Football

STUART PEARCE is an English football icon.A passionate patriot who wore his heart on his sleeve.Stuart Pearce has one concern with Thomas Tuchel being the England managerCredit: GettyThomas Tuchel is aiming to win the World CupCredit: GettyFirst as a player and then as a coach who served at Under-21 and senior level, including one game in caretaker charge of the Three Lions.Someone who tasted semi-final defeat on penalties by German teams at two major tournaments — and what could be more English than that?But anyone expecting Pearce to be up in arms at the appointment of Thomas Tuchel will be disappointed.Pearce told SunSport: “I’ve never been anti-foreign managers.READ MORE ENGLAND NEWS“I would prefer an English manager, make no mistake. But I’m very supportive of whoever is in that hotseat. I wish Thomas well.“When I hear people say they’re OK with a foreign manager, just not a German one, it’s almost laughable. Come on, now.”Pearce’s main worry is that a coach of any nationality, German or otherwise, could undermine what Gareth Southgate built during his eight years in charge.Pearce, who won 78 caps, said: “Some might say Tuchel has been employed solely to win something at senior level. The job is bigger than that.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“Gareth and the FA did so much good work. Relationships with the fans and press are better, the players have a better buy-in. Gareth was interested in the whole pyramid system of English football, supporting teams and coaches at younger levels. I hope all that work isn’t eroded.“There’s no reason why a foreign manager can’t take an interest in that. Watch Thomas Tuchel’s awkward reaction when asked why he chose England over Man UtdSouthgate vs Tuchel records comparedTHOMAS TUCHELAugsburg II 2007-2008P34 W 20 D8 L6 Win percentage: 58.82%Mainz 05 2009-2014P184 W72 D46 L66 Win percentage: 39.13%Borussia Dortmund 2015-2017P107 W67 D23 L17 Win percentage: 62.62%Honours: DFB Pokal Paris Saint Germain 2018-2020P127 W95 D13 L16 Win percentage: 74.8%Honours: Ligue 1 X2, Coupe de France, Coupe de la Ligue, Trophee des Champions x2Chelsea 2021-2022P100 W60 D24 L16 Win percentage: 60%Honours: Champions League, Super Cup, Club World CupBayern Munich 2023-2024P61 W37 D8 L16 Win percentage: 60.66%Honours: BundesligaGARETH SOUTHGATEMiddlesbrough 2006-2009P151 W54 D43 Win percentage: 35.76%England U21 2013-2016P37 W27 D5 L5 Win percentage: 72.97%Honours: Toulon tournamentEngland 2016-2024P102 W61 D24 L17 Win percentage: 59.8%Honours: Euros runners up, 2020, 2024“Thomas has a brilliant track record. But there is a bigger project here than just managing England to try to win something.”Unlike England’s previous foreign bosses, Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello, Tuchel has a feel for his adopted nation’s football culture from his time in charge of Chelsea — and speaks much better English than Capello.Crucially, Tuchel was also available without the need to buy out a club contract, and arguably a stronger candidate than Englishmen Lee Carsley and Graham Potter.Pearce said: “He has the most success to his name. In those terms, you might say he is the best qualified of those available.“But international football is not as clear-cut as club football.“Look at the Spanish — they won the Euros with Luis de la Fuente, after his success at youth level, and also got gold at the Olympics. So there is another way of doing it.”Pearce was speaking at Cheshunt FC in Hertfordshire in his role as ambassador for Pitching In.He was there to celebrate Cheshunt’s Howard Bailey being one of three winners of the 2023-24 Volunteer of the Season award.Inside FA’s thrilling chase for TuchelTHE FA’s path to securing Thomas Tuchel’s signature was not a straightforward one.They tried to lure Pep Guardiola from Manchester City over the summer.They even made contact with Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti after deciding to target trophy-laden foreign gaffers.The FA’s determination to go international was summed up by their decision NOT to interview Newcastle boss Eddie Howe.Initial talks with Tuchel saw him express a slight interest in replacing Gareth Southgate.But he was waiting to see what would happen at Manchester United, with Erik ten Hag’s future under the spotlight.Man Utd owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe eventually decided to stick with Ten Hag – and that opened the door to the FA getting their man.Read the full story on England’s thrilling pursuit of Thomas Tuchel.And Tuchel’s appointment is seen by some as a kick in the teeth for English coaches at all levels, from grassroots to elite.Pearce said: “The next generation of young managers and coaches start in places like Cheshunt. We need more English coaches with the CV that Tuchel has got.“I’m not going to bemoan the lack of opportunity for English coaches, that’s the nature of football now.“Helping and developing English coaches should be part of the England manager’s job as well.“Thomas has his hands full. The next World Cup is a tough one to win. If he’s getting judged solely on going one step better than Gareth, that means picking the trophy up.READ MORE SUN STORIES“But I want a manager who cares about the whole situation.” Ladbrokes, with the support of its owner Entain, has launched a multi-million-pound investment programme, Pitching In, designed to support and promote grassroots sports. For more info go to pitchinginvolunteers.co.ukANDY DILLON: Thomas Tuchel has all the ingredients to become a classic England manager – tactical nous, drive and a tangled love lifeBy Andy DillonTHOMAS TUCHEL possesses all the ingredients to become a classic England manager.Tactical nous, drive, energy, experience – a tangled love life.English football should welcome back the most explosive, dynamic, charismatic and impossibly tall and gangly coach to have lit up the Premier League.Chelsea’s colourful former boss has been leading a settled life in Munich of late.Far enough away from ex-wife Sissi but close enough to see his two daughters.Walking his dog in the streets in the east of Germany’s most fashionable city, residing in the posh Bogenhausen area. Living relatively quietly with his Brazilian girlfriend.Tuchel is a vastly different personality to the man who led England quietly but assuredly to the brink of World Cups and European Championships.An excitable nature can make him hard to handle for those seeking calm and who like to impose their way on a manager they view very much as an underling.Read more on why Tuchel REALLY IS the best man for the England job More

FORMER Arsenal star Francis Coquelin could be set for a surprise return to England with Leeds United.The French defensive midfielder, 33, has been unemployed since Spanish club Villarreal released him in June.Francis Coquelin could be heading to Leeds UnitedCredit: GettyThe 33-year-old spent 10 years on the books at ArsenalCredit: PA:Press AssociationHowever, Sun Sport understands that Championship promotion hopefuls Leeds are weighing-up whether to offer the two-time FA Cup and 2021 Europa League winner a short-term deal at Elland Road.Boss Daniel Farke has lost midfield duo Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev to long-term knee injuries and wants back-up for Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell.Coquelin is open to a move to Leeds but he faces competition for a contract from a number of other free agents.Ex-West Ham United man Cheikhou Kouyate has been training with Leeds during the international break.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe 34-year-old has been without a club since leaving Nottingham Forest in the summer.But the delay in snapping up the experienced Senegal man suggests that Farke is still looking elsewhere.And we understand that has led to him inviting Coquelin to work with his squad at Thorp Arch along with other potential free agents.Farke remained tight-lipped when pressed for an update, although he did confirm he was looking at several potential signings.Most read in FootballFormer West Ham and Nottingham Forest midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate has been training with LeedsCredit: GettyFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSSpeaking at the pre-match press conference before Friday’s clash with Sheffield United, he said: “I never confirm any names and won’t speak about players who aren’t under contract.“It would not be professional. I just speak about our players. I can speak in general about the situation.Arteta is open to allowing Arsenal academy players to take part in first team training“It’s a pretty special and unique situation, we had a small group anyway before the injuries to Ethan and Ilia.“We’ve decided to have a deeper look into the free agent market. We had some guests in the last days here at Thorp Arch to have a deeper look on it.”On the ideal player he hopes to snap up, Farke added: “He would come in to be a back-up solution, to bring his experience and teach and educate our young players. He should come in with the attitude to improve them.“If a young player is struggling with the pressure with playing for a club like Leeds United, to not crack, we need a player who has experience and this mentality. This is what we’re searching for.“It’s not easy but we have a few ideas and I’m carefully optimistic that we’ll have the chance to bring a good solution in the coming days or coming two weeks.”Daniel Farke has spoken out about his injury woesCredit: Alamy More

DARREN BENT scored 221 goals in nearly 600 games for club and country — but none more famous than the one with the most bizarre assist in football history . . . off a BEACHBALL!Fifteen years ago tomorrow, his fifth-minute shot for Sunderland deflected off a stray red inflatable that completely deceived Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina before going in.Darren Bent is often asked about his most famous goalCredit: AP:Associated PressThe striker scored against Liverpool with the aid of a beachball in 2009Credit: AFPIt clinched a 1-0 Premier League win over the Reds and is the goal he is forever asked to talk about.Bent, now 40 and a presenter on talkSPORT, said: “I speak about it all the time because the moment was a complete freak situation.“Seriously, when have you ever previously seen a beachball thrown on to a pitch before the start of a football match? Balloons, toilet rolls . . . but a beachball?“And the way in which the wind blows in off the coast across the Stadium of Light pitch, what are the chances of that beachball staying on the pitch for five minutes for that amount of time?READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“Then when the match ball is crossed to me, at that precise moment it cannons off the inflatable and diverts it in the net.“I think all the odds of that happening are greater than getting all six numbers on the lottery.“Even if I tried to re-enact that situation I’d struggle to do it because the beachball would blow away or I’d struggle to hit a shot that would connect with the inflatable.“It was a complete one-off, almost from a bygone era.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“Plus, with VAR today there is not a chance that the goal would stand.“I’m also pretty sure my shot for that goal would bamboozle stat boffins for my xG!”Premier League fans have revealed what they would change about professional football Bent recalled the moment the ball was crossed from Andy Reid and flicked in by Steed Malbranque.He added: “In my head it was always the same when I was in a situation like that: ‘Hit the target’.“The moment I struck it and saw the ball deflect and go in, I ran off celebrating. I knew it hit something, my first instinct was it came off Liverpool defender Glen Johnson’s leg.“Then I was aware of Liverpool players protesting about the goal.“I felt a bit for referee Mike Jones because I was told he was demoted to the Championship the following week. He was faced with an unprecedented situation.“He had no monitor to go and look at to check how the goal had gone in. It was a complete one-off.“The most frustrating part is I could and should have scored two or three more goals that day.“We absolutely battered Liverpool but it just so happened it ended up being the winning goal!”Bent did have sympathy with the Reds fan, Callum Campbell, 16 at the time, who threw the beachball onto the field and received terrible online abuse in the days that followed. The former England striker added: “When I read about that, I found it quite appalling.“Here was a football fanatic enjoying the atmosphere of following his team away. Everything about what he did that day was as a supporter of his club.“As I have previously said, it was just a freak of nature that everything conspired into that moment. He had no clue — like the rest of us — how it would pan out.“After the game, I remember talking with Glen Johnson, who remains a close friend, and keeper Pepe Reina about how it could have happened.”The historic beachball is on display as part of The People’s Collection at the National Football Museum in Manchester. Or is it?Bent said: “I’m led to believe that’s where it is, although I’ve also been told there is a guy in the North East who has it, so it’s open to debate.”The ex-Ipswich, Aston Villa and Tottenham ace is happy to carry on talking about it — although he admits among his 221 goals it would not even rank among the top 200!He added: “If I had £1 for every time I have had to talk about it over the last 15 years, I would feel like a lottery winner!READ MORE SUN STORIES“But I suppose it’s nice to be remembered forever as scoring one of the maddest goals in the history of the Premier League.”Listen to Darren Bent on his talkSPORT Drive show every Monday to Friday, 4pm to 7pm with Andy Goldstein. More