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    Former Man Utd wonderkid dreaming of making history in ‘one-off’ Championship promotion race that’ll never happen again

    JOE ROTHWELL cannot quite believe the quality of the Championship top four going all-out for promotion.Having come through the ranks at Manchester United, he is now at Bournemouth and is spending the second half of this season on loan at Southampton.Joe Rothwell is relishing the fight for promotionCredit: GettyThe midfielder was on the books of Man Utd as a youngsterCredit: GettySaints host Middlesbrough tomorrow — their first action in TWENTY days — before a huge clash at promotion rivals Ipswich.The top three of Leeds, Leicester and the Tractor Boys are separated by just a point.Saints are eight points off in fourth but with two games in hand.The South Coast club’s points-per-game average of more than two is normally enough for the title.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLInstead they face a huge battle even to get promoted.Rothwell told SunSport: “The numbers that the top four are putting out is nothing short of extraordinary.“At least one of these teams, if not two, are going to miss out on getting promoted — but that’s the nature of football.“There are always good teams that don’t succeed. Hopefully we won’t be that side.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER“I don’t think you’ll see what is happening now in the Championship ever again. It’s a one-off.“We’ve got a massive ten games to try to finish where want to.”Southampton’s St Mary’s stadium evacuated as it’s engulfed in smoke after huge fire breaks out hours before matchSouthampton’s last league game was postponed due to Leicester having an FA Cup quarter-final — which they lost 4-2 at Chelsea — ahead of the international break.But Rothwell believes the lay-off from action came at a good time.He said: “It’s been a mixture of relaxing and training.“We had a few days to spend with family and relax. Then we were back in to work and had another few days off too. After the amount of games we played before, it’s come at a good time.“It’s allowed us to rest and recoup — and will hopefully stand us in good stead.”Rothwell spent four years at Blackburn before going to Bournemouth in summer 2022 when they had just been promoted back to the Premier League.But he said: “I started the first four games and a couple of others but we didn’t win any of the first nine games.“The new boss Andoni Iraola came in with different ideas. I wasn’t getting much game time so we sat down to talk.”Then I heard about Southampton’s interest and thankfully we got a loan deal across the line during the January window.“I’ve loved my time since coming in. I enjoy the style of play that Russell Martin implements. That was a huge draw for me.”Rothwell scored four goals in a month before Southampton’s longer break.He netted twice in a 5-3 win over Huddersfield before grabbing a late brace to snatch a 4-2 victory over Sunderland.His jaw-dropping volley against the Terriers won him the Sky Bet Championship Goal of the Month.And he said: “Originally, they wanted me to take the corner — so it’s a good job I didn’t.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I lingered around the edge of the box and as soon as their keeper had punched it, I knew it was going to land in an area where I could hit it first time.“As soon as it’s left my foot, I knew it was going in!” More

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    Leicester women’s manager SACKED after probe into alleged relationship with own player

    LEICESTER have sacked their women’s team manager Willie Kirk following an investigation into an alleged relationship with a player.Ex-Everton boss Kirk, 45, had been suspended since March 8 while the investigation was being conducted by the club.Willie Kirk was suspended during the investigation but has now reportedly been sackedCredit: GettyAssistant Jennifer Foster and first-team coach Stephen Kirby have taken over during Kirk’s absence since March 9. During that time Leicester reached the Women’s FA Cup semi-finals following a 2-0 quarters win against Liverpool. However the team have lost their last two Women’s Super League games against Tottenham and Brighton. And the club have now parted ways with the Edinburgh-born coach following an “extensive internal disciplinary process”.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLA club statement read: “Leicester City Football Club can confirm that Willie Kirk has been dismissed from his position as LCFC Women Manager.”Following an extensive internal disciplinary process and respecting the Club’s obligations to individual privacy, Willie was determined to have breached the team’s code of conduct to a degree that makes his position untenable.”Established and implemented ahead of the start of the current season, the code forms part of the Club’s ongoing commitment to professionalising the women’s game since the takeover of LCFC Women in 2020, promoting a performance-led culture among players, coaches and technical staff.””First Team responsibilities for LCFC Women will continue to be led by Jennifer Foster, supported by Stephen Kirby, while the Club begins the process of appointing a new permanent manager.”Most read in FootballKirk’s departure comes almost two months after Sheffield ended Jonathan Morgan’s reign as their women’s team boss. The Blades’ dismissal of Morgan followed information coming to light concerning an alleged relationship with a player during his tenure as Leicester boss, before the team became affiliated with the men’s club.Aston Villa gaffer Carla Ward, whose team host Leicester on Saturday, believes relationships between footballers and their managers should be a sackable offence.Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall described them as “very inappropriate”, while he called on football authorities, clubs and associations to address safeguarding.Football icons’ strange hobbiesAnd Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman also shared her concerns on the issue, stating the need for “regulations” to be introduced. Kirk began his football management career as an assistant academy coach at Scottish Livingstone in 2006.Following a four-year spell as Under-17s coach at Hibernian, he moved to England to work in women’s football as manager of Bristol City.After a stint as Casey Stoney’s assistant at Man United and a three-year reign at Everton Women’s boss Kirk arrived at Leicester in July 2022 as director of football.He then replaced Lydia Bedford as manager that November and has held the position ever since.They were on a six-match pointless run when he took charge but he helped them to beat the drop and guided them to a 10th place finish.READ MORE SUN STORIESKirk is yet to comment publicly regarding the allegations.Leicester sit ninth in the WSL, 10 points above the league’s relegation spot with five games remaining. More

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    Tottenham clash with Nottingham Forest MOVED at just 10 days notice as Premier League ‘apologises unreservedly’

    TOTTENHAM’S clash with Nottingham Forest has been moved – with fans given just ten days to change their schedules.The Premier League announced the news while “apologising unreservedly.”Spurs vs Forest has been moved with fans given just ten days noticeCredit: GettySpurs will now welcome Forest on Sunday 7 April and kick-off time is now set for 6pm.It was initially scheduled for Monday 8 April at 8pm.The fixture has been moved due to rail strikes.London Underground workers represented by ASLEF are not going to work and c2c, Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Greater Anglia, South Western Railway, Southeastern, Southern and Thameslink services will also be impacted by union action.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe Prem have said London Underground, London Overground and Greater Anglia services that serve the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will run near full services on April 7 for the game.For Forest’s travelling supporters, East Midlands Railway trains to London St Pancras are expected to run smoothly. Fans not attending the game will still be able to watch on Sky Sports.A statement from Forest read: “The Premier League apologises unreservedly to supporters of both clubs, and all those affected, for the inconvenience and disruption caused by this late fixture change. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER”The change has been made due to matters beyond the League’s control, namely the decision to implement rail and tube strikes on Monday 8 April and the subsequent reduction in available travel services. “This has resulted in the local authority’s Safety Advisory Group determining that it is not possible to stage the match with the required levels of safety for attending fans.”Home Wins – Alex FergusonTottenham won the return fixture 2-0 earlier this season via goals from Richarlison and Dejan Kulusevski. Ange Postecoglou’s men are in the battle for Champions League qualification.While ex-Spurs boss Nuno Espirito Santo is fighting to keep Forest in the division following their four-point deduction. More

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    Three ways Declan Rice has improved with Arsenal and England to become one of the best midfielders in the world

    WHEN Declan Rice joined Arsenal for £105million last summer, it was a chance for the England midfielder to prove himself.He ended his West Ham career by leading them to victory in the European Conference League. Declan Rice was outstanding in possession for England against Belgium on TuesdayRice immediately moved into a club challenging for honours at the top of the game, in the Premier League and the Champions League. And for England who go into the summer’s Euro 2024 championships as one of the favourites.Rice is at the very heart of the team for both club and country, and his development this season has been remarkable.The former Chelsea schoolboy is equally capable playing as a No6, at the base of the midfield, or as a No8, further up the field.read more n FootballThis versatility has led to Rice becoming one of the most coveted players in World football.Rice is one of the best defensive midfielders in football at the moment but it is becoming clear he is much more than a purely defensive midfielder these days.In this article we examine three key tactical factors behind the rise of Rice to become one of the best midfielders in football.Ball winnerRice has always been a midfielder that we would consider to have ‘range’ to his game.Most read in FootballThis refers to his ability without the ball and not to his ability to play longer passes.As a midfield player in this Arsenal system he usually plays as one of two midfielders on the deeper line and he is given the freedom to jump and look to engage the ball early in order to help his team to win the ball back as close to the opposition goal as possible.Young stars set to shine at Euro 2024Declan Rice controlled England’s midfield against BelgiumFor Arsenal, Rice plays a slightly different role, sticking primarily to the left side of the pitchIndeed under the current Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta we have seen a move to use Rice more as a player who is free to make his own decisions outside the tactical framework of the team. This is really unusual for a team coached by Arteta who is known to be very strict in terms of how he wants his teams to play. But it just goes to show that Arteta knows how effective Rice can be without the ball. As Newcastle look to play from the back and into the midfield it is Rice who reads the pass. The speed of his reactions and the fact that he has the physical capacity to close the gap means that he can regain position and win the ball back early in these situations.Rice is physically strong, at 6ft 2in with an athletic frame, but he has so much more to his game.He also has a clever reading of the game and understanding of when to jump and when to hold a deeper position to make it effective.Rice likes to vary his approach, when to push forward and when to drop back.He only looks to attack the ball when he has a real chance of regaining possession.Porto looks to play into the midfield but Rice takes the initiative to step out to be aggressive and to regain possession quickly.Rice is much more than a midfielder who simply looks to sit in front of the defensive line and to deny the opposition space. His range of play makes him very effective against the ball.Composure in the final thirdGiven that Rice is now playing for one of the most possession dominant teams in Europe it is important that as a midfielder he has the ability to play in possession in the opposition half. This does not mean that he has to make runs off the ball into advanced areas, like a No 8 would, but rather that he can support the ball from behind the play. He effectively gives his team a strong base from which they can build their attack and when he receives the ball in the opposition half against a team that wants to sit in a defensive block he has the quality to break the opposition down.This is a quality of Rice’s game that will also be applicable to England in the Euros over the summer.Gareth Southgate’s team are likely to face a number of teams who will sit in a low defensive block to try to disrupt the English attack.When Rice receives the ball against Sheffield Utd he has the quality to find a pass into space between the opposition defence and the goalkeeper to beat the defensive blockDeclan Rice is comfortable in possessionRice is not a player who will be rushed in possession and again this is an aspect of his game that plays really well in Arteta’s preferred style as the Spainard prefers his side to dominate the game. More often than not when Rice receives the ball at the base of the attack in these deeper positions he will just play the next simple pass to shift the attack. It is when he looks to play the more dangerous passes, however, that he starts to really show his quality in possession.Rice uses his physical frame and game understanding very effectively when receiving the ball in the opposition half. He is press resistant – which means that even when the opposition want to apply quick pressure to the ball he will keep possession and he plays with his head up. This makes him very effective in possession whether he is put under quick pressure or not.Rice receives the ball wide against Newcastle but he keeps his head up and can play the ball to release a teammate into space behind the opposition defenceRice has developed this side of his game significantly since his move to Arsenal. At West Ham he typically received and had to play in quick transitions as West Ham looked to attack quickly. Now at Arsenal, and with England, he has developed into a controlling midfielder who can break down the opposition’s defensive block.Cool under pressureWhile Rice is a midfield player who is comfortable when he has to receive the ball at the base of the attack in the opposition half he has also developed into a player who is very effective in deeper areas when helping his team to outplay pressure. This comes from playing as a midfielder who  is increasingly more important in the modern game as more and more teams look to press and chase the ball as a team tries to play out from the back.Rice, as an all-action midfielder, will drop back as Arsenal try to build out from the back to give a passing option to the goalkeeper or the central defenders and to help them to escape as the opposition looks to press.Porto try to press but Rice is intelligent enough to read that his teammate is in a difficult situation and as he moves across to receive he is then able to play first-time wide to escape the danger.For a player with Rice’s physical frame he also has a high technical level and as such he is comfortable receiving the ball facing his own goal and under pressure. Crucially, he has also earned the trust of his teammates in these situations and they will give him the ball in tight situations.With his ability to receive under pressure and quickly play off one or two touches to outplay the press we have seen Rice develop into possibly THE key player for Arsenal under Arteta. What is interesting, however, is that when he plays these passes to escape pressure he will then make runs to support the play and start to help them to build the attack.Against Brazil at Wembley, Rice drops back to give the defence a safe passing option, and he has the ability to pass the ball on quicklyAs a central midfielder Rice displays the ability to receive in tight areas and to play under pressure. His presence and composure have grown notably since he moved to Arsenal and started to be coached by Arteta.ConclusionWhile there is no doubt that Declan Rice is one of the best midfielders in the world he is so much more than a purely defensive midfielder. READ MORE SUN STORIESHe has developed into one of the best allround midfielders out there with his ability to control and dominate the central areas of the pitch in all phases of the game. He is also a midfielder who we believe will continue to develop as he becomes a key figure both at club and international level. 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    Arsenal legend Thierry Henry opens up on biggest career regret that’s ‘always stuck in my throat’

    THIERRY HENRY won pretty much everything in his decorated career but his biggest regret was missing out on the Olympics.The football icon, 46, famously lifted the World Cup in 1998 and the Euros two years later with France.Thierry Henry has revealed the biggest regret in his playing careerCredit: GettyHe earned 123 caps for France, scoring 51 goalsCredit: GettyAt club level, he celebrated success in the Champions League with Barcelona as well as two Premier Leagues and two FA Cups with Arsenal.But he says missing out on representing his country at Olympic level at the Sydney 2000 Games still annoys him.Henry will coach the men’s under-23 squad this summer on home soil and could pick Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe as one of the three over-aged players.The Gunners legend said: “My generation had the opportunity to play in the Olympics.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“We didn’t qualify because we were eliminated by an Italian side who also had a generation of great players.“And that’s something that’s always stuck in my throat.“Yes, I experienced some great things after that, but it’s always stayed with me.“Little did I know that, one day, I’d find myself at the helm of a team who had the chance to win an amazing title on home soil.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“The Olympics is one of the only things I haven’t been able to experience in my life.“It’s just crazy to think that, 26 years later after the World Cup, I’m in a situation like this one.”Eight of the greatest players to never win the Ballon d’Or despite their incredible careersHosts France will face the USA in their opening group game in Marseille on July 24 – with the men’s gold medal match staged for the Parc des Princes in Paris on August 9.Team GB failed to qualify a women’s team for the event. More

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    Former Arsenal star Gael Clichy hails three legends who changed the Premier League forever including ‘nightmare’ striker

    FORMER Arsenal defender Gael Clichy has revealed the three players he feels changed the Premier League forever.The ex-France left-back, 38, will watch the Gunners take on Manchester City – another of his old sides – on Sunday in a huge clash in the title race.Gael Clichy has named the three stars that changed Premier League footballCredit: Getty – ContributorClichy was a part of Arsenal’s famous Invincibles side that did not lose a single game during the 2003/04 Premier League campaignCredit: GettyAnd two of his three Premier League game-changers were his team-mates the last time Arsenal became champions as The Invincibles in 2004.Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira were two of the key men in that side and have unsurprisingly been named by Clichy as having had an instrumental impact on the league.He also insisted Henry would be well-suited to the modern game.But the third man may surprise some people as he was a nemesis of both Arsenal and Man City.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt is Manchester United legend Roy Keane.When asked about the greatest players he ever played with, Clichy told Super 6: “There’s no doubt, Thierry Henry [on the best player he played with].”In my mind three players changed the Premier League, Thierry Henry, Vieira and Roy Keane.”Thierry just himself, at certain moments, was the Premier League.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”He was so good to play with and really difficult to play against, I’m pretty sure some defenders were having nightmares about him.”Henry is a 2024 player, his pace, power, mentality, ruthlessness.”Ashley Cole picks his all-time team-mates XI… but does it boast more Arsenal or Chelsea stars?Nowadays, Clichy is Henry’s assistant for France’s U21 and U23 teams.The pair will coach their country’s Olympic team in Paris this summer.Next year, they will then lead France at the 2025 U21 European Championships.The Super 6 jackpot stands at a huge £1m this weekend. It’s completely free to play, just correctly predict six scores to win!Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira had a famous rivalry in the late 1990s and early 2000sCredit: AFP More

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    Man Utd ‘ready to offer Mason Greenwood to Juventus’ in player-plus-cash deal for £51million star

    MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly willing to use Mason Greenwood as a makeweight in a deal to land a top defensive target.The Red Devils are keen on reinventing their back line next season and have identified a number of options to pursue in the summer.Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Gleison Bremer from JuventusCredit: AlamyUnited could send Mason Greenwood the other way to sweeten the dealCredit: GettyOne central defender that United are said to be eyeing is Juventus star Gleison Bremer who has been sensational for the Serie A outfit since joining in 2022.But the Brazilian international wouldn’t be cheap with Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport suggesting he would cost in the region of £51m to £60m.Although Man Utd are reportedly willing to try and bring that price down by including Mason Greenwood in a potential deal.Juventus are said to be interested in signing Greenwood who is currently plying his trade La Liga with Getafe after he was sent on loan by United this summer.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe Old Lady have been impressed with the 22-year-old who has netted six goals and registered five assists in his 24 league appearances this term.The one-time England international could help sweeten a deal for Bremer as Erik ten Hag and Sir Jim Ratcliffe look ahead to next season.The Old Trafford outlet have also been linked with a number of other defenders ahead of the summer transfer window.Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite has been suggested as a potential target while Ratcliffe may dip into his own pool of talent by snatching away Jean-Clair Todibo from Ineos-owned OGC Nice.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSMason Greenwood’s future at the club is still up in the air after after police charges of attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault against the winger were dropped in February last year.And, despite rumours of interest of a second loan spell at Getafe, SunSport understands that Man Utd are only looking to sell Greenwood permanently if they are to let him leave at all.Inside Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s plans to replace Old Trafford with a ‘Wembley of the North’That could be a boost for Juventus in their pursuit of the attacker with execs at the Serie A club said to think they can sign the Bradford-born star for a cut-price fee with his contract at United set to expire in 2025.Although a swap transfer including Bremer would be a more mutually beneficial deal for both Juve and Man Utd.New minority owner Ratcliffe claimed no decision has been made on Greenwood’s future when asked about him staying in Manchester.He said: “It’s quite clear we have to make a decision. There is no decision that’s been made.”He’s on loan, obviously, but he’s not the only one. We’ve got one or two footballers that we have to deal with and we have to make a decision on, so we will do that.”The process will be: understand the facts, not the hype, and then try and come to a fair decision on the basis of values. Is he a good guy or not?READ MORE SUN STORIES”Could he play sincerely for Manchester United well? Would we be comfortable with it, and would the fans be comfortable with it?”Sir Jim Ratcliffe has spoken out about Mason Greenwood’s futureCredit: Getty More

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    I’m a former Arsenal star making my own way in management – I’m trying to copy what Arsene Wenger did with Gunners stars

    JULIO BAPTISTA has revealed he is trying to copy Arsene Wenger after starting his own career in management.The Brazilian spent a season playing under Wenger during a loan spell with Arsenal.Julio Baptista is trying to copy Arsene Wenger as a managerCredit: GettyBaptista scored 10 goals and added four assists in 35 appearances for the GunnersCredit: AFPWenger signed Baptista on loan from Real Madrid in 2006, with the former midfielder scoring 10 goals and providing four assists in 35 appearances.Now a coach, Baptista has reflected on his time in the Premier League and how his time under Wenger has impacted his approach to management.He exclusively told Ladbrokes Fanzone: “”Playing in the Premier League was an incredible experience.”I wish I was there for longer. I had just started to learn English and then I left.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”Obviously, I played for one of the best clubs when I was there and I got to work with Arsene Wenger. “Wenger for me is a superb, top manager. I learned a lot from him and he helped me a lot in improving my game and made me a stronger player.”My first conversation with him, he spoke very very slowly and said it would be too hard to try and speak Spanish with me. “He said you need to learn English and I will speak slow so you understand everything.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”The first instruction he gave me was ‘What position I would like to be in’, and he believed I could do an incredible job for him. He improved me a lot as a player.”He is a very nice person, and he is one manager who doesn’t act superior. “He’s able to do his job and be a nice person at the same time. He was never intimidating; he was so close to the players.”He is very kind and doesn’t make players feel pressure. He has an incredible mind.”Now that I am a coach, I try to reproduce what Wenger did and how he acted towards the players. He got more out of the players than anyone.”Four Arsenal stars confronted Arsene Wenger after huge stars sold to bitter rivals, reveals Jack Wilshere Baptista went on to have spells in Spain, Italy, Brazil, Romania and the USA before retiring in 2019 aged 37.He soon moved into management, taking charge in Real Valladolid’s youth and reserve sides.However, the 42-year-old was sacked by former team-mate Ronaldo back in November and is yet to return to the dugout.Baptista coached Real Valladolid’s youth and reserve sides before leaving in NovemberCredit: Instagram @juliobaptistaoficial More