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    After Richarlison reveals therapy “saved his life”, we speak to the neuroscientist helping team-mate Emerson Royal

    RICHARLISON’S revelation that working with a psychologist “saved his life” underlined how critical talking about personal problems can be for some players.The Brazil and Tottenham star last week claimed he was “at rock bottom” earlier this season when issues away from the pitch – including a split with his long-term agent – took hold.Richarlison spoke about the help therapy gave him while on Brazil dutyCredit: PAEmerson Royal is known for exploring every marginal gain going to aid performanceCredit: RexTherapy, along with surgery on a nagging groin problem, turned things around and now he faces Spain on Tuesday back firing on all cylinders.The 26-year-old is not alone as a player in seeking advice to gain better mental health to be a happier person and a better player on the pitch.Emerson Royal, a team-mate for both club and country, employs neuroscientist Dr Fabiano de Abreu as an advisor.It is part of the marginal-gains approach to the game of the right-back, who Ange Postecoglou has described as one of his top-three trainers at Spurs.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLDr Abreu, a member of the UK’s Royal Society of Biology, told SunSport: “Players may need psychologists more than ordinary people because of the pressure they are under.“Richarlison did the right thing in speaking out. But, in football, managers and clubs are still a long way behind on this topic.“Football today is more challenging than in Pele’s era. It demands more than just dynamic gameplay and skilled players. “The pressure from management, clubs, fans, and social media is immense. The psychological aspect is different now.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“Zico, the greatest idol of Flamengo, once told me, ‘I played for pleasure, for love’. “But what about today? With high stakes and demands, with constant scrutiny? I’m a former Tottenham and England star but I’d much rather see Arsenal win the league than Three Lions win Euro 2024“There’s no more freedom, and it affects the brain. Plus today’s game demands higher performance.”Richarlison spoke of the profound effect his work with his psychologist had on him and his joy at seeing the Brazil national team employ one as a result.Dr Abreu’s neuroscience expertise means he provides more than a sounding board for Royal and his other clients, though therapy does play a part.His work considers a player’s genetics, upbringing and other social factors to get a detailed profile of the individual.A new client will undergo a thorough DNA test, an interview to understand the players’ background and upbringing, a comprehensive blood test and, if possible, a neuroimaging test to understand better, quite literally, how their mind works.The data from all this allows Dr Abreu and his team to work out how best to enhance the athlete’s performance and mental health.That could be through adjustments to their diet, habits such as improved sleep, medication if necessary and therapy.It is all to do with a player’s neurotransmitters – the chemicals in the brain and nervous system that transmit signals between nerve cells, which are pivotal for mood, sleep, appetite, learning and motor functions – and keeping them stable.Dr Abreu added: “Emerson is always open to suggestions for doing what’s best for him. “He’s a very easy person to work with and a good athlete. “It’s not easy to stand out in England, it’s the country where we feel the most pressure on players. But he knows how to deal with it. READ MORE SUN STORIES“There’s no doubt that neuroscience and genetics should be considered more in football. “That is if you want to create ‘machines’ like Cristiano Ronaldo, and I can tell you with certainty that Ronaldo has the same thought and uses it for himself.” More

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    Gareth Southgate overtakes Graham Potter as overwhelming favourite for Man Utd job with England contract talks on hold

    GARETH SOUTHGATE has overtaken Graham Potter as the bookies’ new 2-1 favourite for the Manchester United job.Ex-Chelsea boss Potter had been lined up by Sir Jim Ratcliffe if Erik ten Hag is sacked.England boss Gareth Southgate has emerged as a favourite for the Manchester United jobCredit: GettyMan Utd boss Erik ten Hag has come under fire amid a turbulent campaignCredit: EPASouthgate has overtaken Graham Potter as Ten Hag’s likeliest successorCredit: PABut England manager Southgate last week revealed he will shelve Three Lions contract talks until after Euro 2024.And Ratcliffe, in charge of United’s football operations, said: “If we get the right people in the right boxes, the results will drop out the bottom.”Potter worked closely with United’s incoming sporting director Dan Ashworth at Brighton, while Southgate has worked with him at the FA.Reports suggest Sir Jim has made the 53-year-old his No1 choice to replace under-fire boss Ten Hag at Old Trafford.Read More on Man UtdThis comes amid a turbulent campaign for the Red Devils under the Dutchman.The Manchester giants were eliminated from the Champions League’s group stage before plunging to sixth place in the Premier League.Southgate’s contract runs out in December.And Ratcliffe is said to be confident in prising him over to club football once again following his three-year spell at Middlesbrough, which ended in 2009.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERThat is despite the FA’s desperate attempts to hold onto the Watford tactician.But as things stand, Ratcliffe would have to fork out around £800,000 in compensation for the Three Lions boss’ services.Gareth Southgate drops Kobbie Mainoo Euro 2024 hint as England boss names four players on cusp of breaking into squad The Ineos chief will also need to splash £10million just to sack Ten Hag and his coaching staff.Potter has been without a job since his dismissal as Chelsea boss last April.Southgate could bring some of his England stars if he took over at Man UtdInside Ratcliffe’s Man Utd plansEverything you need to know as Sir Jim Ratcliffe takes charge at Manchester United… More

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    Premier League cult hero lands first job as manager with national team that has never played a match

    A PREMIER League cult hero has landed a national team job.The only catch being that the team was founded last year and is yet to play a match.Dave KItson has agreed to take charge of NauruCredit: Arfa Griffiths – The SunHe’s best known for his spell at ReadingCredit: GettyFormer Reading star Dave Kitson is the man who has landed the Nauru national team job.Nauru, for the uninitiated, is a small island off the coast of Australia.It’s the third smallest state in the world, classed as a “micro nation” and larger only than the Vatican and Monaco.It’s just 8.1 square miles in total and has a population of 10,800 people.For comparison, that’s smaller than the London Borough of Camden which has a total area of 8.4 square miles and a population of 262,000 people.Hardly the ideal pool to scout talent, so Kitson will have his work cut out when it comes to fielding a decent team.The former striker played for the likes of Stoke, Cambridge and Sheffield United but his most notable spell came at Reading.Kitson, 44, scored 62 goals and registered eight assists in 159 games for the Royals.Most read in FootballNauru is just 8.1 square milesCredit: PA:Press AssociationNauru is to the north east of Australia, way past Papua New GuineaCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVALSince retiring he has gone on to start his own football academy which aims to help kids find places in professional academies.But he has now taken his talents to international management.Young stars set to shine at Euro 2024Nauru Director of International Development Gareth Johnson said the move has been in the works for some time.The Football in Oceania website reported Johnson as saying: “I first came into contact with Dave during 2020 through our mutual interest in travel when we began discussing a few projects, one of them being Nauru. “As things have quickly progressed I am now happy to be in a position to offer him the management role,”He genuinely cares about the project. One of the reasons for such a high profile appointment is to help the game, not just in Nauru, but the whole region.”Nauru are not currently members of FIFA, but hope to play their first international friendly against American Samoa soon.Kitson will manage alongside Brit Charlie Pomroy, who has previously coached the Cambodian national team and specialises in the coaching of smaller nations. More

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    Man Utd legend Dwight Yorke offers himself for vacant EFL manager’s job and says ‘I’ve handed my CV in’

    DWIGHT YORKE has revealed that he has applied for the vacant Sunderland job.Yorke played for the Black Cats during the twilight of his career, signing for them when he was 35 in 2006.Dwight Yorke has applied for the Sunderland jobCredit: GettyThe former forward had been playing in Australia at the time and only signed after a phone call from then Sunderland manager Roy Keane.On concincing Yorke to sign for Sunderland, Keane said: “Towards the end of his career, Yorke had the reputation as a bit of a party animal but I knew Yorke loved the game.”He was over in Sydney and obviously he was their franchise player. I remember ringing him from the training ground – I’m not sure on the time difference but I rang him and it was pretty bleak.”I rang him, I said ‘Yorkey do you fancy coming to Sunderland?’ He said ‘Are you serious?’ and I said yeah.READ MORE ON FOOTBALL”He had a penthouse on Sydney Harbour but I said that would always be there, you can always go back to that.”I said we’ve got a big challenge here but I knew deep down he loved the game and I knew he fancied the challenge.”After swapping Sydney for Sunderland, Yorke spent three years with the Black Cats, and he told Ladbrokes Fanzone it left a special mark on him.Yorke said: “I’ve always kept my eye on Sunderland, simply because I had a successful time there. Even though I was at the end of my career, getting them promoted and playing a part in things, it was probably one of my greatest achievements, in the sense that my role as a player had changed.Most read in FootballCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL “I was surprised at how big a club it was when I got there, but the fanbase is terrific. It’s a great stadium, it’s a great set-up and I can only assume things have improved further over the last few years in terms of the facilities.”He also confirmed in the interview that he has handed his CV in to the club, with the hotseat being vacant since Michael Beale was sacked.’I have a real sneaky feeling,’ says smiling Man Utd legend as he tips Klopp for stunning Liverpool return in two years”It’s a club that I’ve actually handed my CV into recently, if I’m honest, because I want the job. I know enough of Sunderland; I lived in the area for nearly three years, and so I understand the culture up there, and what the supporters want and expect from that team.”It’s very difficult to assess what’s going on behind the scenes when you’re not in it. You can only assume things, and that can sometimes be a dangerous thought process. “The important thing would be to go in there and stabilise things. Most importantly, I’m a football fan through and through, and so the football aspect is my biggest concern. “You’ve got to get the players to buy into whatever you’re doing, you don’t know what the relationship is like between board and management, and exactly what is going on.”But, watching from the outside, you can only look at what’s going on on the pitch, and they’re underachieving, in my opinion. Yorke said he enjoyed his time at Sunderland and would like to live there againCredit: AFP”They should be far closer to the play-off spots, if not threatening the automatic spots.”That should be the expectation at a club like Sunderland. You know you’ve got a terrific fanbase and a fantastic stadium and that Sunderland is – or should be – a very difficult place to go and get a result if you’re the opposition. READ MORE SUN STORIES”There’s a strong base to build from, and a club with a good record of winning promotion. “Sunderland are currently 12th in the Championship, 11 points off Norwich in sixth. More

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    I had to give up digging holes in roads around Kent to secure stunning first-round KO on Joshua vs Ngannou undercard

    LOUIS GREENE went from digging holes and fitting water pipes to knocking out a highly-touted prospect on the Anthony Joshua undercard in Saudi Arabia.The 31-year-old locked horns with undefeated Liverpudlian Jack McGann in the preliminary fights on the mega-money Joshua vs Ngannou card.Louis Greene knocked out Jack McGann on the Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou undercardCredit: GETTYGreene was digging holes in Kent roads just weeks before the biggest win of his careerCredit: GETTYGreene entered the contest as a huge underdog, with many seeing him as a lamb to the slaughter.But he bagged the biggest win of his career with a vicious right hook in the first round that left McGann out for the count.Dad of two Greene was overcome with emotion after the fight and revealed he quit his day job in a bid to make one last run at rising up the super-welterweight ranks.’The Medway Mauler’ said: “I gave up work for this. READ MORE IN BOXING”I jumped from job to job that fit around [my training], provided for my kids, and being able to fight for a living.”For this one, I gave up work completely to come here and put on a show.”I knew I was going to do it. I was confident all week.”I’m not a betting man, my brother just won a couple of grand on me because he bet this round.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSANTHONY JOSHUA VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER BOUT”I was digging holes, fitting water mains with my pal George, who is sitting there, in the slum we live in.”Greene was quick to pay a heartfelt tribute to his dad, who he credits for saving him from a stint behind bars.Louis Greene SHOCKS boxing world with first round TKO win over Jack McGannHe added: “Me and my dad come from nothing,” he said. “Absolutely nothing!”Just a working class background and I was a bad kid. I was on my way to prison and my dad saved me, stuck by me, and my dad is a Postman.”My dad is here with me now sharing all of this.”I can’t even put into words how it feels.”I had a son when I was 16 years old and I feel like I owe my life to him.”Greene plans to celebrate with a good old-fashioned boozy knees-up when he gets back to the UK.He said: “It’s going to be rammed with the beers when I get back, boys.” More

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    Francis Ngannou’s anticipated MMA return date REVEALED ahead of massive Anthony Joshua boxing fight

    FRANCIS NGANNOU is set to return to the cage THIS YEAR – depending on how his mega-money business in the boxing ring plays out. The ex-UFC champion last year put his cage career on hold to cross over to the boxing ring. Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou ahead of their boxing boutCredit: GettyBut he did so after signing for UFC’s rivals the Professional Fighters League, who gave Ngannou the green light to box. The Cameroonian takes on Anthony Joshua tomorrow night in Saudi Arabia just five months after making his ring debut against Tyson Fury. And while training in Riyadh, he watched from ringside as Renan Ferreira knocked out Ryan Bader. It earned Ferreira the right to welcome back Ngannou to the cage with the PFL once he is done with British superstar AJ. PFL founder Donn Davis told SunSport: “Francis is our partner, we always work with his schedule. “He wants to become the Bo Jackson of combat sports; champion in boxing, champion in MMA, so we’ll work with his schedule. “It could go earlier or it could go later but he will face “La Problema” – who destroyed Bader who is a savvy Bellator veteran. “Destroyed him in 21 seconds and he was really out in eight. That’s the next fight for Francis whether it’s in the summer or whether it’s the end of the year.Most read in BoxingANTHONY JOSHUA VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE CROSSOVER BOUTCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”We’ll work with that boxing schedule with whatever happens 48 hours from now when he probably knocks out Joshua.” Ngannou, 37, dropped Fury, 35, on his boxing debut but suffered a controversial split-decision loss. Did you spot the subtle change Francis Ngannou made to taunt Anthony Joshua during intense face-off?Fury now faces Oleksandr Usyk, 37, for the undisputed crown on May 18 having pulled out of their initial February 17 date with a cut. The winner between Joshua, 34, and Ngannou, 37, have been promised a shot at the unified champ. But whatever the results in the ring, Ngannou WILL be back in the cage within the next year. Davis added: “If not this year, two months after. We’ll call it Feburary 2025. “In the next 12 months, 100 per cent Francis is a PFL cage fighting Ferreira.”PFL owner Donn Davis with Francis Ngannou More

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    Charity football match pits MPs against retired pro to highlight Women’s Aid’s work stamping out domestic violence

    A CHARITY football match pitted MPs against a retired pro to highlight Women’s Aid’s incredible work in stamping out domestic violence.The organisation picked a squad of talent from the Professional Footballers Association, Fulham FC – and The Sun newsroom – to take on the Parliamentary team.Jonathan Gullis MP grapples with the Women’s Aid team’s star striker Bas SavageCredit: Paul EdwardsStephen Kinnock MP was also involved in the game at Fulham’s training groundCredit: Paul EdwardsThe Women’s Aid team defend a free-kick next to Robin Millar MPCredit: Paul EdwardsThe match was for the Women’s Aid campaign Football United Against Domestic AbuseCredit: Paul EdwardsBas Savage, who earnt cult hero status at Brighton & Hove Albion for his mesmerising moonwalk celebration before working for the PFA, was crowned man of the match.His five goals helped the Women’s Aid team to a resounding 6-2 victory in the Football United Against Domestic Abuse friendly at The Cottagers’ training ground in New Malden, south west London.Stephen Kinnock, Robin Millar, Jonathan Gullis, Karl McCartney, Ben Bradley and Justin Madders were among the MPs playing on Tuesday – alongside Lord Graham Evans.The Sun was represented by deputy editor-in-chief James Slack, editorial legal counsel Oliver Doherty, former news editor Brandon Malinsky, news reporter Andy Robinson and sport reporters Joshua Jones and Henry Tomlinson.Women’s AidThey were joined for the 8.30am kick-off by Fulham staff, including club CEO Alistair Mackintosh and others who work with the Premier League team’s foundation.Teresa Parker, who developed the Football United Against Domestic Abuse campaign for Women’s Aid, said: “Everyone has a role to play in raising lifesaving awareness of domestic abuse, both men and women, and we know that football can be a powerful force for good.“Today showed exactly that, and at Women’s Aid we’d like to thank the men’s Parliamentary Football Team for playing the Women’s Aid team at Fulham FC, as well as our incredible players from The Sun, The Professional Footballers’ Association and from the Fulham FC staff team, who led us to a 6-2 win against the parliamentarians.“Starting important conversations about domestic abuse means that survivors know that help is out there, and there are people who will understand and believe them.”Most read in FootballThe Women’s Aid side won 6-2 against the Parliamentary teamCredit: Paul EdwardsThe Women’s Aid team consisted of players from the PFA, Fulham FC and The SunCredit: Paul EdwardsThe Parliamentary team included six MPs and a LordCredit: Paul Edwards More

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    Chelsea set for major coaching shake-up with new special role despite Mauricio Pochettino insisting they don’t need it

    CHELSEA are set to sign set-piece specialists despite manager Mauricio Pochettino dismissing their importance.The Blues have lagged this season under Pochettino as they are 11th in the Premier League and lost the Carabao Cup final to Jurgen Klopp’s young Liverpool side – despite splashing £1billion in two years.Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly is set to sign set-piece specialistsCredit: GettyChelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino insisted there is no need for set-piece specialistsCredit: RexThe West Londoners are also struggling in set-pieces as Pochettino’s men have only scored six times from set plays this term, while other teams are already in double figures.According to The Telegraph, Chelsea’s co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali have already sounded out candidates to work within the new department.The set-piece department will operate across the entire club, rather than focusing solely on the senior team.However, there is no indications as to how closely those coaches would work with Pochettino and his staff.Read More on ChelseaThe Argentine tactician insisted he doesn’t need that kind of help by declaring “football belongs to the players, not to the specialists”.Pochettino said last month: “We work a lot on set-pieces. We have specialists. “We are a coaching staff in charge of everything. We have a group of analysts for set-pieces. “After that, it is about the quality of the player. It is about the takers. We don’t have a specialist. Maybe Chilly [Ben Chilwell] is good in the delivery, but we don’t have a specialist after that.Most read in Football“When you have good takers, and of course, Wolves have good takers, and like Manchester City have or other clubs. “It is not down to the work. We work similarly. But the problem is to have good takers.”Jade Lebeouf’s most liked Instagram postsThis turn of events raises questions as to how much influence Pochettino currently has at Chelsea.When asked about Conor Gallagher’s contract, which runs out in 2025, the ex-Tottenham boss suggested this is between the club and the player as he has to stay “in his place”.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSPochettino said on Friday: “It’s only between the club and Conor that can make the deal. I am the coach that needs to be in my place. I cannot say nothing.”Asked why he would not comment, the ex-Southampton boss said: “Because there is nothing to win for me. What am I going to say? I am the head coach. “My job is to coach the team and to pick the decisions for tomorrow [against Brentford], for the starting 11 and squad, and try to improve the players and try to win games. That is my job.“We have a very good relationship with the owners and sporting directors. “My office is always open and we have a very good relationship and dialogue. We are open to help in the way they think or believe we can help.” More