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    How Luton Town manager Nathan Jones got Hatters to verge of Premier League.. by BURNING the club table tennis table

    THE Championship’s manager of the season has revealed some of the secrets behind his success – having no “superstars” and burning a table tennis table.Nathan Jones, 48, is in his second spell in charge at Luton Town and is looking to end their 30-year top-flight absence.
    Nathan Jones has been named the Championship’s manager of the yearCredit: Rex
    The Welshman initially guided the Hatters to promotion from League Two back in 2018.
    That was before he left Kenilworth Road for an ill-fated stint at Stoke – during which time the Bedfordshire outfit he departed sealed a second-straight promotion.
    18 months later he was back at Luton and is now leading the Championship’s fifth-placed side to a surprise push for Premier League promotion.
    His efforts were recognised at Sunday’s English Football League awards ceremony when he picked up the manager of the season accolade.
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    While Jones was recognised, not a single one of his players made it into the team of the year.
    However, Jones was not that bothered by that.
    In fact it is one of the key ingredients behind Luton’s rise.
    And speaking to BBC Three Counties Radio, he revealed some of the secrets behind his and Luton’s rise to the brink of the top-flight:
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    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    NO SUPERSTARS
    Jones said: “We have no superstars and we have a group of players that want to achieve something – they are nowhere near their ceiling.
    “Outside Luton, everyone would have thought this is a huge, huge surprise, that it couldn’t be done – but inside we had that confidence that we could push boundaries this year.
    “Ideally everyone would like to do fantastically well without spending a hell of a lot of money. “That isn’t the case in football on all levels but we do it very well.”
    TABLE TENNIS 
    “When I came in, I felt some of the players were more concerned about being good on the table tennis table than they were about being professional footballers.
    “There was a big table tennis culture so I thought I can either cajole them and try to get them into the gym or I can burn the table tennis table.
    “It was far easier to burn the table tennis table.”
    RECRUITMENT
    Jones has prided himself on bringing in bargain buys that do not blow the club’s strict budget.
    One of those is 17-goal topscorer Elijah Adebayo, brought in for an undisclosed fee from Walsall back in January 2021.
    Jones explained: “It’s evolution really – we’ve been on a journey.
    “This year we wanted to really challenge – we believed it, we recruited that way.
    “Recruitment is everything because no matter how good a manager or coach or CEO you are, if you get that wrong you are done.
    “And we’ve got recruitment right – that’s probably been the secret.”
    WHAT’S LEFT?
    Luton only need two points from their final two matches to secure a play-off spot.
    And they could still make them even if they lose both games should the chasing pack drop points.
    They visit already-promoted top dogs Fulham on Monday before a final day home clash with lowly Reading. More

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    Cardiff chasing £80MILLION in compensation from Nantes as they claim death of Emiliano Sala cost them Prem relegation

    CARDIFF CITY have hit Nantes with a sensational £80million compensation case, claiming the death of Emiliano Sala cost them relegation from the money-spinning Premier League.The Bluebirds have quantified the cost of relegation from the top flight at £80m in TV rights, advertising and sponsorship, according to a new book published today “The Truth — The Killing of Emiliano Sala”.
    Emiliano Sala died when a plane carrying him to Cardiff from Nantes crashed in the English ChannelCredit: AP:Associated Press
    A picture of the private jet that crashed into the ChannelCredit: PA
    The Championship club slapped in their claim during the recent Court of Arbitration for Sport appeal hearing into whether they should pay Nantes the £15m transfer fee.
    The Welsh club have used the 2007 Carlos Tevez case – when West Ham broke the rules of third-party player ownership.
    Sheffield United then argued they should have been deducted points instead of a record fine — and that the Blades should not have been relegated.
    The Yorkshire club settled for £26.5m. But, including around £20m in parachute payments, Cardiff’s claim amounts to £80m.
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    Ironically, Neil Warnock was the manager 15 years ago when Sheffield United were relegated, although he quit Cardiff just before they went down in 2019.
    Cardiff hold the French club responsible for Sala’s death because agent Willie McKay acted on their behalf and organised the plane for Sala that crashed into the English Channel more than three years ago.
    Warnock was convinced just a few goals from Sala would have been sufficient to have kept them up — and that they could not have bought an alternative striker as the window had shut by the time of the tragedy.
    Cardiff always maintained the Prem deemed the contract “illegal” based on the structure of upfront signing-on payments, which Nantes had insisted upon, and which the Welsh club had warned them would not pass scrutiny.
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    Argentine Sala was not eligible to play in the Premier League at the time he boarded the flight.
    Cardiff asked CAS to adjudicate, in the same way that the Tevez case ended up with a tribunal rather than — as first threatened — the civil High Court.
    Nantes vehemently objected to CAS making any such ruling, with Cardiff suggesting offsetting any award on the £15m transfer fee against the £80m compensation claim.
    The precedent, on which Cardiff are basing their claims, goes back to 2007 when Sheffield United sued West Ham over the cost of relegation.
    The Blades, and several other Prem clubs, believed the Hammers should have been deducted points for breaking rules on third-party ownership over their two Argentinian signings, Tevez and Javier Mascherano.
    Instead, West Ham were fined a record £5.5m.
    Cardiff believe they have a powerful case and a chance of success — most likely in the French courts — if they fail to get what they believe to be justice from the CAS hearing.
    l THE TRUTH — THE KILLING OF EMILIANO SALA — The full Shocking Story by Harry Harris, OUT NOW, proceeds to the Emiliano Sala Memorial Fund. Price £11.95 More

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    Kind Millwall fan, 7, gives £20 to favourite player and asks him to donate it to charity in heartwarming letter

    A YOUNG Millwall fan gave his birthday money to his favourite player – and asked him to donate it to charity.Seven-year-old Benji attached a £20 note from his birthday pot to a handwritten note and gave it Danny McNamara after a match.
    Millwall defender Danny McNamara was moved by a kind gesture from young fan BenjiCredit: Rex

    The 23-year-old full-back read his special message after playing his part in a 2-2 at Birmingham on Saturday.
    It read: “Dear Danny, because you are my favourite player I would like to give you £20 of my birthday money for you to give to charity.
    “From Benji, 7.”
    McNamara struggled to track down the little boy to say thank you for the kind gesture.
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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}RUD SIGNING .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Madrid ‘reach verbal agreement with Rudiger’ as they close in on free transfer
    So the defender tweeted an image of the message along with details in an attempt to find him.
    McNamara explained he wanted to thank him personally, and his tweet said: “I am unable to find this little fella’s name, however he handed me this letter the other night.
    “I just want to say how proud your parents must be of you to be such a kind-hearted young boy.”
    That tweet was retweeted over 500 times and liked nearly 6,000 times – and succeeded in reuniting the player with the young fan within an hour on Sunday evening.
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    McNamara also also revealed he has made the donation to Cancer Research on Benji’s behalf, and matched it with £20 of of his own.
    The footballer said: “My chosen charity is Cancer Research due to this illness currently impacting my family at this time.
    “It is also in memory of Ted Ayres, who sadly passed away this week at the young age of 59.
    “Ted was a devoted Millwall fan my thoughts are with his family and friends at this very sad time.” More

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    Barnsley boss Poya Asbaghi AXED after relegation to League One confirmed as academy chief takes over as interim manager

    BARNSLEY manager Poya Asbaghi has left the club following relegation to League One.The Tykes announced Asbaghi left by mutual consent after overseeing 28 games, winning just five.
    Poya Asbaghi has been sacked after six months in charge of BarnsleyCredit: PA
    His assistant Ferran Sibila has also left the club after being appointed in November alongside Asbaghi, with academy manager Martin Devaney taking charge of the final three games of the season.
    The pair failed to guide Barnsley away from relegation with defeat to Huddersfield on Friday confirming their fate.
    Asbaghi said in a short statement: “I want to thank everybody at Oakwell for their time and efforts over the last months, this of course includes players, fans and staff.
    “It’s been a real privilege to work in Barnsley and I wish everybody all the very best for the upcoming seasons.”
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    Barnsley chief executive Khaled El-Ahmad added: “On behalf of Barnsley Football Club, I would like to thank both Poya and Ferran for their hard work and professionalism during a difficult time.
    “Our search for a new coach has already started and an announcement will follow once that process is concluded.”
    The new manager will be tasked with getting Barnsley back up to the Championship at the first time of asking – a feat they managed in the 2018-19 season.
    Perhaps more importantly, Barnsley chiefs will be hoping the new manager sticks around long-term having had six managers in four years.
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    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    Walsall manager Michael Flynn is an early bookies’ favourite to take over having previously done well with Newport.
    Joseph Laumann, Alex Neil and Luis Boa Morte are also believed to be on the list of candidates to take over. More

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    Lee Bowyer in line for mega Birmingham payout if he’s sacked as manager of struggling Championship side

    LEE BOWYER will pocket around £750,000 if he is axed by Birmingham City.Blues must pay up the last year of his contract and may need to wait for the owners to settle next term’s budget.
    Birmingham City boss Lee Bowyer is in line for £750,000 if he’s sackedCredit: Getty
    Birmingham sit 20th in the Championship but are in no danger of being relegated, with Barnsley, Derby and Peterborough already down.
    But Brum have won just three matches in 2022 and on Saturday drew with Millwall after a 98th-minute equaliser from Lions striker Benik Afobe.
    The Stoke loan star struck in the 98th-minute after Blues’ skipper Gary Gardner fouled Jake Cooper from a Ryan Leonard long throw.
    Lyle Taylor’s spot-kick looked to have sealed a late City win after two crushing defeats before Afobe’s penalty tied it up at the death, leaving Millwall three points off the top six.
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    Fighting erupted at the final whistle as Lions thugs ripped up seats and hurled them at Birmingham fans in ugly scenes.
    Blues’ boss Lee Bowyer said: “It was never a penalty for them.
    “Just because the lad goes to ground doesn’t mean that the ref has to give it.
    “I’m not blaming the player, the officials have to see through it.
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    “But we were very good from start to finish, we deserved to win and the players did me proud.
    After snatching a controversial point on his old stamping ground, Lions’ chief Gary Rowett said: “To be honest I didn’t think either theirs or ours was a penalty.
    “Both Taylor and Coops went down a bit too easily.
    “We weren’t at our best but we have a great never say die spirit and this point could be huge.” More

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    Wayne Rooney ‘rejected Ten Hag offer to join him at Man Utd’ with Derby boss only interested in No1 role at Old Trafford

    WAYNE ROONEY turned down the chance to be one of Erik ten Hag’s coaches at Manchester United, according to reports.Instead the Red Devils legend would only leave Derby to take on another No1 position.
    Wayne Rooney rejected the chance to join the Manchester United backroom staffCredit: PA
    Erik ten Hag will take over as Red Devils boss in the summerCredit: Getty
    United confirmed Ten Hag’s appointment as their new manager this week.
    He will leave Ajax and take over in the summer after signing a three-year deal until 2025.
    But the Dutchman is still yet to finalise his backroom staff.
    Current assistant Mitchell van der Gaag looks set to join while Steve McClaren could also return to Old Trafford, despite the club initially rejecting that request.
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    But Rooney will not be coming.
    As reported by The Athletic, the record goalscorer’s name was informally proposed as a potential option.
    However, he would not want to step back from being a manager to a coach.
    Derby boss Rooney said no to Everton when they were looking for Rafa Benitez’s replacement earlier in the season.
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    And he vowed to stay with the Rams – despite the crisis club’s relegation to League One.
    Rooney said: “I want to rebuild the club. This is a special club, a big club, we’re all proud to be here.
    “I want to bring those special days back.”
    However, Wazza eventually has his sights set on being the boss at United one day.
    As revealed by SunSport, the sole reason he stepped into management was so he could land the Old Trafford gig.
    Speaking in March, Rooney said: “The whole reason in me going into management is Manchester United.
    “I got offered the job interview for the Everton job.
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    Middlesbrough legend Fabrizio Ravanelli backs beloved Boro for Premier League promotion – and will be cheering in stands

    FABRIZIO RAVANELLI is backing Middlesbrough to earn promotion to the Premier League – and will be there to cheer them on. The Italian, 53, is a cult hero on Teesside following his brief stint with the club. 
    Middlesbrough are still dreaming of promotion through the Championship play-offsCredit: Getty
    Fabrizio Ravanelli enjoyed a stunning 1996-97 season on TeessideCredit: PA:Press Association
    Chris Wilder’s side sit ninth in the Championship table, three points off the final play-off spot but with a game in hand on the three teams above them. 
    They have failed to win – or even score in any – of their last four.
    But with home fixtures against Cardiff and Stoke sandwiched between Saturday’s trip to Swansea and Preston away on the final day, Ravanelli believes Middlesbrough can be back in the top tier next season for the first time since 2017. 
    The 53-year-old told SunSport: “Fingers crossed. I truly hope they will be able to get promoted to the Premier League this summer. 
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    “They suffered that 2-0 defeat to Huddersfield on Easter Monday and this has made things a little more complicated for reaching the play-offs.
    “If they get in, I’m pretty sure they will create lots of trouble to the other teams.”
    Ravanelli joined Boro in 1996 immediately after lifting the Champions League with Juventus and representing Italy at Euro 96.
    The striker smashed in an incredible 31 goals in 48 appearances in his debut season in England.
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    But despite reaching the FA Cup final, the league form was not good enough to keep Bryan Robson’s team up and he joined Marseille early in the 1997-98 campaign. 
    The love affair, though, remains strong to this day and he still keeps a close eye on how his beloved Boro are doing.
    Ravanelli, speaking on behalf of Bitget, Juventus’ official crypto exchange partner, added: “I was probably the first Italian to migrate to England in 1996 after winning the Champions League. 
    “I love England, I love English football, it is absolutely wonderful. 
    “Of course, I keep up with Middlesbrough’s results. 
    “Next week I will be there at the Riverside Stadium with the fans – I am really very excited.”

    Fabrizio Ravanelli was speaking on behalf of Juventus’ official crypto exchange partner, Bitget. Download the Bitget mobile app now and take advantage of their one-click copy trade function. Now is the time, take your shot.

    Ravanelli will be back in the stands among the fans at Riverside next weekCredit: Getty
    Chris Wilder’s side are desperate to return to winning ways at SwanseaCredit: Getty More

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    I can understand why Azpilicueta had a go back at Chelsea fans, I was in a shouting match with my team’s supporters

    A LOT has been made of my attempts to talk with Birmingham fans in the stands after our 6-1 defeat away at Blackpool on Monday.I was fine with it. I am not really worried about confrontation or negative comments.
    Troy Deeney looked to calm down Birmingham fans following their 6-1 defeat away at BlackpoolCredit: Rex
    Blues supporters vented their fury at players following a third consecutive Championship defeatCredit: Rex
    Not every player wants to do it, but it is something you just have to go and deal with.
    You have to be respectful and professional. Predominantly, it is just about listening.
    On this occasion, it wasn’t a conversation to start with. It was more of a shouting match.
    But, if you talk through their frustrations and get them to calm down, you end up having a decent conversation.
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    All fans want to do is let off some steam. But when you are going through bad times you are expected to answer every question and tell them how it will all be fixed within a week.
    I watched a similar situation with Cesar Azpilicueta and the Chelsea fans after their defeat to Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.
    The Chelsea fans were probably just fed up with that one game and how they expected their side to beat a young and less-expensive Arsenal team.
    But I can understand why Azpilicueta was having a go back at them.
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bid, Real Madrid ‘expect to sign Rudiger’
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    Players think, ‘Hold on, when we were winning a few weeks ago, things weren’t that bad and you weren’t calling us names and now, because we are on a bad run, you are turning on us?’.
    That is probably why Azpilicueta responded the way he did.
    It was more frustration that Chelsea haven’t had an awful season and now their integrity is being questioned.
    Fans doubt your work rate and desire — but they only see match day.
    They don’t see if you are playing with injuries or things of that nature. That can be frustrating.
    It is a tough situation but certain characters — like Azpilicueta and myself — we handle it a bit differently to most, let’s put it that way.
    However, unlike at Chelsea, this is not a one-off thing at Birmingham. The fans have been frustrated for years. They are fed up.
    But, while I may share certain frustrations, I definitely can’t take away all of their problems with the click of my fingers.
    Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta confronted a Chelsea fan following the 4-2 defeat against ArsenalCredit: Getty
    The Chelsea supporter was moaning about a lack of fight after losing in the London derby
    If I could, then I would. It would make me enjoy my time here more.
    Yet there are some things you just cannot answer for. Fans may ask, ‘Why isn’t a certain player playing? Why are we playing a certain formation?’.
    All that stuff is well above my pay-grade.
    All you can do is listen and say, ‘I hear your points. I will pass them on’.
    I was just trying to set things at ease. My missus showed me a video of that moment on ­TikTok, where someone has edited it as if they were shouting at me.
    They weren’t, they were just talking to me.
    But naturally, you are outside, so they are all trying to be heard and speaking louder than they should do — and from there it looks weird.
    But they cut the video short when I asked the guy to turn the camera off and have a conversation.
    Troy Deeney has revealed he understands why Azpilicueta was annoyed with the fanCredit: PA
    In this world we live in, everything turns into a meme and gets shown out of context.
    In my haste to make sure I wasn’t a meme or on TikTok, I did the opposite.
    I don’t think the purpose of what I did is about making sure the fans go home feeling better.
    They just want to feel heard, wanting to feel they are not just typing on Twitter and being accused of moaning.
    Now, they will feel they have got somebody in the club who has more influence than them and can relay the message. That is absolutely fine.
    But I certainly didn’t enjoy it and I wouldn’t recommend doing it all the time.
    Is it the way forward, for players to have that interaction with fans on the pitch where they just have to listen? I don’t think so.
    You have tens of thousands of people who all have very different opinions.

    Hearing that up close and personal on a regular basis could leave you in a bad way.
    Understandably, fans don’t always have the knowledge of what’s truly going on inside the club.
    Through bad times, the connection with the fans always helps — but it doesn’t solve the problem.
    And it can even make it worse, as some fans feel like they are entitled to have an opinion on everything. More