts from St. James’ Park have also been watching the player, who Howe is believed to regard as his number one target.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSSunSport understands they’d even be willing to offer Callum Wilson as a potential makeweight in a deal should Brentford be willing to sell the £50million-rated player.A move for the Indomitable Lions star was mooted in the summer.’He bottled it,’ squeals Neville as Carragher gives updated title predictionHowever, a disappointing summer window on Tyneside followed with the club adding just Lloyd Kelly and William Osula as senior outfield players. They may reignite their interest in Mbeumo in January, but the Bees will be very reluctant to see one of their key men leave the club during the season.It’s also likely Newcastle will have to part with around £50m to sign him.Mbeumo’s stunning start to the campaign has helped limit the effects of Ivan Toney’s move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli. Toney moved to Saudi Arabia in the final few days of the summer window with the Bees netting £40m from his sale.Brentford manager Thomas Frank admitted in September that he expected Mbeumo to leave the club sooner rather than later following his blistering start to the season.He said: “He was our biggest miss for four months last year, even with Toney out.”He was our key player and has added another layer this season with five goals in six games. READ MORE SUN STORIES”That’s incredible and he’s creating chances. He’s a top player. I’m convinced he will play for a bigger club. I’d buy him if I was at a bigger club.“We convinced him to stay and he’s very happy. All our players might need to leave us one day but a lot of them are happy because we have a top environment, with good people. We push each other.”Transfer fees scrapped Q&A: How landmark ruling could mean NFL-style trades and stars suing for millionsFORMER Chelsea, Arsenal and Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra has won his landmark case at the European Court of Justice.SunSport’s Martin Lipton explains what it was all about – and what it might mean for the future of football…What was the case about?Diarra argued Fifa’s transfer rules were illegal after the world body backed Lokomotiv Moscow’s claim that he had broken his contract by refusing to train with them.Is that it?No. Belgian club Charleroi wanted to sign Diarra but were told they would have to pay the money he was fined by Moscow, while Fifa refused to issue an International Transfer Certificate unless they coughed up.Okay, so what does the ruling mean?Theoretically players will have the right to break their contracts and switch clubs without a fee changing hands – just like any employee in any other industry.Hang on – does that mean the END of transfer fees?Potentially, yes. Although players would have to want to move.We would basically end up with a US-style “collective bargaining” model where players would be free to move within transfer windows without impunity.Clubs might be able to “trade” players – swap deals – but with no extra cash changing hands.Is everybody agreed about this?Absolutely not. Fifa claimed the ruling “only puts in question two paragraphs of two articles” of its transfer regulations.Yet the Judges said the current rules were “prohibited” under EU law and “anti-competitive” as they “limit the freedom of action” of players to change employer.Read SunSport’s full Q&A with football on the brink of the biggest shake-up in 30 years… More

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      Premier League cult hero, 38, bizarrely leaves job as Ayia Napa FC manager after just TWO games

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      A former Premier League star has stepped down as manager of Ayia Napa FC after just TWO GAMES.The former Crystal Palace forward, 38, was only appointed head coach of the Cypriot second tier side at the end of October.The FA Cup finalist won both of his games in charge of Ayia Napa FCCredit: AlamyHe claimed back-to-back 1-0 wins before the international break, but has now suddenly parted ways with the side.It brings to an end his THIRD managerial stint in just over a year – following his retirement from playing in the summer of 2023.He departs with Ayia Napa ninth in the table.The man that has been dismissed is Jason Puncheon.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLA club statement read: “Ayia Napa Athletic Club announces the mutual agreement to terminate its partnership with coach Jason Puncheon.”They also confirmed assistant coach Christos Tsapatsoulis has left, before adding: “The board of directors wishes both the best in their professional careers.”Ayia Napa is a tourist resort on the southern coast of Cyprus and is famed among Brit partygoers for its thriving nightlife.All three of Puncheon’s managerial stints have come in Cyprus – with the previous two at Peyia 2014 and AEZ Zakakiou.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAs a player, he spent the best part of a decade in England’s top flight.He scored 24 Premier League goals and came off the bench for Palace in their 2016 FA Cup final defeat to Manchester United.Football icons’ strange hobbiesPrior to his seven-year spell at Selhurst Park, he had stints on loan at Millwall, Blackpool and QPR while with parent club Southampton. More