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      I’m a former Premier League winner – now after retiring I work for a sweets company

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      LEONARDO ULLOA tasted the sweetest of victories as part of Leicester City’s miraculous 5,000-1 Premier League title win.And he is still getting a sugar rush in his new job at a confectionery company.
      Leonardo Ulloa won the Premier League title with Leicester City in 2016Credit: Getty
      Now he is working with Madrid confectionery company Sweet MonkeyCredit: Instagram @sweetmonkeyonline
      Ulloa, 37, arrived at the King Power for a club-record £8million from Brighton when the Foxes returned to the Premier League in 2014.
      He scored twice in the dramatic 5-3 win over Manchester United just a few weeks later before helping keep the club up with the greatest escape.
      Then in 2015-16, the Argentine striker played a key role in Claudio Ranieri’s incredible side that defied all odds and expectations to be crowned champions.
      Despite starting just seven Premier League games, Ulloa regularly replaced Shinji Okazaki around the hour mark, coming up trumps with six important goals.
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      However, it was his sliding finish in the 89th minute to secure Leicester a 1-0 win over Norwich that caused shockwaves – quite literally.
      Coming off the back of the 2-1 defeat at Arsenal in February, Leicester’s third and final league defeat, Ulloa poked home in the closing moments to secure all three points and send the King Power wild.
      The celebrations were so intense that University of Leicester geology students detected a historic 0.3 magnitude earthquake on a nearby seismometer.
      Ulloa was at team-mate Jamie Vardy’s house for the “Vardy Party” as Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham confirmed Leicester as champions, then appeared for the Foxes in their Champions League run to the quarter-finals.
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      But as his minutes dried up following a public falling out with Ranieri, he returned to the Amex on loan in January 2018 then signed for Mexican side Pachuca that summer.
      He then finished his playing days in 2021 with two years in Spain at Rayo Vallecano, hanging up his boots after a bad knee injury.
      He told the Brighton Argus: “We were able to get Rayo back into the first division.
      “I’d had some offers from Argentina and Chile to go back but I decided not to because of the family, because of me, because of everything.
      “After retiring there’s a lapse when you need to adapt yourself because I’ve always been involved in football but I’m getting used to this new life.
      “Mentally, I was prepared for it. The injury worked against me but, in the end, it was still my decision.”
      LEO-VING IT UP
      However, rather than moving back to Argentina, Ulloa settled in Madrid with his wife and daughters.
      And that has opened the doorway to his unexpected career change.
      As well as staying involved with football through some player representation work, the 6ft 2ins ex-striker is part of Madrid-based desserts company Sweet Monkey.
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      The business, set up by pastry chef and chocolatier Javier Guillen, specialises in creating delicious ice creams and frozen pastries – packed full of flavour and using lots of fruit in the recipes.
      And this new venture certainly is the cherry on top of Ulloa’s wonderful cake of a career.
      The late winner against Norwich sparked an earthquake around the King PowerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The striker, left, had his last spell with Rayo Vallecano in SpainCredit: Getty
      Sweet Monkey specialise in ice creams and dessertsCredit: Instagram @sweetmonkeyonline
      Ulloa enjoyed the sweet taste of success on the pitch before retiring in 2021Credit: Instagram @sweetmonkeyonline More

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      John Eustace fears managerial return could be KO’d after being sacked and replaced at Birmingham by Wayne Rooney

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      JOHN EUSTACE fears he has missed the boat on a managerial return at Bristol City.Eustace, 43, was the early favourite for a quick dugout comeback — just a couple of weeks after he was sacked by Birmingham.
      John Eustace was sacked with Birmingham sixth in the tableCredit: PA
      But the word from his camp is that he will not join the Robins and he now expects a rival gaffer to get the job.
      Bristol City sacked Nigel Pearson as boss last week.
      The former Leicester boss was axed following his side’s 2-0 defeat to Cardiff.
      Pearson’s final defeat left Bristol City 15th in the Championship table.
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      Curtis Fleming was subsequently named the Robins’ interim manager.
      The former Ireland international led his side to a 1-0 win over Rotherham yesterday.
      Rob Dickie’s 64th minute effort saw Bristol City claim all three points, taking them to tenth in the table.
      After the match, Fleming was full of praise for his players.
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      He said: “I’m really proud of the guys, they worked their socks off.
      “We asked the lads to pass the ball more and they did that.
      “There’s definitely things we need to work on but, for the week that we have had, you couldn’t have asked for anything more from the players, their work-rate, trying to do what you want them to do, getting the result and moving five places up the table.
      “That’s the most important thing.” More

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      Sheffield Wednesday owner Dejphon Chansiri makes takeover decision… even if club drop straight back into League One

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      SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY owner Dejphon Chansiri has no plans to sell the club — even if they go straight back down to League One.Chansiri shocked fans by suggesting they might be asked to pay the struggling club’s tax bill last week, before eventually finding the funds.
      Dejphon Chansiri is determined to stay on as Wednesday ownerCredit: Getty
      And despite a growing battle with the supporters, Chansiri wants to carry on.
      Chansiri acquired Wednesday from Milan Mandaric in 2015.
      He initially targeted promotion to the Premier League, but in recent years has seen his side languish in League One.
      Last season they were promoted by the skin of their teeth via the League One play-offs.
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      Boss Darren Moore departed in the summer amid a disagreement with Chansiri.
      Wednesday replaced Moore with former Watford boss Xisco Munoz.
      The Spaniard lasted just 12 games, however, going winless before being given the boot.
      Danny Rohl was appointed as Munoz’s successor.
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      He lost 3-0 at Plymouth Argyle in his first game in charge, before claiming Wednesday’s first win of the season 2-0 against Rotherham last week.
      Yesterday ten-man Wednesday lost 1-0 at Bristol City.
      They currently sit bottom of the Championship table, already nine points from safety.
      Danny Rohl has been tasked with trying to keep Wednesday upCredit: Rex More

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      Forgotten Tottenham wonderkid linked with Premier League transfer return amid contract stand-off at Sunderland

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      BRENTFORD are on red alert for a swoop as Sunderland struggle to sort out a new deal for star Jack Clarke.Bees boss Thomas Frank wants Clarke — as we first revealed — and their chances are being boosted by a deadlock between the wideman and the Black Cats.
      Brentford want to sign Sunderland star Jack Clarke for around £15millionCredit: Rex
      Clarke has found himself in a contract stand-off with SunderlandCredit: Rex
      Sunderland are offering in-demand Clarke a raise but also want to include a big sell-on clause in any deal.
      Clarke, who is under contract until 2026 at the Stadium of Light, led the Championship top scorer charts going into November.
      Potential suitors will be chasing him in January, so the Wearside club have put new terms to the 22-year-old.
      But the cash on offer is not a big increase and he could pick up much more in the Premier League.
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      Sunderland chiefs are also keen to add a fixed fee of just below £20million, so it will take a lot of haggling to get his future sorted.
      Brentford would go to around £15m — while Burnley had bids rejected for him in the summer window.
      Clarke’s senior career kicked off in 2018 with Leeds after spending nine years in the Whites’ youth ranks.
      The winger then completed a big move to Tottenham only a year later.
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      However, the former England youth international only managed a total of four appearances throughout his three-year stint in North London.
      That also included loan spells back at Leeds as well as Queens Park Rangers, Stoke and Sunderland.
      The Black Cats then signed the forward on a permanent basis in 2022, just a few months after he joined on loan.
      Clarke counts a total of 21 goals and 19 assists in 86 appearances so far with Sunderland. More

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      Emma Louise Jones celebrates Leeds’ surprise win at Leicester in low-cut jumpsuit as fans call her ‘absolutely gorgeous’

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      EMMA LOUISE JONES put a spring in the step of Leeds fans with a low-cut jumpsuit as she hailed a stunning win at Championship leaders Leicester.And while Daniel Farke’s men showed the Foxes a thing or two, Emma showed more rather than Leics – thanks to a “naughty angle”.
      Emma Louise Jones and Michael Bridges enjoyed an epic Leeds winCredit: X
      The Leeds TV star has 341,000 followers on Twitter and 400k on InstagramCredit: https://www.instagram.com/eljonesuk/?hl=en
      Glowing in her team’s colours, Emma has seen Leeds rise to thirdCredit: Instagram / @eljonesuk
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      She posted a snap of herself in a plunging outfit, along with the words: “A very happy @LUFC TV studio tonight!”
      Perched behind the BBC broadcaster in the rather compact room was ex-Leeds and Sunderland striker Michael Bridges, whose smile was equally as broad as Emma’s as he clenched his fist to salute victory.
      But although the duo are a partnership behind the mike, Emma was way out in front when it came to attention gained from her triumphant selfie.
      “Looking hot in that blue jumpsuit,” said one fan.
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      “That’s a naughty angled shot, E”, claimed another.
      Similar responses included “Absolutely gorgeous”… “Just beautiful”… “Good lord”… and “looking good, Emma”.
      But in case the popular presenter got carried away with all the praise, one observer wrote: “Lookin damn lovely… hello to you as well Emma!”
      However, if that comment lifted Bridges, this one might have had a sinking effect: “Best looking studio too – and I’m not referring to Michael!”
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      Earlier, Leeds’ impressive second-half display ended Leicester’s run of nine straight Championship victories.
      Georginio Rutter pounced to fire the only goal from a close-range rebound on 58 minutes.
      But Leicester still lead the table by five points from surprise package Ipswich, with Leeds a further six points adrift.
      However, with Southampton in fourth place, many might expect the three clubs relegated from the Premier League last season to put the squeeze on “the odd team out” amongst these pace-setters – the Tractor Boys.
      Things are shaping up well for Emma and her teamCredit: https://www.instagram.com/eljonesuk/?hl=en
      It’s rarely a grey day for Emma’s army of online admirersCredit: Instagram @eljonesuk
      The broadcaster has covered or attended host of sportsCredit: Twitter @eljonesuk More

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      New QPR boss Marti Cifuentes knows exactly what to expect from dogfight even if fans dont know what to expect from him

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      WHEN Marti Cifuentes was appointed QPR boss this week, many fans could be forgiven for asking: “Marti Who?”Former Loftus Road Championship-winning boss and vastly-experienced Neil Warnock had been the first name on most people’s lips to replace the sacked Gareth Ainsworth — especially after freshly saving Huddersfield from certain relegation.
      Cifuentes knows what he’s getting into
      Players will need to be straight on it against Rotherham
      So when Cifuentes was named instead, a quick glance through his CV hardly had Rs fans jumping up and down with excitement.
      He had stints with little-known Spanish clubs Rubi, Sant Andreu and Hospitalet followed by Scandinavian sides Sandefjord, AaB and Hammarby IF.
      So what are his credentials for saving the club from relegation with only Sheffield Wednesday propping them up after six defeats in a row and just two points from their last nine?
      He told SunSport: “I’ve achieved results and targets at the other clubs I’ve been to. I got results in Spain, Norway, Denmark and Sweden — and usually it’s not been an easy task. I don’t see why this will be different. 
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      “A big part of my confidence comes from what I see in this squad but also from the fans. This is a fantastic club with a great history and together we can make a strong team.
      “I’ve been in relegation fights before and won them! 
      “When I first became manager in the middle of the season at Sant Andreu (2013-14), I was the youngest coach in Spanish professional football and they had 13-14 games left. 
      “We lost the first three and it looked dark. We made some tough decisions with experienced players that were not delivering and somehow got out of trouble with two games left.
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      Marti Cifuentes in training
      “When I took over in Denmark with Aalborg (AaB), they were in a battle and it took six games to win. The fans were not happy for a while but we finished the season strong and qualified for Europa play-offs. Before I left the following season, we were fourth after 17 games.
      “When you’re in a relegation battle, there’s anxiety for fans and I understand that. We’re all passionate about our club and football. 
      “But it’s vital to keep people’s eyes in the storm, being critical about things we can improve, being clear about the areas we need to improve to get the results and then hopefully we can build a good chemistry with the supporters because they’ll play a big and important role.”
      But it looks a risky appointment — seeing as Cifuentes has never managed in English football before.
      However, as he is quick to point out, he knows a lot about English football, the Championship and in particular QPR.
      The Spanish manager came to these shores on an English coaching fact-finding mission during the 2008-09 season — where he was given access to watch Millwall training sessions under Kenny Jackett. He had been working for Ajax but wanted to experience a different football identity to identical ones he witnessed in Spain and Holland.
      And while here, he went to his first English match … at Loftus Road.
      Cifuentes reckons the Championship is going the way of the Premier League thanks to an influx of foreign players and coaches
      He said: “I got invited by a friend to go and watch QPR v Charlton and I got a good impression and picture of what football is all about to people in this country.
      “At that time, as a neutral spectator, I just wanted to enjoy the game. After four minutes it was a corner and everybody was cheering, standing up and I was just sitting in my seat. Then two guys came to us, saying ‘Guys, come on, let’s celebrate, it’s a f***ing corner!’ 
      “I really enjoyed it, the atmosphere, the game.
      “Paulo Sousa was manager then and one of the first foreign coaches in the Championship at the time.”
      Cifuentes believes that the influence of coaches and players from abroad have seen English football’s second tier evolve over the past 10 years in the way the Premier League did a decade earlier.
      He said: “It has more foreign influence, more coaches from different parts of the world, more players from abroad so that makes the game, and the league, develop. 
      “Now you can see there are different styles of play. Last season, Vincent Kompany with his Burnley team went up playing a style that perhaps was impossible 10 years ago in the Championship. That makes this league interesting from a coaching perspective because they are very different teams.”
      The Spaniard has now warming up time as he’s straight in for a clash vs Rotherham
      The Spaniard has walked straight into the frying pan for his first game as second-bottom QPR travel today to third-bottom Rotherham today. The Millers are an old-school up-and-at-them team.
      And Cifuentes said: “I’m well aware about the kind of game we will have at Rotherham, about what kind of football we’re going to face.
      “It’s going to be intense, a lot of duels, a lot of second balls against a team that is clear on their identity.
      “We will try to play a game that is according to our history, according to my ideas and those the players will have, hopefully we can beat them.”
      Cifuentes arrives in West London from Hammarby, who are sixth in Sweden’s top division with two games left.
      And the last manager to arrive in the Championship from a Swedish club was none other than Graham Potter at Swansea, who went on to do a superb job with Brighton before his ill-fated spell at Chelsea.
      Cifuentes believes the Seagulls and Brentford are perfect models for teams like QPR to emulate.
      He said: “I like to watch a lot of Brighton and loved watching Graham Potter’s teams at Ostersund, he did a great job there. 
      “When you look at clubs like Brighton and Brentford, it brings into focus something that’s hugely underrated in football — continuity, believing one idea. 
      “Nowadays it’s difficult because it’s a short-term business, result-oriented and difficult to manage with the expectations of the fans, financial expectations and so on.
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      “But when you have belief in the project and when you have the right people in place and there is the right commitment there, over time it is possible to build like these two clubs for instance.
      “And there are many others in many parts of the world that are a good example about how to get a successful case as a club.” More

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      Premier League referee Anthony Taylor DEMOTED for first time in four years after ‘scandalous’ penalty decision

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      REFEREE Anthony Taylor has been demoted to the Championship for the first time in four years.The 45-year-old infuriated fans after awarding Newcastle a controversial penalty during a Premier League match against Wolves last weekend.
      Anthony Taylor has been demoted to the ChampionshipCredit: Alamy
      He awarded a controversial penalty to Newcastle last weekCredit: AFP
      He pointed to the spot after Hwang Hee-chan brought down Fabian Schar while attempting to clear the ball.
      The decision was not overturned by VAR despite a lengthy check, but both Hwang and Wolves boss Gary O’Neil were adamant that it wasn’t a penalty.
      O’Neil even went as far as calling it “scandalous”.
      The match finished 2-2 after Wolves came from behind twice.
      Read More on Football
      However, Taylor’s controversial first-half call overshadowed the result.
      The referee has now been demoted to the Championship, where he will oversee this weekend’s match between Preston and Coventry.
      It will be his first second-tier match since 2019.
      Taylor is not the first Premier League official to be demoted this season.
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      Assistant referee Adrian Holmes officiated Millwall’s clash with Hull last month after incorrectly deeming Luis Diaz’s goal against Tottenham to be offside – a decision that was controversially not overturned by VAR in a shock error.
      Referee standards body PGMOL subsequently had to issue a grovelling apology. More

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      Jude Bellingham reveals surprise four football idols as fans joke ‘never heard his and Zidane’s name in same sentence’

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      REAL MADRID superstar Jude Bellingham revealed a bizarre list of football idols that left fans stunned.Bellingham has set the world alight at the Santiago Bernabeu with 13 goals and three assists in 13 appearances across all competitions for Real.
      Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham revealed his four football idolsCredit: Getty
      The midfielder’s stunning performances with Los Blancos, following a glittering campaign with Borussia Dortmund, led to the Kopa Award for best young player in the world.
      After winning the prestigious honour, the 20-year-old was asked to name the football stars he looked up to while growing up and cutting his teeth at youth level.
      The England international’s response stunned fans around the world as he started out by naming Birmingham City legends Seb Larsson, Craig Gardner and Lee Bowyer – and Zinedine Zidane.
      Bellingham grew up loving the Blues and went on to spend ten years at St Andrew’s before moving to Dortmund in 2020.
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      Larsson, Gardner and Bowyer earned a permanent place in the LaLiga star’s heart after they led Birmingham to their League Cup triumph in 2011 by beating Arsenal 2-1 at Wembley.
      But as he kept growing, Bellingham started studying the game a lot more and learned about Zidane thanks to his father’s admiration for the France legend.
      The Birmingham hero learned to idolise Zizou so much that he asked Real team-mate Jesus Vallejo to give up the No5 jersey for him so that he could honour his idol on the same pitch where he competed as a Galactico.
      Bellingham told L’Equipe: “I admired the Birmingham players, the team that won the League Cup at Wembley. My heroes were Seb Larsson, Craig Gardner and Lee Bowyer.
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      “As I got more into it, dad was the most important. Later, my first models were Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard, simply because they played in England.
      “And then when you grow up, you start watching football. My dad had a fake Zidane shirt that he had bought on the beach. He took it everywhere, often at home.
      “One day I asked him: ‘By the way, who is that guy?’ He replied: ‘Go on YouTube and check him out’. Since then, I probably haven’t stopped.
      “Zidane was the player I wanted to be. I was lucky enough to meet him during the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool [in 2022].
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      Bellingham idolised Zinedine Zidane as well as Seb Larsson, Craig Gardner and Lee BowyerCredit: Rex
      “I was like a kid, wide-eyed. It’s so humbling for someone who has achieved so much. He gave off a great presence. And, according to the guys who played with him here, he was a great coach. That is just as important.”
      Fans were left in disbelief as they stormed social media to analyse Bellingham’s unique choices.
      One supporter wrote: “One of the rare occasions that Lee Bowyer and Zinedine Zidane get mentioned together.”
      Another commented: “He’s literally a cross between the players he mentions. Craig Gardner, Seb Larsson, Lee Bowyer and Zinedine Zidane.”
      And a third wrote: “Jude Bellingham loves Zidane so much.” More