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      Plymouth confirm exit of Wayne Rooney replacement in blunt 13-word statement as chairman sends surprise message

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      PLYMOUTH ARGYLE announced the departure of manager Miron Muslic with a blunt statement on social media after some turbulent negotiations.Muslic, 42, took over at then-Championship Plymouth in January following the unceremonious departure of Wayne Rooney, who only managed five wins and 14 losses in 25 matches..Plymouth Argyle confirmed manager Miron Muslic’s departure with a blunt statementPlymouth chairman Simon Hallett shared a lengthy statement reacting to Muslic’s dramatic exitHowever, Muslic couldn’t steer Argyle to safety and suffered relegation to League One, finishing second from bottom.The Pilgrims wanted to keep the ex-Cercle Brugge boss but he dramatically opted for a move to Schalke, who will be playing in Germany’s second tier this season.The Greens went on to confirm Muslic’s departure to the German outfit with a very short tweet following another furious statement accusing him of “breaking previous promises”.Plymouth tweeted: “Miron Muslic has left Argyle to join 2. Bundesliga side FC Schalke 04.”Read More on FootballThe club shared a longer announcement on their official website where they praised some of his work, such as his famous FA Cup triumph over Premier League champions Liverpool, and wished him the best.Plymouth announced: “Miron Muslic has departed the club to join 2. Bundesliga side FC Schalke 04.”Muslic joined Argyle in January, overseeing 23 matches, including the memorable victory against Liverpool in the Emirates FA Cup. “Despite his best efforts, he could not stave off relegation with Argyle dropping to Sky Bet League One on the final day of the season.Most read in EFLHOW TO GET FREE BETS ON HORSE RACING”We wish Miron all the best for his future endeavours.”That led to a lengthy statement from Argyle chairman Simon Hallett who insists he did not want Muslic to leave and wanted him to lead next season’s bid to return to the Championship.Wayne Rooney starts new job in Middle East as Man Utd legend touches down for first day after leaving Plymouth Hallett stated: “After the season ended, and with rumours flying that Miron was attracting interest from other clubs, I called him personally and he assured me that he was 100% committed to Argyle. “As a result, Miron continued to take part in all recruitment meetings and was involved with interviewing and recruiting players until just last week. His colleagues had no indication that he wanted to leave.”Last Saturday, Miron informed the club that he wished to speak with Schalke with a view to joining them. Under his contract, a club wishing to speak with him needs Argyle’s prior permission. “We were unwilling to give such permission, but Miron informed us that under no circumstances was he going to return to Plymouth. Thus, we reluctantly gave the necessary permission.”By making clear his intention never to return, Miron gave us no choice but to move on. “We could have insisted on the full compensation and gone to court to enforce his contract but would not have had his services as head coach, and progress on recruiting a replacement would have been blocked. Chairman addresses Muslic exit”Rather than get mired in a protracted, and highly disruptive, process we settled for an amount of compensation that, while below the contracted sum, is a strong financial outcome for a League One head coach, enabling us to move on positively.”Hallett admitted there will be no new investors coming in to Plymouth any time soon.However, the owner promised he and existing shareholders will provide the necessary funds that will help the team and Muslic’s replacement meet their goals this coming season.Hallett added: “As you know, we have been in talks with a prospective new investor in our club for over a year. Those talks led to an application for approval of that investment being lodged with the EFL in February.”Unfortunately, negotiations have taken too long and the key information that both we and the EFL required to complete the deal has not been forthcoming. I no longer believe that news of the new investor is imminent.”As a result, existing shareholders (I, Argyle Green and the Holliday family) will provide the funds to ensure that we stay on course with our plans. Read More on The Sun”This means making funds available to ensure we have a competitive football budget to aim to return us to the Championship as soon as possible, as well as continued investment in Foulston Park. Our budget next season will be twice that we had the last time we were in League One. “These additional funds equate to the same level of financial support that was written into the investor plan for year one.”Plymouth Argyle Chairman Simon Hallett’s messageDear Green Army, I am sorry to have not written earlier after relegation was confirmed, earlier this month.Jane and I had personal issues in the US that forced us to cut short our visit to the UK, and we have been occupied taking care of them for a few weeks. Our thanks to those who sent best wishes, and all is ok now. We are making plans for a return to the UK later this summer.We are disappointed at Miron Muslic’s departure – not at his joining a club with a profile such as Schalke, but in the timing and manner of his leaving.We hired Miron in January, giving him a three-and-a-half-year contract. Shortly after his joining us, we also hired the staff he requested, in an assistant head coach, head of elite performance, performance analysis and, a little later, a set-piece coach. A recruitment team was in place for the season, augmented by our securing the services of Stuart Webber, a very experienced and well-regarded Sporting Director, to assist with the post-season rebuild of our squad, along with Tom Randle, who has subsequently joined us on a full-time basis as Head of Recruitment. After the season ended, and with rumours flying that Miron was attracting interest from other clubs, I called him personally and he assured me that he was 100% committed to Argyle. As a result, Miron continued to take part in all recruitment meetings and was involved with interviewing and recruiting players until just last week. His colleagues had no indication that he wanted to leave.Last Saturday, Miron informed the club that he wished to speak with Schalke with a view to joining them. Under his contract, a club wishing to speak with him needs Argyle’s prior permission. We were unwilling to give such permission, but Miron informed us that under no circumstances was he going to return to Plymouth. Thus, we reluctantly gave the necessary permission.By making clear his intention never to return, Miron gave us no choice but to move on. We could have insisted on the full compensation and gone to court to enforce his contract but would not have had his services as head coach, and progress on recruiting a replacement would have been blocked. Rather than get mired in a protracted, and highly disruptive, process we settled for an amount of compensation that, while below the contracted sum, is a strong financial outcome for a League One head coach, enabling us to move on positively.As you know, we have been in talks with a prospective new investor in our club for over a year. Those talks led to an application for approval of that investment being lodged with the EFL in February.Unfortunately, negotiations have taken too long and the key information that both we and the EFL required to complete the deal has not been forthcoming. I no longer believe that news of the new investor is imminent.As a result, existing shareholders (I, Argyle Green and the Holliday family) will provide the funds to ensure that we stay on course with our plans. This means making funds available to ensure we have a competitive football budget to aim to return us to the Championship as soon as possible, as well as continued investment in Foulston Park. Our budget next season will be twice that we had the last time we were in League One. These additional funds equate to the same level of financial support that was written into the investor plan for year one.I completely understand that this will be very frustrating for fans, as it is extremely frustrating for me and the rest of the Argyle Board. I have said constantly that my resources can enable us to be a sustainable Championship club, but that if we wish to aspire beyond that we would need new investment. I can provide some of that new investment, with the Holliday family’s and Argyle Green’s help, but not all.While progress towards a transaction in its current form looks to have stalled, we will continue to explore alternative routes, including being open to revised terms with other investment groups. It is important that we get the right investor, not the quickest investor, and this may take some time. We are committed to this, but in the meantime, current shareholders can (and will) support the club through its next stage of development.This current situation is disappointing, obviously, but honesty and transparency are important to us. It’s been a long, ponderous process, but one we thought would come to a successful conclusion. It has not, but we remain in a very strong financial position.Over the past five or six years, we have set out a clear pathway to achieving success at Argyle. In that time, we progressed from League Two to the Championship, where we spent two seasons, before suffering relegation. Our mission has been, and remains, to be a sustainable and competitive Championship club, but some of the decisions we have made in the last two seasons have not worked as we had hoped. Those decisions obviously contributed to our relegation, but were decisions made by the entire board, and it is entirely unfair to blame any individuals. Unfortunately, in sport, as in life, decisions made do not always work out. We are sorry and will do everything we can to put it right.Argyle’s long-term strategy is set by the board and executed by Andrew Parkinson, our CEO, and his team. Away from the pitch, the club continues to make significant strides. Thanks to the efforts of all staff, we have seen remarkable off-pitch progress including record revenues this year. We’ve also been recognised with several industry awards – testament to the quality of work happening every day behind the scenes. This progress is a direct result of the hard work and commitment of staff across all departments. Our focus on sustainable growth has led to significant infrastructure investments that now generate substantial revenue which supports our football operations.The first and still the largest of those investments was the refurbishment of the Mayflower Grandstand. Today, that not only provides outstanding match-day hospitality to our fans, but a facility for businesses and other organisations in the area. The revenues generated now number in the millions, and go directly into the running of the football club, primarily the football budget. The Grandstand refurbishment was the first and remains the biggest investment, but has been followed by the acquisition of Higher Home Park, part of which is now used as the Biffa Fan Zone; by the Green Taverners’ building, now the Far Post; by the acquisition of Goals, now Harpers; and by many smaller investments that have improved the experience for fans and sponsors. As a result, the stadium has been full for most home games. We have also invested in players, breaking the club transfer record several times and realising substantial surpluses on subsequent sales of players. The result is that your club is now financially stronger than it has ever been with a strong and diversified revenue base. Those revenues have, until last season, helped lead to our success on the pitch. We have consistently achieved more than would be suggested by what we are able to spend on the first-team squad alone. Sometimes, our results flattered our performances but, overall, the strategy to compete by outsmarting not outspending our competitors has been successful. Last season, it was not, and the board took the decision in January that our best hope of avoiding what by then was a very likely fate was to hire a Head Coach who could introduce a new playing style. We narrowly failed, despite the efforts of our staff and our players. I thank them all.We will play the coming season in League One, as we did three years ago. Our circumstances, though, are much changed, because of the investments we have made and the support you have given us. We will have the financial resources to compete strongly at the top end of the division. Relegation is always disappointing, but we are now in a position where we end up stronger than we began. In the long-term, this is not being a yo-yo club, this is being a club that invests for the long term and emerges stronger from any setbacks.You will know that former Head of Recruitment Jimmy Dickinson has left Argyle after a successful six years. Jimmy has been a positive influence on the club, and we wish him well in the future. We also congratulate Ross Goodwin, our Head of Football Data, who will return home, and take on a senior role as Head of Recruitment at Dundee United. We are delighted to welcome David Fox back to Home Park in a senior management role as Head of Football Operations. He will be responsible for helping formulate and executing strategy on the football side of the club. Initially, he will be aided by Stuart Webber, whose experience and abilities as a Sporting Director will be hugely beneficial to Argyle. David and Stuart have been actively engaged in the process of recruiting a new head coach, and we hope to have an appointment in place as soon as possible. David will be provided with the support, resources and structure he needs.As I mentioned above, we also welcome Tom Randle as Head of Recruitment. He, David and Stuart have already been working behind the scenes to identify and recruit the players who will join us this summer. Recruitment is led by David and Tom, with other senior executive involvement. This structure means recruitment continues regardless of any changes in coaching staff, ensuring alignment with the club’s long-term football strategy.We have already seen the fruits of this combined effort, and I’d like to welcome Jamie Paterson, Caleb Watts and Jack MacKenzie to Argyle.I’ll be back in the UK over the summer, when we will host a Fans Forum ahead of the new season. I’ll be very happy to address the questions I’m sure you will have on the investment setbacks and how we intend to take things forward to achieve our goals.Finally, to you, the fans – you have been outstanding. Week after week, match after match, home or away, your support never wavers, and all at your club are grateful to you. We’ve never been more determined to succeed and, alongside your unrivalled backing, through the highs and the lows, together we’ll do this.See you soon,Simon More

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      Plymouth in furious statement as manager Miron Muslic, 42, ‘breaks promise’ to join ex-Champions League semi-finalists

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      PLYMOUTH ARGYLE launched a furious statement after their manager “broke promises” to walk out for former Champions League semi-finalists. Miron Muslic, 42, only took over at Home Park in January, replacing Wayne Rooney in the dugout.Miron Muslic infuriated Plymouth Argyle by walking out on the club to join SchalkeCredit: RexHe masterminded the famous FA Cup victory over Liverpool before a valiant defeat against Manchester City in the fifth round.But the Bosnian was unable to avoid relegation from the Championship as Argyle finished 23rd – three points from safety. However, the club were willing to stick by Muslic and had already began making plans to back him in League One and push for promotion next season.That was until he suddenly told the Pilgrims he wanted to leave for FC Schalke in Germany’s second tier.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLAnd Argyle “reluctantly” gave him permission to enter negotiations with Schalke.But their statement blasted Muslic for seemingly betraying his word months into his contract which ran until 2028.Plymouth fumed: “Argyle can confirm that we have reluctantly allowed Head Coach Miron Muslic to open talks with a 2. Bundesliga side after he expressed his desire to speak with the German team and not return to England.”Despite regular communication since the end of the season, and no mention of any issues, Miron has now made it clear that, after extended periods away from his family, this opportunity provides him the chance to be closer to them after four years on the road.Most read in EFLCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”We are frustrated by this decision, having implemented clear structures, processes and personnel to aid Miron and his coaching staff as we look to return to the Sky Bet Championship at the earliest opportunity.”Not only that, the club have also moved quickly to bring in new signings and received repeated verbal promises from Miron that he was committed to Argyle and would do everything to help the club bounce back to the second tier.’When we go down…oh God’ – Red-faced Plymouth owner accidentally admits club are getting relegated with 15 games left”Muslic joined the Greens in January 2025, on a three-and-a-half-year contract, after a period out of the game having departed Cercle Brugge. “He will now leave Argyle just four months into that long-term commitment.”We wish him the best for his future career.”We will be making no further comment at this stage.”In Muslic’s press conference after the final game of the season, he openly said he needed backing.The club responded by appointing David Fox as head of football operations and Tom Randle – who Muslic had worked with previously – as head of recruitment.Jamie Paterson and Caleb Watts signed last week – the former citing his conversations with Muslic as a major reason behind joining. One fan took to Wikipedia to edit his page name to “Plymouth Snake” in response to the shock bombshell news, which will reportedly see Argyle receive £1million in compensation. Seven-time top-flight runners-up Schalke suffered two relegations from the Bundesliga in three years from 2022 to 2024. Read More on The SunThey finished 14th in the 2 Bundesliga this term – with the likes of ex-Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius and Rasmus Hojlund’s brother Emil in the squad.Die Konigsblauen are six-time German Cup winners, won the Uefa Cup in 1997 and reached the Champions League semis in 2011, losing 6-1 on aggregate to Manchester United. Muslic was in charge when Argyle beat Liverpool in the FA CupCredit: Getty More

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      Charlton 1 Leyton Orient 0: Nathan Jones leads Addicks back to Championship with huge win over London rivals at Wembley

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      MACAULAY GILLESPHEY curled home the sweetest of free-kicks to fire Charlton back into the Championship.It has been five long years for the Addicks in League One but the defender came up trumps with a 30th-minute effort to earn Nathan Jones promotion in his first full season as boss.Charlton are back in the ChampionshipCredit: Shutterstock EditorialMacaulay Gillesphey’s free-kick proved decisiveCredit: PANathan Jones celebrated in typically wild fashion at full-timeCredit: Shutterstock EditorialCharlton return to the second tier for the first time in 2020Credit: Shutterstock EditorialCharlton have been out of the Premier League since 2007 and this has been their fifth season in League One and eighth out of the last nine.But since Nathan Jones took charge in February 2004 things have been on the up at The Valley – steering clear of an unimaginable relegation battle before a third-place finish this season.The game started at a great pace.And ref Andrew Kitchen decided to keep the card in his pocket when Lloyd Jones clattered Dan Agyei as the Orient striker looked to break into the Charlton half.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLRight-back Ethan Galbraith, who Wellens said is a “future Premier League footballer”, dragged an effort wide.Ollie O’Neill had a chance to shoot when the O’s caught Charlton on the break but Kayne Ramsay threw himself to block the effort.Leyton Orient came close to breaking the deadlock when Agyei played a peach of a cross from the right but Jordan Brown just failed to connect.And Charlton ruthlessly punished them down the other end when Tyrese Campbell was brought down 25 yards from goal.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSUp stepped Macaulay Gillesphey to curl a wonderful free-kick past Josh Keeley despite the keeper getting his fingertips to it for his sixth goal of the season.It was so excellently executed and sent the sold-out Charlton end into a frenzy of jubilationWhat had been so frustrating for Orient is that in the first half their top-scoring Charlie Kelman did not get a single kick inside the Charlton box.Wellens sent his team out early for the second half and Galbraith managed to get behind the Addicks on the right flank but his cross was jumped on by Will Mannion.And Orient went mighty close to levelling when Jack Currie saw his effort deflected by Tyreece Campbell barely an inch wide of the right post that had Mannion beaten.The O’s fans, who had gone a little quiet, now found their voice again, having belief that they might be able to claw themselves back into the game.The bar then came to Charlton’s rescue when Currie drove forward, played a pass into Kelman, who let fly a 20 yard effort that flew over Mannion but rattled back off the woodwork.Charlton did not concede in their three play-off gamesCredit: Shutterstock EditorialIt was Gillesphey’s sixth goal of the seasonCredit: GettyAlex Gilbert took out Jamie Donley on the edge of the box before the O’s player dusted himself off but fired his shot into the wall.Conor Coventry saw an effort tipped over by Josh Keeley after he was played in by Karoy Anderson.Ref Andrew Kitchen was having issues with his communications kit and there was a long delay while he got kitted with a replacement.Read More on The SunChuks Aneke saw a snap shot pushed around the post by Keeley.After 11 minutes of stoppages it was finally all over and the Addicks are back in the Championship. More

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      I left Ronaldinho in my wake by using his own stepover against him, now I’m playing in the League Two play-off final

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      ALBERT ADOMAH once performed an audacious stepover that left Ronaldinho in his wake.So it is safe to say the Walsall winger will not be intimidated by facing AFC Wimbledon in Monday’s League Two play-off final.Albert Adomah went up against Ronaldinho in 2011Credit: PROVIDED BY JUSTIN ALLENAdomah, 37, is still going strong with WalsallCredit: Shutterstock EditorialThe former Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough ace used to love imitating tricks and skills from the Brazilian megastar in street kickabouts.Then incredibly he went on to play against him on his debut for Ghana in 2011 and had the pure cheek to glide past him with a trick out of the great man’s repertoire.Adomah told SunSport: “I was playing for Bristol City at the time in the Championship and got picked by Ghana to play Brazil at Craven Cottage in 2011.“I was up against Ronaldinho, a young Neymar, Alexandre Pato, Dani Alves, Thiago Silva, Marcelo, Fernandinho, Lucas … it was like a star-studded who’s who of football.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“Before I became a professional footballer I used to do Ronaldinho skills in street and cage football. I tried to imitate his skills so to be on the same pitch as such an iconic figure was a wow moment of my career.“And during the game I did his trademark stepover. I’ve got a picture of me going past him. I thought, ‘I’ve just skipped past the most skillful player ever.’“But I got brought crashing back down to earth as the Liverpool player Lucas, a typical holding midfielder, came steaming in with a sliding tackle.”Brazil won the game 1-0 thanks to a strike from Leandro Damiao and after the game Adomah managed to snag shirts from Neymar and Pato.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBut, almost as incredible as his audacious stepover, Adomah gave Neymar’s shirt AWAY!He said: “At that time everyone thought it was a done deal he was signing for Chelsea and my brother is a Blues fan so I decided to give it to him.Ex-Chelsea star Sam Hutchinson reveals he had HEART ATTACK in game he scored winner that sent Wimbledto playoffs“But Neymar ended up going to Barcelona instead … and ironically a few years later Pato joined Chelsea on loan. I should try to get it back.“However, the picture of me going past Ronaldinho is a great memento and memory I’ll never forget.”Adomah went on to play at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.But fast forward to 2025 and he has had a remarkable season for a 37-year-old… having played in FIFTY-THREE games for Walsall.Although 34 of them have been off the bench, he has been a crucial impact player for Mat Sadler’s men since deciding to drop down to the fourth tier after leaving Championship side QPR last summer.’I’M ONE OF THE FITTEST PLAYERS AT THE CLUB’He said: “It’s about keeping fit. Last season I only played 18 games for QPR. You get to a certain point  in your career where the manager decides whether he wants to select you or go for a younger player.“I still believe I can play and since day one here the manager has seen I’m one of the fittest players at the club.“I’m not as sharp as I was before but can still manoeuvre myself around with the ball. My attributes are still there and I’ve played in more than 50 games. It doesn’t matter whether you’re starting or coming on a sub, everyone is part of what we’re trying to achieve.“It’s up to how the manager wants to utilise his squad and being able to come on fresh and give the team extra energy to get up the pitch has worked well.”This will be Adomah’s fourth play-off final. He lost with Middlesbrough to Norwich under the arch in 2015 and again with Aston Villa against Fulham in 2018.But it was third time lucky when he went up with Villa the following year after they saw off Frank Lampard’s Derby.It ended three seasons outside the top flight for Villa and Adomah is proud he helped get the club back on the up.’THE WORST FEELING IN FOOTBALL’He said: “Losing a play-off final is the worst feeling in football. You just want to get out of the stadium straight away. Yet when you win you want to stay there until the next day and celebrate.“Promotion with Villa was a huge relief for everyone at the club because we’d failed the previous two seasons.“There was a lot of frustration and anxiety among the fanbase. I remember a CABBAGE got thrown at our manager Steve Bruce at Villa Park just before he left the club.“But Dean Smith came in and as a Villa fan was the perfect person to take the club back up.“And it fills me with pride that we helped get them where they belong and now look at where they are six years later, competing in the Champions League and at the top end of the Premier League.”Adomah has had a great career – from his Isthmian League days with Harrow Borough, League Two with Barnet, the Championship with a number of clubs and the Premier League at Middlesbrough.Read More on The SunHe said: “The only division I’ve not played in yet is League One so it would be great to tick that off. I have no plans to retire yet. I’ve done my UEFA B coaching badges and am currently doing my A but I still have a couple of years left in me.“It’s been an enjoyable career… from park football to the World Cup. I can have no complaints.”Adomah helped Aston Villa earn promotion back to the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty – ContributorThe winger headed to Walsall after leaving QPRCredit: Rex More

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      Sheffield Utd 1 Sunderland 2: Black Cats back in Prem for first time in 8 YEARS as controversial star nets £200m winner

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      TOMMY WATSON was the hero as he came off the bench to book Sunderland’s place in the Premier League.The winger intercepted a loose pass before bending a shot into the bottom corner in the fourth minute of stoppage time.Substitute Tommy Watson scored a stoppage time winnerCredit: PAEliezer Mayenda equalised for Sunderland with a brilliant finishCredit: ReutersTyrese Campbell finished off a devastating counter attack to open the scoringCredit: GettyTyrese Campbell opened the scoring as he finished off a devastating counter-attack from the Blades.Chris Wilder’s side had the better of the play from that moment and almost doubled their lead through Andre Brooks in the second half.That miss came back to bite them when Patrick Roberts fed Eliezer Mayenda, who took one touch before firing clinically into the roof of the net. More

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      Championship play-off final delayed by sickening injury as Sunderland ace forced off before calling Wag down from stands

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      THE Championship play-off final has been delayed because of an injury to Sunderland club captain Luke O’Nien.The defender dislocated his shoulder in the second minute.Sunderland captain Luke O’Nien was forced off with injuryCredit: Shutterstock EditorialThe defender received treatment on the pitch for several minutesCredit: GettyO’Nien appeared to be in pain as he left the pitchCredit: PAThe match was delayed for around six minutesCredit: PAO’Nien injured his shoulder in an aerial challenge with Kieffer MooreCredit: PAThe club captain later joined in with the celebrations after Sunderland equalisedHis arm was held in a slingFollow the Championship play-off final with SunSport’s live blogThe incident occurred as he went to challenge Sheffield United ace Kieffer Moore for a header, with the striker almost scoring.O’Nien fell to the ground and immediately required treatment from the physios.He was attended to for several minutes and received oxygen.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLA stretcher was brought out onto the pitch but was not required, with O’Nien walking off.However the Black Cats skipper did appear to be in a lot of pain as he trudged off.He grimaced as he clutched his injured arm – play only resumed six minutes later. O’Nien was applauded off by the Sunderland faithful and was replaced by Chris Mepham.Most read in EFLBefore making his way down the tunnel O’Nien beckoned to his partner Georgia to join him.BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSShe walked down the Wembley steps and greeted the Sunderland star, before escorting him down the tunnel alongside the medical staff.O’Nien later returned to the Sunderland bench and was spotted in tears.Sheffield United star targets a hat-trick of promotions ahead of £200m play-off final against Sunderland at WembleyBut his game was not finished as he rushed to the corner flag to join in with the celebrations after Eliezer Mayenda equalised for Sunderland after Tyrese Campbell’s first half opener. More

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      Why are the EFL play-off finals kicking off a minute later?

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      SUNDERLAND and Sheffield United will meet in one of the biggest games on the English football calendar.A place in the Premier League awaits either the Blades or the Black Cats, with Chris Wilder’s side eyeing an immediate return to the top flight.Daniel Ballard headed Sunderland to Wembley with a last minute winner vs CoventryCredit: Scott Llewellyn | MI NewsChris Wilder is looking to guide Sheffield United straight back to the Premier LeagueCredit: Nick Potts/PA Wire.Charlton and London rivals Leyton Orient will meet in the League One play-off finalCredit: GettyWimbledon will take on Walsall in the League Two play-off finalCredit: Tom West | MI NewsRegis Le Bris is hoping to guide Sunderland back to the Premier League for the first time since 2016/17. The Championship play-off final is just one of three promotion deciders happening at Wembley over Bank Holiday weekend, with the League One and League Two play-off finals also occurring.League One sees an all-London affair, as Charlton and Leyton Orient both look to book their place alongside Wrexham and Birmingham in the Championship next season.In League Two, either Walsall or Wimbledon will be joining Doncaster, Port Vale and Bradford in League One next season.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSunSport can reveal why these games are starting one minute later than usual. Why are the EFL play-off finals starting a minute later?The kick-off times have been moved back one minute to promote the Every Minute Matters campaign.The campaign is a collaboration between EFL sponsors Sky Bet and the British Heart Foundation, which aims to get supporters to learn CPR.More than 270,000 people have already learned the life-saving skill thanks to the campaign, which launched during last season’s play-offs.Most read in EFLAs a result, the three play-off finals will now have amended kick-off times:Sat, May 24: Sheffield United vs Sunderland – 3:01pm BSTSun, May 25: Charlton vs Leyton Orient – 1:01pm BST Mon, May 26: Wimbledon vs Walsall – 3:01pm BSTWhat TV channel are the EFL play-off finals and is there a live stream?All three play-off finals will be aired by Sky Sports.The matches will be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.They can also be live streamed to customers on the Sky Go app and NOW TV.SunSport will have live coverage of all three matches. More

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      ‘Very different to Wrexham’ – Gary Neville and David Beckham WON’T pour millions into Salford as they outline ‘project’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Gary Neville outlined the plan he and David Beckham have for Salford City after their recent takeover of the club.Neville and Beckham, both 50, led a new consortium and gained control of the League Two side earlier this month by buying out shares from fellow Class of 92 icons Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Phil Neville. Manchester United legend Gary Neville outlined the plan he and David Beckham have for Salford CityBeckham and Neville completed the takeover of Salford earlier this monthNeville insists he and Beckham won’t pour millions in SalfordThe United greats have teamed up with businessman Declan Kelly and Lawn Tennis Association chairman Lord Mervyn Davies after major backer Peter Lim stepped away last year. The former England internationals have big plans as they are determined to get the League Two outfit in the Championship within the next five years.Ever since their arrival in 2014, Salford got promoted from the Northern Premier League Division One North to the EFL in five years, but they have remained in the fourth tier ever since.Neville told The Overlap Fan Debate, on behalf of Sky Bet: “Shares in a football club for most owners, other than the passion and the feelings you get from it, you’re a reliability from an investment perspective more than an asset.Read More on Football”We’ve put money into Salford and in January we just thought we needed to get a group of people involved, who we could trust.”Me and Becks [Beckham] agreed that we would put money in for the next four or five years, which is a commitment we’ve all made.”Salford City won’t be changing the budget – to reverse out of the model we already have, you need two or three years. “You can’t go from investing to becoming sustainable that quick – you need to look at players’ contracts for three years and you’ve generally got a model that you’ve built which you can’t come away from.”Most read in EFLCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSSuccessful celebrity-owned clubs have risen to prominence in recent years and many are hoping Salford will follow suit.Wrexham have earned three successive promotions from the National League to the Championship under Hollywood celebrity owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds.’Were we not good enough-‘ – Man Utd legend Roy Keane takes cheeky dig at David Beckham over 50th birthday snubAnd Birmingham won the League One title this season and will join the Red Dragons in the second division with NFL legend Tom Brady as minority owner.However, Neville is adamant things will be “very different” compared to Wrexham and Birmingham.The Man Utd hero insists millions will not be poured but instead he and Beckham will focus on turning the club into a “good football project” that will be very close to the local community.Neville added: “We just need to change the model of the club slightly, in fact quite a bit. It’s very different than Wrexham and Birmingham – you’re talking about millions going into those clubs. “That’s not what we’re looking to do with Salford. We want Salford to be a good football project.”Salford City has the cheapest ticket prices in the EFL. On day one, I committed to the fans that we would be the most affordable and accessible football club. I’d rather go down than do that [be unsustainable].”Neville is adamant Salford won’t follow Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds’ example with WrexhamThe same goes for Birmingham City, where NFL legend Tom Brady is a minority owner More