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      Arsenal announce replacement for Jack Wilshere after former star, 32, quit as U18s boss to take job with Norwich

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      ARSENAL have named Adam Birchall as the new Under-18s head coach after Jack Wilshere’s departure to Norwich.Wilshere, 32, has left the Gunners to take his new role as first-team coach with the Canaries in the Championship.Jack Wilshere has left Arsenal as Under-18s boss to join Norwich as first-team coachCredit: GettyArsenal have announced Adam Birchall as Wilshere’s replacementCredit: GettyAnd the Gunners have announced that Birchall, 39, will be replacing the former England international in the youth side.The former forward is a product of the Hale End academy himself but never played for the North Londoners’ senior squad.The ex-Wales youth international went on to play in the EFL throughout his 13-year career until his retirement in 2016 at Bromley.Birchal returned to Arsenal’s youth system as a coach shortly after hanging up his boots.Read More on ArsenalAnd he will have a tough act to follow as Wilshere helped nurture talents, such as Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.Birchall is now tasked with handling some promising young talent, such as Max Dowman who has been dubbed the “next Kaka”.And he now faces a major task ahead as it was reported that Wilshere’s departure from Arsenal after two years in charge of the Under-18s could spell the end for Dowman, 14.Reports suggest the attacking midfielder’s family are “extremely disappointed” with the change in the dugout.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe England Under-16 international has 18 months left on his schoolboy terms and has yet to commit to a scholarship.Wilshere has been an important figure for Dowman both on and off the pitch.Ex-Arsenal star Jack Wilshere shows his skills at AGF training The new Norwich coach showed an understanding for the pressures the playmaker faces given he experienced a similar situation coming through as a highly-rated player in Arsenal’s academy.Arsenal ratings vs Shakhtar: Jesus reminds fans of his quality but Trossard flops for poor GunnersARSENAL continued their unbeaten run in the Champions League with a 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk – but it was far from a convincing performance.Gabriel Martinelli orchestrated the decisive goal when his low-driven strike hit the post and deflected in off the back of goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk.Here’s how SunSport’s Tony Robertson rated the Gunners…DAVID RAYA – 7Seldom asked to do much aside from recycle the ball to Gabriel or Saliba until the final stagesPushed a potentially dangerous cross out of danger in the 84th minute. Pulled out a magnificent low save in injury time before claiming a dangerous cross to keep his clean sheet.BEN WHITE – 6Back in at right-back today and played as if he had never been out of the team. Received a yellow card in the 34th minute. Subbed at half-time for Mikel Merino.WILLIAM SALIBA – 7In the team after his red card against Bournemouth, played like his typically assured self marshalling the defence.One or two sloppy passes late in the second half but otherwise can have no complaints with another solid performance.GABRIEL MAGALHAES – 5Sloppily gave the ball away to hand the visitors a dangerous chance out of nothing. Had another lapse just after the opener but in the end he was bailed out by Calafiori.Marked improvement in the second half.RICCARDO CALAFIORI – 6Skied a golden chance over the bar after six minutes. Tested the goalkeeper again after 24 minutes.Dragged his foot and went down injured after skipping under a tackle in the 67th minute. Replaced by Myles Lewis-Skelly in 71st minute.THOMAS PARTEY – 6Comfortable evening in midfield for him. Recycled the ball well when at his feet and kept play ticking over.Moved to right back as White was hooked but didn’t have too many worries. When he was caught out of position Rice was able to cover.DECLAN RICE – 6Like Partey, he had a quiet night in midfield with Shakhtar unable to retain meaningful possession.Moved into the six as White was hooked and Partey moved to right-back. Cut out a dangerous low cross at the edge of the area. LEANDRO TROSSARD – 4Nothing quite went right for him all night with some sloppy touches ending attacks and putting Arsenal in trouble.Summed up his night by missing a 77th minute penalty and was hooked in the 88th minute.GABRIEL JESUS – 8Wore the captain’s armband and looked bright down the right wing.Denied a well-deserved goal by the feet of the keeper in the 43rd minute after Havertz played him in.Second half saw more good link play, but never had another chance to end his goal drought as he was replaced by Sterling in the 68th minute.GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 7Grew into the game following a quiet start and was rewarded with a goal, of sorts, after 30 minutes.Brazilian cut inside from the left wing before firing a shot to the near post before the shot rebounded off the woodwork and hit the goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk to go in the net. KAI HAVERTZ – 7Centimeters away from getting Arsenal’s second in the 39th minute after Jesus squared a volley back across goal.Returned the favour to set up his team-mate moments later only for the goalkeeper to prevent a goal.Won a free-kick at the very end of the game to run the clock down.SUBSMikel Merino (on for White HT) – 6Some nice touches and stitched play together well. A solid yet unspectacular performance.Raheem Sterling (on for Jesus 68 mins) – 6Tried to play on the shoulder of the last man but did not have the pace find the clear cut chance he would have liked.Myles Lewis-Skelly (on for Calafiori 71 mins) – 6Slotted in at left-back and was not afraid to show for the ball but often did not receive it while tucking infield.Jorginho (on for Trossard 88 mins) – N/A More

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      Oxford boss forced to have medical attention post-match with players ‘shocked and upset’ after he was rushed home

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      OXFORD UNITED manager Des Buckingham was given medical attention last night following the club’s draw at home to Derby.Nathaniel Mendez-Laing’s equaliser cancelled out Tottenham loanee Dane Scarlett’s 12th minute opener – but the game was overshadowed by concerns for the home side’s manager.Des Buckingham felt dizzy on the touchline and was taken home after doctors gave him medical attentionCredit: RexBuckingham’s assistant Craig Short said after the game: “He was feeling dizzy in the last half an hour and kept walking from pitch side to the dugout.”He spent some time holding onto the rails by the dugout talking to the club doctor and told me he could just about shake hands at the end.”He added: “The doctor is treating him now and we feel it is probably best that he gets off home as quickly as possible.”The players were all a bit shocked and upset when we told them.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLOxford made it five consecutive draws in the Championship with Tuesday night’s stalemate.Buckingham guided The U’s to promotion from League One last season, toppling Bolton Wanderers in the play-off final at Wembley.They have started the Championship season in impressive form, currently sitting in 10th and in a six-game unbeaten run.Fellow promoted side Derby County sit just behind them in 12th, while last year’s League One title winners Portsmouth are footing up the table with just one win from their opening 11 games, losing 2-0 at Cardiff in a relegation six-pointer.Most read in EFLElsewhere in the Championship, Leeds pulled level with table-toppers Sunderland by beating Watford at Elland Road.Every other game in the second tier finished with honours even on Tuesday night – Preston drawing with Norwich, Sheffield Wednesday being held to a goalless draw by Swansea, and QPR vs Coventry also finishing level.’My pro football team-mate thought he was Spiderman after being spiked on night out’ | What the EFL?! More

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      QPR are rock bottom of the Championship after yet ANOTHER defeat… but here’s why they should NOT sack Cifuentes

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      MARTI CIFUENTES performed an almost near miracle in keeping QPR in the Championship last season but he is coming under pressure at Loftus RoadThe Spaniard’s side — after a summer of optimism — sit rock bottom with one win from the opening 10 games.Marti Cifuentes has come under pressure at Loftus Road after a poor startPortsmouth’s win leaves QPR rock bottom of the ChampionshipAnd the Rs fans’ misery was compelled by going in front at Loftus Road on Saturday before losing to a Portsmouth team who had not yet won a game.Some QPR fans are beginning to cite Cifuentes as the problem.Some accused him of not having much of a game plan, being too confusing with his messaging and tactics — while others blamed chief executive Christian Nourry and head of recruitment Andy Belk for signing too many players this summer.They made nine signings and allowed 12 to leave.READ MORE TOP FOOTBALLThe last point is a valid one. QPR had great momentum at the end of last season — winning five of their last eight games, including a thumping 4-0 win against Leeds which effectively ended their automatic promotion hopes.QPR had found a winning formula under Cifuentes — and you do often wonder why you would fix something that was not broken?But Nourry wanted to rebalance the squad this summer, thinking more long-term in the club’s approach, and in doing so go for one that has more depth.The club went for younger players they believed would grow with the them or that they could sell for a profit at a later date, to enable them to be competitive in a division with some big-hitters.Most read in ChampionshipDespite having former Premier League pedigree themselves, QPR are not in the same ball park at Leeds or Sunderland or West Brom.FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThey have not exactly been getting hammered this season.But, as things stand, they have not been able to get across the line in games — apart from Luton — and drawn four times already.Former Watford and Gillingham hero Andy Hessenthaler shares crazy EFL story after being attacked by the owner I What the EFL?!My concern is they are not looking clinical enough in the final third — only scoring 10 in as many games — but more worryingly they have been leaky at the back. Eighteen goals conceded so far does not make good reading. They have to tighten that up or a relegation battle will be inevitable.Lots of clubs talk about an ethos and identity … and of course that is important.Yet football is about winning. It doesn’t matter how you win, there are plenty of different ways to do that. Pep Guardiola did not reinvent the wheel at Manchester City with tippy-tappy.But the be all and end all is the three points.QPR fans have not seen enough of that in recent years. They have instead witnessed too much chop and changing at the top.Cifuentes tries to get directions across to his QPR players at Loftus RoadQPR chief executive Christian Nourry wanted to rebalance the squad this summerThey were unfortunate that ex-boss Michael Beale proved to be fake in his sincerity on wanting to grow alongside the Rs when ultimately he couldn’t wait to get his coat on to dash up to Ibrox as soon as Rangers came calling. He proved a disaster there and was terrible at Sunderland too – and his reputation in the game is in tatters as a result.Had he stayed at a club that was a far better fit for him, I reckon they might have been challenging around the play-offs now. It’s not so inconceivable they might have done a Luton and got into the Premier League.His mate from his Liverpool coaching days, Neil Critchley, turned out to be an awful appointment and unfortunately Gareth Ainsworth’s style of football wasn’t a good fit at Loftus Road.Cifuentes is a good fit though. He knows what he is doing. He has good clear ideas and the players are on side with him.They mustn’t make the mistake of sacking him now and having more change at the top.He kept the club up last season and will do it again. But the be all and end all has to be winning first, building the culture and ethos second.It’s a two-pronged approach that has to go hand in hand – because relegation to League One doesn’t bare thinking about for the West Londoners.Wilder threatens love-in with rival Leeds CHRIS WILDER was gushing in his praise for Leeds … despite fans constantly singing “Dah, Dah, Dah .. Wilder is a w****r.”Chris Wilder received dog’s abuse at Elland Road but bit back after the gameThe Sheffield United boss believes it’s unlikely anyone will be finishing above Daniel Farke’s men this season after seeing his side played off the park in a 2-0 loss at Elland Road.But after his post-match press conference, he asked the assembled journalists, “Do you think I’ve got any chance of being invited back into the Leeds Popularity Contest?” And then he turned to Radio Leeds broadcaster Adam Pope and said: “Popey, I saw you singing, ‘Wilder is a w****r.”Heartstricken EFL family get full supportDEEPEST sympathies from everyone here at SunSport to QPR striker Matt Smith for losing his two-month old son Maddison — who was also grandson of Blackpool boss Steve BruceThe pair understandably were away from the R’s game with Derby and the Seasiders clash with Barnsley — while Salford boss Alex Bruce, Steve’s son and Maddison’s uncle, was absent from their game against Crewe.In times like this the football community pulls together and rallies around to lend support. That will no doubt be happening now to give them as well as Maddison’s mum and Bruce’s daughter Amy all the love and support they need.It’s alright Jack at the age of … 105JACK SIMMONS was the oldest fan to attend a game this weekend … at the age of 105.The lifelong Charlton supporter took in his beloved club’s League One clash with Stockport County at The Valley.Jack has supported the club for more than NINETY-FIVE years.Jack Simmons (front left) at The Valley for Charlton’s game with StockportAlthough understandably finding it difficult to attend games nowadays, he regularly takes in the match commentary from the club’s website and watches live streams too.He said: “My school was Charlton Central, which was close to The Royal Standard and many of us were Charlton fans.”At the age of nine, I used to lean out of my auntie’s window and could just about see half the pitch for free!”Jack says the first game he attended was against Port Vale in 1934 .. shortly before Sam Bartram joined Charlton from Boldon Villa!But asked what his favourite game was, he said: “I’ve man but one that sticks out was when we won the FA Cup in 1947!”His favourite player was Dan Welsh – “a great wing-centre half as they were called in those days.”And finally when asked who his Charlton starting XI would be, he said: “Whoever the manager chooses, he knows best.”Sticking with Charlton, there was a touching moment when their community coach Matt Phillips was reunited with the 78-year-old man whose life he saved.Alan Ford collapsed while playing walking football and Matt rushed to the scene performing CPR and using a defibrillator before the paramedics took over.Alan was unconscious for 30 minutes and had to undergo a quadruple heart bypass operation at the Royal King’s Hospital, London, as well as having a personal fitted defibrillator.Alan said: “I just don’t know how I could thank Matt enough from my heart and my wife Sue. We love him so much. It’s very important for people to know how to do CPR because you never know when something’s going to happen. READ MORE SUN STORIESCharlton community coach Matt Phillips with Alan Ford“It’s got to be done. If you’re worried about hurting them, remember you’re helping to save them. Also to have that defibrillator there, someone trained on it, it’s so important and it’s a must really for all these sports places, workplaces, parks, wherever, to have these. You never know what’s going to happen, like it happened to me.” EFL sponsors SkyBet are currently running an Every Minute Matters campaign, encouraging everyone to learn how to do CPR. More

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      Portsmouth stars get trapped in lift and ‘ration water’ between TEN players after win over QPR

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      PORTSMOUTH’S players were left rationing water after getting trapped in a lift on Saturday.Following their win over QPR, 10 Pompey stars were stuck between floors in the elevator.Portsmouth’s players were trapped in a lift after their win over QPR on SaturdayCredit: Instagram @tom5mcCallum Lang urged his team-mates to ‘save the water just in case’ whilst they were stuckCredit: Instagram @tom5mcJohn Mousinho’s side claimed their first Championship victory of the season at Loftus Road.Pompey came from behind to win 2-1 thanks to goals from Freddie Potts and Callum Lang.However, both players were then trapped in a lift with eight of their team-mates.Defender Tom McIntyre revealed their plight on social media after sharing a video to his Instagram story.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe clip showed the players huddled inside the lift as they forced open the door, only to be met with a wall.Several stars looked on as full-back Jordan Williams inspected the door before McIntyre panned the camera to show Owen Moxon sipping from his water bottle.Match-winner Lang could then be seen turning to Moxon and hilariously telling him: “Actually save the water just in case.”After making it out of the elevator, McIntyre uploaded the video alongside the caption: “Need to get stuck in the lift every week.”Most read in ChampionshipFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSLang himself also shared the post to his own story, adding: “Save that water lads,” with a brain emoji.Reacting to the incident on social media, one fan wrote: “Let’s hope they’re out in time for Cardiff.”Sheffield United stars held back as Championship clash with Portsmouth descends into brawl at full-time whistleTom McIntyre joked on Instagram his team-mates ‘need to get stuck every week’Credit: Instagram @tom5mcPompey came from behind to claim their first Championship win of the season at QPRCredit: GettyMeanwhile, another simply added: “Brilliant,” with a string of crying laughing emojis.Pompey are back in action on Tuesday night as they visit Cardiff, who are one place above them in 22nd on goal difference.Saturday’s win was their first in the second tier for over 4,000 days after a 12-year absence from the Championship.The League One champions sealed their return in dramatic fashion back in April by beating Barnsley at Fratton Park.Their maiden win also compounded the misery on QPR, who dropped to the foot of the table after just one win in 10 matches this season.Lang scored his fourth goal of the season from the penalty spot to seal all three pointsCredit: PA More

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      Stunned Wayne Rooney says ‘it’s difficult to put into words’ after his Plymouth are thrashed 5-0 at Cardiff

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      WAYNE ROONEY was almost lost for words after his Plymouth side were hammered by Cardiff.The Manchester United legend, serving a one-game touchline ban,  watched the drama unfold from the stands.Wayne Rooney was almost lost for words after Plymouth were hammered by CardiffCredit: RexArgyle were thrashed 5-0 in the Championship on Saturday afternoonCredit: RexAnd the Pilgrims manager was helpless as Argyle produced a horror show in the Welsh capital.Former Manchester City talent Alex Robertson fired the Bluebirds ahead in the 16th minute.Wales international Rubin Colwill made it 2-0 eight minutes later.Plymouth’s Ibrahim Cissoko was then sent off four minutes before half-time for shoving Perry Ng.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnwar El Ghazi, Callum Robinson and Chris Willock all netted in the second half to add to Rooney’s misery.Rooney said: “It’s difficult to put into words.“I thought we started the game OK, we had decent control and should be 1-0 up, Michael Obafemi had a great chance.“Beyond that, we got really sloppy, we gave the ball away a lot.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“We didn’t win tackles or do the basics right.“In this league, if you don’t do that right, you have difficult days like today.“It’s difficult watching it from the stands, you want to be there at the side of the pitch trying to help the team.“Today we have to give Cardiff a lot of credit. They deserved to win the game, they were the better team.”Rooney, 38, did his best to stay calm after the heavy defeat.And the former England skipper says he is trying to control his emotions better as a manager.He added: “I think I’ve always been quite consistent with my messages.“Of course, you’re angry, upset and disappointed. But I think that’s more when I’m speaking to my players.The defeat was Plymouth’s worst of the season following Rooney’s summer arrivalCredit: Rex“I’m very upset with the performance because that’s not us.“The main thing is we have to move on from this quickly.”Victory means the Bluebirds have picked up seven points from their last three games under caretaker-boss Omer Riza.And Riza revealed that injured Wales international and former Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey played a key role in Cardiff’s bumper win.He said: “We had Aaron Ramsey upstairs casting an eye down to give us some information and it all came together well today.“I said to Aaron that I’d like him to go up there, cast his eye over the game and, if he had anything of importance, to come down.“To be fair, when he came down and mentioned a couple of things, it was what was in our minds anyway. So we’re all on the same page.”Cardiff went into the match with the worst goal difference — minus 14 — of any team after nine games of a Championship season since Bolton in 2017-18.Rooney was forced to watch from the stands as he served a touchline banCredit: RexBut they netted five times in a league game for the first time in seven years to move off the foot of the table and up to 22nd place.And Riza reckons the likes of ex-Aston Villa man El Ghazi and former Arsenal winger Willock have helped transform Cardiff’s attack.He said: “We’ve found positions for them which suit them. They’ve got to keep that up.“Rubin was excellent today, his work rate, his intensity.“The same with Ollie Tanner, same with Callum Robinson, same with Anwar and the boys who came on.“We need to work. If we do that, we’ll get our rewards.”Riza is determined to land the Cardiff job permanently after Turkish boss Erol Bulut was sacked by the Welsh side in September.But the ex-Leyton Orient manager says he is trying not to put himself under too much pressure.Ibrahim Cissoko’s first half red card saw Plymouth reduced to 10 menCredit: AlamyHe explained: “If I do things the right way, treat people the right way, I’ll get my rewards further down the line, whenever that is.“If it doesn’t come here, it will come somewhere, I’ll just keep working hard.READ MORE SUN STORIES“We’ve had good conversations here about not putting too much pressure on me. The players have been excellent.“It’s been coming and now it has to continue. It can’t be a one off.” More

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      Aaron Connolly had ‘specific goal to be ready’ for return to Hull as Sunderland boss provides update after rehab hell

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      REGIS LE BRIS says Aaron Connolly is desperate to face some of the demons of his past and make his debut against former club Hull City.Sunderland head to the Tigers knowing a victory would ensure they end the day top of the Championship.Aaron Connolly scored eight times for Hull last season before entering rehabCredit: GettyThe Irish striker is now desperate to make his debut for Sunderland against the TigersCredit: AlamyIrish forward Connolly, 24, revealed last week that he underwent treatment for alcohol addiction after he was released by Hull this summer.The brave ace, who famously burst on the Premier League scene aged 19 with Brighton thanks to a brace against Tottenham, opened up about how drinking had impacted his life and career to coincide with World Mental Health Day.Following his spell in rehab, Connolly was handed a chance to resurrect his career by Sunderland.And after scoring a couple of goals for the Under-21s in midweek, Le Bris says he is desperate to be unleashed against the side he got eight goals for last term despite claiming that his “life was a mess” while he was on Humberside.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe French coach said: “I think that it was a specific goal for him to be ready for this game.“We haven’t rushed the project, it was perfect, and I don’t know if we will use him but he is available.”He continued: “We knew before we knew we needed three or four weeks to assess his physical level.“He was really fit at the beginning which was good news for us.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“He needed to get to know his teammates and the team. We had two opportunities to play with the U21s and he did very well, he scored which is good for a striker.“He needed time to connect with a structure, team and team-mates and now he’s ready.”Chris Rigg talks about his journey to becoming a player for Sunderland On the bravery of Connolly sharing his issues with the world, Le Bris said: “It is very interesting to share these ideas instead of hiding and pretending that it doesn’t exist.“The first thing is to recognise your mistakes and then the next is to avoid any repetition. “So it’s not a problem for us to talk about any problems a player has had in their career, whether it is a small detail on the pitch or a bigger one off it.“I’m OK with that and it is a problem for the players in the dressing-room.”And Le Bris says that he has not had to put a shoulder around the forward since he bared his soul.But he did stress that everyone at the club would be there for him if he needed them.Le Bris added: “I don’t exactly know Aaron’s personality, it’s been three weeks now, but I think that he doesn’t need specific attention.“He knows what is important for him and that it is important to succeed now and he’s very connected to that project.“We’ll take care of him and I’m not sure he needs attention at the moment.”READ MORE SUN STORIESHe will be vying with Wilson Isidor to start up front but Eliezer Mayenda is not expected to be available after injury until next weekend.Dan Ballard is also likely to be back to face Oxford but summer signing Salis Abdul Samed – who is yet to play for the Black Cats – remains several weeks away from being available.Who are these famous footballers? More

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      Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris provides Jordan Henderson transfer update 13 years after £20m departure to Liverpool

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      REGIS LE BRIS refused to rule out Jordan Henderson making a romantic return to Sunderland in January – but says no transfer talks are underway.The Wearsider, 34, came through the ranks at his boyhood club before signing for Liverpool in a £20m deal in 2011.Speculation has been mounting that Jordan Henderson wants a return to SunderlandCredit: GettyThe star came the the academy on Wearside but was sold to Liverpool in 2011Credit: AFPHe went on to enjoy great success at Anfield, captaining them to the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, European Super Cup and the Club World Cup.The England midfielder’s 12-year stay with the Reds came to a controversial end in the summer of 2023 as he headed to Saudi Arabia side Al Ettifaq for mega wages.The move turned into a disaster as he played just 19 games for the team managed by Steven Gerrard due to his family being unable to settle in the Middle East.Henderson headed back to Europe in January with Ajax but he has started just twice in the Dutch top-flight this term.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThat has led to his representatives allegedly trying to engineer a move back to the Stadium of Light to help Le Bris’ young squad in their promotion charge.Ahead of Sunday’s trip to Hull City, the Black Cats boss bluntly replied “no” when asked directly whether Henderson’s name had been discussed as a potential target.However, when asked if he was the type of player that he would like to bring in, he did not rule out a potential swoop.The Frenchman said: “He’s obviously a strong and famous player.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“At the minute the transfer window is not open, so we can speak about many players but we don’t have the choice at the moment.”Sunderland legend Julio Arca certainly believes that it would be a no-brainer to snap him up if the opportunity arises.Jordan Henderson’s prickly interview goes viral after seven-word reply to reporter’s blunt question and fans love itThe 43-year-old Argentinean, who spent six years at Sunderland and helped them to the 2005 Championship title, told SunSport: “I haven’t seen Jordan play a lot recently or what standard he is at but he is someone local that has gone on to do really well.“He did great for the club while he was here and he can bring a lot of experience to Sunderland’s young players.“It’s good to have experienced players like that as, even if they don’t play all the time, they can help in the changing-room and in certain games. “Some people will think that Jordan cannot play in every game, but he can bring a lot more than just the football playing side.”Sunderland have history when it comes to reunions with ex-stars and they have produced mixed results.Strikers Jermain Defoe and Danny Graham both endured miserable second stints with the Black Cats while the likes of Grant Leadbitter and Paul Bracewell both enjoyed further success.Regis Le Bris says ‘no’ talks have taken place so far regarding HendersonCredit: AlamySunderland legend Julio Arca would love to see Henderson returnCredit: GettyAnd another ex-Sunderland fan favourite Martin Gray, who came through the ranks at Roker Park to help the club win promotion in the 1990s, issued a warning to Henderson.The 53-year-old said: “You look at his achievements since leaving Sunderland and you just think, ‘Wow, where has that come from?’“Not many thought that he would go on to become the person he has and achieve the success he has with Liverpool and England.“You need experience but you need energy as well. “He could come and take some of the pressure off of the younger lads but if it doesn’t go well for you then it can leave a bit of a sour taste due to what you have achieved since you left.Martin Gray did issue a warning to the veteran midfielderCredit: Getty“I think it’s a big decision to make and if your legs are starting to go or you start picking up little niggles then the punters can turn on you very quickly.”Meanwhile, Ajax manager Francesco Farioli, who took over in the summer, sung the praises of Henderson when asked about the Sunderland links but refused to confirm the veteran was staying in Amsterdam.He said: “He is an exceptional player who possesses great quality and leadership.READ MORE SUN STORIES“Having captained his team to a Champions League victory, I believe he can effectively communicate the essence of a winning mentality and a strong work ethic.“There are many valuable ways in which he can make a significant contribution to a young team like ours.”Who are these famous footballers? More

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      I’ve played for legends Paul Scholes, Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney & Michael Carrick – English coaching talent is there

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      PAUL SCHOLES, Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney, and Michael Carrick were all part of England’s Golden Generation – and they all have an eye for talent.That, at least, is according to Middlesbrough star George Edmundson.Middlesbrough’s George Edmundson has played for some legendary namesCredit: PAManchester United icon Paul Scholes was briefly his boss at OldhamCredit: ReutersSteven Gerrard then snapped up the defender and brought him to RangersCredit: Willie Vass – The SunMan Utd and England icons Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney have also signed himCredit: GettyThe 27-year-old has enjoyed an incredible career that he would never even have dared dream of while still playing Sunday League with his pals at 16.Now he has the unique experience of playing for four of the biggest names in English football this century.He had United legends Scholes and Rooney at Oldham, albeit for just seven games, and at Derby on loan in 2021.He went to the Rams from Glasgow Rangers, who had snapped him up from the Latics two years previous, where Liverpool great Gerrard was his boss.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThese days he has another Red Devils icon in Carrick in charge of him after joining Boro on-loan from Ipswich on deadline day following successive promotions with the Tractor Boys.“I must be doing something right,” a smiling Edmundson told SunSport. “They were all brilliant players so I’m hoping that they can all spot an alright player.“It’s bizarre and I bet that I’m the only player to have played for all of them.”With questions over whether there are enough talented English coaches coming through amid Thomas Tuchel’s England appointment, there seems no-one better to ask than the centre-half.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“100 per cent the talent is there,” declared Edmundson. “Scholes was a bit different, he was only there for a few games but that wasn’t down to his knowledge or not doing well, but if you look at all of the managers I’ve had then they have all done well.“Gerrard won the league at Rangers and Rooney had an impossible task at Derby.Inside SunSport’s Justin Allen’s day covering Ipswich’s win over Sunderland as he interviews George Edmundson“The year that I was there we stayed up, which was incredible and we celebrated like we’d won the league because everybody knew how difficult that season was. “I don’t think that Rooney gets the credit he deserved for that. He was brilliant and I really enjoyed it under him.“We know the success Kieran McKenna has had and obviously the gaffer here, everybody knows where we want to be, and you can see something is building under him.”On McKenna, Edmundson says absolutely nobody at Ipswich believed that they would achieve back-to-back promotions.But even the English-born Northern Irish coach showed just how good he was when he suffered his first sticky spell at the helm with Ipswich as they threatened to blow-up in the Championship run-in.He said: “I’ve had managers after a hiccup where the running stats are going up, or we are not eating enough pasta, doing this or doing whatever but he remained really calm.ZARACH – EAT SLEEP LEARNZarach, a non-Government funded charity, supply beds for children across the region of Teesside who would otherwise not have one.The charity are on a mission to end child bed poverty in England, giving Every Head a Bed.George joined deliveries in the Stockton and Thornaby areas of Teesside, supporting families who needed the provision for their children.Our man said: “It was an eye-opening experience, but a real demonstration of the vitally important work that Zarach do.”I’m sure the name of the charity will be new to a lot of people, but having seen the work they do and the passion that the people have for helping families, I hope we can create awareness and raise some valuable funds.”Ellie McGrath, Fundraising and Communications Manager from Zarach joined George on the deliveries and she said: “We’re so passionate about being able to reach the 11,600 children across Tees Valley in bed poverty and 900,000 around the country, and we’re asking local businesses and individuals to support us by donating.”It’s a fact that if children sleep properly they are better prepared for school and for learning. Having a bed is so important.”It was fantastic to have George with us for an afternoon. He was so respectful of the situation and was very keen to help us.”PLEASE SUPPORT ZARACH HERE“He told us that we were doing the right things and that we just had to make a few little tweaks. That was the best thing about him is how he stayed calm, never got flustered or made rash decisions and stuck doing the things that had worked and we got over the line.”And he is enjoying life under another cool character in Carrick, saying: “Looking from the outside in before I came you would see him and how calm he was. Then you meet him and he is even calmer.“Most of the time he will say his point rather than ranting and raving but don’t get it wrong as he can go for you and give you that kick that you need to spur you on if it’s needed.”Edmundson “boxed off” one ambition while at Rangers by not only playing but also scoring in Europa League for them.But it has not always been the glitz and glamour of big European nights and being coached by superstars.The Manchester-born ace said: “I was playing Sunday League until I was 16 as I’d never got signed on anywhere.“I then managed to get one and do a scholarship at Oldham but was originally told ‘no’ that I wasn’t going to get a pro.“I could have just given up then, but I decided to play the final game of that season and they changed their mind and gave me a pro. “But when I got it I thought that I needed to go somewhere and play games with the thought that if I got released, hopefully I could sign for the loan team if I do well there.”Edmundson linked up with the Zarach charity in their mission to give Every Head a BedCredit: MFCEdmundson continued: “I probably wasn’t ready for League One and when I look back now the kit drowned me. I went out to non-league Ramsbottom United of the EvoStik North, and no disrespect, that is not the level you grow up dreaming of playing at.“But it was great, I played Saturday and Tuesday and just got kicked around, smashed for 90 minutes and I learned so much about the dark arts and what it actually meant to get three points in front of fans. “Football then changes quickly. When I was at Ramsbottom I was just thinking that if I can at least get to the Conference then that would be really respectable.“But after a couple more loans and then having a really good season in League Two the next minute I’m going up to Glasgow.”Things did not quite work out fully for him at Ibrox and after impressing at Derby he moved back south to Ipswich, who were then languishing in League One.He said: “From the first day talking to Mark Ashton the CEO you could really tell they were serious about going up. But up until about Christmas time it didn’t really go to plan but then when Kieran McKenna came in it just took off and we went to the next level.“After that we went into his first proper season and everybody felt ‘we have a good team here’ and with a few more additions we’d be right up there.“If anybody says that they thought we’d do back-to-back promotions then they are lying, there’s no chance.The star has enjoyed a whirlwind since his days at Oldham AthleticCredit: Getty Images – Getty“But after getting up we then made a good start and just kept winning and then when it got to January I started saying to my mates ‘I think we could do this’ and I bet the lads were thinking the same.”Edmundson and Town did manage to secure automatic promotion and that enabled the very likeable and engaging defender to fulfil another life-long ambition – playing the Premier League at his beloved Etihad.Days before he left for Boro in August, the star came on as substitute for the final few minutes of Ipswich’s 4-1 defeat to the champions.“I’m a big City fan so to come on was special,” Edmundson said. “Honestly I had about 50 ticket requests but I managed to narrow it down to nine as that was as much as I could get – my parents, sister, mates and close family friends all came and were buzzing for me.“I was on the bench and I think I spent the full game warming up. Obviously we were losing but I came on at right-back.“The thing that I was most buzzing about was that you get a Premier League debut ball with all the details from the game in a glass case now.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I got to finally pick that up from Ipswich during the international break. I’d really wanted one of them for ages and finally got one. It’s now at my mum’s house.“That was another box ticked and nobody can ever take away from me that I’ve played in the Premier League.”Kieran McKenna gave George Edmundson his Premier League debut away to Man CityCredit: Reuters More