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      Ferdinand stunned by Rooney’s manager skills and says Man Utd legend as boss is ‘total opposite’ as he was as player

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Rio Ferdinand has waxed lyrical over Derby gaffer Wayne Rooney as he praised his managerial skills.The 42-year-old oversaw a Rams training session prior to the club’s 0-0 draw away at Championship table-toppers West Brom on Tuesday night.
      Manchester United icon Wayne Rooney has been Derby’s manager since November 2020
      Rooney’s former Red Devils team-mate Rio Ferdinand oversaw him during a Rams training session
      And Ferdinand has been left impressed with his ex-Red Devils team-mate, who has been Derby’s boss since November 2020.
      In his first season at Pride Park, Rooney guided the club to safety on the final day of the season following a 3-3 draw against Sheffield Wednesday.
      He has also had to deal with Derby’s cash problems in the background this term, with the team facing a possible two-season transfer ban.
      But Rooney has taken everything in his stride, with Ferdinand praising him for his ‘calm’ demeanour.
      Speaking from Derby’s training ground in a video released on his FIVE YouTube channel, Ferdinand was asked what he thought Rooney would be like as a manager.
      To which he said: “As a player, he was quiet sometimes, can be loud sometimes, can be brash, can be aggressive.

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      “He’s the total opposite. It’s mad, he’s the total opposite as a manager. There’s a respect level with the players, I think immediately you get that from these players as it’s Wayne Rooney.
      “But then you’ve got to prove yourself, and I think every player I’ve spoken to here, whether that be Curtis Davies, Ravel [Morrison], etc, they’ve all said like ‘He’s good you know.’
      “Because they didn’t know what to expect like anyone new through the door, but he’s brought them together, there’s definitely a more close-knit group now and they’re really young.
      “And he’s been through some hardships already in his young, early start as a manager, but when I listen to him in the meeting, him and Liam Rosenior, his coach, they were positive, they were clear, their messages were really bang on point.
      “We got a group that we chat into, a WhatsApp group with all the old Man Utd players. Listen, the first thing I’m going to be saying in there is ‘wow’.
      “The thing that does come out of it is he absolutely loves it – tactically as well.”
      Ferdinand also remarked: “I’m impressed by how he’s dealt with all of the things outside of the pitch.
      “End of last season, they stay up with the last kick of the game, everyone thought they were down, his first job.

      “He would have been well within his rights and people would have said ‘Do you know what? Well done to you,’ if he would have gone ‘Do you know what guys, thanks, but I’m going to leave now’.
      “Probably the hardest job, one of the hardest jobs about at the moment, but he stayed on, and I said to him, ‘I probably would have walked,’ because his reputation would have been intact.
      “Everyone would have still said, ‘Do you know what? I’ll give him a job. He kept them up last year,’ but he’s took it on again this year and he’s playing a risky game, but he’s passionate about it and he believes in himself.”
      Derby currently sit 14th in the Championship table after seven games played, with the club winning just once so far.
      Solskjaer reacts to Man Utd’s defeat against Young Boys More

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      Gary Cahill snubbed Premier League transfer offers for Bournemouth as ex-Chelsea ace targets return to the top-flight

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      CHELSEA legend Gary Cahill has revealed he rejected Premier League interest to join Championship side Bournemouth.The former England defender, 35, moved to Crystal Palace in 2019 after a trophy-filled seven years at Stamford Bridge.
      Gary Cahill says he snubbed several Prem offers to join Bournemouth last monthCredit: Getty
      The veteran says the challenge of getting the Cherries promoted inspired his decisionCredit: Rex
      Cahill made 45 appearances for the Eagles in the top-flight but left Selhurst Park when his contract expired in June.
      A host of clubs were linked with the veteran star, but it was his former team-mate Scott Parker that won the race for his signature.
      On Saturday he made his debut for the Cherries in the 3-0 win over Barnsley for his first appearance in the Championship for 14 years.
      And ahead of tonight’s clash with QPR he revealed to Sky Sports that the lure of helping Bournemouth win promotion was the reason he snubbed staying in the Prem.
      Cahill said: “I could’ve stayed in the Premier League – Palace offered me another year.
      “They needed to lower the age of the squad, so that didn’t work out, but it was fantastic there.

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      “It’s a great football club and I enjoyed my two years, but I had other opportunities as well to stay in the league.
      “This isn’t me being disrespectful, but the teams that I would have gone to, I would maybe have been losing more games than winning.
      “Speaking from my own point of view, am I going to add to my appearances or am I going to have a different challenge and come to a club that, again, is changing and, ultimately, challenge for promotion?
      “I took quite a bit of time in the summer because of that reason – I was unsure what I wanted to do in terms of my future.
      “I spoke when I first signed here about what was going to drive me, what was I doing it for. The longer I was off, the more I missed playing. I missed the games, first and foremost.”
      Cahill, who helped Chelsea win the Champions League in 2012, added: “In terms of the opportunity to come here, I saw that as a totally different challenge to what I’ve been used to in previous years and one that I was excited about.
      “Hopefully I can bring that bit of experience on the pitch in times that it might be needed. That’s what I hope.
      “Naturally I’m going to add experience, but I’ve come here to deliver on the pitch first and foremost.”
      ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge More

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      Blackburn and Chile reach agreement over Ben Brereton Diaz – meaning striker will not miss four Championship games

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      BLACKBURN and Chile have reached an agreement that means Ben Brereton Diaz can represent his adopted nation next month.It also means the striker will NOT miss all four Rovers games during that time.
      Ben Brereton Diaz looks set to be allowed to link up with Chile next month after an agreement was made with BlackburnCredit: Alamy
      The half-Chilean, 22, was involved in the Copa America over the summer but did not link up for the recent international break over Covid quarantine restrictions.
      Rovers announced they had found a compromise with the Chilean football federation for the next set of World Cup qualifiers.
      That will see Brereton Diaz play in their first two games against Peru and Paraguay on October 6 and 9.
      But he will skip the final qualifier of the window against Venezuela on October 13.
      Blackburn said he would return to the UK after the Paraguay game to ‘begin any required quarantine period and limiting the number of games he would miss for his club’.
      A group of English-based players were set to be ineligible to play for their clubs over the weekend after four national associations – Chile, Brazil, Mexico and Paraguay – asked Fifa to apply a restriction over their clubs’ decision not to release the players for international duty in the September window.

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      However, it emerged late on Friday night that the demand to enforce the restriction had been dropped following extensive talks with Fifa – allowing the likes of Alisson, Gabriel Jesus and Thiago Silva to feature.
      Premier League clubs had agreed collectively at the end of August not to release players for September international duty in countries on the UK Government’s coronavirus ‘red list’.
      Fifa said on Saturday there had been ‘constructive dialogue’ with the Government following a letter sent by it, the Football Association and the Premier League to Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday in a bid to avoid a repeat of the release dispute next month.
      The agreement worked out by Blackburn is similar to that agreed by Aston Villa for the release of their Argentine duo Emiliano Martinez and Emiliano Buendia, and may be the template that other clubs and associations follow unless a quarantine exemption is granted by the Government.
      Rovers manager Tony Mowbray said: “We’ve tried to do a deal with (Chile). They’ve withdrawn their complaint to Fifa, we’ve said that Ben can go in the next international window and let’s see what the world is like then, whether red zone countries are still red zone countries.
      Our hope is that the world is in a better place in a month’s timeTony Mowbray
      “I think we’ve agreed with them that he can play the first two games. In reality, if he plays the third game, he’s going to miss potentially three or four matches for us, with a ten-day quarantine.
      “So if he finishes after the second game, comes back, then he probably only misses a game or two for us.
      “Let’s see how that works. Our hope is that the world is in a better place in a month’s time and the Government look at the situation with the professional game and see whether there’s going to be an allowance for footballers.”
      Brereton made his Chile debut in a 1-1 draw against Argentina in June and scored in the 1-0 victory over Bolivia days later.
      He has five caps for the country of his mother’s birth, who reached the quarter-finals of this summer’s Copa America, losing to Brazil.
      Ben Brereton stars in Chilean Pepsi advert as Stoke-born Blackburn striker switches between Spanish and English More

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      Blackburn pulled plug on Josh Maja loan transfer from Bordeaux last month due to injury

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      BLACKBURN pulled the plug on a Josh Maja loan due to injury.The Bordeaux striker, 22, is hoping to return to England in January.
      Blackburn pulled the plug on signing Josh Maja on loan due to injuryCredit: Rex
      He headed to Fulham on loan back in January and got off to a flyer at Craven Cottage.
      Maja scored twice in a 2-0 away win at Everton back in February in just his second game.
      But he only found the net once more for the West London outfit.
      He played 15 matches in total for Fulham but could not prevent them from dropping out of the Premier League.
      And that ultimately led to them not pushing to sign the former Sunderland man on a permanent basis.
      The Nigerian international left the Stadium of LIght back in 2019 after scoring 16 times in 41 league outings.

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      Maja has bagged nine goals in 45 matches for Bordeaux but is keen to return to these shores. 
      Blackburn are short up front after losing Adam Armstrong to Southamton over the summer.
      But Rovers decided against bringing in Maja due to his current injury.
      Meanwhile, Blackburn will offer defender Darragh Lenihan, 27, a new deal. More

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      Tottenham transfer target Sam Johnstone to wait for new contract talks at West Brom to focus on Premier League promotion

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      SAM JOHNSTONE will put on hold new contract talks to focus on helping West Brom back to the Premier League.Baggies had wanted to tie down the keeper.
      Sam Johnstone is putting his new contract talks with West Brom on holdCredit: Getty
      The 28-year-old’s deal ends at the Hawthorns next summer.
      Baggies chiefs knew that Johnstone was keen to stay in the Prem following relegation.
      Despite suffering the drop, the stopper earned rave reviews for his displays last term.
      A host of clubs including Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham were linked with moves for the star.
      However, West Brom’s asking price proved to be too much for those interested and the ace stayed put.
      Johnstone’s form earned him international recognition this year as he won his first England cap during May’s friendly victory over Romania.

      He was then named as part of Gareth Southgate’s squad for Euro 2020 but failed to make an appearance as the Three Lions went all the way to the final.
      The keeper then won his second cap last weekend in the 4-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Andorra at Wembley.
      Johnstone was in goal for West Brom yesterday as their 100 per cent start to the Championship was halted by Millwall, who held them to a 1-1 draw.

      Sam Johnstone pulls off some incredible saves in training More

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      John Terry keen on Nottingham Forest job – if Chris Hughton is axed by Chelsea legend’s former club

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      JOHN TERRY is keen on the  Nottingham Forest job — if  struggling Chris Hughton gets the chop.The ex-Chelsea skipper wants to be a manager in his own right after being Dean Smith’s Aston Villa assistant.
      John Terry could be set for a return to Nottingham Forest, where he briefly played on loan in 2000Credit: PA:Empics Sport
      Chris Wilder is also interested but there has been no contact with Forest.
      The former Sheffield United boss has been out of the game since leaving the Blades in March.
      Terry, 40, spent a short loan spell at the City Ground in the year 2000, playing six times as he cut his teeth in the men’s game.
      Having left Villa and enjoyed time out of the game with his family, he recently expressed his desire to move into the top job.
      He told Sky Sports: “Obviously [I’m] always waiting [for a management job].
      “But the idea was to step away, spend a year with the family and then see what comes up.

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      “We’re a month into the season, I’m sure jobs will come up and I’m there and waiting and doing what I need to do in the background. But if not, I’m enjoying my time with my family.”
      Hughton’s Forest welcome Cardiff to the East Midlands on Sunday, in search of a first league win of the season.
      A late equaliser at Derby got them off the mark before the break but the 62-year-old has won less than 30 per cent of his 50-plus matches in charge.

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      Ray Parlour believes John Terry needs someone to take a gamble on him as a manager More

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      West Brom snap-up Kean Bryan on free transfer as former Sheffield United defender signs two-year deal

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      WEST BROM have signed former Sheffield United defender Kean Bryan on a free transfer.The centre-back ran down his Blades contract over the summer and has signed a two-year deal with the Baggies.
      Kean Bryan ran down his contract at Sheffield UnitedCredit: PA
      The 24-year-old will provide cover in defence for Valerien Ismael’s side, who are currently without injured pair Dara O’Shea and Matt Clarket
      Ismael believes Bryan is the perfect fit to cover for O’Shea and challenge him on his return to full fitness.
      “Kean has the same profile as a defender as Dara,” he said.
      “He is a very aggressive, fast, centre-back, who is good in the build-up, is young, wants to learn, and has experience, so his profile is very good for us.
      “The main difference to Dara is that Kean is left-footed and with Matt Clarke also out this was an opportunity for us to sign a player who can also play on the left side of our back three.”
      Bryan could make a speedy debut against Millwall this weekend.

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      Following the move, Bryan said: “I originally heard about the club’s interest in me at the start of the window after I had left Sheffield United
      “I was over the moon to get the call recently and as soon as I heard there might be chance of joining, I just couldn’t wait to get here.
      “I’ve watched the games so far this season and the manager has got the lads playing really well. Albion are pushing for promotion this season and it’s a fantastic club and project to be a part of.
      “I’m aggressive and I think I have a good left foot. I like to defend and I also like to get forward.
      “I like to get stuck in too. I’ve played in numerous positions during my career but now I see myself as a left-sided centre-back.
      “I can also slot in at left-back when needed, but I want to concentrate on improving myself a centre-back.”

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      Fans invade pitch to take selfies with Man Utd’s Bruno Fernandes during Azerbaijan vs Portugal More

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      Birmingham’s club shop runs out of Es as fans go crazy for Troy Deeney shirts after lifelong fan’s deadline day transfer

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      TROY DEENEY could not even go to the supermarket without Birmingham fans asking him: When are you coming home?The striker’s switch from Watford this week has left supporters buzzing — and the club shop even ran out of the letter ‘E’ for replica shirts.
      Troy Deeney has sent Birmingham fans crazy with a move to St Andrew’sCredit: https://www.instagram.com/bcfc/
      It was a move the lifelong Bluenose said he would never make as recently as last December, after he had scored the winner for the Hornets at St Andrew’s.
      Now — after 11 years at Watford — Deeney, 33, has ambitions to one day have a say in running the Blues, like Niall Quinn did at Sunderland.
      He added: “I’ve always thought about ownership. I’ve always been successful with certain endeavours I’ve got into off the pitch.
      “It’s just something that was said to me about a year ago, that I should come to Blues, and I said ‘we should talk about owning it’. That’s where my mindset was at, trying to own different companies and things of that nature.
      “Maybe I’ll do a Niall Quinn — if you know any rich friends, please send them my way and we’ll have a chat with the owners.
      “From where I grew up and being in jail, to nearly losing it all, it made me a bit more street smart and I put money in houses, things like that.”

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      Deeney has had to get used to his new surroundings — he got lost twice at the training ground and was almost late for his first training session.
      He added: “I’m having to bring my own shower gel! But they’re first world problems.
      “The club have run out of ‘E’s for the shirts, so some people aren’t too happy. But the club’s in transition.”
      The SunSport columnist aims to help bring back the good times to the Championship outfit — and hopes to get cracking at home to Derby a week on Friday.
      He added: “I never left ­Birmingham when I was at Watford.
      “But even when I was out in the supermarket, at McDonald’s or even the other night at the theatre in London, people would say ‘when are you coming home?’
      “I was getting more pressure here than I was in Watford.
      “But — I’m going to go a bit deep here — I’m tired of everyone being f*****g miserable.
      This team made up of the best summer transfers would push for the title
      “You look on social media, everywhere, Covid has been really terrible but everything is negative. I thought, why not come back and enjoy myself?
      “Be at a place where I’m loved and have some ‘good’ pressure. All my pressure is to score goals.
      “I’m going to have fun with it but I’m also very serious about winning games and trying to get promoted. When I score that first goal I expect the fans to shout my name out loud.”

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      Troy Deeney posts emotional message to Watford fans after 11-year stay ends More