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      Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag insisted grass cut to 2mm, fumed at drinks not lined up and built window into office

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      ERIK TEN HAG has gone to extraordinary lengths to ensure his managerial career would be a success.The Dutchman, 53, helped spark a Red Devils revival – winning the League Cup, reaching the FA Cup final and qualifying for the Champions League in his first season.
      Erik ten Hag strives for perfection as a manager
      The ex-Ajax chief is well known for his constant striving for perfection on the pitch, but he also demands it off it too.
      Sjoerd Overgoor, who was managed by his countryman at Go Ahead Eagles, told Sky Sports: “He wanted the drinks put out in straight lines.
      “Everything had to be perfect in his eyes. People needed time to get used to that. ”
      Ten Hag’s constant need for perfection was even felt by Go Ahead Eagles’ groundsmen.
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      Overgoor recalled: “We had one man whose job it was to look after the pitch.
      “Every day, Erik would be coming to him and saying that the grass had to be two millimetres or something like that.”
      Ten Hag even had a window built into his office door so he could keep an extra eye on his players.
      Overgoor said:  “He put a window in his office door.
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      “We were all saying to each other that he was doing that so he could see what we were doing.”
      Ten Hag led Dutch minnows Go Ahead Eagles to their first promotion in 17 years during his solitary season at the De Adelaarshorst stadium.
      Overgoor said of his brief reign: “That was a big difference for everyone at the club.
      “He changed everything. Remember, this is not a big club in Holland.
      “We did not have the best facilities but he made them the best.
      “A lot of coaches come to clubs like Eagles and have the attitude that they have to deal with it.
      “He did not deal with it. Instead, he made it better and better.”
      United’s stars have already felt the force of Ten Hag’s n o-nonsense approach – once having to run nearly ten miles the day after a 4-0 loss to Brentford at the start of last season.
      Cristiano Ronaldo was also frozen out by the coach and later sold after he refused to come on as a sub.
      Ten Hag now enters his second season in charge at United, having led them to a third-place finish last season.
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      He has completed the signing of Mason Mount but is still looking for at least a new keeper and centre forward.
      Erik ten Hag has been known for his extraordinary managerial methodsCredit: Getty More

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      Wolves star chased by Champions League side Napoli as club reject huge £30m transfer bid for defender

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      WOLVES have rejected a £30million bid from Italian giants Napoli for centre-back Max Kilman.Kilman, 26, is admired by the Serie A champions as they look to replace the outgoing Kim Min-Jae who has attracted interest from Manchester United and Bayern Munich.
      Kilman is subject to interest from Italian giants NapoliCredit: Getty
      Kim was the outstanding centre-back in the Serie A last season but Napoli face losing him due to a £43m release clause in his contract.
      The Korean has reportedly agreed personal terms with Bayern ahead of a move to the Bundesliga side – and Napoli see Kilman as the perfect replacement.
      As reported by David Ornstein in the Athletic, Wolves will demand a £34m fee for Kilman.
      The defender’s contract runs until 2026 with Wolves having the option to extend by a further year.
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      That means the club are under little pressure to sell, with Kilman also open to extending his stay at Molyneux.
      Wolves signed the defender from non-league Maidenhead United in 2018 for just £40,000 to play for the club’s under-23s.
      He has since gone on to make 107 first-team appearances for Wolves’ first team since making his debut in 2019.
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      Wolves could face a busy window as they look to replace outgoing defenders having already sold Nathan Collins, 22, to Brentford for £23m.
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      The £23m paid by Brentford is a club record fee for the Bees.
      Collins’ departure followed Wolves’ own record sale as they sold Ruben Neves to Saudi Pro-League side Al-Hilal for £47m.
      Meanwhile Conor Coady, 30, has joined Leicester City from Wolves in a £7.5m deal.
      The former Wolves captain spent last season on loan at Everton but the Toffees did not activate their £4.5m option to buy the England international. More

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      Newcastle line up £30m Champions League star as Eddie Howe acts quickly after missing out on Szoboszlai transfer

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      NEWCASTLE are chasing Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Jesper Lindstrom.The Danish international, 23, is valued at around £30million, making him a much cheaper alternative to previous targets James Maddison and Dominik Szoboszlai.
      Newcastle are chasing Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Jesper LindstromCredit: Getty
      Lindstrom scored seven goals in the Bundesliga last season and is also wanted by AC Milan and RB Leipzig, who had a £21.5million offer rejected.
      Magpies manager Eddie Howe wants another creative player on top of £55m incoming midfielder Sandro Tonali from AC Milan.
      Lindstrom started his career at boyhood Brondby, making 65 appearances before joining Frankfurt in 2021, winning the Europa League and Rookie of the Season in his first campaign.
      And the youngster has 10 Denmark caps, making three appearances at the 2022 World Cup.
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      Newcastle hope to wrap up a deal for for Tonali later this week.
      Tonali is currently with Italy U21s in Romania, with Newcastle medical staff jetting out last week to complete the deal.
      Manchester United cult hero Ibrahimovic played alongside Tonali at the San Siro for the last three years.
      They won the Serie A title in 2021-22 and reached the Champions League semis last season.
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      And the Swede, 41, said: “Is he ready for the Premier League? Yes, I think so. Sure, it depends on him.
      “I made him understand the right mentality he must have in order to win, and he won.
      “He grew up a lot with Milan, he has a great responsibility and still has to grow, but in England he will do it, and he will do it well.”
      Newcastle hope to wrap up a deal for for Sandro TonaliCredit: EPA More

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      Champions League-winning boss Ljupko Petrovic ‘in critical condition after a car crash’ aged 76

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      FORMER Red Star Belgrade manager Ljupko Petrović is reportedly in a critical condition after being involved in a car crash.The accident happened on the outskirts of Belgrade, according to journalist Metodi Shumanov.
      Ljupko Petrovic is in critical condition after being involved in a car crashCredit: AFP
      Petrovic, 76, won the European Cup with Red Star Belgrade in 1991 during his first spell in charge of the club.
      In the same year he won the Yugoslav First League before leaving the following summer to join Espanyol.
      In total Petrovic has managed 25 different clubs – some multiple times including Red Star Belgrade in three different spells.
      He is currently in charge of Bulgarian second division side Litex Lovech having initially re-joined as a consultant earlier this year after three previous stints as manager.
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      Petrovic has managed in several countries including China, Greece, Vietnam, Kazakhstan and Uruguay.
      But much of his success has come closer to home, winning four trophies with Red Star including the Serbia and Montenegro league and cup double in 1995.
      The veteran also won the Bulgarian Championship with Levski Sofia in 2001 before lifting the Bulgarian Cup with Litex Lovech three years later.
      A year prior he won the Chinese FA Cup with Beijing Guoan.
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      Petrovic then had to wait several years for his next taste of silverware, which came when he won the Rwanda National Football League with APR FC in 2014, and then again in 2018. More

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      Forgotten Champions League winner with Chelsea is now successful businessman and even attended Harvard

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      FORMER Chelsea defender Ryan Bertrand has founded and sold a business before even retiring from football.The left-back, 33, started the Blues’ Champions League final triumph 11 years ago as they beat Bayern Munich on penalties to clinch their first ever European triumph.
      Former Chelsea man Ryan Bertrand now plays for LeicesterCredit: Getty
      Bertrand, right, won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2012Credit: Getty
      More than a decade on, Bertrand has played for the likes of Aston Villa and Southampton, but now plies his trade at Leicester.
      And while he is gearing up for a return to the Championship following the Foxes’ relegation from the Premier League, it is off the pitch where he has garnered much of his success in recent years.
      Bertrand started trading as a young 18-year-old at Chelsea – an interest which eventually led him to start his own brokerage in 2015.
      He set up the business – a fintech start-up called “Silicon Markets” – with the idea of “bringing institutional tools to the at-home trader”.
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      And after developing the company, the ex-Blues star sold it to a Malaysian firm.
      But that is not the only venture he has dipped his toe into over the past decade.
      Bertrand also developed an emoji business alongside ex-team-mate John Terry.
      Speaking to Sky Sports in 2021, he said: “Sports is my passion, that’ll never leave, but finance is another one.
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      “As you’re building the blocks towards post-career, you’ve got to re-learn, re-train, help yourself become an expert in something different.
      “It’s those horror stories that have kept me ahead of the game, I’m always thinking forward.”
      Bertrand’s impressive business-savvy attitude led him to complete the Harvard alternative investments course.
      The course, put on by one of the world’s most renowned universities, is something the defender hopes will further his business knowledge.
      He also has plans to take on the FA’s technical director course at some stage – and has one eye on a role on the board of a football club in the future.
      Bertrand, who is set to work under his 21st manager in Enzo Maresca, told The Guardian in 2018: “At first, English managers could possibly fear it [a director of football]. No one is telling me which players to buy, they’d say.
      “But if you look at it, the demands on one human in the modern-day game … you can’t become six of you.
      “There are specialisms – player recruitment, making sure the club’s methodology is being kept from the youth team up.
      “That’s ultimately what the director of football’s role should be.” More

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      Gareth Bale reveals furious Cristiano Ronaldo moment at Real Madrid where he would ‘throw his boots’ after 5-0 win

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      GARETH BALE revealed a furious Cristiano Ronaldo would throw his boots in anger – even after 5-0 wins.The Welsh wizard, 33, spent five years playing alongside Ronaldo for Real Madrid.
      Cristiano Ronaldo used to get frustrated even if his team wonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Gareth Bale revealed the story on the golf courseCredit: YouTube
      And he gave the inside story on what it was like to share a pitch and a changing room with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
      Speaking on Martin Borgmeier’s YouTube channel at the BMW International Open Pro-Am golf tournament, Bale was quizzed on the Portuguese star.
      He said: “He was actually okay. He had his moments.
      “For example, if we win 5-0 and he didn’t score, he comes in and throws his boots like he’s angry.
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      “It’s like your team winning in the Ryder Cup but you didn’t get a point so you are angry.
      “But he was a nice guy, nothing wrong, we didn’t really have any problems.
      “A lot of people could be scared of how he is but if you’re not then it’s fine.”
      Serial winner Ronaldo, 38, has racked up an incredible 31 team trophies and countless individual gongs.
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      He is now seemingly seeing out his career at Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia following his dramatic exit from Manchester United.
      Bale, meanwhile, secured his fifth Champions League winner’s medal against Liverpool last year.
      The ex-Tottenham star left Real immediately afterwards, ending his nine-year stint with Los Blancos with 106 goals in 258 games, before a final swansong winning the MLS Cup with Los Angeles FC.
      He added: “I enjoyed Tottenham more because it’s more of a family than Real Madrid and everyone is English.
      “But I enjoyed Madrid more in terms of football.”
      Bale announced his retirement in January following the World Cup in Qatar.
      Since then, he has enjoyed playing a lot of golf.
      And that included securing his very first hole-in-one – which was caught on camera in brilliant scenes.
      The pair spent five seasons together at the BernabeuCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      Where Lionel Messi’s 15 wonderkids he thought would be future superstars are now, from Mason Mount to Joao Felix

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      IN 2020, Lionel Messi picked out 15 young stars to watch – but where are they now?The Argentina World Cup winner, 35, named his favourite wonderkids for a Topps ‘Lionel Messi Designed Set’ card pack.
      We look at how the 15 youngsters Messi picked out as ones to watch have fared in the year that followedCredit: Reuters
      Messi selected a hatful of young English talent among his crop – with no fewer than FOUR Three Lions stars making the grade.
      But the 15 youngsters have endured very different years since Messi’s announcement.
      Take a look at where they are now.
      TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD
      Alexander-Arnold has struggled a bit for consistency since his epic riseCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      MESSI got a first-hand view of the Liverpool right-back’s talent in the 2018-19 Champions League.
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      Alexander-Arnold, 24, was in blistering form as the Reds thumped Barcelona 4-0 in the second-leg of their semi-final clash – and even took the corner leading to Divock Origi’s winning goal to send them to the final.
      Still Liverpool’s No1 right-back, Alexander-Arnold has faced criticism over his defensive ability in the last few seasons.
      However, he reinvented himself in midfield for England in the recent win over North Macedonia.
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      HOUSSEM AOUAR
      Houssem Aouar excelled for Lyon in his first full seasonCredit: AFP or licensors
      LINKED with a move to Arsenal, Aouar captained Lyon and has already won caps for France.
      Technically superb, the versatile midfielder, 24, was expected to complete a big-money move to another of Europe’s giants in 2021.
      However, a loss of form and questions about his temperament emerged and he failed to make the World Cup squad.
      He recently signed for Roma on a free transfer, where he will play next season.
      FRENKIE DE JONG
      Frenkie De Jong is still waiting to find his top form at BarcelonaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      A former team-mate of Messi, the Argentine knows all about De Jong.
      The Dutchman, 26, moved from Ajax following their run to the 2018-19 Champions League semi-final.
      While De Jong is yet to replicate his top form at the Nou Camp – time is certainly on his side.
      Man Utd thought so, anyway, and were desperate to sign him last summer. However, he snubbed their offer – preferring to stay at Camp Nou.
      MOUSSA DEMBELE
      Moussa Dembele moved to Atletico Madrid on loan in 2021Credit: Alamy Live News
      THE French striker, 26, joined Atletico Madrid on loan from Lyon with a view to a permanent move back in 2021.
      But, he failed to impress Diego Simeone – and was soon back to France.
      The ex-Fulham and Celtic forward was rated one of Europe’s most-sought-after stars after a sensational three-year spell in France.
      Dembele has scored 70 times in 172 matches in all competitions for Lyon.
      JOAO FELIX
      Joao Felix is slowly starting to find his feet at Atletico MadridCredit: Reuters
      ANOTHER Atleti forward, Diego Simeone added Felix to his squad for a record £113million in 2019.
      But the 23-year-old has failed to live up to the hype expected of him.
      A poor return of 34 goals in 131 games and has meant Simeone is ready to cut his losses.
      Man Utd are one of the clubs that have been linked with the fallen wonderkid.
      A loan move last season to Chelsea in January, where he scored just four goals in 20 games, won’t have helped his cause for a future move.
      PHIL FODEN
      Phil Foden has been in exceptional form for Man CityCredit: AFP
      THE Manchester City star, 23, is making a name for himself across Europe.
      As well as Messi, Foden has garnered praise from the likes of Arsene Wenger.
      Under Pep Guardiola, Foden has flourished and become a full international.
      The clamour for him to be England’s main man at the World Cup was too much for Gareth Southgate to resist – and he inspired the Three Lions to a 3-0 win over Wales.
      KAI HAVERTZ
      Kai Havertz has struggled mightily since his £70m move to Chelsea last summerCredit: Eddie Keogh Telegraph Media Group
      AFTER Messi’s comments, Havertz teased clubs across Europe by showing off his unquestionable talent at Bayer Leverkusen.
      After Chelsea opted to splash £70m on the midfielder/forward, Havertz, 24, was expected to take the next step.
      The German star blew hot and cold for the Blues, showing glimpses of his talent – but never on a consistent level.
      This summer, Arsenal have taken a punt on Havertz who will hope to rediscover his form at the Emirates.
      LUKA JOVIC
      Luka Jovic tried to rekindle his form back at Eintracht FrankfurtCredit: EPA
      SIGNED by Real Madrid from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2019, Jovic’s career has really stalled.
      The Serbian, 25, scored just twice in 21 LaLiga games before being shipped back on loan to Frankfurt last year.
      Jovic scored twice off the bench in his first game back in the Bundesliga – but didn’t exactly pull up trees.
      Los Blancos cut their losses in the summer – flogging him to Fiorentina where he scored 13 goals in all competitions last season.
      JOSHUA KIMMICH
      Joshua Kimmich continues to prove he is one of the best players in the worldCredit: AFP
      HARDLY a wonderkid at the time of Messi’s revelation – Kimmich was already 25. He’s now 28.
      The German feels like he’s been around for a decade already and is easily one of the best players on the planet.
      The versatile star can play in midfield or at right-back and has already won 79 international caps, while helping Bayern Munich to a famous Treble last season.
      Kimmich was part of the Bayern team who trounced Messi’s Barcelona 8-2 in the Champions League quarter-final, even getting on the scoresheet.
      KYLIAN MBAPPE
      Kylian Mbappe is arguably the best striker on the planet at presentCredit: AFP or licensors
      QUITE possibly the best striker on the planet right now, Mbappe has scored a sensational 212 goals in 260 league games for Paris Saint-Germain.
      The 2018 World Cup winner, 24, was set to move to Real Madrid last summer, but snubbed the LaLiga giants for a bumper £300million contract with the French club.
      However, he has now revealed he won’t be extending his contract beyond 2024 and has reportedly agreed a contract with Real Madrid.
      EDER MILITAO
      Eder Militao is yet to earn himself a regular spot in the Real Madrid XICredit: Getty Images – Getty
      HAVING moved to Real Madrid from Porto in the summer of 2019, huge things were expected of the Brazilian, who was handed a SIX-YEAR contract.
      Militao, 25, has shown flashes of talent after breaking into the first team.
      But Militao can’t dislodge Thiago Silva and Marquinhos in the Brazilian national team.
      MASON MOUNT
      Mason Mount has been in superb form for a struggling Chelsea this seasonCredit: Tom Jenkins/ The Guardian
      A FUTURE Chelsea – and possibly even England – captain, Mount has been superb for the Blues.
      Mount, 24, bizarrely seems to split fans – but has shown grit, determination and extraordinary talent in a struggling Chelsea team.
      The midfielder has gone from strength-to-strength since Messi comments.
      It’s expected Mount will go on to forge an incredible partnership with the likes of Declan Rice, Jack Grealish, James Maddison and Phil Foden for England in what’s increasingly looking like another ‘Golden Generation’.
      Although, Chelsea seemingly see him as surplus to requirements – as they negotiate a move away from Cobham to Man Utd.
      BENJAMIN PAVARD
      Benjamin Pavard is a key member of Bayern Munich’s rampant squadCredit: EPA
      MESSI was never going to leave the Bayern Munich man out of his list.
      After all, Pavard, 27, scored the goal of the tournament as France knocked Argentina out of the 2018 World Cup at the last-16 stage with a sensational strike in a 4-3 win.
      The versatile defender is now a regular in the Bayern XI, playing 162 Bundesliga games since joining from Stuttgart in 2019.
      CHRISTIAN PULISIC
      Christian Pulisic needs to fully recover from his injuries to show his true talentCredit: PA
      DESPITE struggling with injuries, Pulisic has shown fans – and Messi – just what he can do.
      Chelsea always seem to look more dangerous with the American, 24, in the team.
      Pulisic also led the USA’s charge in Qatar admirably at the World Cup last year.
      JADON SANCHO
      Sancho starred at Borussia Dortmund, but has struggled since moving to Man UtdCredit: EPA
      OF all the players on Messi’s list, Sancho has arguably been the most disappointing
      The Man Utd star, 23, was the subject of the longest-running transfer saga ever, seemingly in 2021.
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      Sancho eventually joined in a deal worth a staggering £73million.
      Back in January, he admitted to having to overcome “physical and mental” issues. More

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      ‘Best Champagne’ in the Premier League revealed as sacked chief hopes for European reunion with new club

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      SACKED Leeds chief Victor Orta hopes to draw Newcastle in the Champions League with Sevilla next season… because the Magpies have the best champagne.Orta joined the Spanish side as director of football after being axed by the Whites in May following a string of transfer gaffes.
      Victor Orta hopes Sevilla draw Newcastle in the Champions LeagueCredit: AFP
      He has replaced Aston Villa-bound Monchi.
      Sevilla are in pot one for the upcoming season’s Champions League draw, which takes place in August, due to them winning the Europa League.
      They could face Newcastle, who are in pot four following a 20-year absence from the competition.
      Orta spoke to Newcastle’s transfer chief Dan Ashworth over Zoom at the Sports Data Forum.
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      He admitted he wants the Toon to end their 54-year trophy drought.
      He said: “Dan, I have two wishes for you. One, we cross paths in the Champions League because the suite of your chairman has the best champagne in England by far.
      “I want to come back.
      “Secondly, last year was the Carabao Cup final (defeat against Manchester United). This year, I hope there’s a trophy for Newcastle because you deserve it.” 
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      Orta worked at Leeds for six years, helping the club gain promotion to the Premier League under Marcelo Bielsa.
      He was slammed by fans after sacking the popular Argentine and bringing in the likes of Jesse Marsch and Javi Gracia.
      Orta signed the likes of Brenden Aaronson, Dan James and Georgino Rutter for big money, all of whom struggled to make an impact at Elland Road.
      The 44-year-old returns to Sevilla, where he worked as a technical director from 2006 to 2013. More