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      Christian Ziege shares heartbreaking statement after wife dies as Premier League icon, 52, says ‘the world has stopped’

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      FORMER Liverpool star Christian Ziege is mourning the death of his wife, Pia.Pia passed away on Monday after a long battle with a serious illness.Christian Ziege’s wife, Pia, has passed awayCredit: Instagram @ziege.christian17Ziege announced his wife’s death on social media with a heartbreaking statementCredit: Instagram @ziege.christian17Ziege previously played for LiverpoolCredit: PA:Press AssociationEx-Premier League star Ziege announced the devastating news on social media this morning.He wrote: “And there are always traces of your life, thoughts, pictures, moments.”They will remind us of you, make us happy and sad and never let us forget you.”Our world has stood still since November 4th. After a long and serious illness, Pia has closed her eyes forever.Read More in Football”We would like to thank everyone who has walked this long and difficult path with us, as well as for the great sympathy and compassion. Pia, you will live on forever in our hearts.”Ziege and his wife had been married since 1997.They share two children – Alessandro and Maria. The former Germany international is also a father figure to Pia’s daughter, Katharina.Most read in FootballZiege retired from professional football in 2005 having played for the likes of Bayern Munich, AC Milan, Middlesbrough, Liverpool, Tottenham and Borussia Monchengladbach.He was also capped 72 times by the German national team.After retiring, the 52-year-old went on to pursue a career in management.He most recently took charge of FC Pinzgau but left in September 2022.Ziege’s career statsClubs:Bayern Munich: 227 games, 46 goals, 41 assistsAC Milan: 47 games, 10 goals, 14 assistsMiddlesbrough: 33 games, 7 goals, 1 assistLiverpool: 32 games, 2 goals, 6 assistsTottenham: 55 games, 10 goals, 14 assistsBorussia Monchengladbach: 14 games, 1 assistTrophies:1x European Championship (Germany)2x Bundesliga (Bayern Munich)1x Serie A (AC Milan)2x Europa League (Liverpool, Bayern Munich)2x FA Cup (Liverpool)1x League Cup (Liverpool) More

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      Fifth place in Premier League set to get Champions League football as England lead way in Uefa coefficient table

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      ENGLAND remain in pole position for an extra Champions League place next term – despite the Prem’s worst European week of the season.Liverpool were the only Champions League side to taste victory, with Manchester City, Arsenal and Aston Villa all slipping to defeats.Liverpool’s dominance in the Champions League has helped England to the top of the national rankingsCredit: AlamyChelsea are also dominating the Conference LeagueCredit: GettySpurs then lost for the first time in their Europa League campaign at Galatasaray, although Manchester United and Chelsea recorded home victories.But since the start of the new league phase in September, the Prem sides have won 18 matches – more than any other nation – and lost the fewest, those four defeats this week.Italy and Germany, both with eight teams in Europe at the start of the season, have won 16 and 15 respectively, with 13 Spanish victories and 11 for French sides.The Bundesliga and La Liga sides have lost 11 matches, with Leipzig pointless from four Champions League fixtures and all four Spanish sides in the senior competition having lost at least one game.Read More in FootballIt leaves England top of the pile at the half-way stage of the initial phase, with a current coefficient score of 9.428, when the points gained by the Prem’s teams are divided by the seven competitors.Portugal, who only have two teams in Uefa’s biggest competition, are next with a score of 9.2, followed by last season’s top two, Italy – on 8.75 – and Germany, with 8.375.France, on 8.071, are fifth, ahead of Spain – 7.857 – and the Czech Republic.Uefa’s revamp means the two nations with the highest score at the end of the season will earn an extra berth in the Champions League next term.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSEngland currently top the UEFA nations tableAll teams earn two points for a win and one for a draw but their club and national tally is also boosted by bonus points accrued through the three competitions.Each of the 36 clubs in the Champions League starts with six bonus points, with the possibility of earning up to six more if they finish top of the eight-game table, although there are no pre-competition bonuses for either the Europa or Conference Leagues.SunSport’s Charlie Wyett runs the rule over England’s squad after two players are given first call-upThe top eight sides in all three competitions at the end of the first stage – the Conference League, with just six matches, ends before Christmas but there are two match rounds in each of the others in January – automatically make the last 16 knockout stage.Teams ranked ninth to 24th are then drawn in a knock-out round to join them.Currently, all seven Prem sides are on course to qualify for the knock-out stage, with Liverpool top of the Champions League standings, Villa eighth, City 10th and the Gunners in 12th.In the Europa League, Spurs slipped from second to seventh with United now up to 15th, while Chelsea are romping away at the top of the Conference standings.While things are almost certain to change, if all clubs finished in their current positions, England would extend their lead by picking up a 4.036 in bonus coefficients, taking the Prem tally to 13.464.That would give England an advantage of fractionally under two full points – the equivalent of eight team wins – over Italy, swap places with Portugal, ahead of France, Germany and Spain.Ruben Amorim leaves Sporting on a highBy Charlie WyettRUBEN AMORIM would have preferred to leave Lisbon in a blaze of glory after winning a third Primeira Liga title.Yet football does not work like that. And in what was surely his final game before taking charge of Manchester United, Amorim prepared to say his goodbyes at a half-empty Estadio Jose Alvalade in a League Cup quarter-final against Nacional.Sporting won 3-1 thanks to  second-half goals by captain  Morten Hjulmand and Viktor Gyokeres, who scored two.Luis Esteves pulled back for Madeira-based Nacional.The stadium  will be a good deal more lively on Tuesday when Manchester City are here for  a Champions League match — although Amorim should by then have his feet firmly under his desk at Old Trafford.Liverpool and Aston Villa were both interested in Europe’s most sought-after coach. Even City could have been a possible destination post-Pep Guardiola.Yet the United job is one Amorim, 39,  could not turn  down — even if not everyone saw it that way at Sporting last night.There is clearly a huge split in the Portuguese club’s fan base over their coach leaving at this stage of the season with many believing he should have seen the job through.Yet Amorim, along with the three-man coaching team who are expected to follow him, leaves a club in a much better state than when he arrived here in 2020.Inside the stadium, there was applause — albeit muted — when his name was read out before the game along with the line-ups.And there did not appear to be any jeers when Amorim shuffled out from the tunnel awkwardly towards the dugout.So, while his departure is hard to take for some, none of the fans will forget his legacy.This is a club which is back as the dominant force in Portugal. Even this term, Sporting have won their first nine league games, scoring 30 goals and conceding just two.They are also eighth in the Champions League table, which is one hell of an effort.In contrast, Lisbon was not exactly hit by League Cup fever last night.Amorim made lots of changes, which saw Sporting’s star man Gyokeres, the former Coventry striker, start on the bench.There was, however, a first appearance in six weeks for former Tottenham winger Marcus Edwards. He is certainly one player who has been transformed by Amorim since arriving at the club from Vitoria in 2022 and will be sorry to see the coach leave.While he changed his team, Amorim stuck with his tried and trusted formation of a back three.It will certainly be something Manchester United’s fans will have to get used to over the  coming months.But looking at the Premier League table, none of them will be complaining about the change. More

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      Captaincy options for Gameweek 11: Dominic Solanke leads alternatives to familiar favourites

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      IT’S Friday which means it’s time for Dream Team managers to pick a captain for the Gameweek ahead.Gameweek 11 consists of a full round of Premier League fixtures set to take place over Saturday and Sunday – nice and simple.Haaland captainers were punished in Gameweek 10Credit: GettyErling Haaland (£8.9m) is currently the most selected captain, as always, but gaffers who backed him in Gameweek 10 were largely punished.Manchester City’s No9 mustered just six points against Bournemouth and Sporting CP while Mohamed Salah (£7.3m) banked 22 at the expense of Brighton and Bayer Leverkusen.Liverpool are due to host Aston Villa this weekend which isn’t a favourable match-up on paper given the Villains’ upturn under Unai Emery but the Egyptian superstar has to be considered a strong captaincy choice once again.Villa are without a win in their last four games and shipped four goals to Tottenham last Sunday whereas Arne Slot’s side extended their unbeaten streak to 12 with an emphatic 4-0 victory over the Bundesliga champions in midweek.Salah has nine goals and nine assists to his name from 16 outings this season and recently usurped Haaland at the top of the overall rankings.InevitableCredit: GettyWriting off the Norwegian poacher is fraught with danger but a trip to Brighton (undefeated at home this season) is no easy task for Pep Guardiola’s men coming off the back of three consecutive losses.At the risk of oversimplifying things, Liverpool are flying right now and Salah remains the main man.Elsewhere, many Dream Team bosses will be tempted to select Dominic Solanke (£4m) as skipper ahead of this weekend’s action.Most read in FootballTottenham’s first-choice striker racked up 29 points in Gameweek 10.The England international ended his mini drought with a brace against Villa and then scored against Galatasaray on Thursday night after coming off the bench in the second half.Back among the goalsCredit: ReutersChasing lost points is a futile endeavour but Solanke looks well placed to cash in again this coming Gameweek.Spurs are the league’s top scorers at present and on Sunday they welcome Ipswich to North London – the Tractor Boys have the second-worst defensive record this season.It should be one-way traffic in favour of the hosts and Solanke may be the chief beneficiary having rediscovered his scoring boots.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 NOWBruno Fernandes (£5.9m) is another player in the captaincy conversation.The Portuguese midfielder has amassed 54 points across the last three Gameweeks in a spree containing three goals and two assists.In Gameweek 9, he banked 18 points against Leicester in the Carabao Cup and the Foxes are due to visit Old Trafford again this weekend.You have until 1:30pm on Saturday to confirm your captain for Gameweek 11 – choose wisely!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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      Paul Scholes in shock Amorim U-turn and claims Man Utd rivals are ‘JEALOUS’ days after saying ‘feels like Ten Hag again’

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      PAUL SCHOLES has performed a U-turn on new Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim by insisting he is now “really excited” about the Portuguese coach’s arrival.Last week, the legendary Red Devils midfielder claimed the hype around Amorim “feels a bit like Erik ten Hag”.Paul Scholes has made a U-turn on his assessment of Ruben AmorimCredit: TNT SportAmorim will officially take charge of Manchester United on MondayCredit: GettyWhen discussing the Sporting Lisbon boss’ tactical ideas – namely a three-man defence and possession-based style – Scholes also cut a concerned figure as he admitted it is “something United don’t really do”.But ahead of his former club’s 2-0 win over PAOK in the Europa League on Thursday night, Scholes transformed his comments into overwhelming positivity.It came just two days after Amorim’s Sporting thrashed Manchester City 4-1 in the Champions League.Speaking on TNT Sports, Scholes said: “I am really excited about it. We have been in for managers and players who we haven’t really had any competition to try to sign.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”Especially some of the players where there are not the likes of Barcelona, Man City and Liverpool – the big clubs being after them.”I think with Ruben Amorim, everyone is looking and they are a little bit jealous, because I think some of them really, really wanted him.”I know he has been spoken about with City once Pep goes, so he has been thought of in that high regard.”That is something we haven’t really had before. We had [Louis] van Gaal, who getting a big job at that stage of his career was a surprise.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”For [Jose] Mourinho, it was probably his last big job and it was a bit surprising for the Chelsea rivalry.”This is the first one where you think, ‘yes, this is a real coup’. We have got in there ahead of three, four, five top clubs around Europe and it is exciting. I can’t wait for him to come.”Man Utd legend Paul Scholes names his top 5 toughest Champions League opponents of all time Amorim was heavily linked with the Liverpool job earlier this year before Arne Slot was appointed as Jurgen Klopp’s replacement.He flew to London for talks with West Ham, while there were also reports he was being lined up as Pep Guardiola’s replacement at Man City.But Man Utd is where he has ended up – a position he will officially begin on Monday.His first match in charge comes after the international break on November 24 when they travel to Ipswich.Interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy will take the reigns for a fourth and final time on Sunday when Man Utd host Leicester.Ruben Amorim is ‘Mourinho 2.0’ who turned Sporting from ‘walking dead’ into Portuguese champs… he can revive Man UtdWHEN Ruben Amorim took charge of Sporting Lisbon in March 2020, one club official compared their situation to the “walking dead”, writes Jordan Davies.Optimism and hope was at an all-time low.But the Amorim-effect was almost instantaneous, guiding the Portuguese sleeping giants to their first league title for 19 years in 2020/21, losing just once and only conceding 20 goals.Since then, Sporting have lifted another league title in 2023/24 – as well as two League Cups – and currently sit top with nine wins from nine this term.He may be young, but Amorim already has an eye for rebuilding and revitalising fallen super powers with his infectious charisma and intense tactical philosophy that hardly ever wavers. The “walking dead” at Manchester United must be praying for a similar sort of revival.And they may just get it from one of the most talented young coaches on the continent – a man accustomed to breathing new life back into crumbling institutions such as Old Trafford.Amorim has spent the last decade dreaming of one day gracing England’s Premier League, such was his admiration for an ex-United boss in Jose Mourinho growing up.Often nicknamed ‘Mourinho 2.0’, Amorim spent a week with his coaching idol in an internship capacity at United’s Carrington training base in 2018, going on to cite him as his “reference point”.United should not be expecting a mini-Mourinho, as Amorim said himself: “Mourinho is one of a kind. There won’t be another Mourinho. Mourinho is unique.”And yet, you cannot help but compare the two.For all the mismanagement in the Old Trafford hot seats over the years, this would be a real get – finally a slap in the face United’s Prem rivals have no answer for. More

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      Lee Carsley reveals incoming England boss Thomas Tuchel hasn’t said a word to him and knew NOTHING about appointment

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      LEE CARSLEY is yet to speak to new England manager Thomas Tuchel.Interim boss Carsley named his squad for next week’s Nations League games against Greece and the Republic of Ireland.England interim boss Lee Carsley claims he hasn’t had a proper talk with new manager Thomas TuchelCredit: GettyTuchel will take over as England manager on January 1Yet bizarrely, Tuchel — who was named as Three Lions boss last month and will take over on January 1 — has NOT had a conversation with the man he will replace.Carsley said: “I sent a text  to him which was ‘congratulations’ and he said ‘good luck for the window and look forward to meeting up’.“He is fully respectful that I am in charge at  the moment.“That is the priority. I do not feel hard done by or shunned.Read More on Football“If anything I look forward to hopefully creating a situation where we can hand over a healthy squad of players to the new coach.”Carsley stressed Tuchel’s impressive CV, having won the Champions League with Chelsea and league titles with Paris Saint-Germain, is a huge benefit.He said: “A track record of winning was definitely in the job description.“The fact we have got that person really helps because there is going to be a stage during the next 18 months where that experience is going to be crucial, in those big moments in the big games.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“I am not saying we did not have that in the past but having that in the locker, that he has done that, definitely helps.”England travel to Greece on Thursday and the Three Lions are at home to the Republic of Ireland three days later.Lee Carsley announces November England squad selection Carsley has handed first call-ups to Southampton defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Newcastle full-back Lewis Hall.He will be hoping the team repairs the damage from last month’s shock 2-1 home defeat by the Greeks when England started without a recognised striker. Asked whether he picked this squad with Tuchel in mind, Carsley answered: “No. I am quite selfish in that respect. I picked the squad which I think can beat Greece and the Republic of Ireland. I definitely want to attack.“It was a really tough night after Greece. I am not sure what I would have changed. I know you are saying ‘just play a centre-forward’ but I wanted to try something different.“I have tried to pick players I think have a future in terms of longevity as the World Cup is 18 months away and the more players we have to pick from, who have been in the camp and played in a pressurised game, is a big thing.”Southgate vs Tuchel records comparedTHOMAS TUCHELAugsburg II 2007-2008P34 W 20 D8 L6 Win percentage: 58.82%Mainz 05 2009-2014P184 W72 D46 L66 Win percentage: 39.13%Borussia Dortmund 2015-2017P107 W67 D23 L17 Win percentage: 62.62%Honours: DFB Pokal Paris Saint Germain 2018-2020P127 W95 D13 L16 Win percentage: 74.8%Honours: Ligue 1 X2, Coupe de France, Coupe de la Ligue, Trophee des Champions x2Chelsea 2021-2022P100 W60 D24 L16 Win percentage: 60%Honours: Champions League, Super Cup, Club World CupBayern Munich 2023-2024P61 W37 D8 L16 Win percentage: 60.66%Honours: BundesligaGARETH SOUTHGATEMiddlesbrough 2006-2009P151 W54 D43 Win percentage: 35.76%England U21 2013-2016P37 W27 D5 L5 Win percentage: 72.97%Honours: Toulon tournamentEngland 2016-2024P102 W61 D24 L17 Win percentage: 59.8%Honours: Euros runners up, 2020, 2024 More

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      Watch Europa League side’s ‘worst kick-off in history’ as they concede SEVEN SECONDS after restart

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      FANS are dubbing it the “worst kick-off in history” after a Europa League side conceded just seven seconds after kick-off in the second half.The bizarre incident happened in the group stage clash between FC Midtjylland and FC Steaua Bucharest on Thursday.FCSB scored just seven seconds into the second half after Daniel Birligea forced a defensive errorThe striker simply tapped the ball into an empty netCredit: APBucharest midfielder Florin Tanase put the hosts ahead within the opening 20 minutes in Romania.But it was striker Daniel Birligea’s goal, which sealed the win, that will live long in the memory after he capitalised on a terrible kick-off error from Midtjylland.The ball was passed back to goalkeeper Elias Rafn Olafsson from the centre-circle at the restart.Olafsson’s attempted clearance was blocked by Birligea who ran straight through on goal.Read More in FootballThe striker simply tapped the ball straight into an empty net from a few yards out.The goal went in on 45mins 07secs.Fans were left in disbelief, with one person taking to social media to write: “This might be the WORST kick-off in history…”Another commented: “What coach actually gives the ok to starting the game like this? Madness.”Most read in Europa LeagueFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSA third said: “Back to the goalie from kick off deserves this happening.”While a fourth simply wrote: “What on earth.”Eight of the greatest players to never win the Ballon d’Or despite their incredible careersFCSB went on to win the match 2-0, leaving them eighth in the Europa League group stage table.Meanwhile, Midtjylland are down in 13th. More

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      Heartwarming moment PAOK star asks Paul Scholes to sign his shirt live on TV after defeat to Man Utd

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Paul Scholes was asked for an autograph from a PAOK ace after Thursday’s Europa League game at Old Trafford.United finally won their first European fixture in over a year when they beat the reigning Greek champions 2-0 thanks to a brace by Amad Diallo.Manchester United legend Paul Scholes took part in a heartwarming moment after the PAOK gamePAOK ace Magomed Ozdoev asked Man Utd great Scholes for an autograph on his shirtScholes, 49, seemed pleased with the result and his night got even better at full-time when he took part in a heartwarming moment with one of the opposition players.PAOK ace Magomed Ozdoev approached the legendary midfielder at pitchside as he prepared to go live on air for his post-match analysis of the game.And Ozdoev, 32, asked the former England international to sign his shirt for his father who is a big fan.Of course the United great happily obliged, and even shared a cheeky joke on camera as he looked back at that beautiful moment of sportsmanship.Read More on Man UtdScholes told TNT Sports: “He [Ozdoev] did [ask for an autograph].”I wasn’t sure he’d remember me, it was such a long time ago. “But he asked one for his dad, so I obliged. I think I spelled it right as well.”United hadn’t won a game in Europe since last year on October 24 in the Champions League when they beat Copenhagen 1-0 at Old Trafford.Most read in FootballSince then, the Red Devils had amassed a miserable record of two losses and four draws in six matches.The Manchester giants are now 15th in the League Phase table with three points separating them from the top eight and automatic qualification for the Last 16 of the Europa League.’That is so disrespectful’ says fans as Alejandro Garnacho snaps back in altercation with Man Utd fanThis was Ruud van Nistelrooy’s final European match in charge of Man Utd as interim boss as new manager Ruben Amorim will be taking over on Monday when he leaves Sporting Lisbon. More

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      Man Utd matchwinner Amad Diallo to be handed triple-your-money new deal with contract set to expire

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      AMAD DIALLO will be offered a new five-year contract before the end of the year to keep him at Old Trafford.The 22-year-old’s current deal runs out at the end of the season and the club are yet to trigger the option of a year’s extension.Amad Diallo is set to be offered a bumper new deal by Manchester UnitedCredit: ReutersBut United do not want to do that as they want the exciting winger on a completely new deal.After scoring both goals in a 2-0 win over PAOK on Thursday night in the Europa League, he made it clear he wants to put pen to paper on that new contract.Amad said: “I’m happy to be here. I’m happy to play for this club, and yeah, I want to stay here for a long, long, long time to make history with this club.”The deal could see the young star’s current £29,000-a-week wages triple to around £90,000.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe joined United in January 2021 from Atalanta in a £19million deal potentially rising to £37.2m and has had loan spells both at Rangers and Sunderland.Amad was a huge success with the Black Cats in 20022-23 and was named the club’s young player of the year.He returned to Old Trafford but has struggled to hold down a first team place.While he was United’s player of the month for August, his start against PAOK was his first in seven games but what a game it was.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe 5ft 8in winger opened the scoring with a rare header in the 50th minute against the Greek Champions.It was his second that stood out as he wrestled back possession in the 77th minute before curling a shot in.’That is so disrespectful’ says fans as Alejandro Garnacho snaps back in altercation with Man Utd fanHe said: “We worked on it training. We have to be aggressive. I pressed the defender, and I took the ball and then shot. So I was happy to score.”Amad has not kicked up a fuss because of his lack of first team chances but his application in training demanded a start on Thursday.He came in for Marcus Rashford and ahead of £86m man Antony.Amad said: “I always try to do my best, even when I am not starting I am focused.“I know I was Player of the Month in August, but I have moved on. I am focused for now, for the future and to give my best for the shirt and get this team back on top again.”He got a knock on his ankle on Thursday night forcing him off before the end of the game and it will be assessed ahead of Sunday’s home game against Leicester.Three Sporting stars Amorim could swoop for after joining Man UtdRUBEN AMORIM has ruled out poaching any of his Sporting Lisbon players in the January transfer window.But the Portuguese side’s chiefs expect Amorim will come calling in the summer – with his cheque book wide open.Here’s are three Sporting starts United could swoop for… but they won’t come cheap:VIKTOR GYOKERESAge: 26Position: StrikerCost: £84millionSwede has shone since joining Sporting last summer from Coventry — catching the eye of all Europe’s top clubs.Hit 43 goals in 50 games last season and boasts 18 strikes already this term.GONCALO INACIOAge: 23Position: DefenderCost: £50millionBall-playing centre-back was handed his debut by Amorim and has since become a key figure in Sporting’s recent title successes.Can also slot in at left-back if required and has 12 caps for Portugal.MORTEN HJULMANDAge: 25Position: MidfieldCost: £40millionDane is one of the top holding midfielders in Portugal — and made skipper by Amorim.He could be the man to replace Casemiro. More