More stories

  • in

    Premier League chief and former Man Utd target quits club ‘with immediate effect’ to take over second-tier Saudi side

    DOUGIE FREEDMAN has left his role as Crystal Palace sporting director to join a second-tier side in Saudi Arabia. Palace announced that Freedman would be leaving with immediate effect “to take up a role overseas”. Dougie Freedman has left his role as Crystal Palace sporting directorCredit: RexIt is understood that he is poised to become sporting director of Al-Diriyah – who have just become champions of Saudi’s second division.Freedman almost left last year for Newcastle – who are part-owned by Saudi’s Public Investment Fund.But he was persuaded to stay at Selhurst Park by the club’s chairman Steve Parish. Freedman was also a target for Manchester United as Sir Jim Ratcliffe looked to add the Scot as his head of recruitment. READ MORE IN football The former forward spent eight years as a player at Palace after signing from Nottingham Forest in 2000. He made 320 appearances for the Eagles and returned to the club as manager for a season in 2011. Freedman also had managerial stints with Bolton and former club Forest before moving into boardroom roles. He returned to Palace as sporting director in 2017 and was credited for the signings of Conor Gallagher, Marc Guehi and Michael Olise. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSFreedman was also heavily involved in the appointment of manager Oliver Glasner last year. But the 50-year-old is believed to have been frustrated with having a limited budget to work with during the January transfer window. How Newcastle outsmarted Liverpool with Dan Burn and Alexander Isak’s genius tricksPalace sit 12th in the Premier League – above United – and confirmed Freedman’s exit in a statement online. Parish said: “Dougie has been instrumental in everything we have done over the past eight years and indeed had a huge impact before that as manager and, of course, as a player. “I have enjoyed working with him immensely and wish him every success for the future. “Dougie leaves behind an excellent and well-structured sporting department that I’m sure will continue to go from strength to strength.”Freedman said: “I would like to extend my thanks to Steve Parish, the other owners and to all the staff, managers and players who have been at the club during my time here. “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed learning from and working alongside you all.”It’s been an honour to represent the club and I am incredibly proud of the work that’s been done, with the Chairman’s support, in growing the football club into its current position.”To be leaving the club with a squad full of exciting talent led by an excellent manager, I truly believe the foundations are in place to be built upon.READ MORE SUN STORIES“Finally, a huge thank you to all the fans for your continued support and passion – especially with how you’ve helped new signings and Academy products settle into life at Selhurst Park by supporting and getting behind the team.”Crystal Palace is and will always remain in my heart, and I will continue to look for results and follow the club’s progress closely.”Palace chairman Steve Parish with FreedmanCredit: RexFreedman spent eight years as a player at PalaceCredit: Getty More

  • in

    Newcastle icon Papiss Cisse, 39, lured out of retirement after two years by former team-mate to join fourth-tier minnows

    FORMER Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse is set to pull on his boots again – as he approaches his 40th birthday.Cisse set the Premier League alight when he joined the Toon and linked up with Senegalese countryman Demba Ba in 2012.Papiss Cisse has been signed by Dubai side Al QabilaCredit: GettyCisse formed a deadly duo with Demba BaCredit: AP:Associated PressThe 39-year-old left St James’ Park in the wake of the club’s relegation in 2016 – and he has since had spells playing in China, Turkey and France.Cisse has now landed in the Middle East, where he has signed for newly-formed Dubai side Al Qabila, who play in the fourth tier of football in the United Arab Emirates.Al Qabila, coached by Cisse’s old Toon team-mate Steven Taylor, are pushing for promotion this season.Taylor has been coaching in Dubai for the past three years, having hung up his boots in 2021.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLCisse was offered a deal until the end of the season after proving his fitness in training.The Dakar-born player – who turns 40 in June – scored 37 top-flight goals in 117 games for Newcastle.Cisse was without a club when he was signed up by The Player Agency, who want to recruit more high-profile players and help them look for clubs overseas after injuries or to prolong their careers.The Toon hero said: “I’m thankful to The Player for the opportunity to enter the market in the UAE.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSCisse has been without a team since the summer of 2023, when he left French side Amiens.The former Senegal international trained with Robbie Savage’s Macclesfield in late 2023 but did not join the club.Fans think the Wealdstone Raider is a time traveller after his incredible Newcastle Carabao Cup prediction goes viral Carabao 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. More

  • in

    Inside England ace Ivan Toney’s wild £100k birthday party with £2k vodka bottles & free booze for women guests all night

    IVAN Toney splashed out more than £100,000 on his 29th birthday party – with women guests getting free booze all night until 6am.The England ace hired a London nightclub and bought bottles of £2,000 Belvedere Vodka, and tequila, for every table.Footy star Ivan Toney (R) splashed out more than £100,000 on his 29th birthday partyThe former Brentford striker hired a London nightclub hosting guests including rapper Chip (pictured)Ivan Toney has been dropped from new boss Thomas Tuchel’s England squadCredit: GettyOne guest at the star-studded bash for the former Brentford striker, now playing for Al-Ahli in the Middle East, quipped: “No wonder he had to head home to enjoy himself – that would get him 10 years in jail in Saudi.”Among footballer guests at the VIP gathering were Bayern Munich ace Michael Olise, Chelsea’s Trevor Chalobah, and Joe Gomes of Liverpool, who had lost the Carabao Cup final 2-1 at Wembley Stadium to Newcastle United hours earlier.Celebrity rapper Chip, real name Jahmaal Fyffe, was on the decks.Footage shared with The Sun showed the grime heavyweight, who is at loggerheads with Stormzy, whipping up the crowd as Toney danced in front of him.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSChip referred to the Three Lions forward as “star boy” and played the goal machine’s favourite tracks.The England ace, dropped from new boss Thomas Tuchel’s first squad, danced the night away and was seen in emotional clinches with invited guests.But he put that disappointment behind him by hiring the Little Tate nightclub in central London for his pals.The VIP venue beamed “Ivan” in neon lights around the dance floor as the party got into full swing.Most read in FootballDisgruntled women guests voiced their displeasure at having to fork out for their own drinks before the birthday boy arrived. He had been splashing out on a slap-up meal with close pals.To make it up to the female revellers, Toney announced he’d get the bill for all their drinks – all evening.There was no sign of his long-term partner Katie Bio, mother to his two kids, at the noisy bash, which he was seen looking unsteady on his feet as he left at around 2am.Afterwards, special guests were invited to continue the party until 6am at the five-star Rosewood Hotel in London’s Holburn.And Toney is set to continue the celebrations on Monday night with another lavish restaurant meal and night out at the Cirque Le Soir nightclub.A pal said: “Ivan’s bill comfortably hit six figures, with the nightclub, celeb DJ, dinner and phenomenal drinks bill.“And the party will continue into the week.“Ivan was sad not to make the England squad so cheered himself up with a monster celebration. He’s a hit on and off the pitch.”Toney left Brentford for Saudi Arabia in a £40million deal after scoring 72 goals in 141 games for the Bees across four seasons, having returned to action following a ban for gambling offences.The star bought bottles of £2,000 Belvedere Vodka, and tequila, for every tableThe England ace now plays for Saudi club Al AhliCredit: Getty More

  • in

    Virgil van Dijk issues fierce warning to Liverpool team-mates to avoid the ‘world sinking’ after disastrous week

    VIRGIL VAN DIJK warned Liverpool must “work our a**es” off to stop the “world sinking”.Sunday’s Carabao Cup final defeat to Newcastle ended a miserable week in which Arne Slot’s side were also dumped out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain.Virgil van Dijk sent a rallying call out to his Liverpool team-matesCredit: ReutersAlexander Isak struck for Newcastle in the finalCredit: GettyOusmane Dembele helped knock Liverpool out of the Champions LeagueCredit: GettySkipper Van Dijk wants the Reds to react with five straight wins that would likely see them secure the Prem title by beating Tottenham on April 27.He said: “We have to turn this around. If you lose twice in five days it feels like the world is sinking. Two weeks before, everything was sunshine and rainbows.“In the Champions League, we couldn’t get it done, we lost this final and we got knocked out of the FA Cup.“We have nine games to go and I don’t think there’s any motivation needed to try to get the job done. We have to work our a**es off.READ MORE IN football“But now everyone goes to their respective countries and will all play and hopefully stay fit.“We then have a couple of days to settle down and be ready for Everton at home.“If we win five games — obviously a very difficult job — we’ll be champions of England.“If you keep these things in your mind it also can benefit you to make sure you’re working hard.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“I can guarantee you right now there will be so many difficult moments in all of those games.”Liverpool are 12 points clear of Arsenal. The Reds need 16 points to be sure but five wins should be enough due to their better goal difference.Ant & Dec scream with joy and Alan Shearer loses his hat as Geordies go wild after Newcastle win Carabao CupYet inconsistent Arsenal are likely to drop points in their next few games, meaning Arne Slot’s team — who last won the Premier League in 2020 — could wrap up the title even sooner.Van Dijk, whose team face rivals Everton on April 2, revealed how Slot tried to pick up his stars.Dutchman VVD added: “He said everyone should be disappointed by not winning the cup — but that there is a title to win and, when we come back, we have a big game.”The centre-back insisted that the Euro loss to PSG on penalties had nothing to do with Liverpool’s lacklustre Wembley display.He said: “No, I don’t think there was any impact from that. We gave it all, I don’t think PSG had anything to do with it.” More

  • in

    How Newcastle outsmarted Liverpool to win Carabao Cup final with Dan Burn and Alexander Isak’s genius tricks

    NEWCASTLE fans have waited 70 years to see their club win silverware and finally the Toon Army have something to celebrate.Goals by Blyth-born Dan Burn and star striker Alexander Isak sunk Liverpool 2-1 to lift the Carabao Cup at Wembley.Eddie Howe outsmarted Arne Slot on set-piecesCredit: GettyNewcastle’s midfield three were crucial to the dominant performanceCredit: GettyNewcastle fully deserved victory and laid the blueprint for how to stop Arne Slot’s Reds and nullify goal machine Mo Salah.In the latest episode of SunSport’s Tactics Exposed, our expert DEAN SCOGGINS explains ‘Howe’ it was done…1. Burn Baby BurnA local lad scoring in a cup final is what dreams are made of.But this was masterminded by Howe and his coaches, shattering Liverpool’s zonal marking system.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThey used Burn perfectly. Slot leaves five big lads in front of the six-yard box by the goalkeeper and then he sends the other players out to mark, like the smaller Alexis MacAllister.Newcastle floated the ball to Burn to isolate the man mountain against Mac AllisterSo Newcastle put Fabian Schar, Joelinton and big Burn in those positions to hit clipped, flat corners, letting them win aerial duels, while Bruno Guimaraes gets in the way of Liverpool’s big lads on the edge of the six-yard box.Liverpool defend like this a lot and it’s fantastic from Howe and Jason Tindall because they’ve taken Liverpool’s two best headers in Ibrahima Konate and Van Dijk out of the picture as they can’t get to the ball.There’s this square in front of them that becomes Newcastle’s territory and it is all wrong for Slot.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSDan Burn’s bullet header nestled into the bottom cornerCredit: RexOnce pushing trolleys at Asda, now in the England squad, what a week Burn has had.2. Isak leaves VVD in a spinIsak’s classic “go, stop, go” movement fooled Van Dijk. A burst of movement before holding back and going again to create a yard of space.Making it 2-0, it was Van Dijk’s mistake, he got caught under the ball and he knew it.The cross comes in from the left and the ball goes over both Isak and Van Dijk to Jacob Murphy.As the ball goes to winger, Isak does his movement to create himself three or four yards of space. Isak’s clever movement fooled Van DijkAs the ball goes over the Liverpool skipper’s head, his position is wrong. He gets himself into a situation where Isak can almost see his shirt number and he takes his eye off the Swede. Van Dijk should be in a position so when the ball drops to Isak, he can sprint out and close the ball down to, at the very worst, block the shot. Instead he is caught nowhere near the goalscorer.Van Dijk’s reaction said it allCredit: Rex3. Three midfield heroes First and foremost, they were the epitome of the Geordie nation, the Toon Army. Everything came through them.Joelinton, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali – the blocks, the dual successes, the headers, the tackles and most importantly, they work together as a three.In the match, Tonali is the one who breaks out of the three to join Isak in the press. And then the other two are ready to pounce behind.It is man-for-man, but if it they get through the press, they work hard to retreat into a compact shape. Liverpool did not have control and their midfielder had no time on the ball – you’re looking around thinking, ‘as soon as I receive the ball here, I’m going to get smashed by one of these physical three’. It felt like three against one.The midfield’s pressing, physicality and desire was keyBut tactics aside, to implement a plan properly and have the levels of effort required is a credit to those three players.You can tell a team how to play and you can talk about tactics, but if the players don’t trust it and don’t commit to it, it’s not going to work.Newcastle won the midfield battle4. ‘Howe’ they broke LiverpoolEddie Howe take a bow, this was a blueprint of how to stop Liverpool – after PSG did a similar thing in the Champions League.Newcastle pressed with four or five players, forcing Liverpool to go long.The most important thing is the fifth player makes a good decision, because if he goes and there’s too many – that’s the press gone and you’re outnumbered in midfield and in front of the back four. Newcastle pressed aggressively and made Liverpool go longIn the coaching manual, we are told to make the pitch small when you’re defending and make the pitch big when you’re attacking. But what Newcastle do is throw that out the window and go, ‘we’re going to make it massive and force the keeper and defenders to go long’ into the space behind the press.Their man-for-man pressing system forced Liverpool into going direct and when they went long, those duels were won easily by Burn, Schar and Joelinton.The midfield made it chaotic and it was very, very difficult for the Reds to get out.Newcastle’s big lads won the aerial duels with ease5. Slow Mo – how Salah was stoppedIn Salah’s eight games at Wembley, he has scored in just one of them.Again, he was a shadow of his usual self at the home of English football and he touched the ball just once in the box versus the Magpies. Liverpool like to use Salah in the build-up, coming in off the sideline to receive passes into his feet that let him turn and dribble Liverpool up the pitch.But the Toon created a black and white wall around him by swarming as the balls were fired into him.Salah was surrounded by Newcastle stars in the build-up of Liverpool attacksThey stopped these passes being effective and every time he got the ball, he touched it backwards towards his own half.Liverpool could not isolate Salah one-vs-one against Tino Livramento, who is a good one-vs-one defender anyway, doing an outstanding job if the Egyptian King ever did have space to run into.Most of Salah’s touches came from chasing long balls over the top into the channel after Newcastle’s brilliant press.READ MORE SUN STORIESSalah had a frustrating afternoon and could not get touches in dangerous areasNewcastle had the effort and application to make this a perfect final performance and make their fans’ dreams come true.Liverpool are 12 points ahead and have won the Premier League – but their route to the title would not be so simple if Howe laid out this masterplan earlier in the season. More

  • in

    ‘Unique location’ – Man Utd announce major change to Old Trafford from next season as they ramp up ticket prices

    MANCHESTER UNITED have announced a major change to Old Trafford that will see fans forced out of their seats.The Old Trafford club announced on Monday that season ticket prices would increase again, though the cost for U16s would be frozen.Man Utd announced a host of changes on MondayCredit: GettySir Jim Ratcliffe promised further ticket price hikes would comeCredit: GettyIn a further blow to supporters, however, the announcement confirmed fans with season tickets right behind the dugouts at Old Trafford will have to move to make way for a VIP hospitality area.Chelsea have introduced a similar policy at Stamford Bridge, with fans paying a minimum of £6,000 per ticket for the privilege.The club confirmed: “Some of the general admission tickets directly adjacent to the home and away dugouts will be converted to hospitality seats, reflecting the high value of this unique location.”We appreciate the disruption this will cause those fans who currently sit there and we will be contacting them individually to ensure a suitable alternative seat is found.”READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThese prize seats, offering some of the best seats in the house at Old Trafford, regularly housed 90s cult hero Angus ‘Statto’ Loughran.The statistician shot to fame on BBC Two show Fantasy Football League in the 1990s.Renowned for wearing a dressing gown and pyjamas as he provided facts and figures on guests’ fantasy football team, Statto quickly became a fan favourite.A Man Utd season ticket holder and close friend or Sir Alex Ferguson, he could frequently be spotted chatting with the legendary Man Utd boss during his time in charge.Most read in FootballAngus ‘Statto’ Loughran, in glasses and black coat, sits above Sir Alex Ferguson in the Man Utd dugoutCredit: Getty’Statto’ in the the stands behind then-Man Utd manager Louis van GaalCredit: PADavid Baddiel, Frank Skinner and ‘Statto’Credit: GettyIntroducing these new hospitality seats was one of a number of changes announced by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s regime on Monday, alongside the confirmation that ticket prices would increase by five per cent for a third consecutive year.The price rise comes despite the Manchester United Supporters Trust [MUST] calling for him to NOT ramp prices up any further.Ayden Heaven injury update with Man Utd ace ‘unable to explain how he’s feeling’ as he is seen with foot in braceThe rise in prices has prompted a wave of protests in recent weeks, with thousands taking to the streets earlier this month to march against the way the club is “slowly dying before our eyes”.Chief executive Omar Berrada said on Monday: “We understand that any price rise is unwelcome, especially during a period of underperformance on the pitch, and we listened carefully to the strong arguments put forward by the FAB [Fan Advisory Board] in favour of a freeze.”However, the club has decided that it would not be right to keep prices unchanged while costs rise and the club continues to face financial issues.”Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been forced to drastically cut costs since completing a £1.3billion takeover, and said just last week that the club would have run out of money “by Christmas” without him pumping money into the club and cutting costs too. More

  • in

    Real Madrid to step up Dean Huijsen transfer pursuit as Bournemouth star, 19, promoted to Spain’s senior squad

    REAL MADRID will step up their ploy to land Dean Huijsen this summer after the Bournemouth defender was promoted to Spain’s senior squad.Teenager Huijsen got his first call up because of injury to Barcelona’s Inigo Martinez.Real Madrid will step up their ploy to land Dean Huijsen this summerCredit: GettySpain face the Netherlands away on Thursday then at home in Valencia on Sunday in the Nations League quarter finals.The reigning European champions have been monitoring the Amsterdam-born centre back’s progress with Bournemouth closely this season.But scouts will use the next few days to get an even closer look at the player who has enjoyed a brilliant debut season in the Premier League.Huijsen, 19, only cost Bournemouth £15million from Italians Juventus last summer.READ MORE IN football He has played a key role in the club’s impressive results this season which has pushed the club to the fringes of European qualification from the Premier League.He scored his first Premier League goal on December 5 against Tottenham then hit the target again 17 days later against Manchester United.United are also tracking Huijsen with a view to a summer swoop. Bournemouth sit tenth in the league having lost 2-1 to Brentford on Saturday. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe player opted to play for Spain after leaving the Netherlands and relocating to Marbella when he was five.Huijsen played for Holland from Under 16-19 level and has seven U-21 appearances for Spain.He was due to play for Spain’s U-21s against the Czech Republic this Friday.How Newcastle outsmarted Liverpool with Dan Burn and Alexander Isak’s genius tricks More

  • in

    Champions League superstar, 22, turns up at Wembley to support Newcastle ace Tino Livramento

    NEWCASTLE found themselves a shock new fan at Wembley as a Champions League superstar turned up to support the club.Eddie Howe’s men ran out shock 2-1 winners over runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool to claim a first domestic trophy in 70 years.Jamal Musiala posted a picture of himself travelling to Wembley with Burnley’s CJ Egan-RileyCredit: Instagram @jamalmusiala10The Bayern Munich star revealed he was there to watch Newcastle’s Valentino LivramentoCredit: Instagram @jamalmusiala10Musiala is still in with a chance of winning a Champions League and Bundesliga double with Bayern this seasonCredit: AlamyLivramento helped Newcastle to a first domestic trophy in 70 yearsCredit: GettyAnd enjoying the Magpies’ success in the Wembley stands was Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala.The Germany international posted a picture of himself travelling to Wembley with Burnley defender CJ Egan-Riley.And he was quick not to get Newcastle fans’ hopes of a bombshell transfer up, as he made clear on Instagram that he was there to watch one player in particular.Musiala tagged full-back Tino Livramento in a second Instagram post of himself watching the final at Wembley stadium.READ MORE NEWCASTLE NEWSThe pair became close friends during eight years together in the Chelsea academy.And Blues fans may well be wondering what might have been if the club had retained the players.Musiala left Chelsea in 2019 at the age of just 16, as he joined Bayern Munich.And Livramento joined Southampton in 2021 in a £5m deal after failing to agree a new contract with the West Londoners.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBoth men also played for England U21s, though Musiala made just two appearances in 2020 before being picked for the Germany senior team.Winger Musiala was not the only player representing another club who went to support Newcastle in the huge Wembley final.Fans think the Wealdstone Raider is a time traveller after his incredible Newcastle Carabao Cup prediction goes viral Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson rocked up in a Newcastle scarf and was even applauded by the players as he watched them lift the trophy with the Toon faithful.Newcastle reluctantly allowed Whitley Bay-born Anderson to join Nuno’s Forest side in a £35m deal in order to ease spending constraints caused by PSR rules.Tino Livramento lifts the Carabao Cup trophyCredit: Getty More