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      Ian Mitchell rejoins Wales as head of performance psychology after five years with Gareth Southgate’s England

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      DR IAN MITCHELL has returned to Wales as head of performance psychology.SunSport exclusively revealed last month that Mitchell has left the same post at the Football Association.
      Swansea caretaker boss Alan Curtis (right) talks tactics with Ian Mitchell
      Robert Page has freshened up his backroom staff in the post-Gareth Bale Wales eraCredit: Rex
      And Mitchell, part of Gareth Southgate’s backroom staff for five years, rejoins Wales where he will work with boss Robert Page.
      Wales have not had a psychologist since Mitchell left for the FA in February 2018 after becoming a key figure in Chris Coleman’s set-up which included the memorable run to the Euro 2016 semi-finals.
      Page stated in January he wanted a psychologist on board to provide an extra edge in the post-Gareth Bale era and Mitchell has now been appointed.
      Page said: “We are delighted to announce Dr Ian Mitchell as our Head of Performance Psychology, the appointment reflects the ambition of the FAW to ensure we provide the highest possible standards to support our Cymru National Teams’ future success. 
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      “Ian has extensive experience of working with elite footballers initially fulfilling this role following an extensive period of work as a recognised academic in the field of psychology and I look forward to working with him.”
      Highly-rated Mitchell, who has also worked at Swansea when the Welsh side were in the Premier League, was popular among Football Association of Wales staff during his first stint.
      He will begin work immediately ahead of the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Armenia in Cardiff on June 16 and away to Turkey three days later.
      Mitchell said: “It’s an honour and a privilege to return to the FAW having been involved previously.
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      “2016 was incredible, it was a special group of players and staff with a strong environment both on and off the pitch in terms of a high performing culture.
      “It’s an experience I hope to have again with the current regime. 
      “Wales is such a unique country with a great culture and a real sense of belonging and identity, I can’t wait to get started again.” More

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      I’ll never forget the summer of 1996 – the country buzzed about the Euros and we need that back

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      LIKE most Sun readers, I will never forget the summer of 1996. The whole country was buzzing because of the Euros.As a teenager, I soaked up almost every second of the tournament, convinced that it would be England’s moment of glory.
      PM Rishi Sunak is backing a historic joint bid by the UK and Ireland to host the Uefa European Championships in 2028Credit: Dan Charity / The Sun
      England captain Harry Kane is joining with sides to back the bid to hold the prestigious tournament in the UK and IrelandCredit: Getty
      Scotland’s Andy Robertson is also behind the push to secure the tournament on home soilCredit: Rex
      Steven Davis, Northern Ireland captainCredit: Sportsfile
       It gave me a love of the game — its highs and lows — that I still have to this day, especially as a long-suffering Southampton fan.
      As a country, our passion for football is unparalleled. It is known the world over.
      From the Premier League to Sunday league, the game brings us together.
      Our stadia aren’t just ­sporting venues where the best players in the world want to play and fans ­everywhere dream of visiting, they are part of who we are — cultural icons at the heart of our communities, monuments to the game we love.
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      Again and again in recent years, those stadia have hosted some of the biggest games in world football.
       We have hosted Champions League finals, Euro 2020 matches — including almost all of England’s epic run  to the final — and the record-breaking 2022 Women’s Euros.
      We have got world-class sporting infrastructure and a  brilliant track record.
      So it would be fantastic to bring a full, international men’s tournament back to these shores.
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       That’s why today the UK and Ireland are launching a historic joint bid to host the Uefa European Championships in 2028.
      By bringing the whole of the UK together, along with Ireland, we will showcase our shared love of the beautiful game.
      It will be the most ambitious sporting event our islands have jointly staged — five Football Associations with Uefa united in delivering one of the best tournaments Europe has ever seen.
       The captains of each of the host nations — Harry Kane, Séamus Coleman, Steven Davis, Andy Robertson and Aaron Ramsey — may be rivals on the pitch, but they are all on the same side in cheering on this effort.
      Imagine it — the best teams in Europe battling it out at the Etihad in Manchester, Hampden Park in Glasgow, the Principality in Cardiff, Casement Park in Belfast, the Aviva in Dublin, and of course, Wembley Stadium.
      Not to mention Villa Park, St James’ Park, Everton’s new ­Stadium and the Tottenham ­Hotspur Stadium.
      And imagine, just for a second, our boys following in the Lionesses’ footsteps and lifting that trophy five years from now. What a summer that would be.
      All about the future
      This year marks the 160th anniversary of the laws of the game — 160 years since they were first adopted and ­published, here in the UK.
       We are rightly proud of that unique legacy. There is so much to celebrate and savour — from Jackie Milburn to Jack Charlton, from 1966 to Euro ’96.
      Aaron Ramsey is on the same side as his rival in cheering on this effortCredit: Getty
      The Republic of Ireland’s Séamus Coleman is hoping to bring the tournament to the UK and IrelandCredit: Sportsfile
       But this tournament will be all about the future.
       On a rainy day last month we held a kickabout at No 10 with the Lionesses. As Beth Mead, Jill Scott and Ellen White showed a group of excited school kids their skills and rattled some of the historic furnishings, you could see the inspirational impact of their Euro triumph last summer.
      So Euro 2028 is about inspiring even more boys and girls not just to cheer on their team but to lace up their boots and get out there themselves.
      It’s about supporting the game at the local level and lifting up our communities — together the bid partners have already committed more than £500million to improve grassroots football.
      It’s about delivering new investment to upgrade facilities — including the regeneration of Casement Park in Northern Ireland.
       It’s about harnessing the power of the tournament to drive long-term benefits through volunteering, tourism and new business opportunities.
       It’s about pubs, front rooms and fan parks filling up across these islands — friends and family coming together, in victory or defeat.
      We estimate the bid could generate benefits of up to £2.6billion for our nations.
       It’s the ultimate win-win — a festival of football to cheer the nation and benefit us all.
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      Let’s bring people from across Europe and beyond to our host cities, to see the best football on the best stage anyone can offer.
      Let’s create new memories for a new generation. Let’s back our bid. More

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      England NOT guaranteed automatic qualification for Euro 2028 as mystery surrounds host nations’ spots at tournament

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      ENGLAND will NOT be automatic qualifiers even if they are one of the host nations for the 2028 European Championship.The UK and Ireland announced their joint list of stadiums for the Euro 2028 tournament on Wednesday.
      Gareth Southgate’s England would not qualify automatically for Euro 2028 even as a host nationCredit: Alamy
      On deadline day for applications to host the football tournament, the government give the green light for it to go ahead.
      Turkey are the rivals to host the iconic competition with the final decision to be made in September.
      The Football Associations of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and Republic of Ireland have met to thrash out the finer details.
      And the lucky ten venues have been chosen under the banner “Football for all. Football for good. Football for the future.”
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      However, not all of the UK’s host nation countries will be guaranteed to be playing at the tournament due to a Uefa ruling.
      The governing body states that in the case of more than two joint host associations, the automatic qualification of all the host teams cannot be guaranteed.
      Therefore, it will be subject to a decision to be made in conjunction with decisions concerning the qualifying competition.
      That means that the Three Lions and their fellow UK and Irish counterparts now face an anxious wait to discover their fate.
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      Meanwhile, big stadiums to miss out on the hosting bid are Manchester United’s Old Trafford, West Ham’s London Stadium and Liverpool’s Anfield.
      But England’s capital city has two hosting venues – Wembley and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
      Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium (capacity of 53,400), Newcastle’s St James’ Park (52,305), and Everton’s not-yet-built Bramley-Moore Dock stadium (52,888) are the country’s northern choices.
      Aston Villa’s Villa Park is doing the Midlands proud and can house 42,640 fans.
      Wales will have the 74,500-capacity Principality Stadium, Scotland the iconic Hampden Park that can cater for 51,866 people.
      Over the water, Belfast’s Casement Park is selected for Northern Ireland, while the 51,700-capacity Aviva Dublin is the venue for the Republic of Ireland.
      Since the announcement, fans have been speculating on what England’s team could be at Euro 2028.
      And they are expecting the national side to look very different from Gareth Southgate’s current crop of Three Lions. More

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      UK and Ireland launch Euro 2028 bid and confirm 10 stadiums with shock venues missing out

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      THE UK and Ireland has submitted its final list of ten stadiums to host Euro 2028 – with some shock omissions.The deadline for applications to host the football tournament is today, with the government already giving the green light for it to go ahead.

      Wembley Stadium was always a shoo-in to host games at Euro 2028 and will likely ge the finalCredit: Getty
      Considering the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium cost £1BILLION to build, it had to be selectedCredit: Rex
      Manchester City’s Etihad was selected over Old TraffordCredit: Alamy
      Turkey are the rivals to host the iconic competition with the final decision to be made in September.
      The Football Associations of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and Republic of Ireland have met to thrash out the finer details.
      And the lucky ten venues have been chosen under the banner “Football for all. Football for good. Football for the future.”
      Big stadiums to miss out are Manchester United’s Old Trafford, West Ham’s London Stadium and Liverpool’s Anfield.
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      United legend Gary Neville has slammed the owners the Glazers for letting Old Trafford ‘rust’ and says it need £1BILLION in renovations.
      After meeting the FA, United execs pulled the plug on their bid to be a host stadium, despite them having the highest-capacity after Wembley in England.

      Meanwhile, SunSport revealed earlier this year that Anfield’s pitch is too SMALL to meet Uefa guidelines and cannot be extended.
      England’s capital city London has two hosting venues – Wembley and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
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      St James’ Park will guarantee a cracking atmosphere in Euros gamesCredit: PA
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      Wembley, the national stadium, has a whopping 90,000 capacity to dwarf the other stadia on the list.
      It hosted final heartbreak for England at Euro 2020 when Gareth Southgate’s boys were defeated by Italy on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
      There were ugly scenes before the game too when fans without tickets piled into the national stadium.
      This led to England receiving a two-match stadium ban.
      Fortunately that seems to have been forgiven by Uefa chiefs.
      Considering Spurs spent £1BILLION on their 62,850-capacity offering, their inclusion could be expected.
      Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium (capacity of 53,400), Newcastle’s St James’ Park (52,305), and Everton’s not-yet-built Bramley-Moore Dock stadium (52,888) are the country’s northern choices.
      Everton’s new £600m stadium has yet to be built but has been selectedCredit: PA
      Aston Villa’s famous old Villa Park stadium has made the cutCredit: Getty
      Aston Villa’s Villa Park is doing the Midlands proud and can house 42,640 fans.
      Wales will have the 74,500-capacity Principality Stadium, Scotland the iconic Hampden Park that can cater for 51,866 people.
      Over the water, Belfast’s Casement Park is selected for Northern Ireland, while the 51,700-capacity Aviva Dublin is the venue for the Republic of Ireland.
      The Casement will undergo a huge renovation and feature a bowl-like design to host around 35,000 fans.
      And to comply with Uefa rules, the stadia will have to lose their sponsored names – so the Etihad will be renamed ‘The City of Manchester Stadium’, for example.
      A statement from the Home Nations bid group read: “The UK and Ireland share a proud reputation as world-leading event destinations which have successfully staged some of the biggest global sporting tournaments – backed by strong government support.
      “This includes the recent record-breaking Uefa Women’s Euro 2022.
      “We are delighted that our government partners are fully committed to hosting Uefa Euro 2028.
      “They have signed the relevant tournament guarantees and will ensure the event is fully supported.
      “This will create a welcoming, exciting and safe football experience that players and fans will enjoy in every city and every game.”
      It has also been confirmed that THREE MILLION tickets will be available for the tournament – the highest total ever for the Euros.
      The bid has been backed by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf and Wales’ First Minister Mark Drakeford, who said it would be the “biggest sporting event our islands have ever jointly staged”.
      Sunak added “Football has a habit of creating special memories and in 2028 we want to create new memories for a new generation – across England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland.
      “Our bid promises not only world-class stadia, excellent transport links and the world’s best fans but also the opportunity to build a lasting grassroots legacy.
      “Euro 2028 would be an incredible showcase of all that the UK & Ireland have to offer and another landmark moment in our proud sporting history. I am immensely proud to be backing the bid.”
      Read More on The Sun
      Sunderland’s Stadium of Light and Dublin’s Croke Park were the other locations to miss out.
      And there could be some raised eyebrows that Arsenal’s Emirates was not one to be considered either.
      The Aviva Stadium in Dublin will host games in the Republic of IrelandCredit: Sportsfile
      Hampden Park will once again do Scotland proudCredit: Getty
      Northern Ireland has made sure to get in on the action with the Casement Park – though like Everton it too will undergo huge redevelopmentCredit: Pacemaker Press
      The Principality Stadium in Cardiff is as majestic as they comeCredit: Getty More

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      People are only just realising why England play in white… and it’s all thanks to bitter rivals Scotland

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      EVERYONE knows England play in a white home kit.But people are only just beginning to realise why that is the case.
      England have worn white shirts for as long as anyone can rememberCredit: Getty
      And in actual fact, it is all down to bitter rivals Scotland.
      That’s right – England might not be synonymous with wearing white if it was not for the Scots north of the border.
      The Three Lions played Scotland all the way back in 1872 in the very first international football match.
      And with the Tartan Terriers wearing a full navy kit – the team of 11 Queen’s Park players actually wore their club kit – England had to go for something else to ensure the two teams could be distinguished.
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      It is suggested by the Daily Star that the FA supplied the white kits – which may have been spare cricket tops.
      Either way, there was no kit clash with Scotland for the 0-0 draw at Hamilton Crescent Cricket Ground.
      However, even then England did not immediately sick with white and sometimes players simply had the England badge sewn on to their club kits.
      This then transformed to white collared shirts – bought by Mr Gann and Mr Root – with players sticking with their club shorts and socks.
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      But in the late 1800s, the press pushed for consistency and at long last England stuck with white shirts, navy shorts and white socks – and it remains that way today.
      The navy shorts could have been chosen to differentiate from Germany’s white outfit.
      Ironically, that clash forced England to wear their red away kit for the victorious 1966 World Cup final.
      There have been some variations in recent years – for example, the white shorts of 2009 and the red shorts of 2012.
      England fans will get to see their team in action against Scotland in their iconic white kit at Hampden Park in September.
      The match is to mark the 150th anniversary of that first meeting in 1872 as part of the Scottish FA’s year-long celebrations.
      Scotland will wear a special retro shirt complete with the old-fashioned Lion Rampant.
      And the Tartan Army wasted no time snapping up the “work of art” jersey as they sold out rapidly – despite a staggering £90 price tag.
      England, pictured in 1961, have worn white shirts ever since their first match 151 years agoCredit: Getty
      The Three Lions won the World Cup wearing their red away kitCredit: Getty
      England took on Scotland at Euro 2020 with both teams in their traditional coloursCredit: Getty More

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      Gabby Agbonlahor slams TV companies for amount of subscriptions needed to watch football after missing match

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      GABBY AGBONLAHOR has hit out at the number of subscriptions fans need to watch football.The former Aston Villa star ranted about TV companies after he was unable to watch Scotland’s 2-0 win over Spain.
      Gabby Agbonlahor has slammed TV companies for the amount of subscriptions needed to watch footballCredit: Twitter / @talkSPORT
      The rant came after he was not able to watch Scotland’s win over SpainCredit: AP
      Manchester United star Scott McTominay netted a brace against the Spanish to give his side a famous win.
      However many were unable to watch the game as it was broadcast on Viaplay, which costs £14.99 a month or £11.99 a month if paid for on a 12-month contract.
      And Agbonlahor was left fuming with this as he went on to moan about the number of subscriptions that are needed in order for fans to tune into games.
      He told talkSPORT: “It was a massive result.
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      “But I didn’t get to watch the game as there are so many channels now, that football is on.
      “You’ve got Viaplay £15, BT Sport £30, Sky Sports £24, Amazon £9.
      “I can’t keep up, I went to put it on and I am like ‘I am not signing up to this channel’.”
      And many fans agreed with the former England international as one commented: “Will only get worse at the end of the next TV rights contracts when the likes of Dazn and Disney and possibly Netflix get involved.”
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      A second wrote: “I’ve never agreed with Gabby more, never even bloody heard of Viaplay until last night.”
      A third said: “Finally, a pundit addressing what most of the football-loving public have a grievance about.”
      A fourth tweeted: “It’s ridiculous to need some sort of regulation on this over a £100 month to watch football.”
      While a fifth added: “Don’t always agree with Gabby but he’s spot on here, the good old days were when footy was on normal telly, and they wonder why people don’t pay.” More

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      Sweden manager storms out of live TV interview after accusing ex-Man Utd star of ‘talking c**p’ in blazing row

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      SWEDEN’S manager stormed out of a live TV interview after accusing a former Manchester United star of “talking c**p”.Janne Andersson, 60, spoke to the Viaplay pundits after Sweden thrashed Azerbaijan 5-0 in Stockholm in Euro 2024 qualifying on Monday.
      Janne Andersson, right, and Bojan Djordjic got into a bitter rowCredit: Viaplay
      The gaffer stormed out of the live TV interviewCredit: Viaplay
      🇸🇪 Incredible scenes after Sweden’s 5-0 win over Azerbaijan!Manager Janne Andersson loses it on live TV and has a heated clash with Bojan Djordjic after the former Man United man simply questioned Jesper Karlsson’s game time!It got personal…pic.twitter.com/XUmFr0LkLF— Seb Sternik (@seb_sternik) March 27, 2023

      However, what should have been a routine post-match discussion exploded into a blazing row on air.
      And it culminated in the gaffer angrily gesticulating at the panel, questioning their loyalty to Sweden and then slamming his microphone down on the table and walking off.
      Andersson took exception to former Red Devils man Bojan Djordjic quizzing him on the “too little” game time given to Jesper Karlsson.
      The AZ Alkmaar man got just eight minutes in total against Azerbaijan and Belgium during this international break – although still chipped in with a goal last night before United’s Anthony Elanga completed the rout.
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      Andersson, who took charge of Sweden in 2016, fired back: “We can discuss the choice of players all damn night, excuse me.
      “Who shouldn’t play? I get to pick the eleven, who won’t play?
      “Excuse me, but you can do exactly what you want if you are the national team coach.”
      Andersson insisted playing Karlsson would mean Newcastle’s Alexander Isak or Coventry’s Viktor Gyokeres would need to drop out.
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      He accused Djordjic of “whining” and appeared to question his heritage by asking him: “Who do you represent?”
      Belgrade-born Djordjic – who played for Sweden at Under-21 level but did not earn a senior cap – clearly took offence and responded: “Sweden, of course, why wouldn’t I?

      “What kind of thing is this then? Are you going to say something else?”
      Andersson pointed furiously and waved his hand in disgust at Djordjic, adding: “It is so bad. You stand and talk c**p after a game when we win 5-0.”
      Djordjic then unleashed a stinging response: “You’re talking too much right now, you are being too aggressive. Why?
      “Who else would I represent? What other country? Serbia, did you mean it or not? Is that what you’re trying to say?
      “I represent you as much as anyone else. I will not forget this answer, it’s bad.
      “It’s pretty low for a national team coach to say what you just said. Who do you represent?”
      Presenter Niklas Jihde tried to diffuse the situation by asking how Andersson was satisfied by the 5-0 win.
      ‘IT’S BULLS***’
      But the manager said: “I am not satisfied with anything, it’s bulls***.
      “If I come here and lose 3-0, then I would understand. Then I have to be defensive.
      “If we’ve won 5-0, should I be defensive? There are four of you and you will confront me with questions. Damn, that’s bad.”
      An irate Andersson then plonked the microphone down and headed out of shot to leave the pundits stunned – including ex-Arsenal winger Freddie Ljungberg.
      The national team boss continued his tirade in the press conference when he was asked about his comment to Djordjic’s representation.
      He added: “I don’t know what I said. Don’t talk about Serbia and stuff like that. I can’t stand that kind of s***.
      “I speak to him as a media representative. I may have expressed myself badly.
      “If I said something bad, I can take responsibility and apologise for it. Don’t mix that up, then I get p***** off.”
      Djordjic, 41, joined Manchester United as a youngster in 1999 and spent six years on the books at Old Trafford.
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      The former winger made two senior appearances under Sir Alex Ferguson.
      He went on to turn out for Rangers, Plymouth and Blackpool as well as teams around Europe including in Sweden before finishing his career with a year in India.
      Andersson has been in charge of the national team since 2016Credit: Viaplay
      The pair went at each other live on airCredit: Viaplay
      The Sweden manager questioned the support and loyalty of the punditCredit: Viaplay
      Anthony Elanga completed the 5-0 win in StockholmCredit: Reuters
      Djordjic spent six years at Old Trafford and made two appearancesCredit: Empics More

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      ‘I can’t believe that…’ – Chelsea star Ben Chilwell in awe of Arsenal ace after sensational week with England

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      CHELSEA ace Ben Chilwell “can’t believe” England team-mate and Arsenal star Bukayo Saka started out as a left-back.Saka led the Three Lions to a routine 2-0 victory over Ukraine in their Euro 2024 qualifier at Wembley on Sunday as he set up record goalscorer Harry Kane’s opener and then netted a wondergoal.
      Chelsea star Ben Chilwell praised England team-mate and Arsenal star Bukayo SakaCredit: Rex
      Saka started out as a full-back and turned into a lethal goalscorerCredit: PA
      The winger was named Man of the Match amid a stunning season that has also seen him register a total of 13 goals and 10 assists in 38 matches across all competitions for Arsenal.
      Chilwell has been left in awe of the 21-year-old’s incredible development as he went from a full-back to one of the Premier League’s most lethal goalscorers.
      The 26-year-old Chelsea ace, who also plays as a left-back, sang Saka’s praises as he revealed how important he is to the team both on and off the pitch.
      Chilwell said: “I can’t believe he played at left-back when he can do that.
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      “Bukayo is such a great talent. I think everyone can see what he gives on the pitch but he’s one of the best people I have met in football as well.
      “We see him on a daily basis around the camp and he just brings happiness to everyone.
      “He is always smiling and a good guy to be around, and then he comes out on the pitch and delivers like that for us.
      “An assist and a goal and it ultimately wins us the game. I am delighted for him.”
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      Saka has played a key role in England’s qualifying campaign getting off on the right foot as Gareth Southgate’s side have won both of their first two matches.
      The Three Lions also got a little payback for their loss in the Euro 2020 final against Italy.
      Southgate’s men defeated the reigning European champions 2-1 in Naples.
      Fellow Group C outfits North Macedonia and Malta are next for in-form England. More