Championship

ANGUS GUNN knows more than anyone what can go wrong in the ‘Old Farm Derby’ for a keeper.For his dad — Norwich legend Bryan Gunn — once gifted Ipswich a late winner with his infamous air kick that is written into football folklore.Angus Gunn knows more than most what the derby means to NorwichCredit: GettyBryan Gunn, 60, is a Norwich legend but would probably prefer to forget about his performance in the 1996 derbyCredit: GettyBryan Gunn’s air-kick led to Ipswich taking the lead in the clashAngus’ dad could only watch in horror as the ball trickled into the netWith the scores 1-1 at Portman Road in 1996, Rob Ullathorne played a straight-forward back-pass to the Canaries keeper.But the ball bobbled as he prepared to launch it long, it ran under his foot and into the net.Gunn, 28, said: “I’ve seen it hundreds of times. He looks back at that as a low moment of his career but can laugh at it now.“Dad always turns around and blames the defender who passed it back to him — and it doesn’t stop there either.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“He also blame Mike Milligan for passing it to Ullathorne in the first place!“I find it very funny too although you wouldn’t wish that upon anyone.“The pitches now are better so I should be alright to deal with a back-pass like that.”Gunn has not yet performed a clanger anywhere near to that magnitude although he accepts every keeper is going to look foolish a few times in their career.Most read in ChampionshipBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERBut he added: “When you do suffer something like that, it’s how you bounce back. You move on.“I’m always unhappy whenever I concede — even a 25 yard screamer which people say gave you no chance. I’m always thinking, ‘Could I have moved my feet earlier to push off the ground more.’ Luckily I’ve not had too many low moments.”Inside Grant Holt’s life after footballGunn has been consistent for Norwich and is rated as one of the Championship’s finest keepers.But he knows he and his team-mates are going to have to be at their best at Carrow Road to maintain their 13-match unbeaten derby record against the Tractor Boys, who go into the game top of the table.Ipswich have not registered a win against their foes since 2009 — a 3-2 thriller at Portman Road which a 13-year-old Gunn watched distraughtly from the stands.Bryan Gunn made 478 appearances for Norwich between 1986 and 1998 — and his son was naturally brought up as a Canaries supporter.He said: “I was so gutted, it was my lowest point as a Norwich fan. Thankfully the 13 games since have erased those memories somewhat.“But Ipswich have had an outstanding season. What the manager Kieran McKenna has done there has been incredible, bringing them up from League One and now top of the table. It’s impressive.“You look at Leicester and the quality they have on and off the pitch. “They had Jamie Vardy as a sub in both games against us — and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in the first one. If you’ve got that calibre of player coming off the bench, you’ve a great chance of getting promoted.“But Ipswich, with the squad that they have coming up from League One, to maintain the performances and level that they have has been the most impressive in my view.”Norwich are currently sixth and in the final play-off spot with a four-point cushion over seventh-placed Coventry — while Ipswich only have a one-point lead over Leeds and two over third-placed Leicester, who have a game in hand.And Gunn believes the Canaries have as much chance of getting promoted than Ipswich — with there still being a huge chance of the East Anglian rivals clashing in the play-offs.They both met in the 2015 semi-final with Norwich prevailing 3-1 at Carrow Road after a 1-1 draw at Portman Road on their way to promotion.He said: “That would be cool to get into the play offs and get Ipswich in the semi or the final would be even bigger.“That’s something we’re not scared of. It’s something we’ll embrace and hopefully we can make it happen.“Whoever misses out on automatic promotion are going to be feeling pretty low — so hopefully that will work in our favour.“But we mustn’t get ahead of ourselves. We’ve got a huge derby game this weekend.“Ipswich were flying when we went into the last game at Portman Road but dealt with that well in terms of managing the atmosphere and the fact they were so desperate to beat us.“We drew 2-2 but easily could’ve won. I feel we’re better going into this one. Our performances have stepped forward and we’ve got so much confidence in each other with the way we play.“Hopefully we can show that this weekend.”Gunn will be playing in his fourth East Anglian derby and has one win and two draws so far to his name.His favourite was his first, a 1-0 win at Portman Road in 2017 while on loan from Manchester City, with James Maddison scoring the winner.But he added: “The return at Carrow Road was also great because Ipswich thought they had won with an 89th-minute winner only for Tim Klose to level six minutes into added time. We kept that unbeaten run going.”READ MORE SUN STORIESRivalries aside, though, Gunn would like to see BOTH teams go up to set up the first East Anglian derby in the Premier League since 1995 when the two clubs were relegated.He said: “We’ve not had many derbies with Ipswich in recent years because we’re usually playing in a higher division — so it’d be pretty nice to have this game in the Premier League.” More

JERMAIN DEFOE can picture himself on the Stadium of Light touchline decked out in a sharp suit with a red and white tie.The former England striker, 41, is desperate to become a manager – and Sunderland is the job he wants.Jermain Defoe can picture himself as Sunderland’s next managerDefoe spent two spells at the Stadium of LightCredit: gettyDefoe is coaching at former club Tottenham’s academy and picking up some “easy” pundit gigs.Yet getting paid while looking good on TV talking about football is not what he craves.A “dream” return to the Black Cats is, and the Prem legend is not afraid to shout it out loud.Speaking exclusively to The Sun at the launch of the Jermain Defoe Academy at East Durham College, he said: “Being a pundit is easy.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“Steven Gerrard said when I finished playing that BT Sport would have given me a five-year contract on ‘x’ amount a year.“Yeah, it’s nice to put a suit on and look nice on the TV with my make-up on, but in the dugout I’ll have my suit and red tie on anyway! I’m ready to go.“Hopefully I get an opportunity. It’s hard, it always has been for black managers, but that shouldn’t stop me from wanting to become a manager.“I enjoy being a pundit but putting my boots on, kicking balls, coaching and learning is the best.Most read in Football“I just miss that feeling I used to get being down the tunnel and wanting to win so badly.”BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERDefoe has applied for jobs but the closest he has got to an interview is a mock one on a podcast.He has spoken to Gareth Southgate, Vincent Kompany, Harry Redknapp, Sam Allardyce and Antonio Conte about what it takes to be a top boss.Football’s weirdest contract clauses revealed including non-Arsenal agreement and a private jet promiseSo, what kind of gaffer would the former gaffer be?“As a young player at West Ham, I had Paolo Di Canio, Ian Wright and Trevor Sinclair so when I got older it was quite natural for me to manage the players and dressing room.“That is my thinking around wanting to be a manager. All the knowledge is there but how do I pass it on?“It’s important to put your ego aside and forget what you’ve done as a player. You have to start at the bottom.“And then recruitment of staff is just as important as players because if you get it wrong then you’ll have problems.“I know I will need experience around me. The most important thing is knowing who you’ll take with you, and I’ve got that.”Former England midfielder and current Spurs youth coach Paul Bracewell, who like Defoe had two playing spells at Sunderland, is one he wants in his team.The East Londoner “fell in love” with Wearside and earlier this week launched his academy to give kids “an opportunity and some direction”.And who knows, if he gets his way then some of them might be lining up for him at the Stadium of Light in the near future.The Black Cats are scouring the market for a new boss this summer after sacking Michael Beale, who Defoe coached alongside at Rangers.Sunderland are committed to developing young talent, something Defoe reckons makes him the perfect candidate.He added: “Even when I was a player at Sunderland, I always said I’d love to manage the club.“I hear people talking about needing experience with their young squad but my experience is working with young players, understanding their needs. It forces you to coach.“I’m not going to go walk in and believe they’re senior internationals, but you want them to get there eventually. Just look at Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney.“It’s about developing players and having to coach. The people I will work with do that.“Everyone is going to want this job. If I got a phone call now asking if I want to be Sunderland manager? It would be a dream.”Defoe was speaking exclusively to The Sun  at the launch of The Jermain Defoe Academy at East Durham College. To find out more about the Academy and how to apply before the first course in September 2024, head to www.edc.ac.uk More

NEIL WARNOCK has announced his retirement from football. The 75-year-old stepped down as Aberdeen boss last month after just eight games at the helm.Neil Warnock has retired from managementCredit: RexThe legend won eight promotions in his lengthy careerCredit: GettyWarnock was linked with the Plymouth job following the sacking of Ian Foster on Monday, with the club in a Championship relegation scrap.Instead, Argyle have put director of football Neil Dewsnip and first-team coach Kevin Nancekivell in charge until the end of the season.And Warnock has now decided to finally call it quits after 43 years as a gaffer.He told talkSPORT: “They’ve already decided what they’re going to do, I would have helped them.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS”But they’re going with Neil Dewsnip and Kevin Nancekivell.”They’ve been there a while, they know the players – and they’ve got some good players.”Pressed on if he would return to the dugout, Warnock said: “Oh I’m retired now.”I would have [gone to Plymouth], but not now.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”It’s all done and dusted now, and I’m looking forward to going round some of the Scottish islands.”Warnock was once a tricky winger, playing for the likes of Rotherham, Hartlepool, Scunthorpe and Barnsley.Neil Warnock given ‘perfect’ retirement gift by rival fans as Stoke help fulfil dream send-off with incredible chantWarnock’s promotion successes

Scarborough: Conference League title 1987
Notts County: Third Division play-offs 1990 and Second Division play-off 1991
Huddersfield: Second Division play-off 1995
Plymouth: Third Division play-off 1996
Sheffield United: Championship runner-up 2006
QPR: Championship winner 2011
Cardiff: Championship runner-up 2017

But he found a love for coaching in 1981 as player-manager at Gainsborough Trinity.He then went on to step into the Burton Albion and Scarborough dugout, wining the Conference League title with the latter in 1987.Warnock then became Notts County boss and got them back-to-back promotions from the Third Division to the top-flight.He turned down an offer to manage Chelsea to stay loyal to the Magpies – but he was soon sacked after their relegation back to the second tier in 1993.Spells at Torquay and Huddersfield followed before he achieved Third Division promotion with Plymouth.He was controversially sacked despite his popularity with fans and back-to-back demotions with Oldham and Bury followed.Warnock then landed his dream job at boyhood club Sheffield United and he helped them reach the Premier League.However, the outspoken boss oversaw the Blades’ relegation in controversial circumstances after Carlos Tevez inspired West Ham’s survival at their expense.Warnock then went to London clubs Crystal Palace and QPR, lifting the Championship in West London, before a year in charge of Leeds.Guiding Rotherham to Championship safety in the 2016/17 campaign came next – but he decided not to stay at the club.Warnock opted for a move to Cardiff and again fired a side to the Prem.Although history repeated itself as they were relegated at their first attempt.The legendary boss then became a relegation-saving specialist, coming in for brief spells at struggling Middlesbrough, Huddersfield and Aberdeen.READ MORE SUN STORIESOverall, he has the record for most promotions with eight.And no manager has took charge of more games in English football than Warnock on 1626 matches. More

FANS have urged Gareth Southgate to take a look at Ipswich star Leif Davis.The left-back, 24, has produced an incredible season in the Championship.Leif Davis unleashed a vicious left-footed strikeCredit: ReutersThe full-back has been in sensational formCredit: ReutersBen Chilwell is set to be Gareth Southgate’s pickCredit: GettyKieran McKenna’s Tractor Boys are sitting pretty at the top of the table after their stunning 3-2 win over Southampton on Easter Monday.Davis impressed once again, even putting his side 1-0 up on 13 minutes with an exceptional goal.The full-back controlled a diagonal pass in the box before unleashing a sensational strike beyond Gavin Bazunu.England’s regular left-back Luke Shaw has endured an injury-hit campaign.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe Manchester United star has not played since sustaining a muscular injury against Luton in February.Should Shaw not make it back in time for Euro 2024, Ben Chilwell is in pole position to be England No3 in Germany.With the Chelsea ace having failed to impress fans during recent friendlies against Brazil and Belgium, however, some want Southgate to look to Davis.One wrote: “Gareth Southgate, I hope you’ve been watching Leif Davis. He’s so much better than Chilwell.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERWhile a second cried: “Leif Davis is easily the most inform English Left Back right now. Southgate should have called him up in the recent friendlies.”A third posted: “If Luke Shaw isn’t fit for the Euros. Southgate Must get Leif Davis on the Plane.”Mauricio Pochettino takes swipe at Gareth Southgate as Chelsea boss reveals Ben Chilwell injury from England duty And another added: “Someone tell Gareth Southgate to go have a look at Leif Davis…absolutely class! Get him on that plane.”Joe Gomez was in Southgate’s most recent squad, having covered at left-back on occasion for Liverpool.Kieran Trippier, who is also currently sidelined, has been used on the left flank by the England boss.Davis, meanwhile, has played 37 times in the Championship this season.He has scored twice, while laying on an astonishing 19 assists – the most in the second-tier this term. More