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    Mario Lemina and Co’s disrespectful antics are just embarrassing – deal with it the old school way and be done with it

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    A REAL team of fighters do not get involved in the sort of disrespectful antics Wolves have recently.Mario Lemina was pushing his own team-mates and coaches after they lost to West Ham this month, and then last weekend Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri clashed with Ipswich players and staff after falling to a late defeat.Mario Lemina clashed with team-mate Toti GomesCredit: GettyMario Lemina was held back by team-mate Toti GomesCredit: GettyIf something like that happens once, you go: Right, that’s just someone losing their cool.It’s not the right way to go about things, but sometimes emotions spill over, especially when you are under that much pressure or in a relegation battle.But for it to happen in back-to-back weeks, it looked like they were just reacting off Gary O’Neil after he asked for more ‘fight’ from his team.That is not what he meant.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWe’re footballers, not tough guys. You want to be a boxer or a fighter? Go watch a proper fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk tonight.Get in the ring with them, I dare you.I wouldn’t even use the word ‘fight’ to describe what those players did.It’s petulance. It stinks of a team that is needing leadership and direction from both the top of the club and on the pitch.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSYou want to do it properly? Go old school and do what we used to do back in the day, even if it was our own team-mate we had a disagreement with.Get down the tunnel, into the boot room, have someone hold the door shut, one-on-one for a few minutes, then shake hands and it is finished.Alan Shearer left red-faced and fuming after botching question about his own career The next morning, it was back to work and we didn’t speak about it again.If it lasted longer than 30 seconds, people would dive in and break it up, but often it was just three or four punches to blow off some steam, and that happened a few times a season.But those involved at Wolves were pretending to be something they’re not, pretending to be up for a fight by getting themselves involved in something. It is embarrassing.If you fight after the final whistle, it says to me that you don’t care about fighting for the ball or for tackles or for the win during a game.And if they really were that hard or tough or up for a fight, they wouldn’t be doing what they did.It’s like that friend who says you can trust him. If you have to tell me, I don’t think I should trust you.As the saying goes: It’s easier for a nice guy to pretend to be tough than it is for a tough guy to pretend to be nice.And this Wolves group, they’re not tough, they’re just nice kids, nice people.If you fight after the final whistle, it says to me that you don’t care about fighting for the ball or for tackles or for the win during a game.Troy Deeney You wouldn’t be scared to bits if you came across them in a dark alley, would you?I saw Lemina having a go at the assistant, Shaun Derry, at West Ham.I tell you what, if Lemina had tried that on Derry a few years ago, he would have been put on the ground.And then I saw Craig Dawson try to carry Ait-Nouri down the tunnel to calm him down.As a whole, there is just a lack of respect across that whole team. There should be a genuine, healthy fear and respect of senior players or leaders in any dressing room.I saw a few of those incidents close up during my career, especially during my early days with Walsall.After something like that, we would be terrified knowing the manager would tear us a new one or the captain would have us up against the wall after making such fools of ourselves.I don’t sense that happening now. Respect your elders.But saying that, it seemed to me like the players actually liked O’Neil before he got sacked.READ MORE SUN STORIESIt wasn’t like they ever quit on him. There were so many times they could have.They followed him and liked him and respected him and didn’t want him to go.Rayan Ait-Nouri was restrained by Craig DawsonCredit: Rex More

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      Dele Alli announces Everton exit in emotional post as he reveals ‘things haven’t worked out as we all would have hoped’

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      DELE ALLI has emotionally announced his departure from Everton.The former Tottenham and England star’s contract with the Toffees expired in the summer but he continued to train with the club.Dele Alli has announced his departure from EvertonCredit: PAThe 28-year-old’s contract with the Merseysiders expired in the summerCredit: GETTYHe continued training with the Toffees but will move on to pastures new next yearCredit: GETTYBut he won’t be penning a new deal with the Merseysiders, revealing on Instagram that he’s currently looking for “some exciting opportunities”.He wrote: “As widely published this week, 2025 may set me on a new path with some exciting opportunities.”Before any of that happens it’s very important for me to make clear how grateful I am of all the fans, staff and players at Everton FC for the support they have given me.”It’s been an incredibly tough journey trying to put the final pieces together to regain match fitness.READ MORE ON EVERTON”And I cannot thank the Everton staff enough for the hard work they have put into this process.”Unfortunately, things haven’t worked out as we all would have hoped and I think it’s the right time for me to turn a new page.”I want to wish everyone at this amazing club the very best of luck and, hopefully, we will see each other again soon.”Alli, who hasn’t played a competitive match in TWO YEARS, joined Everton in January 2020 but was soon shipped out to Besiktas on loan.Most read in SportDele Alli leaves Goodison Park having made just 13 appearances for the clubCredit: PAHe leaves Goodison Park having made a mere 13 appearances.Alli bravely opened up on his mental health struggles in an April interview with Gary Neville, in which he revealed he became addicted to sleeping pills.Dele Alli hailed for opening up on mental health battles as Everton star joins Monday Night Football panelHe said: “Now is the right time for me to tell people what’s been going on.”It’s tough to talk about because it’s something I’ve hid for a long time. “I’m scared to talk about it.”When I came back from Turkey I found out I needed an operation I was in a bad place mentally and I decided to go to a modern-day rehab facility for mental health.”They deal with addiction and trauma. I felt it was time for me.”You can’t be told to go there – you have to know and make the decision yourself or it’s not going to work.”I was caught in a bad cycle and things that were doing me harm.” More

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      in Soccer

      Under-fire Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou says being a football manager is a harder job than prime minister

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      ANGE POSTECOGLOU claims being a Premier League manager is a harder job than being prime minister – because in football, you have an election on your role every weekend.Spurs boss Postecoglou watched with dismay as Russell Martin and Gary O’Neil lost their respective jobs at Southampton and Wolves at the weekend.Ange Postecoglou has suggested being a Premier League manager is tougher than being Prime MinisterCredit: AFPHe will once again be facing the music when Spurs play Man Utd tonightCredit: GettyThe Aussie has felt some pressure himself for his side’s wildly inconsistent campaign, upping the ante on tonight’s Carabao Cup quarter-final against Manchester United.Tottenham fans are back to calling for chairman Daniel Levy to go, as they did throughout Sunday’s 5-0 thrashing of Saints which did for Martin.It all adds up to Postecoglou feeling like most managers who want to build something are hamstrung from the get-go, making it a tougher role than any other.The 59-year-old said: “This job is the hardest job now in any walk of life. You can say politics but this is harder than any job.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“The tenure and longevity of this role now means that you go into it and very few are going to come out of it without any scars.”Asked if he felt it was tougher than the PM’s task of running the country, the ex-Celtic chief replied: “Oh yeah, how many times does he have an election?“I have one every weekend, mate. We have an election every weekend and either get voted in or out.”Postecoglou’s side thrashing Southampton 5-0 – with all the goals coming in the first half – sparked the end for Martin, who was axed a little over an hour after the final whistle.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe Spurs chief added: “You don’t even get sacked in the morning now, you’ve got to change the song!“It’s crazy. I don’t get it. This notion that clubs want to bring managers in and build stuff doesn’t exist.What’s the ‘Unify League’ and which Prem teams would play in new version of European Super League?”We all understand every one of us in our positions at the moment is that the moment there is a bit of a wobble there will be coming from all areas.“Gary and Russell are both outstanding young managers who have long careers ahead of them. “Unfortunately I think for them at the beginning of their careers that’s what a manager’s career is going to look like.“You’ll find that from now on managers are going to have about 20 clubs on their CV, even the successful ones because the ability for clubs to just stick with one person just doesn’t seem like it’s feasible anymore.”Tottenham fans sang anti-Levy chants relentlessly in that Saints clash, with a protest planned for Sunday’s hosting of Liverpool in the Premier League.Postecoglou is never going to tell supporters how they can or cannot feel.But he has urged them to create a similarly hostile atmosphere for United tonight as his Spurs experienced in the Europa League this term.The ex-Celtic boss added: “I have spoken about the atmosphere at Ibrox and Galatasaray and how I’d like that to be our atmosphere because it would certainly help us overcome a tough opponent in a really big game.”Spurs are waiting to see if Destiny Udogie will overcome soreness for the game.But they have been boosted by the return to training of 17-year-old wonderkid Mikey Moore, who has been out since October with a virus.Meanwhile, Postecoglou was giving nothing away as to whether Spurs would be interested in a January move for wantaway United star Marcus Rashford.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe said: “If I looked at everyone we were linked to, I would have no time to do anything else to be honest.“That’s a ‘not on my radar’ (response). You can ask me about Marcus but you can ask me about every single Premier League footballer and I’ll say the same thing.”How does the Unify League work?A NEW version of the European Super League has been proposed – now branded as the Unify League. Here’s all you need to know about how it works…Who plays in it?The proposed competition would see 96 teams from across Europe taking part each year.All positions will be earned by performances in domestic competitions the previous campaign – just as it currently is with the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.What’s the format?There would be FOUR leagues: Star League, Gold League, Blue League and Union League.The top two divisions, Star and Gold, would each have 16 teams in them, split into two groups of eight.The groups of eight would play each other home and away, a total of 14 matches per club each season.The bottom two divisions, Blue and Union, would have 32 teams each, split into four groups of eight.They would also play each other home and away.In the Star and Gold leagues, the top four of each group would play a two-legged quarter-final.In the Blue and Union, it would be the top two teams from each group making up the quarter-finals.The winners of those matches would then progress to a “final four” week of one off matches to provide the champions of the four different leagues. Those games would be played on a neutral ground.How many English teams will take part?The Premier League would have three guaranteed entrants in the Star League.Two English teams would go into the Gold League.Up to five further slots for Prem teams would be spread across the remaining pair. More

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      in Boxing

      Anthony Joshua shows his caring side as he hands out gifts at children’s hospital and hails ‘hero’ NHS staff

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      ANTHONY Joshua dished out Christmas presents during a surprise visit to a children’s hospital.The two-time heavyweight boxing champion stunned poorly children on the Kids Starfish ward at Watford General Hospital and hailed “hero” NHS staff.Anthony Joshua posed up for pictures with happy patientsCredit: SuppliedThe boxing star visited Watford General Starfish WardCredit: SuppliedHe hailed the NHS staff as heroesCredit: SuppliedThe heavyweight boxing champion gave out giftsCredit: SuppliedAnthony beams alongside NHS staffCredit: SuppliedDuring his moving visit, Joshua chatted with youngsters about sport and posed for selfies with patients and staff.The boxing star was seen handing out gifts to beaming children as he spent hours touring the specialist ward.He also spent time chatting to parents and West Hertfordshire NHS staff who help keep the ward operational during the festive period.On the visit the world champ said: “Today was all about trying to put smiles on a few faces and to acknowledge the tireless work of all NHS staff across the entire nation.Read More in Boxing”I met some amazing kids and some inspirational parents. I waslucky Santa was available to help me hand out a few small gifts.”Christmas can be a really tough time of year so it is important to do your bit, especially in your own local community.”Joshua’s association to the hospital goes back years – as he was born there in 1989.As a teenager he visited the A&E department a few times too many for his mothers liking.Most read in BoxingThen following his Olympic triumph in 2012 he returned to open the Leigh Warman Mural in the Children’s A&E Department.Paediatric Consultant Lynn Sinitsky said: “The joy that Anthony has spread today is truly healing. Anthony Joshua attends surprise birthday party for coach who ‘saved his life’ and shares incredible throwback snap”The smiles on the faces, especially from one ten year old who woke up to see Anthony was incredible.”Meanwhile, Ward Manager Kerry Beasley said: “Its a great thing he has done, its amazing for the staff and the patients. “It really boosts morale and spreads Christmas spirit. We couldn’t get him out!”During the Coronavirus Pandemic Joshua led a program to gift NHS staff members at the hospital with 2,000 pieces of Under Armour kit.The idea was to give a little bit back to the tireless efforts from staff, including medical professionals, cleaning and kitchen staff.Clean Herts Community’s mission is to provide aid and opportunities for people of various demographics across Anthony’s home town of Watford, with a focus on young people.The Olympic Gold Medallist has always been very passionate about providing opportunity to specifically the younger generation in his local area. This year CHC has launched both physical and educational programs from football camps to cooking and science classes.They also teamed up with Hollywood legend Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson in November to give some Watford-based kids the opportunity of a life time.And they took part in the launch of his blockbuster Christmas film Red One.It comes as Joshua attended the surprise birthday party for the boxing coach he credited for saving his life.AJ first walked into the Finchley Amateur Boxing club aged 18 in a bid to get himself out of trouble on the streets of London.And head trainer Sean Murphy guided Joshua to elite national championships before setting up an Olympic gold victory.The two have remained close over the years and AJ was a guest at Murphy’s surprise bash – organised by Finchley ABC.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe posed alongside Murphy and posted a throwback snap of his amateur days with the caption: “Ride Or Die.”In Joshua’s last three bouts, he has been cornered by British coach Ben Davison.Joshua playing with a childCredit: SuppliedJoshua set up the Clean Hearts Community, a community-interest company dedicated to uplifting the local communityCredit: SuppliedThe boxer looked very happy speaking with NHS staff and parentsCredit: SuppliedJoshua showed off his caring side in the visitCredit: Supplied More

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      in Soccer

      Man Utd legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer REJECTS emotional return to former club three years since Old Trafford axe

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has rejected the chance to return to management, according to reports in Norway.Solskjaer, 51, has been out of work since his dismissal by United in 2021.Manchester United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been offered a return to MoldeCredit: EPASolskjaer isn’t keen to return to Molde after leaving Man UtdCredit: GettyThe Norwegian tactician, who enjoyed tremendous success with the Red Devils as a player, earned the full-time job at Old Trafford after a stint as interim manager in 2018.However, despite a promising start with United, the former striker was axed after two-and-a-half seasons.Now, according to VG, Solskjaer has been offered the chance to take over another former club, Molde.Solskjaer kicked off his coaching career with the Norwegian giants in 2011, after a stint in charge of United’s reserves.Read More on Man UtdHe then had a short spell in charge of Cardiff in 2014 before returning to Molde a year later and ultimately leaving to take over United.Molde recently sacked their manager Erling Moe after a disappointing fifth-placed finish, with Norway’s domestic league finishing last month.And chairman Leif-Arne Langoy is said to have immediately called Solskjaer in a bid to convince him to come back.However, Solskjaer is not interested in a third spell and turned the opportunity down.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThis was not the first offer the ex-United boss rejects as he was also approached and asked to take over as Denmark’s head coach.However, he did express an interest to work as Norway’s manager if the opportunity ever arose.‘Don’t tell anyone!’, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reveals what Sir Alex Ferguson said to make him stay at Man UtdSolskjaer said: “I am a proud Norwegian, and of course if the question arises, when Stale [Solbakken] decides to give up, I will happily engage in discussions.”I am a proud Norwegian and proud of where I come from.” More

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      in Soccer

      Inside the Qataris’ ‘Project Ruby’ plan that ‘would have fixed Man Utd in THREE DAYS’ as fans turn on Ratcliffe

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      IT’S taken just 11 months for some Manchester United fans to turn on minority co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.And doubters in the Old Trafford faithful will no doubt be left even more frustrated when they find out what could’ve been under the Qatari administration, who had plans to revolutionise the club in just THREE DAYS.Sir Jim Ratcliffe has endured a pitiful start to life at Man UtdOther bidder Sheikh Jassim’s concrete plans have been revealedPlans were put in place for a brand new stadiumUnited fans staged a protest against RatcliffeFan pressure and soaring costs saw the majority owning Glazer family announce that they were open to selling United in November 2022.And Qatari billionaire banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani, entered the race to buy Britain’s biggest football club. After months of speculation, Sheikh Jassim’s final £4.5billion offer for full control was shunned by the Glazers, in favour of Britain’s richest man Ratcliffe.Ratcliffe’s own £1.2bn offer for a 27.7 per cent stake was accepted, and the 72-year-old, a life long fan, was effectively given the keys, taking control of all operations.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSBut things haven’t gone to plan, with sporting director Dan Ashworth leaving the club after just five months in his role in the latest of a string of PR disasters.Almost 12 months on, the ‘new’ United lurches from horror show to another under Ratcliffe and his Ineos officers.Ahead of Sunday’s derby at Man City they find themselves in a lowly 13th place in the Premier League.After 15 games they are 16 points behind Liverpool, who spanked them 3-0 at Old Trafford.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBut the Mail have now revealed an inside swoop into what could’ve happened in M16 if the Qatari’s were allowed to buy the club outright.Plans for a United rebirth, fuelled by vast wealth and some of the finest sporting and finance brains on earth, had already been carefully drafted. Dan Ashworth leaves Man Utd after just five months with Sir Jim Ratcliffe ordering shock boardroom shake-upThe strategy for ‘Project Ruby’ saw the Qatari’s pledge to announce the takeover on the first day.The removal of ALL of the club’s debt would come on the second day.And United would be taken off the New York Stock Exchange and no longer answerable to far-away stakeholders.By day three, Sheikh Jassim would reveal plans for a brand new state-of-the-art stadium.That’s it, a clean break in three days to change the club’s history and current predicament.As for Old Trafford, there would be no attempt to grab any money from the taxpayer, or confusion over whether this would be a refurbishment or a rebuild. Ratcliffe was reportedly lobbying the government’s “Levelling Up” plan to give the north of England a venue to rival Wembley.And the iconic ground continues to rot away, hampered by an embarrassing leaky roof and dead RATS under seats.Under Sheikh Jassim this would have been a more straightforward process.A supporter posted a picture of a dead rat at Old TraffordA senior adviser to the Qatari group told the Mail: “The b****y thing would have been fully in-motion now.”A stadium for a football club paid for by a football club and nobody else. And as for the staff Ratcliffe is firing – we would have been hiring.”None of the above will be of solace to the United fans – and the large numbers of staff – who had wanted the Sheikh Jassim bid to succeed.Populous, the designers responsible for many of the venues at the 2022 World Cup, had already drawn up plans, which were shared with bidders for United.It can now be disclosed that an ‘adaptable’ stadium was being seriously considered, with a capacity of between 90,000 and 100,000.A banner saying ‘Stop Exploiting Loyalty’ was held up inside and outside Old Trafford last weekAI images have been mocked up to show what Old Trafford could look like under RatcliffeLeading commercial property company JLL, based in Manchester city centre, had already been signed up to work on the project.And there was a separate fund planned for the women’s team, who would’ve had their own training centre in Manchester.Leading commercial property company JLL, based in Manchester city centre, had already been signed up to work on the project.Far from being given the sack, Sir Alex Ferguson was to be cherished and invited onto an advisory board. Others, including Class of ’92 members David Beckham and Gary Neville, were also being lined up to add their input.But the opposite has come true.Ratcliffe’s hated cost-cutting campaign has seen 250 redundancies made and tickets were hiked to £66 for kids and pensioners.He’s even turned into the grinch and replaced the £100 staff Christmas bonus with a £40 M&S voucher in his latest money-saving measure.Fans have already protested outside Old Trafford begging to stop being “exploited”.But it might not be the end of the story.The advisor told the Mail: “Sheikh Jassim is still a rich guy. READ MORE SUN STORIES”He is still a United fan. He is not going to rush off and try another Premier League club.’If the opportunity to buy the whole of Manchester United arose again at some point in the future it is hard to see there not being a big level of interest. The plans are still there.”Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s first year at Man UtdSIR JIM RATCLIFFE’S minority takeover at Manchester United was announced on Christmas Eve in 2023 – and a lot has happened at Old Trafford since…December 2023 – Man Utd confirm Ratcliffe’s takeover on Christmas Eve, vowing to invest £245m into Old TraffordJanuary 2024 – Ratcliffe and right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford photographed meeting Erik ten Hag during tour of Carrington January 2024 – Omar Berrada poached from Man City as new CEO February 2024 – Ratcliffe’s £1billion, 27.7 per cent takeover officially completed February 2024 – Former CEO Richard Arnold quits board as Ineos pair John Rees and Rob Nevin addedMarch 2024 – Ratcliffe bans words “awesome” and “lukewarm cappuccino” in bizarre moveMarch 2024 – Matt Johnson appointed head of women’s footballMarch 2024 – Ratcliffe announces plans to build “Wembley of the North” to replace Old TraffordMarch 2024 – Man Utd NYSE share price drops to $13.73 on March 21 – down from $20.52 immediately after Ratcliffe takeover in DecemberApril 2024 – Senior staff club credit cards and private cars cancelled April 2024 – John Murtough quits as football director April 2024 – Jason Wilcox appointed technical director after compensation package agreed with Southampton May 2024 – Ratcliffe turns Carrington “toxic” after sending email to employees slamming “disgraceful” lack of cleanlinessMay 2024 – Work finally starts on leaking Old Trafford roofMay 2024 – Man Utd finish eighth in Premier League, worst-ever finish May 2024 – Ratcliffe gives employees just one week to decide if they want to accept redundancy May 2024 – Staff forced to pay for own transport to FA Cup final and only given one ticketMay 2024 – Pre-match party and hotel for senior staff before FA Cup final axedMay 2024 – Man Utd shock rivals Man City to win FA Cup despite suggestions Erik ten Hag will be sacked regardless of resultJune 2024 – Man Utd announce £50m plans to upgrade Carrington training ground June 2024 – Ratcliffe introduces strict “back to work” policy forcing staff to come into officeJune 2024 – Ratcliffe scores own goal with comments about women’s teamJuly 2024 – Man Utd finally agree deal to bring in Dan Ashworth as sporting director after four months of gardening leave at Newcastle, who received £3m in compensationJuly 2024 – Erik ten Hag signs shock new contract extension until 2026July 2024 – Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake appointed assistant managers, Andreas Georgson first-team coach and Jelle ten Rouwelaar goalkeeper coach. Darren Fletcher’s role changes from technical director to first-team coach. Steve McClaren, Mitchell van der Gaag and Benni McCarthy depart.July 2024 – Ex-Chelsea technical director Christopher Vivell joins on short-term basis as interim director of recruitment July 2024 – Jean-Claude Blanc added to Man Utd board  July 2024 – Man Utd cut down number of staff on US pre-season tour to 125July 2024 – Ratcliffe makes 250 redundancies including popular media man John Allen, historian Cliff Butler and kitman Alex WylieAugust 2024 – Man Utd splash out £199m in the summer transfer window August 2024 – Matchday staff lunchboxes scrapped and some forced to eat beside toiletOctober 2024 – Man Utd stop paying £2m-a-year ambassador salary to Sir Alex FergusonOctober 2024 – Staff Christmas party cancelled October 2024 – “Back to work” policy costing Utd fortune to convert hospitality suites into temporary offices between home matchesOctober 2024 – Erik ten Hag sacked with club 14th in Premier League table, costing club £15mNovember 2024 – Ruben Amorim appointed new Man Utd manager on deal until 2027 after stumping up £10m release clause November 2024 – Coach Ruud van Nistelrooy axed by new manager Ruben Amorim November 2024 – Man Utd chiefs locked in blame game over summer shambles including Erik ten Hag situation and transfer signings November 2024 – Ratcliffe reportedly set to half £40,000 budget paid to Manchester United Disabled Supporters AssociationDecember 2024 – Ratcliffe admits “mediocre” Man Utd “still in last century” December 2024 – Fans protest after OAP and children concessions tickets ditched and minimum home ticket cost up to £66December 2024 – Dan Ashworth sacked after five months as sporting directorDecember 2024 – £100 staff Christmas bonus ditched for £40 M&S voucher More

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      in Soccer

      Graham Potter open to return to management for first time since Chelsea sacking but role could be temporary

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      GRAHAM POTTER is willing to take the West Ham job until the end of the season, according to reports.Julen Lopetegui could well be sacked after just seven months in charge if they lose at home to Wolves tonight.Graham Potter is reportedly willing to take the West Ham job on a temporary basisAnd the Hammers are considering making a short-term appointment to steer them away from any threat of relegation.The former Chelsea boss previously admitted that he’s “looking at things” as speculation linking him with West Ham intensifies.But SunSport exclusively revealed that Potter was in line for a shock call from RB Leipzig if Marco Rose doesn’t turn things around.He could be up against former Manchester United Erik ten Hag, who has also been heavily linked with the Bundesliga club.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSBut Leipzig must act fast as Potter could temporarily take over at West Ham, according to talkSPORT.Top target Max Allegri, who left Juventus amid disagreements in May, has also held talks with the London Stadium hierarchy.However the six-time Serie A champ is reluctant to take a job in the Premier League mid-season and would only take it next summer.Former Brighton manager Potter has been out of work since being axed by Chelsea in April last year.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHe managed 31 Blues games, losing 11 – leaving Chelsea in 11th place in the Prem.West Ham face Wolves in a crunch clash at the London Stadium with both Lopetegui and Gary O’Neil facing the axe.Premier League club to make history by wearing AI-generated kit designed by fans So much so the game has been dubbed “El Sackico”.Both managers were targeted with chants of “you’ll be sacked in the morning” from their own fans last week as Wolves lost 4-0 at Everton and Leicester beat West Ham 3-1.O’Neil’s side sit second from bottom, four points from safety.The Hammers, meanwhile, are 14th, six points from the relegation zone.West Ham have won just once in their last five Prem fixtures – a 2-0 win at Newcastle.The board reportedly held talks over Lopetegui’s future last Wednesday, and he likely has one more game to save himself.Ironically, Lopetegui left Wolves on the eve of last season after being frustrated at not being able to sign anybody.Gary O’Neil faces the sack, with Wolves 19th in the PremJulen Lopetegui must get a result against WolvesNext West Ham manager oddsOdds via talkSPORT BETGraham Potter 4/5Kasper Hjulmand 7/2Edin Terzic 5/1Sergio Conceicao 6/1Michael Carrick 16/1Roger Schmidt 20/1Jose Mourinho 25/1 More

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      in Soccer

      Inside Man Utd chaos with Dan Ashworth axed just five months into job as Amorim’s ‘storm coming’ words come true

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      THE blame game has another victim as things go from bad to worse at Old Trafford.Manchester United’s first sporting director, Dan Ashworth, arrived in the summer and is gone before Christmas.Dan Ashworth has left his role at Man UtdCredit: ZenpixAshworth lasted just five months under Sir Jim RatcliffeCredit: PAThere is word Ashworth did not favour appointing new head coach Ruben AmorimCredit: AlamySunSport exclusively revealed last month that there was trouble at mill.That the new senior management team were already blaming each other for the mess the club were in.Chief executive Omar Berrada and Ashworth were trying to wash their hands of it all, claiming they had arrived too late after serving their gardening leave.New part owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe said making decisions was all down to them.READ MORE IN footballMeanwhile, Jason Wilcox thought it was all a mess under previous boss Erik ten Hag but was part of the team that encouraged him to stay after every other candidate ran for cover.There is word Ashworth did not favour appointing his successor and new head coach Ruben Amorim, preferring an English manager with more experience in our game.Perhaps that was why ex-England gaffer Gareth Southgate’s name was always mentioned after they worked together at the FA.Either way, Saturday’s showing against Nottingham Forest, after their second-half capitulation at Arsenal a few days previously, proved too much.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSWas it the sight of the ineffective Joshua Zirkzee coming on as a sub that finally did it?You see, the 23-year-old Dutchman was thought to be a good buy at £36.5million. Ten Hag did not agree but had the player forced upon him.Man Utd pay emotional tribute to much-loved receptionist Kath Phipps after tragic passing aged 85That is on Ashworth.Already the club are looking to offload the flop forward.The word from Old Trafford was that Ratcliffe had issued a ‘liberating decree’ when he arrived on his white charger after acquiring 27.7 per cent of the club last February.Instead, it all just gets worse. They are locked in a mess of their own making, and nobody seems to have the key to get them out.Ashworth was supposed to have it, but he spent as much time on gardening leave from Newcastle as he did overseeing much-needed change at Old Trafford.He walked through the post-match media area with a security guard and the club’s chief operating officer, Collette Roche, around 30 minutes after the full-time whistle following the 3-2 loss on Saturday.It was odd as he marched with his head down without exchanging pleasantries.As we go through that process, we are constantly learning about what the best structure will be to help us to win.Manchester United statement He was on his way to the boardroom in the East Stand to finally agree to part ways.He was apparently “not a good fit”.Although he seems to have been everywhere else he worked.But a disagreement with the others brought in to put the former foot-balling juggernaut back on the right path had done for him.The explanation from the club was that the decision had been made “collaboratively following a period of transition for the club”.Yet it was Ashworth who was supposed to be central to that transition.It was also said to be a “difficult decision”. The club stressed that they have been building “a new team and structure here at pace”.’This is down to Ratcliffe’They added: “As we go through that process, we are constantly learning about what the best structure will be to help us to win.”So, the much-sought-after Ashworth, whom the club fought so hard to have released from Toon and paid £3m in compensation for, is now felt not good enough to be part of that ‘structure’.This is down to Ratcliffe, who is already vying with the Glazers as the most unpopular man at the club.If a mutual agreement was done collaboratively, it makes you wonder why Ashworth was at Old Trafford on Saturday. Or had tea cups flown in the directors’ room afterwards?The sheer enormity of the job on everyone’s hands at Old Trafford appears to be proving too much.Not a single boss, chief executive, technical director or whatever has gotten to grips with it.Everyone has an idea of what to do but from the outside it looks like nobody has a clue. And in the meantime a whopping £1.6BILLION has been spent on players post Sir Alex Ferguson.Wilcox is now in charge of recruitment but there is nothing left to recruit anyone with.Spending rules, cost-cutting, payments to departing staff, and a massive wage bill for under-performing stars have all stymied the club.There will be no big signings in January, nor next summer.The club is stuck with this lot and they are simply not good enough.READ MORE SUN STORIESAshworth knows it, everybody knows it. Amorim said there was ‘a storm coming’.It has well and truly hit. More

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      in Soccer

      Wayne Rooney makes shock move to bring in his old Man Utd boss as assistant manager at Plymouth

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      WAYNE ROONEY has hired Mike Phelan as his assistant manager at Plymouth. Pete Shuttleworth left as Rooney’s No2 due to personal reasons – sparking a backroom shake-up at Argyle. Wayne Rooney has hired Mike Phelan as his assistant manager at PlymouthCredit: RexPhelan will reunite with Rooney at PlymouthCredit: GettyThe pair worked together at Old Trafford under Sir Alex FergusonCredit: AFPAnd Rooney made the move to hire Phelan, who worked with the Manchester United legend at Old Trafford under Sir Alex Ferguson. Rooney said: “I am sad to see Pete leave the club. “He is someone I have worked with very closely throughout my managerial career having first met at Derby County and he has also been a close friend.“Pete has some personal matters going on which is where his focus needs to be and we all completely respect that and have mutually decided to part ways.READ MORE IN football “Mike is someone I know well having worked with him when I was a player at Manchester United and he has vast experience at the highest level of football.“I am really pleased to bring him to Argyle and look forward to seeing him get to work immediately.”Phelan spent five seasons at United from 2008-2012 under Fergie, winning the Premier League and Champions League together. He then moved to Norwich and also had a spell at Hull before returning to United in 2018 for another four years. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSPhelan now returns to coaching alongside Rooney, who has been in charge at Plymouth since May. Argyle sit 22nd in the Championship and find themselves in the relegation zone on goal difference only. But they are without a win in four league games, despite drawing 2-2 with Watford at home in their last game. Wayne Rooney sends Coleen sweet video message ahead of I’m A Celeb final as he urges fans to vote More