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      Jose Mourinho reveals the four reasons he loves living in a hotel as ex-Man Utd manager dubbed ‘Alan Partridge’

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      JOSE MOURINHO has many reasons why he prefers to stay in a hotel rather than find a new home when he takes over at football clubs.Which might explain why he’s checked-in to a new hotel since moving to Istanbul.Fans think that Jose Mourinho is just like Alan Partidge after learning that he has been living in hotels for yearsMourinho spent over two years living in a hotel during his time at Manchester UnitedCredit: GettyThe Special One spent the entirety of his two-and-a-half year stint as Manchester United manager living in a Salford hotel – leading to fans dubbing him “Alan Partridge”.Mourinho, 61, spent his time with the Red Devils staying in the Lowry Hotel, a five-star establishment with a high-end restaurant and a luxury spa.Naturally, you can understand why the gaffer would have enjoyed spending his time in the hotel.And he previously explained the four reasons that the fancy establishment kept him from wanting to find a more permanent residence elsewhere.READ MORE ON MAN UTDNo cooking, no ironing, no cleaning and the ability to order a latte whenever he wants were his primary benefits. He said: “I would be unhappy if I was in a house on my own. I would have to clean, I don’t want [that]. “I would have to iron, I don’t know how to. I have to cook; I would cook fried eggs and sausages [because] that’s the only thing I can do.”I lived in an amazing apartment. It was not a room. It was mine all the time. It was not like after one week I had to leave. No, it was mine.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”I left everything there; my television, my books, my computer. It was a flat with ‘bring me a coffee latte, please’, or ‘I don’t want to go down for dinner, bring my dinner up’.”If I was watching football or doing work with one of my assistants I would ask; ‘bring us food’. I had everything. If I was in an apartment alone it would be much more difficult. I was fine – more than fine.”José Mourinho describes ‘The Mourinho Effect’ he has at Fenerbahce Mourinho hasn’t stopped with his love affair with hotels either, with the Portuguese manager currently staying in a £1,000-per-night Istanbul hotel while in charge of Turkish giants Fenerbahce. Mourinho declined Fenerbahce’s offer to find him and rent out the best house in Istanbul when he took over as boss in June.Instead, he opted to set up residence at the luxury Four Seasons Hotel so he can focus solely on business.The five-star former palace sits on the banks of the Bosphorus Strait and boasts stunning views from the European side over to the Asian side of the historic city, where Fenerbahce’s Sukru Saracoglu Stadium home is located.Mourinho’s hotel exploits have reminded lots of fans of TV character Alan Partridge, who famously spent the first season of “I’m Alan Partidge” staying in the Linton Travel Tavern hotel.One fan on social media joked: “I like to think Mourinho held a small party with the staff of the Lowry when United sacked him. Just like Partridge in the Linton Travel Tavern.”While another added: “Is Jose staying in a Travel Tavern?”A third teased: “I imagine Mourinho’s goodbye to the staff at The Lowry was akin to Alan Partridge leaving the Linton Travel Tavern.”And a fourth commented: “Jose Mourinho has gone full Alan Partridge”.READ MORE SUN STORIESMourinho will come face-to-face with his old team again this week when Fenerbahce take on Man Utd in the Europa League on Thursday.The Red Devils are still winless in Europe this season but will feel that an out-of-form Fenerbahce side could represent an opportunity to get their first win.Mourinho is now living at the Four Seasons HotelSuites start from a whopping £1,000 per nightCredit: Four SeasonsThe hotel has a stunning indoor poolMourinho can eat at the fancy restaurant on siteMourinho faces his old team this Thursday as Fenerbahce take on Man UtdCredit: Getty More

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      Women’s team go invincible and don’t even concede a goal all season – but don’t win the league

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      A WOMEN’s team in Sweden have enjoyed an invincible season – but aren’t walking away with the league title.Angelholms FF went through the entire campaign in Division 4 Skane Northwest without conceding a single goal. Angelholms FF didn’t concede a single goal across 18 gamesCredit: Angelholms FFThe team racked up an impressive 15 wins from a possible 18. But despite keeping 18 clean sheets, they were pipped to the title by Ljungbyheds IF. The remarkable final standings see the eventual champions winning the league by a solitary point. Angelholms were undone by three 0-0 draws, including one to Ljungbyheds.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThey were also the only team to prevent the eventual champions from finding the net all season.Free-scoring Ljungbyheds netted an eye-watering 121 goals in just 18 games on their way to first place.Proud Angelholms coach Ulf Johansson was happy to reveal the reasons behind their defensive success. Johansson said in June: “[It is achieved] through a high defensive game [and] the right attitude.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”A direct recapture and a good goalkeeper is the melody of being able to keep a clean sheet in so many games.”Reacting to the incredible run, one football fan wrote on X: “I wouldn’t think it possible but here we are. 78 goals scored, 0 conceded, and finishing 2nd with a GD 29 less than 1st.”My cousin is Man Utd FA Cup hero – now he’s helping me through my injury hell so I can shine for women’s teamAnother said: “This is actually insane. Craziest stat I’ve ever seen.”While a third added: “This is truly amazing I doubt we’ll see anything like this.”The last men’s team to go invincible in England were Arsenal during the 2003/04 season.Before that, you had to go all the way back to 1888 and Preston North End to find another English club unbeaten for an entire campaign.In the Women’s Super League, Chelsea were the last team to achieve the feat in 2019/20.READ MORE SUN STORIESAcross Europe’s elite leagues, Bayer Leverkusen in Germany was the most recent team to go invincible.The Bundesliga side won the league without losing a single game last term. More

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      European giants in freefall with ‘world’s greatest stadium’ left abandoned and owner told to go home and never return

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      THEY were in the Champions League final two seasons running just two decades ago.But now one of Europe’s biggest clubs are in freefall.Furious fans protested after defeat left the club bottom of the leagueCredit: x @sanchis14No work has been done on their new stadium since 2009Credit: GettyThe ghostly shell of a ground sits in the middle of a major European cityCredit: GettyA skip was set on fire as fans protested against the ownershipCredit: X @pacopolitThey currently sit bottom of the league on just six points and staring down the barrel at relegation.And following their latest humiliating defeat, fans blockaded the stadium in the hope of trapping the hated owners inside.Meanwhile, construction of a new ground which was meant to be the ‘world’s greatest stadium’ has ground to a complete halt with nothing done since 2009.As a result of the Nou Mestalla being left an empty shell with no plan for work to restart, it was scrapped as a World Cup 2030 host venue.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSAnd all of this has left the club’s fans furious with owner Peter Lim, who also owns Salford City, alongside Gary Neville and a group of Man Utd legends.Valencia were Champions League finalists in 2000 and 2001, losing to Real Madrid and Bayern Munich respectively.But a 3-2 home defeat to Las Palmas on left the club staring down the barrel at relegation.They now sit rock bottom of La Liga, two points off 17th-placed Leganes.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAhead of the Las Palmas game, manager and club legend Ruben Baraja commented that the club would not be able to aim any higher than simply avoiding the drop this season.He said: “When we talked about our objectives, what we wanted was to stop the suffering, to improve in that sense. Huge title-deciding match suspended with stadium evacuated and second half played the following day with no fans“But the league campaign has brought us to this scenario. It is what it is.”Footage from the streets in Valencia showed a skip set on fire as the police attempted to disperse the post-match protest.Valencia now sit bottom of La LigaCredit: GettyThey were beaten 3-2 at home by Las PalmasCredit: GettyThe club hold long term plans to move away from their current stadiumCredit: Getty More

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      Hansi Flick has dived into Catalan culture to take Barcelona back to good old days but faces toughest week of his reign

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      HANSI FLICK’S start to life at Barcelona has been better than anyone could have expected.After another summer of financial acrobatics within the walls of the club in Catalonia, a pre-season with most of the star names absent and some key injuries it was hardly a settled start.Hansi Flick has dived into Catalan culture to take Barcelona back to the topCredit: GettyBarcelona boss Flick is facing two major clashes against Bayern Munich and Real MadridBut the German’s eagerness to embrace the culture of the club and its surrounding areas has seen the Spanish giants flourish.They are top of LaLiga, three points clear of Real Madrid, and have won all but one of their ten league games so far.But Flick’s flying start is about to face its litmus test. They host his former club Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday before visiting Real on Saturday evening.Weeks do not come much more taxing than that.Read More on FootballFlick returns to Bayern finally feeling at the top of his game once more following the brutal and bruising experience of becoming the first manager to ever be sacked in the history of the German national team.He took his time in choosing a next step, there were trips to watch Premier League games and a brief flirtation with the West Ham job in the summer. Things have worked out rather better, for both him and Barcelona.After the chaos of last season’s dance around the future of club legend Xavi, in Flick the club now have a manager in whom everyone appears completely invested.From players benefiting from a clear plan and strict fitness regime to a board blown away by his investment in the culture.Most read in Champions LeagueBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSFlick has dived head first into Barcelona and Catalonia, touring the area in the early weeks, attending an event on National Day of Catalonia and, first and foremost, embracing La Masia.Ten graduates from the club’s famed academy were involved in Sunday’s 5-1 win over Sevilla, with seven of them starting.Andres Iniesta breaks down in tears as Barcelona legend confirms retirement after one of finest careers everClub president, Joan Laporta, said: “Flick understood perfectly what our value is, our jewel: La Masia.”He travelled to meet Xavi at his home and involved former midfielder Thiago Alcantara in his staff for a short period early on.Flick even earned the seal of approval from Pep Guardiola during a pre-season game against Manchester City, drawn 2-2.Guardiola said: “They have done a lot of things well. The positional play of his team is extraordinary, I wish them all the best.”Lamine Yamal, now at the grand old age of 17 following his Euro 2024 heroics, continues to shine while Ansu Fati, following a dispiriting season on loan with Brighton, is back in the picture.Pedri is thriving and Gavi has now returned from his long injury lay-off.Improving Robert LewandowskiBut it is not just the youngsters Flick is getting the best out of. Robert Lewandowski, with whom Flick won the treble at Bayern in 2020, is playing a more advanced role and reaping the rewards once again.The Pole, 36, is LaLiga’s top scorer with 12 already – double that of Kylian Mbappe, Real’s marquee arrival.Having not had a number of his senior players during the summer, Flick had to work hard to blend what was a positive pre-season with the more senior players as they returned.It was another challenge which meant he did not foresee such a fine start.He said: “I always think positive but at the end it’s a project we started with the players from La Masia, because a lot of players were with the national teams at the Euros, it feels really good.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Because also the young players are doing great.”The players came back, it was the same and I think this is an important thing… That you have a good feeling and, step by step, the players get the confidence to play how we want to play, to do it on the pitch and at the end we have the quality.” More

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      Fans praise Joshua Zirkzee’s thick skin as struggling Man Utd star ‘likes’ Instagram post ripping into him

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      MANCHESTER UNITED ace Joshua Zirkzee was praised by fans after his classy response to an Instagram clip that was ripping into him.Zirkzee, 23, joined United in the summer after a £36.5million deal with Bologna where he stood out last season with 12 goals and seven assists in 37 appearances.Manchester United ace Joshua Zirkzee ‘liked’ a parody video on InstagramCredit: GettyZirkzee was praised by Man Utd fans for showing a strong characterThe striker had a strong start with the Red Devils as he scored the winner in a 1-0 win over Fulham on his debut in August at Old Trafford.However, the Netherlands international has been unable to build momentum in his next 10 games across all competitions after his impressive bow.That has led to criticism across social media amid United’s worst ever Premier League start.A channel satirised Zirkzee’s positioning on the pitch with a clip on Instagram.Read More on Man UtdOne of the content creators pretended to be the Dutchman and was shown being unable to play at No9 as he instead opted for a deeper role in midfield or down the wing.Zirkzee caught wind of the parody clip and won over a lot of fans by being a good sport and simply “liking” the video.Fans stormed the comments section and praised the centre-forward’s strong character, while some predicted he will soon silence his critics and trolls.One fan tweeted: “He might have a better sense of humour than most of your bunch.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnother commented: “Zirkzee is unstoppable.”A third wrote: “Zirkzee is fantabulous.”Watch frosty moment between Liverpool star Van Dijk and Man Utd striker Zirkzee in tunnel before Holland clashThis one said: “His redemption arc is loading.”And that one stated: “He’s scoring on Thursday [in the Europa League at Fenerbahce], watch.”Zirkzee only spent 16 minutes on the pitch during Saturday’s 2-1 win over Brentford at Old Trafford.Stats showed that the forward did float around the Bees’ half and at times was caught deeper than the No9 position, but his career so far shows that he was actually playing to his strengths.The ex-Bayern Munich ace previously revealed that he occasionally drops down to midfield and thus considers himself more of a “9.5”.Zirkzee said: “I occasionally drop down to midfield. I don’t do that for myself but to help the team.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I am what I call a false striker. Not a No 9, not a No 10. I am a 9.5! That’s my game.“Maybe I’m a little different than others. But being different is good, right?”Zirkzee only played 16 minutes for Man Utd against BrentfordStats show Man Utd ace Zirkzee played deep against Brentford More

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      Aston Villa could be undone by their OWN PLAYER vs Bologna despite him never starting a game as rule explained

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      ASTON VILLA could be undone by their OWN player when they play Bologna tonight.Unai Emery’s side are looking to make it three wins from three in the Champions League after a 3-0 win over Young Boys and 1-0 win over Bayern Munich.Samuel Iling-Junior is on loan at Bologna from Aston VillaCredit: RexIling-Junior is able to play against his parent club tonight so could be a huge own goalCredit: RexThe next test as they bid to strengthen their spot in the top eight qualifying spots sees them host Italian side Bologna.However, Villa may end up shooting themselves in the foot.That is because they have Samuel Iling-Junior on loan at the Serie A outfit.Iling-Junior joined the midlands club as part of the deal that took Douglas Luiz to Juventus.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut Villa opted to loan the 21-year-old out in order to continue his development before he ever played a game for them.While this would not be a problem if it was an English domestic competition, there are no rules restricting loan players from facing off against their parent club in Uefa competitions.Previous examples where this has been seen included Philippe Coutinho facing off against Barcelona while playing for Bayern Munich, scoring two goals and adding an assist in an 8-2 win.Another saw then-Chelsea loanee Thibaut Courtois playing for Atletico Madrid and subsequently knocking out the Blues.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSKingsley Coman is another prime example when he made one and scored one goal for Bayern Munich to knock Juventus out at the last-16 stage in 2016.Fortunately, Villa’s fate will not be decided by tonight’s result, though it could serve to be a dent to their aspirations to make the knockout rounds.Emi Martinez reveals Unai Emery’s genius pre-match preparation that inspired Aston Villa to win over Bayern MunichIling-Junior has played five times off the bench for Bologna this season, scoring once.Bologna lost 2-0 to Liverpool in their last Champions League game, while their opener ended in a 0-0 draw with Shakhtar Donetsk.Speaking about his return to England to play Villa Iling-Junior told Sky Sports: “You always want to feel wanted and have conversations with the people around you.”Especially being part of a swap deal, you want to know you’re not just a part of it and are someone that is wanted by the club. “Aston Villa made me feel that way.”On his loan transfer, he added: “It was more about seeing the progression of my career and my development.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I could have had another year where I was coming off the bench and not getting as many minutes as I would like.”So I spoke to the coach and we decided it was best for me to go on loan.” More

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      Man Utd face tricky task even Sir Alex Ferguson couldn’t pull off with only one Red Devils manager doing it in 20 years

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      MANCHESTER UNITED face a tricky task when they take on Fenerbahce in the Europa League.The Red Devils will face a familiar foe as former manager Jose Mourinho is now in charge of the Turkish side.Sir Alex Ferguson never managed an away win over Jose MourinhoCredit: APThe Portuguese boss has only lost one home game against Man UnitedCredit: PAOle Gunnar Solskjaer got the better of Mourinho in 2021Credit: AFPThe two sides will face off on Thursday evening at the Şükrü Saracoğlu in Turkey.Man United have faced away games against a Mourinho side 11 times in the last two decades.The Portuguese manager can boast an almost impeccable record against the Red Devils.Only once has a Man United side ended on the winning side in an away fixture against Mourinho.READ MORE ON MAN UTDThat was in 2021, when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer masterminded a 3-1 win over Spurs.The Norweigian is the only Man United boss to manage the feat ahead of the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson, David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Erik ten Hag.Ferguson had seven attempts to beat Mourinho away from Old Trafford but failed each time.He was beaten by Mourinho’s Porto side in 2004 in the Champions League and by the boss’ Chelsea team in that year and in 2006.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe Scot was held to draws on four other occasions before it was Moyes’ turn.The former West Ham manager only had one shot at beating Mourinho but lost 3-1 to his Chelsea side at Stamford Bridge in 2014.What Sir Alex Ferguson ruthlessly told Man Utd stars after Aguero’s iconic goal won Man City the Premier League The Special One also beat Van Gaal in his one opportunity as the Red Devils lost 1-0 in 2015.Solskjaer faced Mourinho twice while he was at Tottenham and drew the first away meeting 1-1 in 2020 before getting the win the following year.Fenerbahce appointed Mourinho as manager in June, and he has only lost one of his six home matches.That defeat came in a 3-1 loss to arch-rivals Galatasaray in September.Mourinho spent just over two seasons as Manchester United’s manager during the spell when the club failed to beat him away from home.During his time at Old Trafford, he oversaw the club reach a record 40 home games in a row unbeaten.The Red Devils only lost a total of nine games out of 63 under Mourinho at home. More

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      Georgia Stanway opens up on meeting Thomas Tuchel and how tattoo artwork helps her on and off the pitch

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      GEORGIA STANWAY claims Thomas Tuchel is “really invested” in the women’s game having crossed paths with him at Bayern Munich. The Lioness star has fond memories of past interactions with the German coach who starts work as the Three Lions’ new boss in January.  Georgia Stanway says Thomas Tuchel showed a strong interest Bayern Munich’s women’s team during his time as head coach of their men’s sideCredit: GettyStanway believes top foreign coaches like Sarina Wiegman and Tuchel having an influence on English football is great for the gameCredit: ReutersTuchel is set to commence his role as the Three Lions new boss in January and is the first coach from Germany to be appointedCredit: ReutersStanway, 25, who is in line to start for England against Germany in a friendly at Wembley on Friday, was sharing her thoughts on Tuchel’s appointment as head coach of the two-time Euros finalists. Last Wednesday the ex-Bayern coach, 51, was confirmed as Gareth Southgate’s successor and is set to take over from interim boss Lee Carsley. His appointment comes five months after he confirmed his departure who he guided to the 2022-23 Bundesliga title.During his time there Stanway, who signed for Bayern’s women’s team in May 2022, recalls Tuchel showing a keen interest in women’s football. Read More Football Stories She said: “I had a few experiences with Tuchel at Bayern and he was really invested and really interested in the women’s game. “He and (his assistant Anthony) Barry wanted to get to know the players. “I’ve spoken with them a few times and they were really invested and really nice people. “They came to a few games and I saw them at a few events. They always had time for us.”Most read in FootballThe hiring of Tuchel as Southgate’s permanent successor sparked huge debate amongst pundits and commentators about coaches from overseas managing England. However Stanway, who moved to Germany following the Lionesses triumph at the 2022 Women’s Euros, has seen her career flourish under managers from different countries. Since winning the Euros with Sarina Wiegman’s England side two years ago, the midfielder has gone on to win two Women’s Bundesliga titles and was a Ballon d’Or nominee last year. When asked about foreign managers influencing English football, she added: “I think it’s great. England Lionesses star Chloe Kelly leaves little to imagination in daring outfit and branded ‘unreal’ at Glamour awards”I’ve got a Norwegian manager at Bayern ( Alexander Straus). “It’s about whoever is best for the job and whoever the people feel is suitable for the players.” On the criticism of the decision to have a foreign coach appointed as Three Lions boss, Stanway added: “Everyone is entitled to their opinions, I guess we have just got to see what happens?”England’s clash with Germany at Wembley comes two years and three months after the two foes went toe-to-toe at the stadium in the last Women’s Euros final.Both sides have qualified for next year’s tournament, which takes place in Switzerland with the Lionesses eyeing an historic back-to-back triumph. Should they seal another contest win Stanway, who is an avid tattoo artist in her spare time, hopes to have her team-mates queuing to have tattoo work done to mark the occasion. Away from the pitch the midfielder has been learning the art of tattooing under the guidance of a friend who owns a tattoo studio in Germany.The 71-capped Lioness said: “I got (a tattoo of) the time the final whistle went at the last Euros final. “But if we win another Euros, I hope I get a queue outside my bedroom door from the girls waiting (to get tattoos done). “When I moved to Germany, I wanted to start something new. “It was a new way for me to fully immerse myself into a new environment and to make friends outside of football. “The tattoo studio has really done that for me. “While I’m tattooing, the feeling is next level. I find it therapeutic, I find it stressful. “It’s fine details and those fine details are always important and they’re also important in football. “While I’m tattooing, nothing else matters. “It’s exactly the same when I’m on the pitch. Nothing else matters apart from focusing on what I’ve got to do.”Stanway and her England team-mates are due to play Germany on Friday in a friendly warm-up game ahead of next year’s EurosCredit: GettyEngland’s game against Germany ahead of their build-up to next year’s Euros in Switzerland, will see Stanway go up against some of her Germany international pals from Bayern. READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd she believes the Euros finalists, whose players include Bayern aces Guilia Gwin Klara Buhl and Lea Schuller, will pose a threat. Stanway said: “Everybody poses an unbelievable threat, so I know I’ll be sat in the analysis room and Sarina will be questioning me about each player.” More