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      Chelsea coach QUITS after 18 years at club to join Thomas Tuchel’s England set-up

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      HENRIQUE HILARIO is set to end 18 years with Chelsea by leaving to join Thomas Tuchel at England.The goalkeeper signed for the Blues in 2006 as third-choice behind Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini.Henrique Hilario will leave as Chelsea goalkeeping coach to join EnglandCredit: GettyHilario provided back-up for Chelsea stoppersCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdAnd he spent almost a decade providing back-up before retiring in 2014 having been part of Premier League and Champions League-winning sides.Two years after hanging up his gloves, Hilario returned to Chelsea under Antonio Conte as assistant goalkeeping coach. He was then promoted two years later by Maurizio Sarri and remained in that role – under Tuchel too. But the German manager – who succeeds Gareth Southgate as Three Lions boss – will take Hilario with him to Wembley. READ MORE ON CHELSEASunSport revealed in November how Tuchel plotted a swoop for his former keeping coach.The FA officially announced the out-of-work German as Gareth Southgate’s successor in October.But he won’t take charge of the Three Lions – who he’s signed an 18-month deal with – until January 1.Tuchel, 51, is using the time off to get his backroom team in place.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe’s also convinced Chelsea’s current performance analyst James Melbourne to join him.Hilario and Melbourne will be welcomed by a familiar face in former Blues coach Anthony Barry, who Tuchel has installed as his No2.’Why should a player have to be from a country and not the manager’ says Wenger as he questions Tuchel as England boss More

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      in Soccer

      Wales promoted to Nations League A and could face ENGLAND after rivals fall to shock loss to previously winless minnows

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      NO wonder Swansea fans call Liam Cullen the ‘Kilgetty Messi’.The 25-year-old turned in the performance of his life – one the Argentina maestro himself would have been proud of.Wales have beaten Iceland to seal promotion to the Nations League ACredit: ReutersLiam Cullen stole the show with a braceCredit: GettyHe scored his first two international goals, created another for Brennan Johnson and even had a hand in Harry Wilson’s late strike.It all meant that – against all odds – Wales topped their Nations League group on another night to remember in the capital.Turkey’s shock defeat in Montenegro means the Dragons are promoted to Group A.This could see Wales drawn against England in the next edition of the tournament which kicks off in September 2026.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLMore importantly though, they will almost certainly have a World Cup play-off to fall back on if they fail to make it through their group.And the way Craig Bellamy’s reign has started, you wouldn’t bet against them finding a way to the USA in summer 2026.They showed some character here to come storming back after falling behind early on.Former Burnley man Johann Gudmundsson’s cross was headed goalwards by Orri Oskarsson and Danny Ward pushed it out.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIt fell nicely for Andri Gudjohnsen – son of ex-Chelsea forward Eidur – who despatched it back through the keeper’s legs.It was the first goal Wales have conceded at home in over five hours of football – since Finland scored in the Euro 2024 play off in March.Where are they now: The unusual careers of former footballersAnd it was also the first time Bellamy had found his team behind since he took charge at the start of the autumn.So this was a new kind of test for him and his team were second best for the first half hour.Yet they finally got going and Premier League pair Neco Williams and Johnson worked the ball down the left.The Spurs man floated over a cross that was glanced home by Cullen for his first goal for his country.Cullen has not scored for his club since September 21 so it was just the tonic he needed.Wales were now on top and on the stroke of half-time they were ahead as Mark Harris played another ball out to Dan James.His shot was only half-stopped by Iceland keeper Hakon Valdimarsson, but Cullen was there to bundle in the rebound.The 25-year-old hails from the small town of Kilgetty in Pembrokeshire – hence the nickname back with his club.Things had really turned on their head – particularly as news came through that group leaders Turkey were behind in Podgorica.Iceland had not given up though and sub Mikael Ellertsson brought a smart save out of Ward soon after the restart.Harry Wilson was put clean through but unusually for him he lacked composure and gave the keeper an easy save.But midway through the second half the Dragons had breathing space as Cullen turned provider, winning the ball and sending Johnson clear.This time he kept his cool and thumped a low shot home home to score his fifth goal for his country.Cullen wasn’t finished there though as Cullen won his dual with his marker as they both went for a high ball.Wilson picked up the loose ball and steered a shot beyond the visiting keeper from the edge of the box.The Fulham man has been the stand-out performer in this Nations League campaign for the Dragons – and deserved his goal.What a night for Cullen though – he could barely get a look in under former boss Rob Page and now he gets a night like this.READ MORE SUN STORIESNews filtered through that Montenegro had extended their lead over the Turks – and the celebrations could really start among the home fans.Their World Cup qualifying campaign will start in March rather than June now – but their hopes of a ticket to America in 20 months’ time have increased significantly.Brennan Johnson made it 3-1 with a clinical finishCredit: GettyHarry Wilson wrapped up the result with Wales’ fourthCredit: GettyCraig Bellamy will be eying up a World Cup spot in 2026Credit: Getty More

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      Cole Palmer makes first public appearance with girlfriend at GQ Men of the Year… and brings his MUM along too

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      COLE PALMER charmed the red carpet with his choice of two extra special companions at a glamorous GQ Men of the Year event.The England winger and his girlfriend – fellow Mancunian Connie Grace – made their first public appearance together.Cole Palmer and girlfriend Connie Grace looked ultra elegant togetherCredit: RexCole was also with mum Marie at the big do in LondonCredit: RexConnie reportedly met Palmer in their native Manchester but it was on holiday in Ibiza back in August where they were spotted outCredit: InstagramPalmer has joked he ‘just wears trackies’ away from the cameraCredit: GettyPalmer and Kobbie Mainoo made the front cover of GQCredit: Dan Martensen / GQAnd Palmer’s mum Marie was also alongside the Chelsea hero at the Kensington Roof Gardens bash in London.The two main women in the life of the ex-Manchester City starlet were snapped next to him separately – but with equal elegance.Palmer himself went for the timeless look of black tuxedo and bowtie.Connie, a nail artist, opted for a daring cut-out dress in the same colour.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIn tandem, that meant a partnership as stylish as they come – in fashion or in football.Meanwhile, Marie wore a shimmering black dress and carried a matching clutch-bag on an occasion that underlined the great value Palmer places on his family.The 22-year-old credits dad Jermaine for teaching him all he knows about football, claiming: “He was Pep before I met Pep [Man City boss Guardiola].”Cole’s elder sister Hallie completes the happy unit.Most read in FootballThe nail artist is now in a relationship with PalmerCredit: instagram @conniegrace_Connie was on a holiday with him three months agoCredit: instagram @conniegrace_FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThree Lions’ pal Kobbie Mainoo was also at the London night-out – after he and Palmer adorned the cover of GQ’s magazine’s Men of the Year edition for December.Mainoo’s garb was brasher – a loose-fitting, leather-look suit and white T-shirt.Cole Palmer gives injury boost ahead of Arsenal clash as Chelsea star seen at Stamford BridgeBut in their GQ interview each was dressed in an array of spectacular outfits for the accompanying interview.However, it was in that chat when Palmer joked “I just wear trackies” – when away from the spotlight.Tuesday evening is not the first time he’s posed in public with Connie.They were snapped as he held his PFA Young Player of the year award in September.But the GQ do is their photographic debut together at a specific public event.Palmer and Connie were initially spotted in August – during an Ibiza holiday.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd he might have had a little downtime over the past week too – as one of nine players to drop out of the England squad due to fitness issues.But apart from taking in a Wrexham game, Palmer was spotted at a McDonald’s Drive Thru – suggesting his taste in food is just as casual as his ‘trackie’ taste in clothes!Palmer was joined by Usain Bolt at the eventCredit: GettyKobbie Mainoo was another big name at the London eventCredit: RexMainoo looked to be loving his cool outfitCredit: Rex More

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      Premier League fines hit nearly £1MILLION after just 11 games with worst teams revealed as behaviour worsens

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      SO much for the Respect campaign — it is already starting to look more like Anarchy in the UK.Well, in English top-flight football, certainly.The biggest fine so far was £125,000 to Nottingham Forest after the spat with ChelseaCredit: PANottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is still serving a five-game banCredit: PAFor Premier League clubs to be approaching £1million in matchday misconduct fines before the Christmas decorations have gone up is the clearest possible signal that behaviour is heading in the wrong direction.Not just the players and managers are losing control, but assistant bosses, sporting directors and even one notoriously combustible owner.And with the most cluttered part of the entire season about to launch — clubs face as many as 12 matches in just five weeks across various competitions — the FA probably need to hire more staff for its fines department to cover for holiday absences.Whether it is behaviour falling, a response to perceived refereeing inadequacy, or that fines are an increasingly ineffective means of controlling tempers, is a question that may not be possible to answer.Read More on FootballBut what is clear is that almost every week brings another financial penalty or FA misconduct charge, with the current Prem aggregate standing at £917,500.The biggest single fine levied so far was the £125,000 Nottingham Forest were ordered to pay  after the spat sparked by Neco Williams’ shove on Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella in the latter stages of October’s  Stamford Bridge draw.Defender Cucurella was pushed into Blues boss Enzo Maresca, leading to a fracas involving both benches  and players.The melee also cost Chelsea £90,000,  half of which was after the Blues picked up six yellow cards from ref Chris Kavanagh.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSMaresca responded not with  any contrition, but praise. He said: “I like the way the team is fighting. I don’t see any problems with that.”Perhaps unsurprising then the Forest game was the second of THREE matches in which Chelsea picked up six bookings this term — costing them £150,000 in total.Premier League referee David Coote update after statement from UEFA and revelation that referees don’t get drug testedForest, in turn, really are walking a financial tightrope following their repeated offences. Last  season’s attack on VAR Stuart Attwell, ‘outing’ him as a Luton fan, cost them £750,000 — plus  a £40,000 fine for boss Nuno Espirito Santo and £24,000 for defender Williams.But it means that Forest started this season with their copybook already blotted.And that was before owner Evangelos Marinakis opted to spit towards officials in the  tunnel after their home loss by Fulham.Marinakis is still serving the five-game ban imposed by an independent commission and which was upheld on appeal.To be fair, so far at least, we have not witnessed the chaos that marred Fulham’s FA Cup defeat at Manchester United in 2023.Cottagers striker Aleksandar Mitrovic received an eight-game ban and the two clubs rattled up fines adding up to £180,000. PGMOL bosses want their officials to report any instances in which they are harassed or feel intimidated, on or off the pitch.More casesLeicester, Tottenham and West Ham have all been punished for collective misbehaviour by players.Southampton skipper Jack Stephens ended up with a five-match ban and £50,000 fine after his furious response to a clear red card against United.Man Utd coach Darren Fletcher and Wolves sporting director Matt Hobbs have both been unable to keep a lid on their frustrations with decisions they did not like.And there have been 14 instances of clubs receiving six or more cards in a match, with Bournemouth and United both guilty on two occasions, each offence adding a further £25,000 to the standard fine.No wonder that within the FA there is a feeling that a light needs to be shone on the snarling petulance being shown time and again on the pitch, from the dugout and even the directors’ box.Wembley chiefs know that what happens in the Premier League is reflected across the country on grassroots pitches, leading to a worrying shortfall in referees.It is an ugly look for the beautiful game and there is little reason to think it will not get worse.READ MORE SUN STORIESMaybe the punishments need to become even more severe, even leading to points deductions. That might, at last, make people think. More

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      in Soccer

      Spanish newspaper’s XI of best U18 starlets in 2016 goes viral with forgotten English prodigy and ‘9 of them top tier’

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      A 2016 best XI of wonderkids has gone viral on social media – and nine of them have hit the heights.But one English-born ace has fallen off the radar and now plies his trade with an unfashionable German outfit.Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard was among the most promising talents at the timeCredit: GettyArsenal’s Kieran Tierney was also part of the list during his success at CelticCredit: GettyMarca predicted Europe’s best Under-18 talents in 2016Spanish newspaper Marca put together the best XI of Under-18 talents in Europe back eight years ago.Among them was an unknown Monaco kid called Kylian Mbappe, who is now considered by many as the best in the world.In the 2016 version, the now-Real Madrid superstar was joined by Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal.Donnarumma had just taken football by storm with AC Milan before moving to PSG – where he played with Mbappe – in 2021.Read More on FootballRomanian Cristian Manea was at right-back with Arsenal ace Kieran Tierney on the other side, with Liverpool’s Joe Gomez and forgotten England prospect Reece Oxford at centre-back.Rapid Bucharest’s Manea was playing for Belgian outfit Mouscron, on loan from Apollon Limassol, but got lost in the shuffle as did Oxford, who was a revelation at West Ham before joining Augsburg.Gomez is a utility defender for the Reds, while Tierney’s success at Celtic has yet to be replicated at the Emirates due to a raft of injury set-backs.Renato Sanches, Youri Tielemans and Ruben Neves formed the midfield.Most read in FootballSanches was considered the next big thing during his successful stint at Benfica but failed to live up to expectations and even endured a painful loan stint at Swansea.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe midfielder is currently on PSG’s books but returned to Benfica on loan in his bid to rediscover his old form.Tielemans played for Anderlecht at the time and went on to enjoy success with Leicester – where he won the FA Cup – and current club Aston Villa, who are standing out in the Champions League.Meet Ayden Heaven: Arsenal’s next William SalibaNeves burst onto the scene with Porto and became a star at Wolves but has dropped from the spotlight after moving to Saudi Arabia for Al-Hilal.Mbappe was joined by Martin Odegaard and Dominic Solanke up-front.Odegaard was struggling for minutes at Real after his major move from Norwegian outfit Stromsgodset, where he emerged as one of the world’s most promising wonderkids.But the playmaker found his groove at Arsenal and quickly earned the captain’s armband.Solanke played for Vitesse at the time on loan from Chelsea, where he failed to earn a permanent spot and endured a disappointing stint at Liverpool.But the striker showed exactly why there was so much hype around his name with a stunning spell at Bournemouth, which led to a big move to Tottenham last summer.Mixed fan reactionMbappe dominated at Monaco and earned a big move to PSG where he quickly developed into one of the world’s biggest stars and ultimately completed a highly-anticipated move to Real.Fans were left in awe by that nostalgic post, which received some mixed reaction.One fan posted: “Pretty good tbf.”Another commented: “I miss Kieran Tierney.”A third wrote: “As a West Ham fan, Reece Oxford not fulfilling his potential was so sad.”READ MORE SUN STORIESThis fan wrote: “9 out of the 11 are top tier.”And that one stated: “Not a bad return to be fair.” More

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      Glenn Hoddle reveals dramatic football match which kick-started his heart problems

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      GLENN Hoddle says the dramatic end to England’s World Cup qualifiers against Italy in 1997 kick-started his heart problems.As manager he led the Three Lions to the 0-0 draw in Rome which secured their place in the finals in France 98 — but they nearly missed out in the final seconds.Former England manager Glen Hoddle says the dramatic end to England’s World Cup qualifiers against Italy in 1997 kick-started his heart problemsCredit: Getty – ContributorHoddle, 67, went into cardiac arrest on a BT Sport show in October 2018Credit: GettyMoments after England striker Ian Wright hit the post, Italy’s Christian Vieri flashed a header inches past the upright.Hoddle, 67, who went into cardiac arrest on a BT Sport show in October 2018, thought it was a certain goal.He told a football podcast he felt like his “heart jumped out of his body”, went boom and he came out in what he called the “biggest sweat”.Hoddle said: “If I’m behind it, I can see it’s going wide, but David Seaman just stopped. He just stood there. This ball, it flies by the net and it goes out.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSHe said his heart went “boom” and he came out in the “biggest sweat”, adding: “To this day that is the moment where I think I had a heart problem and I didn’t know anything about it.“Then they found out I had AF which is an aerial fibrillation and I think it stemmed from that moment.Former England defender Gary Neville, who also appeared on the podcast, joked that Wright’s miss was “attempted murder” because it led to Hoddle’s heart attack.Wright laughed before saying: “It’s not my fault”.Most read in FootballHoddle added: “Boom, it went out and I remember going down the tunnel cos we’re all elated because we’re going to the World Cup and thinking to myself ‘Do I say something to the doctor? And to be honest I just went ‘Nah, C’mon, we’re celebrating, we’re going to the World Cup’.“Looking back I think that was the lead into my fibrillation and maybe whatever happened to me six years ago. It is stressful that technical bench.”Hoddle said ‘I never want to be put in that position again’ after ‘awkward’ call from Man Utd icon Sir Alex FergusonHoddle collapsed on his 61st birthday while working as a pundit for BT Sport.Luckily sound engineer Simon Daniels had recently completed a first aid course and jumped into action, breaking seven of the legend’s ribs as he performed CPR.His actions kept him alive for long enough for Hoddle to be rushed to hospital for open heart surgery at St Bart’s hospital in London.Simon later said: “I could tell Glenn was seriously unwell. Just being able to do CPR and do it quickly, you give someone that chance of making it.”Hoddle joked that Simon’s actions had given him “extra time”, but didn’t want to go to penalties.In May, Hoddle launched a campaign by the British Heart Foundation and Sky Bet which is aiming to encourage more than a quarter of a million people to learn CPR.More than 30,000 people suffer heart attacks outside of hospital every year, with fewer than one in ten surviving. More

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      in Golf

      Under Wentworth, Remnants of World War II

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      The BMW PGA Championship will be played at the club, where a bunker was built by the British military to be a site more secure from bombing than central London.When golf pros and fans pull up to England’s Wentworth Club for the BMW PGA Championship, they’ll be driving in over a little-known slice of World War II history.About 30 feet under the club’s parking lot is a sprawling bunker that was constructed by the British military and used after the war’s outbreak in 1939.The ultraexclusive golf club, where the tournament will be played from Thursday through Sunday, sits on the Wentworth Estate in the village of Virginia Water, in Surrey, about an hour southwest of London. Now home to some of the most expensive property in the country, Wentworth was once one of many country estates requisitioned by the British military during the war.The site was intended to be a more secure alternative to central London, especially if German bombing eventually forced evacuations from the city.“In the war planning in the late 1930s, it was identified as a possible future seat of government,” said Alex Windscheffel, a senior lecturer in modern British history at Royal Holloway, University of London, in Surrey. “You have to remember, in the late 1930s, there’s a lot of fear about the bombers” and what they could do to cities.But the government stayed in London after all, so Windscheffel said, Wentworth “still gets used, but I don’t think it’s ever used quite in the way that was imagined.” The Wentworth Club declined to comment for this article.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. More

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      In England, a Changed Nation Hopes for a Change in Soccer Fortunes

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      After installing a Labour government for the first time in 14 years, the country is looking to a historical precedent as a presage to a long-awaited sporting success.Whether “football’s coming home” is as unpredictable as ever. But in England, watching this weekend as its men’s national soccer team comes within touching distance of glory, the dreaming and dreading seem less anguished this time around.Three years ago, in the deadly grip of the coronavirus pandemic and the acrid wake of Brexit, England suffered a heartbreaking loss to Italy, on penalty kicks, in the final of the European championships in London.England’s run through that Covid-delayed tournament had lifted a country that badly needed it. The team’s unofficial anthem, “Three Lions,” swelled in pubs and living rooms across the country, offering the hope, however far-fetched, that after five decades of tournament disappointments and 14 months of lockdowns, “football’s coming home,” as the lyrics of the song go.Home looks very different this year.As England prepares to play Spain in the final in Berlin on Sunday, there’s a sense of a country turning the page, on the field and off. Last week, the Labour Party swept out a Conservative Party that had been in government for 14 years, leaving a professed soccer fan, Keir Starmer, as prime minister, and raising a tantalizing historical precedent.England flags in London. As the country prepares to play Spain in the European final in Berlin on Sunday, there’s a sense of a nation turning the page, on the field and off.Andy Rain/EPA, via ShutterstockThe last time England won a major international championship, the World Cup in 1966, it came four months after the Labour Party, led by Prime Minister Harold Wilson, had scored a landslide victory over the Conservatives. The 58 years since then have been a sad litany of missed chances and unfulfilled promise — or as the song pitilessly puts it, “England’s gonna throw it away, gonna blow it way.”We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. More