Championship

PATRICK BAMFORD made an awkward call to Chris Wilder after leading an X-rated chant about Sheffield United’s boss at Leeds’ promotion party.The Blades’ 2-1 defeat at Burnley on Easter Monday ensured both the Clarets and their Yorkshire rivals Premier League football next term.Leeds star Patrick Bamford was seen leading a chant referencing Blades boss Chris WilderCredit: AlamyWilder revealed he received a call from Bamford after video of the chant went viralCredit: AlamyWilder’s side, who travel to Stoke on Friday, are now consigned to third and the play-offs.Leeds’ players and supporters showed little mercy as they celebrated with fans.Striker Bamford was caught on camera starting a less-than-complimentary chant about Wilder that ended with supporters calling him “a w****r”.Former Blades ace Jayden Bogle was also spotted dancing as supporters chanted along to the song.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLBut Bramall Lane chief Wilder revealed on Thursday: “I had a conversation with Pat yesterday and I’ve no issue at all with it.”I’m not sure about the words from a fellow pro, but I appreciate and respected him giving me a call and we had 20 minutes. “I spoke to Daniel [Farke] as well and had a half-hour chat with him. He’s a top guy.”They’re a top team and a top football club. I’m a big boy.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK”I would in a heartbeat have swapped our position for theirs but it isn’t the case. “Ninety-four points for both of those teams is an incredible achievement.Frank Lampard tipped for England job as former Premier League manager Chris Wilder says ‘it just shines through’ “It was a tough campaign from the off for us and we’ve kept it alive to the 44th game. “But ultimately we’ve finished in the position we will.”Wilder has been no stranger himself to celebrations after being spotted revelling in his team’s Steel City derby win over Sheffield Wednesday in a boozer this term.And he also infuriated the Whites six years ago with his infamous “muppets from Leeds” speech after United beat Leeds to promotion.He said: “I’m a big boy, you give it you take it. “You give it out locally, you take it locally as I’ve always done. We have our moments, other teams have their moments.”I’d have done the same in terms of enjoying themselves, because promotion is an incredible achievement and you have to do a lot of things right.Chris WilderWilder also added that he believes that football would be a lot more boring without the extra spice.He added: “One hundred per cent. You know from my character, I don’t just sit here and roll out the boring things. “You want to dig deep into what this club’s about and my thought process, and it’s a big boys game.“When I was playing, we used to give it and take it and it’s part and parcel of the game, even on a Sunday morning. “It’s part of the interesting bit of the game. “Local rivalries, rivalries between teams and everything that goes with it. So I have no issue. “You have to take it and get on with it and I’m absolutely cool with it, and I said that to Pat.”We had our moment in 2018/19, possibly off the back of an incredible afternoon against Ipswich and a long night and an early start and they’ve possibly done the same. Read More on The Sun”I’d have done the same in terms of enjoying themselves, because promotion is an incredible achievement and you have to do a lot of things right.“We did a lot of things right and went close, and we’re going to have to do a lot of things right between now and the end of the season.” More

LEEDS UNITED have been given the green light to expand their iconic Elland Road stadium.Leeds City Council, who own the land around the stadium, have agreed for the newly promoted Premier League side to increase their home to 56,500.Leeds United have been given the green light to redevelop their iconic Elland Road stadiumCredit: PAThe outlined increase in capacity would place Elland Road into the top 10 biggest football stadia in EnglandToday’s unanimous in-favour vote from the council marks a giant step forward towards the expansion plans coming to fruition.Elland Road, which currently holds 37,645 seats, will therefore become one of the UK’s biggest football stadiums.Once complete, Leeds’ cauldron will jump eight places from the 13th largest English ground to leapfrog Manchester City in fifth. But the Etihad is set to undergo an expansion of their own from 56,000 to 62,000 by January 2026.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe project also includes wider regeneration plans for south Leeds, with the thought that Elland Road can become a year-round destination with significant economic benefits.It outlined plans for new transport links and businesses, with future public consultation regarding these plans in the pipeline.But no detailed outline plans or sketches of the proposed development have been publicly released as of the latest updates.The redevelopment will focus on expanding the North and West Stands, with construction planned in phases to minimise seating disruption.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSWork could potentially start on the West stand within the next year with the second phase of the redevelopment at a later date.Leeds have hired specialist firms, including architects KSS, structural engineers Buro Happold, and project management team RISE, to develop the plans.Championship club could be left without a stadium as EFL deadline loomsSpecialist acoustic consultants are also involved to preserve the stadium’s unique atmosphere.While the West Yorkshire club has confirmed that a formal planning application is expected to be submitted in 2025.Confirming the vote on Wednesday afternoon, a council spokesperson said: “Elland Road and Leeds United are part of the heart and soul of the city, and the club deserves a stadium befitting of its special status and incredible fans.“Naturally we’re keen to support this however we can, and to work closely with the club to ensure they are in the best possible position to achieve their ambitions and build a bigger, brighter future for the club, their supporters and sport in the city.”The Council is currently in discussions with the club over a bus parade for next month.Leeds were promoted back to the Premier League after two years in the Championship on Easter Monday.The Whites secured promotion with two games to spare after Sheffield United lost at second-placed Burnley, a result which meant the Clarets also confirmed their return to the top flight.Leeds were promoted back to the Premier League on Easter Monday More

QPR boss Marti Cifuentes could quit the club this summer after a breakdown in his relationship with chief executive Christian Nourry.Spaniard Cifuentes, who joined Rangers from Swedish side Hammerby in November 2023, has grown frustrated with the direction the club is heading under Nourry – who was brought in to oversee the club’s recruitment in January last year.QPR boss Marti Cifuentes could quit the club this summerCredit: RexCifuentes wants re-assurances the club want to progress to the next levelCredit: GettyCifuentes, who signed a new contract in September, was linked with the Sunderland job last summer.The Loftus Road manager’s potential availability could interest Norwich and West Brom, who sacked Johannes Hoff Thorup and Tony Mowbray respectively on Easter Monday.The highly-rated 42-year-old is hugely popular with the QPR fans after keeping the club in the Championship last season.But he has grown frustrated with the huge number of injuries his squad encountered this season, which ended their flickering play-off hopes and will result in a lower-mid-table finish.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSCifuentes is unhappy at the club’s decision to allow director of performance Ben Williams to oversee the club’s sports science, medical, physio and nutrition departments remotely from Dubai.QPR chiefs also vetoed a move from 27-year-old Nourry to appoint a set-piece coach earlier this season.Headline summer arrivals Zan Celar and Nicolas Madsen have struggled since signing for a combined fee of over £5million.And Cifuentes said after Monday’s 2-1 home defeat by Swansea he wanted assurances the club want to progress to the next level having dropped out of the Premier League ten years ago.Most read in ChampionshipCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe Spaniard said: “The supporters since I first came here have been amazing.“But I would like to give them something else and not just celebrate another season in the Championship.”Ruud Van Nistelrooy speaks after Leicester relegated to the ChampionshipQPR play already-promoted Burnley at home on Saturday before a trip to play-off bound Sunderland on the final day.Cifuentes had previously targeted surpassing last season’s points total of 56 and the Rs are one win away from matching that.QPR are 15th in the Championship after losing to Swansea on Easter MondayCredit: Rex More

WAYNE ROONEY is to blame for Plymouth Argyle’s relegation dogfight.At least that’s the view of the man who replaced him.Rooney failed to deliver the winning formula at PlymouthCredit: GettyMuslic inherited a relegation dogfight on his arrivalCredit: APThe former Manchester United and England striker was sensationally slammed by current Plymouth boss Miron Muslic, who has been tasked with the difficult challenge of saving the Devon club from the drop. Plymouth are rock-bottom of the second tier on 43 points, tied with Cardiff City, although they sit beneath the Bluebirds on goal difference. They are three points from safety, but their -37 goal difference is far inferior to that of Derby County’s, which reads -9. It means that Muslic has a near-impossible task of keeping the Pilgrims in the second tier, following their promotion back to the Championship back in 2023 when they lifted the League One title. READ MORE FOOTBALLThey travel to Preston North End for their penultimate fixture, before hosting already-promoted Leeds United on the final day. Plymouth have won three from their last five games, and Muslic gave a damning indictment of Rooney’s tenure after their 3-1 victory over Frank Lampard’s play-off chasing Coventry City. The Austrian said: “I think if I’m the head coach from day one we will be far, far away from the relegation zone, we will be safe five games ago.”I truly believe if I will be here with my staff from day one, we will be nowhere near where we are right now.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK”The performance today, the performance at Middlesbrough [where they lost 2-1]”We’ve taken nine points at Home Park against Norwich, against Sheffield United, against Coventry.‘Finally know why he’s always sacked’, say fans as Wayne Rooney picks controversial Arsenal-Real Madrid combined XI “These are teams playing for the Premier League and they all lost here in Plymouth at Home Park, that gives me the confidence.”Argyle survived relegation by the skin of their teeth last term, beating Hull City 1-0 on the final day of the campaign to secure themselves at the second step once more. However, this season, results have been far bleaker – particularly when Rooney was in charge at the beginning. Rooney, who took the reins at Home Park after his sacking from Birmingham City in January last year, was drubbed 4-0 in his first game in charge by Sheffield Wednesday. He left the club on New Year’s Eve, with Plymouth bottom and four points from safety. More

JACK WILSHERE has been appointed Norwich’s interim manager following the club’s sacking of Johaness Thorup.Dane Thorup oversaw an average season for the Canaries, who are currently 14th in the Championship table.Johannes Thorup has been sacked by Norwich CityCredit: AlamyJack Wilshere has taken interim charge of the CanariesCredit: REXFormer Arsenal and England star Wilshere was part of the Norwich set-up before Johaness Thorup’s sackingCredit: REXAnd the Easter Monday defeat to Millwall has proven to be his final game in charge of the East Anglia club, who have chosen to wield the axe before the season comes to a close.An excerpt of a club statement read: “Norwich City have parted company with head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup with immediate effect.”Assistant head coach Glen Riddersholm has also left his position with the club.”Canaries Sporting Director Ben Knapper said: “Whilst we made this appointment with a long-term focus and in line with our wider club strategy and direction, unfortunately, recent results and performances have deemed it necessary for us make a change.READ MORE ON WILSHERE“I’d like to place on record our sincere thanks to Johannes and Glen. “They are both fantastic people who worked tirelessly to help improve and move our football club forward.“We all wish the two of them the best in the next stage of their respective careers.”Wilshere, who was already part of the Canaries set-up prior to Thorup’s sacking, will oversee the club’s final two games of the Championship season with the assistance of Tony Roberts and Nick Stanley.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSJack Wilshere’s Norwich could send his former Arsenal team-mate Aaron Ramsey and Cardiff City down to League OneCredit: GETTYNorwich will travel to the Riverside Stadium on Saturday afternoon to take on Middlesbrough before taking on Cardiff City the following weekend.Boro will be hoping to pip Coventry to the final play-off spot, while Cardiff will bid to beat the drop at Carrow Road.Jack Wilshere’ ‘out of his comfort zone’ in first coaching role since shock Arsenal exit Victory in their final match of the season could see Wilshere relegate his former long-time Arsenal team-mate Aaron Ramsey, who is in interim charge of Cardiff following the Welsh club’s axing of Omer Riza last weekend.Wilshere and Ramsey spent 17 and 11 years at Arsenal, respectively.But remarkably, they only shared the pitch 101 times during their stints with the north London club.And Ramsey admits he wishes he played more games with his fellow former Gunner.The Welshman told The Mirror: “Jack called it a day, which was very sad to see. “[He was] obviously an unbelievable player on his day, very talented. It was a pleasure to play with him. “I wish I had the opportunity to play with him a lot more, but he got injured [and then] I got injured [laughs at the irony] – so we didn’t get a lot of time playing together.”Read More on The SunWilshere will face a massive dilemma ahead of Saturday’s trip to Middlesbrough.He’s set to run the London Marathon on Sunday and will face a lengthy train journey back to the capital on Saturday to prepare himself for the race.Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere played 101 times together at ArsenalCredit: EPA More

LEEDS celebrated promotion back to the Premier League in jubilant scenes at Elland Road.A 6-0 thumping of Stoke followed by Burnley’s win over Sheffield United secured Leeds’ return to the top flight.There were jubilant celebrations as Leeds secured promotionCredit: RexWinger Largie Ramazani led the partyCredit: RexThe former Man Utd youth player danced around wildlyCredit: RexRamazani also took over the mic and interviewed his team-matesCredit: RexThere were wild celebrations as fans and players alike partied hard after the momentous achievement.Leeds winger Largie Ramazani took fans behind-the-scenes and interviewed his team-mates as they enjoyed their success.Amid champagne bottles being sprayed and players dancing Ramazani tried to ask the Leeds stars their thoughts on gaining promotion.Left-back Junior Firpo said: “It’s an unbelievable day. I’m really happy, I just want to enjoy now.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWhile Ao Tanaka shouted into the mic: “I am so happy. So happy. I can’t find the words.”Captain Ethan Ampadu and Patrick Bamford had few words to say but Manor Solomon, on loan from Tottenham, said: “I’m feeling amazing. I can’t find the words I’m so happy.”The likes of Wilfried Gnonto, Pascal Struijk and Joel Piroe – who put four past Stoke – celebrated with promotion banners draped around their shoulders.Ramazani, a former Manchester United youth player, then picked one up and flung it around before dancing, leading one fan to brand him the new Ezgjan Alioski – Leeds’ chief partyer the last time they were promoted to the Prem in 2020.Most read in ChampionshipBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSPascal Struijk and Joel Piroe celebrate after thrashing StokeCredit: RexPatrick Bamford celebrates with Leeds fans, beer in handCredit: AlamyPlayers also sang along to ‘Don’t you know pump it up, the Whites are going up!’.Boss Daniel Farke later stepped outside to greet the thousands of fas gathered outside Elland Road.Leeds manager Daniel Farke reveals the Sir Alex Ferguson trick he cannot copy He danced along as fans sang his name and led a big cheer before applauding the crowd.After promotion was confirmed, Farke said: ‘I’m lost for words, which doesn’t happen that often. You could see from this morning that the atmosphere was amazing.”94 points at this stage of the season is unbelievable. The players should celebrate, our supporters should celebrate and we will definitely make sure that Easter Monday lasts for one or two more days.”It’s difficult on such an emotional day to reflect too much but it was a long road. It’s not easy to stabilise the ship after relegation, and to deal with the lost important players and a hangover from relegation.”I just want right now beer after beer, champagne after champagne and don’t bother me about football for a few days.'”We were not able to spend too much money and I was also a bit jealous that some other clubs could spend money.”Thousands gathered outside Elland Road to celebrate promotionCredit: PALeeds return to the Premier League after a two year absenceCredit: AlamyBurnley’s win over Sheffield United secured Leeds’ promotionCredit: PA More