Championship

ALEX NEIL has been announced as the new head coach of Championship side Millwall.The 43-year-old has penned a long-term deal with the Lions following the resignation of Neil Harris.Alex Neil has been announced as Millwall’s new head coachCredit: RexHe will be joined by assistant coach Martin Canning.On the appointment, Millwall chairman James Berylson said: “We’re excited to welcome Alex to the club. Having met with him over the last couple of weeks, I have really enjoyed his passion and energy for the role.”We have a clear vision and strategy at the club that Alex is aligned with, and he has some really exciting ideas of how we can progress with those objectives and ambitions together across the entire club.”All our support is there for Alex, and I can’t wait to see what he can do for us. I, alongside everybody at Millwall, wish him the very best as our new Head Coach.”Read More in FootballNeil will take charge of his first match on Wednesday, when Millwall face Oxford United at The Den.The Scot has previously managed Hamilton Academical, Norwich City, Preston North End, Sunderland and Stoke City.However, he had been out of work for over a year until now.Neil was sacked by Stoke in December 2023, with the club 20th in the Championship table.Most read in ChampionshipFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSPrior to his career in management, he played as a defensive midfielder.He starred for Scottish teams Airdrieonians and Hamilton Academical as well as English clubs Barnsley and Mansfield Town.Millwall fans boo their own light show at The Den ahead of Leeds clash More

WOLVES have Sunderland No 1 Anthony Patterson on their radar again in case they lose one of their own keepers at Molineux.Portugal ace Jose Sa is back in the Wanderers side under new boss Vitor Pereira, with previous first-pick Sam Johnstone shocked to be dumped to the bench.Wolves are interested in signing Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony PattersonCredit: GETTYBut the Prem strugglers will face competition for his services from TottenhamCredit: ALAMYThat situation is unlikely to continue so the Midlands outfit have reopened their files on Black Cats’ Patterson, 24, who is also an option for Spurs.Patterson, however, won’t come cheap as he inked a new long-term deal at the Stadium of Light last September.After putting pen to paper, he said: “You can see the trajectory the club is on and it’s an exciting time to be here.”It’s obviously an absolute dream to come through the academy to where I am now.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”When you first join the club at the age of 10, you don’t ever think too much about actually playing for Sunderland.”Black Cats Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman said of the academy graduate: “He’s establishing himself as one of the best young English goalkeepers.”We have confidence in him and his ability to further improve, and equally he has confidence in us, which I feel is important.”As an academy graduate, we couldn’t be happier for Anthony.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnthony Patterson penned a new long-term deal with Sunderland last SeptemberCredit: GETTY”And his journey so far is a testament to the work undertaken by him and so many staff over a significant period of time.”Patterson has conceded only 14 league goals so far this season, keeping seven clean sheets for the Black Cats.He and his Sunderland team-mates will be back in action this afternoon, travelling to the bet365 Stadium to take on Stoke City. More

STOKE are ready to sound out the experienced Steve Cooper as they look for a managerial saviour.The Potters axed Narcis Pelach, 36, on Thursday after a nightmare nine-match winless run.Stoke are considering appointing Steve CooperCredit: PAPelach only took charge in September and won just three of his 19 games.Cooper, 45, is available after his short Leicester spell — and he previously did well at Nottingham Forest and Swansea.But it is a big drop for him to take on Stoke, who are 19th in the second tier.Ryan Lowe is in the frame but is similar to Steven Schumacher, who was axed by Stoke in September.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLLowe left Preston in August but does not have the depth of Cooper’s CV.Cooper has a Championship promotion under his belt having guided Forest to the Prem in 2022.He also kept them in the top flight before he was sacked in December 2023.Prior to that he spent two years at Swansea where he boasted a 45 per cent win ratio.Most read in ChampionshipBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSStoke are on the search for their seventh manager in six years, having already sacked Schumacher as well as Pelach this season.The club have reportedly fielded “a lot of interest from high calibre” candidates, with Mark Robins and Russell Martin amongst those linked. More

ICONIC Premier League hardman Ryan Shawcross has been plunged into caretaker management with Stoke just two years after quitting playing.The struggling Championship side sacked Narcis Pelach, 36, only three months after appointing the inexperienced Spaniard.Ryan Shawcross quit playing in 2022 and is now stand-in Stoke chiefCredit: PANarcis Pelach arrived in September but has been axed with the Potters just three points and three places above the drop zoneCredit: RexEx-England defender Shawcross will now step up from coaching Stoke Under-21s to taking charge at home to high-riding Sunderland on Sunday.The 37-year-old was involved in some brutal controversies amid 453 appearances for the Potters from 2008-2021.Shawcross was in tears after breaking Aaron Ramsey’s leg in two places in 2010.He saw red for that tackle, which Arsenal chief Arsene Wenger labelled “horrendous” and kept Ramsey out for a year.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe also broke Sheffield Wednesday striker Francis Jeffers’ ankle and injured Gunners’ attacker Emmanuel Adebayor.But as well as critics, Shawcross had his backers, who rated him a fierce but fair tackler.The once-capped centre-back, who retired as a player after a year with Inter Miami, will now be under a different sort of piercing spotlight.The Potters revealed Shawcross will be assisted by Alex Morris, Dean Whitehead and Darren Behcet for Sunday’s Championship clash.Most read in ChampionshipShawcross was upset after breaking Ramsey’s legCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe 19th-placed Potters axed Pelach 24 hours after a 2-0 Boxing Day home defeat to Leeds.Stoke sporting director Jon Walters – who was himself a tough team-mate of Shawcross – took “full responsibility” for the failure of the former Huddersfield interim boss.Football teams that controversially changed their badgeEx-Republic of Ireland frontman Walters, 41, said in a club statement: “Narcis is a talented coach with huge potential.”He works relentlessly hard and I have no doubt that he will go on to achieve success in the future.”However, with the way results and performances have been in recent weeks, we have to accept with hindsight that he has proved not to be the right fit for this club at this time.”I take full responsibility for that and I’m absolutely determined that we will now make the right choice to take us forward.” More

WAYNE ROONEY has vowed that he remains the man to lead Plymouth Argyle out of their current predicament.The Pilgrims boss, 39, watched his side get thumped 4-0 by Coventry on Boxing Day.Wayne Rooney watched his side get trounced by Coventry on Boxing DayCredit: GettyArgyle endured yet more away day disappointmentCredit: RexArgyle are winless in eight, having not triumphed since a narrow 1-0 victory over Portsmouth on November 5.And their travelling supporters have seen them collect just two points on the road all season.Following yesterday’s Coventry drubbing, Rooney was asked if he remains the man to lead Argyle.He said: “I believe I am. I know how football works, I’m not stupid, you need to pick up results.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”The biggest frustration for me all season really is we look like two different teams at home and away.”So psychologically is there an issue? It’s something we’re looking at.”Yesterday’s shellacking was not the first time that Argyle have drubbed on the road this season.They had already lost 4-0 at Sheffield Wednesday and Bristol City respectively, 5-0 at Cardiff, 6-1 at Norwich and 3-0 at Leeds.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe Manchester United legend went on to add: “I’m sure the fans have questions, I’m sure a lot of people from the outside will, and I’ll do my best to answer them as best I can.”Rooney recently appointed Sir Alex Ferguson’s former No2 Mike Phelan to replace outgoing assistant Pete Shuttleworth.Wayne Rooney furious after Plymouth Argyle loss to Norwich Argyle are bottom of the Championship table, having collected just 18 points from 22 games.They will return to action on Sunday, when they head to Oxford in a relegation six-pointer.Earlier this month, Argyle chairman Simon Hallett publicly backed Rooney.’THE GREAT COACH THAT WE THINK IS IN THERE’Speaking at a fans’ forum in Cornwall, he said: “What we are going to do is not think about getting rid of him and changing him.”We are thinking about how we can support him.”So there are no conversations going on about replacing Wayne but there are conversations going on about how we can support him to help him become the great coach that we think is in there.”Hallett also updated supporters on his hunt for fresh investment into the club.He said: “We have been disappointed in how long it has taken to find a new investor.”I have been thinking this for about eight months, but I think we are on the verge of being able to come public with something.”We have actually got the EFL already beginning the initial approval process. The progress has been slow and every time I think we are close, you get a little bit closer but you don’t quite get there.”Rooney has had to deal with injuries to key players.READ MORE SUN STORIESMorgan Whittaker has missed Argyle’s last six matches, while Ibrahim Cissoko has not featured since October.Captain Joe Edwards is a long-term absentee, while forwards Michael Obafemi, Ryan Hardie and Mustapha Bundu have all pulled up injured in recent matches.Morgan Whittaker has missed Argyle’s last six matchesCredit: GettyMustapha Bundu joined Argyle’s lengthy list on absentees yesterdayCredit: Rex More

WATFORD’S late win over Portsmouth ended in farce after one Hornets star was red-carded – for taunting opposition fans with his dance moves.Kwadwo Baah was sent off after the final whistle following a feisty clash at Vicarage Road. Kwadwo Baah was sent off after Watford’s win over Portsmouth – for taunting the away fansCredit: GettyRocco Vata netted a stoppage-time penalty for the hosts to hand Watford a dramatic 2-1 win. Following wild celebrations, Tom Cleverley’s men saw out the game to head back into the Championship play-off places.Baah – who had been booked in the first half – headed towards the Portsmouth away support after the final whistle. He was filmed taunting the video fans, throwing out some moves from video game Fortnite in front of a packed contingent from the South Coast. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLAfter his team-mates tried and failed to pull Baah away, Pompey’s Terry Devlin charged over to confront the German.Referee Geoff Eltringham brandished the red card, halting the jiving Baah in his tracks. But plenty felt the punishment was overly harsh, with a host of supporters defending the striker on social media.One Watford fan wrote on X: “Was receiving stick from Pompey all of the first half, had every right to go and give some back.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAnother said: “Why has he actually been sent off?? He did nothing wrong!!”While a third added: “Kwadwo Baah getting sent off after the FT whistle for taunting Portsmouth fans and doing the Fortnite dance in front of them. This boy is going straight to the top.”I grabbed director of football by the throat and picked him off the floor in front of my team-mates, reveals Troy Deeney And a fourth laughed: “To be fair he ran from the halfway line, he was hardly just walking past.”While Watford’s official X account tweeted: “Baah giving it back to the away end.”Cleverley’s Hornets are back in the top six thanks to the late Boxing Day victory.Watford have lost just two of their last ten games across all competitions. Their success has been built on making Vicarage Road a fortress – but the former Man Utd star wants his players to turn things around on the road. Cleverley said in the build-up to the clash: “At home we’ve suffered setbacks and responded to them, but away from home we just don’t show the same character or mindset to come back from any deficits.”I would never criticise my players for a technical mistake but when I see players shying away from wanting to receive the ball, then we’ve got a real issue.READ MORE SUN STORIES”To get to the level we want to get to we can’t just do it in the home games – we have to do it in the toughest environments.”At the minute we’re playing like a team who want to flip a coin and finish between fifth and 10th rather than really grab our own destiny by the scruff of the neck.” More