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    Gary Neville gets shock new job for upcoming Premier League season leaving fans stunned

    GARY NEVILLE has landed a surprise new job – leaving fans shocked and divided for the new Premier League season.The England and Manchester United legend already stirs up mixed opinions with his punditry for Sky Sports.Gary Neville’s new role has divided opinionCredit: GettyAmerican keeper Tim Howard, who played for United as well as against them for Everton, will work with Neville off the field this seasonCredit: Mark Robinson – The SunNow he’s been unveiled for a top role covering the English top-flight in the USA.NBC heralded their capture of the 49-year-old as a major coup.The broadcaster even announced a unique title for the ex-defender.They proclaimed: “NBC Sports is proud to welcome Gary Neville to the team as a special contributor throughout the 2024/25 season!”READ MORE TOP STORIESNBC say Nev will boost their studio coverage every Sunday – but will start work with  Friday’s Prem opener at Old Trafford between his old club United and Fulham.And if supporters finish up as animated by the season as they are starting it over Nev’s appointment, then we are in for a fantastic feast of drama!One fan spearheaded the doubters over his arrival with this message: “Oh well, I’ll be muting commentary this season.”Another joked: “How did you get the Mayor of Manchester to do the crossover?”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSLess subtle shots were also fired towards NBC’s pick.”Yikes,” said one observer, while another claimed: “This is the change we did not want.”Gary Neville predicts Man Utd will use unusual lineup that saw Juventus dominate Serie AOther disapproving verdicts included: “Pass”… “Boooooooo”… and “Wtf”.One supporter reckons two ex-US players would be better choices.He wrote: “I would take that Alexi Lalas guy over Gary. I’d even take Eric Wynalda. Pls man, not Gary.”However, Neville also had his backers – one fan hailing him as a “huge get”. A second enthusiast posted: “Truly love this. It’s what we need. More of everyone working for both NBC Sports and Sky Sports.”We pretty much use their stuff – why not also have the pundits too. Most of us know (Jamie) Carragher via CBS UEFA Championship League coverage. “Other votes for Nev were more succinct, such as: “GOOD”… “Yesss”…. and “NBC needed this!”  Meanwhile, the broadcaster confirmed their studio team for this weekend.Experienced ex-BBC presenter Rebecca Lowe and one-time Man Utd goalkeeper Tim Howard will line up alongside former top-flight aces Robbie Earle and Robbie Mustoe.NBC described Neville’s role as “in collaboration with Sky Sports”.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd they boasted of some record-breaking figures last season .That included an average audience of nearly 3million viewers in English and Spanish for “Championship Sunday” – the final day of the campaign.Changes to the Premier League for 2024/25NOTHING stays the same forever.And that includes the Premier League, which is making a number of tweaks this season.Team news will now be released 75 MINUTES before kick-off, 15 minutes earlier than had been the case before.Things could get crowded on the touchline, with the number of substitutes permitted to warm-up boosted from three players per team to FIVE.There’s also a change to how added time is calculated when a team scores a goal, an update to the ‘multiball’ system and the introduction of semi-automated offsides – but not straight away.Go here to read about all the changes to the Premier League for 2024/25. More

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    Sven-Göran Eriksson gave me blank cheque after romp but I never cashed it even when he left me high & dry, says Ulrika

    WHEN I look at Sven-Goran Eriksson now, I see a much diminished man. A man reduced by terminal illness, but also a man who, by his own admission, has had a good life.As The Sun told yesterday, he talks about his private life on his Amazon Prime film Sven, including his affair with me.Ulrika Jonsson opens up on her time with Sven-Göran ErikssonCredit: Scope FeaturesUlrika says: ‘I was single at the time and he confided that he wanted to end his relationship with Nancy Dell’Olio because it was sapping him of energy’Credit: Rex FeaturesAfter a night together, Sven popped a blank check in Ulrika’s pocket when she was not lookingWe first met in 2002, when I asked him for his autograph at a party held by Alastair Campbell, Tony Blair’s spin doctor.He replied to me in our native language, Swedish, asking for my telephone number so he could call me. I was single at the time and 34. He was 54 and confided that he wanted to end his relationship with Nancy Dell’Olio because it was sapping him of energy.He then proceeded to call me every day when he went on holiday with Nancy, telling me I was beautiful and how much he wanted to see me.READ MORE ON SVENWhen he returned, the day after his 54th birthday, he visited me and we slept together.This was no great passionate affair. It was devoid of passion. He had all this power and money, yet he was the weakest man I have ever met.During our dalliance he was heading to his place in Portugal for the night between England games and asked me to join him.He said I should book myself on his flight and he would reimburse me. I said no way, I pay my own way — I’ve never taken money from a man.Most read in Football‘Pawns in a game’It was a point of principle.We met in the Club Lounge at Heathrow, pretending we had just met, and sat next to each other on the flight, almost giggling all the way.Legendary ex-England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson kept terminal pancreas cancer secret for a year to enjoy time with familyThen we spent the night at his place, where his housekeepers cooked us a meal.The following morning we left for the airport together and, in the car, he put a blank cheque from Coutts in my pocket when I wasn’t looking.He presented me with a blank cheque which he put in my pocket when I wasn’t lookingI keep it for posterity. But it might have been nice to fill it out at some point for all the hassle he brought me!When news of our affair broke, he didn’t confirm what went on between us. This meant I was left high and dry, even to the point that people believed I had made it up to get Press attention.That really angered me.I was an independent, working woman who did not voluntarily need to create a drama around my life for attention.He says in his documentary that he didn’t commit a crime, and he’s right about that.But he did do wrong.And he simply didn’t really care about much of life.As far as I could tell, he cared only about three things: His two children, who he adored. And football.Even when we were in Portugal, I asked him about his ex, the mother of his children.He said he had moved the wedding day in fav- our of a football match and she wasn’t happy.And I wondered if he was romantic and asked him how he proposed.I was surprised when he confided that she had proposed to him, which confirmed to me that I don’t think he had a romantic bone in his body. I know people didn’t understand why we were seeing each other, as it was an odd connection.Initially it was the Swedish thing that united us — and football.We talked about football a lot. But he was chivalrous and, in his heart, he was a kind man.He brought a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Champagne — without fail — every time he came to my house.No ‘words of affection’For me, he showed me kindness and I’d just been going through the most horrendous time with being abandoned by my sick daughter’s biological father and worrying if she was going to get through her operations.When someone shows you kindness, it grabs your attention. In the film, he says he does have feelings, but he doesn’t show them. I think that’s honest and true. We never exchanged words of affection — it wasn’t that kind of set-up.I just saw him when he could get away from Nancy or was on the way to football games.She should be grateful for me raising her profile, she made a career out of ‘refusing to accept that she had been cheated on’Ulrika on Nancy Dell’OlioNancy admits in the film that she only stuck with him because she could get something out of it, which strongly suggests that she only really was with him because of the fame and the glory.She should be grateful for me raising her profile. She seemingly made a career out of “refusing to accept that she had been cheated on”.Before news of the affair between me and Sven broke, she was just the Italian girlfriend of the England manager. When it hit the headlines Nancy was suddenly famous. And she used that to her advantage. She’d have never been on Strictly Come Dancing if it wasn’t for me.Sven told me she was very fiery — it was a volatile relationship and I felt it was clear that he didn’t really, truly care about her.But he never promised me he would leave her, because I never asked him to.I sensed he feared her. And he confirms that in the film.He says he was afraid (of leaving her). He admitted to me that she “loved” the attention she was getting from the media, so it’s little wonder if she didn’t want to give that up.And obviously, apart from women attacking each other, there is the problem that misogyny is still verymuch alive and kicking in the world of football. Women continue to be viewed as pawns in a game of utmost importance, ruled over by men who show little but disdain for the opposite sex.I’ve never in my life fought over a man. I know Nancy was clinging to Sven, but she really needn’t have worried.She threw insults at me because she didn’t believe the brief affair was true. Surely her beef should have been with him?In the film, Sven’s son says how his dad doesn’t stress about things, and that was my experience, too.He never got concerned about things and said to me, “Why worry about something which might not happen?”.’Thinker perhaps more than a doer’He’s bright and studied philosophy, which is probably what brought a new and different approach to being England boss.Many didn’t like that he wasn’t demonstrably expressive, but that was just the way he was.Nancy says in the film that Sven is a narcissist, but I think that might be unfair. I just think he’s a very simple-minded person. And by that I mean he only puts energy into the things that are important to him. He’s pragmatic. Not a practical man, however.He proudly showed me his hands and said “these have never done a day’s hard work”.Sven is right, of course, about his outlook on life now. Life is short and I believe he has certainly made the most of itSven is certainly a thinker, perhaps more than a doer.I extracted myself from the situation when he clearly wasn’t going to ’fess up and carried on going out publicly with Nancy.I certainly didn’t become a Princess Di character, where there were “three of us” in that relationship.For a while he kept phoning me to speak to me or ask me to see him. He even got his agent to phone my agent to ask if I would wait for him after the World Cup. I declined.Sven is right, of course, about his outlook on life now.Life is short and I believe he has certainly made the most of it.He has led a life according to his own wills and desires.I’m sure he has regrets over some of his actions, but what good are regrets when the clock is ticking?We can but do our best.I bear him no ill will.READ MORE SUN STORIESI hope he squeezes the best out of whatever life he has left and that, on reflection, he realises that to err is to be human.He didn’t get it all right. But then, who does?Ulrika also says of Sven: ‘He had all this power and money yet he was the weakest man I have ever met’Credit: News Group Newspapers LtdThe ex-England boss has been diagnosed with terminal cancerCredit: Getty More

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    Sex is one of the good things in life… I was stupid but did nothing criminal, says Sven Goran Eriksson on his affairs

    TERMINALLY ill former England football manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has revealed all about his astonishing sex life in a documentary.The 76-year-old Swede tells Amazon Prime show Sven how he cheated on his long-time partner Nancy Dell’Ollio with Ulrika Jonsson and FA secretary Faria Alam.Ex-England football boss Sven-Goran Eriksson with his ex-lover Italian lawyer Nancy Dell’OllioCredit: Rex FeaturesSven had a fling with Swede Ulrika Jonsson while he was with NancyCredit: GettySven also cheated on long-time partner Nancy with FA secretary Faria Alam, aboveCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdBut he tells the programme that he did not commit any crimes and that “sex is one of the good things in life for all of us”. In the 107-minute documentary, Faria, now 58, reveals how the then-England manager told her to cash in on their 2004 affair.She says: “The Noughties were just that, they were naughty.“You could do so many things. I’ll be honest, I was a beautiful girl and I attracted a lot of attention.READ MORE ON SVEN“He said, ‘Tell your story, go and tell them everything. Make some money, why not?’.”Last year Amazon Prime cameras had access to Sven and his family as he battled pancreatic cancer at his home in Sweden.But at the start of this year Sven revealed that he had “probably less than a year to live”.As well as discussing how he feels facing death, England’s first foreign manager also talks candidly about the women in his life.Most read in FootballShe loved it. The tension. It was not peace in my house always.Sven on NancyItalian lawyer Nancy, 62, who spent nine years with Sven, admits that she nearly left him after his fling with fellow Swede Ulrika.But her lawyer advised her to give him another chance.Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson reveals that he is dying of pancreatic cancer and ‘has at best a year to live’In the documentary, Sven also admits that life could be interesting with fiery Nancy.He said: “She loved it. The tension. She was a lady from the upper classes in Rome. She liked to go out with important people.“In the beginning I didn’t react very much. But you don’t change people at a certain age. It was not peace in my house always.”’First lady of English football’ Nancy adds: “The first impression that I had about Sven, people in power always have extra, extra sex appeal. I felt in love.“It wasn’t something that I was looking for. I was married and I left my husband to start my journey with Sven.“We were Sven and Nancy since the first date.“I was the first lady of English football and there was never going to be another one after me.”But when news broke in April 2002 of Sven’s affair with Ulrika, Nancy was humiliated.Sven, who was England manager from 2001 to 2006, tells how he received a phone call from football agent Athole Still advising him not to let Nancy read the newspapers.He recalls telling Still: “It’s too late, there are 100 photographers outside already.”Sven adds: “Sex is one of the good things in life for all of us. She was not married. I was not married.“Probably I was stupid but I think I didn’t do anything criminal. I didn’t really disturb anyone.”She was not married, I was not married. I didn’t really disturb anyone.Sven on UlrikaBut he admits being fearful that Nancy would leave him.He says: “I could see in front of me, if I break up, it would be ‘pouf’. I was a little bit afraid but anyhow it became what it became.”Nancy confesses: “The stupidity of Sven. After Sven’s first scandal, I wanted to leave him.“I couldn’t want to admit to myself that there was a possibility that I made a mistake. That I left everything for him. My lawyers said give him another chance but think what you can get from this.”Sven also reveals that after he was appointed England coach he took tea at No 10 with Tony Blair who said: “Shall we take a bet? Who keeps the job longest, you or me? We have two impossible jobs.”’Don’t be sorry. Smile’Sven quit after the 2006 World Cup Blair resigned as PM in 2007.In the documentary, which streams next week, David Beckham and Wayne Rooney also pay tribute to their former boss. Becks says: “I loved him from day one. He made me captain. The confidence he had in me was so important.“The way he protected the players, the way he treated the players, it was a breath of fresh air.”I felt very sorry for her. She lost the job and two members of FA lost jobSven on FariaToday Sven lives with his partner Yaniseth Alcides, a former dancer, he met while coaching in Mexico.She tells the documentary: “I try to be calm for him because he is making a great effort. This year we turned 15 together. And I have hope that we will be together for many more years. I will not lose that hope.”They live in Sven’s rambling house overlooking Fryken lake near Sunne, in Värmland, where the bus driver’s son grew up and where he began his football career for local club Torsby.Sven says: “It’s a beautiful place. It makes me calm, below the mountain where my father grew up.Sven pictured in the Prime documentary Prime Video which airs in the UK, Ireland and Nordics on August 23Credit: Amazon PrimeDavid Beckham pays tribute to Sven in the documentary, saying: ‘I loved him from day one. He made me captain. The confidence he had in me was so important’Credit: Action Images“The ashes could be thrown into the water here.”Sven’s cancer was spotted after he collapsed at his home and, despite treatment it is terminal. He says: “Whoever it was said ‘life is too short’ is right.“I had a good life, maybe too good. You have to pay for it. I think we all are scared of the day when it’s finished, when you die.“You have to learn to accept it for what it is.“Hopefully, at the end people will say, ‘Yeah, he was a good man’. But everyone will not say that. I hope you will remember me as a positive guy and trying to do everything he could do. Don’t be sorry. Smile.”READ MORE SUN STORIES SVEN is on Prime Video in the UK, Ireland and Nordics on August 23.WOOED BY YOGA TALKFARIA Alam has revealed that she fell for Sven-Goran Eriksson because he had charmed her by talking about art, poetry and yoga.She had a fling with the Swede after joining the FA as a secretary in 2003.Speaking about it in the Amazon Prime documentary Sven, Faria, now 58, said: “He didn’t have the mindset of a super-rich man. He talked to me about poetry, he talked to me about art.“He was saying how he did yoga and things like that.“And I just fell in love with him, I guess. And that lit the fuse for all this to explode.” But the lovers were found out. At first, the FA denied it but emails not only proved it but confirmed that she also had a relationship with the FA chief Mark Palios.Sven, 76, says: “I felt very sorry for her. She lost the job and two members of the FA lost the job.”Faria signed two deals to sell her story for £300,000 after she had resigned — on the advice of Sven.But she was hurt by being portrayed as a “disgusting gold digger person”. She says on the show: “I’m the person that’s the bad person, and I was the scapegoat for them to be relieved of any responsibility.” More

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    Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane reveals shock plan to QUIT as Man Utd legend blames ‘hassle of fans’ after headbutt row

    ROY KEANE is planning to quit punditry.The Manchester United legend was headbutted by an Arsenal fan at the Emirates last year.Roy Keane has opened up on his futureCredit: GettyAn Arsenal fan was banned from football for three years over a confrontationCredit: Tristan Kirk/ Evening StandardAnd he says the “hassle” means he is planning to call it a day within the next 10 years.On his 53rd birthday, Keane was asked Sky Bet’s Stick to Football podcast: “Hopefully, I’ll be out of this rat race in about 12 months.”A nice house somewhere, a bit of land, a few animals.”Jamie Carragher asked if he would still be a pundit in a decade.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”Absolutely f***ing not,” Keane responded.”You must be joking. I’ll struggle for the next 10 months doing this.”I don’t think I’ll be doing punditry in 10 years’ time.”I love football but the hassle of matches, getting to games and the hassle of fans – I was in court a few months ago with somebody headbutting me – do you think I enjoy that side of it? Absolutely not.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”The games are fine. Getting to the games, parking up, people shouting your name – good stuff, bad stuff – it’s a nuisance.”Sky Sports and ITV star Keane made his punditry debut in 2011 and has been a regular on screens since.Fans in hysterics as video from Community Shield shows the difference between greeting Roy Keane and Ian WrightThe Old Trafford icon revealed last month that new United chief Dan Ashworth once rejected him for a job.The former United captain has not worked as a manager since leaving Ipswich in 2011.He has been linked to several roles since including a return to Sunderland, who he guided to the Premier League before stepping down.Keane, 52, revealed he once interviewed for the West Brom job with Ashworth, who spent time at the Baggies when they were a Premier League team between 2007-12.Roy Keane’s angriest momentsWhat really ticks off Roy Keane?The Irishman is known for his no-nonsense approach to football.And some particular things really do get on Keane’s wick.It all makes for great entertainment for fans, who love the Man United legend’s take on the beautiful game.But is Keane being a bit too sensitive himself?From smiling players to ABBA, nothing is sacred.And we all know about his dislike for a prawn sarnie…Here are the things that really make Roy Keane angry.However he was turned down by the man who became United’s sporting director earlier this month.Keane joked as he spoke about Ashworth’s arrival at Old Trafford on the Stick to Football podcast.He said: “I don’t know if he’s that clever because he interviewed me for a job a few years ago and didn’t give it to me. It was the West Brom job.READ MORE SUN STORIES“The interview was good, just a bit of chit chat about football and my plans. It’s always strange for any manager, what is a good or bad interview? It’s hard to gauge.“Sometimes you get a feeling for somebody, and you respect who they go with. I sat with him, and it wasn’t meant to be obviously.” More

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    Lee Carsley to be named England interim manager with Three Lions legend set to be part of his coaching staff

    LEE CARSLEY is set to be named England interim manager for next month’s Nations League games.The Under-21s boss is on the shortlist to replace Gareth Southgate and will be in charge against Republic of Ireland on September 7 and Finland at Wembley three days later.Lee Carsley will step up to take charge of the England senior team, with coach Ashley Cole also making the jump to assist himCredit: GettyGraham Potter is the bookies’ favourite with Carsley for the permanent roleCredit: PAEddie Howe is also still rated a serious contender for the long-term positionCredit: GettyEx-England left-back Ashley Cole will be part of his coaching staff.Carsley, 50, led the U21s to European Championship glory last year.He will follow in the footsteps of Southgate, Howard Wilkinson and Stuart Pearce by managing both junior and senior teams.Southgate quit two days after England’s  Euros 2024 final loss to Spain.READ MORE TOP STORIESHe resigned after an eight-year reign which encompassed two European Championship finals and a World Cup semi-final in 2018.Newcastle chief Eddie Howe and fellow Englishman Graham Potter are contenders for the permanent job, along with German ex-Chelsea chief Thomas Tuchel.Last month we revaled that Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna has emerged as another candidate after back-to-back promotions at Portman Road.FA technical director John McDermott is drawing up the shortlist to replace Southgate.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAnd he worked with Northern Irishman McKennam 38 when he was a youth coach at Tottenham.McDermott was Spurs’ head of coaching and development and he is a huge fan of what McKenna has achievedIt’s understood FA chiefs have an “open mind” on whether the next boss should be English.Apart from Tuchel, that could boost the chances of another ex-Stamford Bridge chief in Argentinian Mauricio Pochettino.Thomas Tuchel is currently regarded as the most likely option if the FA appoint a non-Englishman for the Three Lions’ jobCredit: GettyNext permanent England manager LATEST odds from William Hill on who will replace Gareth SouthgateLee Carsley – 6/4Graham Potter – 9/4Eddie Howe – 9/2Mauricio Pochettino – 10/1Pep Guardiola – 10/1Jurgen Klopp – 10/1Frank Lampard – 16/1Lionesses’ manager Sarina Wiegmann has also been mentioned, having won the Uefa Women’s Championship in 2022 five year after doing the same with her native Netherlands.Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola were also talked of at one stage, albeit somewhat fancifully.Former Liverpool boss Klopp recently ruled himself out of the running.Speaking at the end of July, Klopp said: “At the moment, there is nothing at all in terms of jobs. No club, no country.”A few people must not have heard this part.”England legend Frank Lampard, 46, who bossed Chelsea and Everton, could be an outside candidate.Gareth Southgate quit after a second successive loss in a Euros finalCredit: EPAManchester City’s Phil Foden shuns posh holiday for £100 tent at a £14-a-day fishing lake in the CotswoldsHowever, Carsley’s impending interim appointment has helped him overtake Potter as the bookies’ favourite to land the job permanently.Meanwhile, Southgate has been spotted enjoying time off with his family in the Algarve.Carsley is set to become England’s interim manager, just like Southgate did in 2016 following Sam Allardyce’s infamous resignation.As a coach, Carsley has worked with Coventry City, Brentford, Manchester City, Birmingham and England U21s – winning the Euros in 2023.Seven players who could excel under Lee CarsleyLEE Carsley led England Under-21s to winning the Euros in 2023, their first title in the competition since 1984.And he is likely to prefer some young players when he takes charge of the national team against the Republic of Ireland on September 7 and Finland at Wembley three days later.Here are seven youngsters  he could turn to.Cole PalmerChelsea star Palmer was one of the stars of that Under-21 campaign, and showed he is ready for the next level at the Euros in Germany, scoring in the final against Spain. Anthony GordonThe second member of that Under-21 squad to step up for Euro 2024, Gordon’s versatility could work to his benefit.Curtis JonesJones of Liverpool narrowly missed out on a Euro 2024 call-up. He was part of Southgate’s provisional squad, only to then be cut when 33 became 26.Harvey ElliottLiverpool’s Elliott is another who could be knocking on the door with a strong start. The former Fulham man has made an impact in central midfield or in a more advanced role.Jarrad BranthwaiteEverton ace Branthwaite was in England’s provisional Euros squad but was unlucky not to make the final 26 after Harry Maguire was ruled out through injury.Levi ColwillChelsea star Colwill is a left-footed centre-back who has looked comfortable against tough opponents.Jacob RamseyThe Aston Villa man could stake claim for a place, having played for Carsley at Under-21 level.During his playing career, Carsley was at Derby, Blackburn, Coventry, Everton and Birmingham.He retired with Coventry but made his name as a talented midfielder during his six seasons with Everton.He also won 40 caps for the Republic of Ireland before retiring in 2011.Carsley joined the England youth setup as a specialist coach in 2015, before being appointed head coach of England U20 in 2020 .He was then promoted to England U21 in 2021 and lead them to victory in the European Championship in 2023, their first title in the competition since 1984.Lee Carsley will boss England twice in SeptemberCredit: GettySouthgate vs Tuchel records comparedHere’s how outgoing Gareth Southgate measures up to the top foreign candidate to succeed him – Thomas Tuchel.THOMAS 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-PresentP102 W61 D24 L17 Win percentage: 59.8%The Football Association has not commented on any potential candidates or plans for next month’s matches.READ MORE SUN STORIESIn a statement last month, chief executive Mark Bullingham said: “Our UEFA Nations League campaign starts in September and we have an interim solution in place if it is needed.”Harry Redknapp: Lampard or Gerrard should be next England managerI’VE a message for all those who reckon the search for England’s next manager is a two-horse race — you’re bang on!And while we’re at it, here’s another… I bet very few of you have narrowed it down to the same couple of candidates as me.If the odds are spot-on, finding Gareth Southgate’s replacement is a toss-up between Eddie Howe and Graham Potter.Well in my book it’s a straight head-to-head, too. But I’m even more convinced that the men I see as obvious front-runners will be lucky to even get an interview.I doubt there are many who’d agree with me either, when I say the FA should look no further than Steven Gerrard or Frank Lampard for the next Three Lions boss.Either of them could do the job standing on their head, yet probably neither will get so much as a phone call.Mind you, plenty of people will insist there’s no reason why they should because they’ve already written off both as failures.Forgetting that Frank reached an FA Cup final and finished fourth in his first spell at Chelsea.Or the fact that Everton were in such a mess, he never had a prayer when he went there.There’s every chance they’ll gloss over Stevie’s time at Rangers, despite their first title win in a decade — unbeaten as well — and say he was a flop at Aston Villa.But you show me a manager who’s not had a tough time of it somewhere down the line. Potter certainly did at Chelsea — he only lasted 31 games and lost 11 of them.So did Unai Emery, the man who replaced Stevie as boss at Villa, when he was Arsenal manager. It happens to everyone out there.So what’s the difference between Potter and Frank?Why is one an obvious candidate for England, yet the other not even worthy of a mention?Nothing against Eddie or Graham, by the way. Eddie’s doing well enough at Newcastle without absolutely tearing it up.And Potter did a good job at Brighton before Chelsea but he had good recruitment and was working with good players.Look at some of the names he had and where they ended up.Alexis Mac Allister won the World Cup and went to Liverpool. Leandro Trossard is at Arsenal, Marc Cucurella and Moises Caicedo joined Chelsea, Yves Bissouma is with Tottenham.There’s no doubt Potter or Howe would be a safe pair of hands. A steady Eddie. Just like Gareth was eight years ago — which is why they will probably get a chance.But if the FA want someone steeped in football knowledge — at international level too — and who knows the game inside out at that level, both Frank and Stevie leave them standing.The players would love it as well. They’d be desperate to play for them.They would have nothing but respect whether it was Lampard or Gerrard as boss.So, are they both on the scrapheap for good because they’ve had a failure somewhere down the line? There won’t be any managers left before long if that’s all it takes.And here’s another thing as well. While you need a thick skin to be a club manager, it’s not a patch on the one demanded at international level.That goes for players — certainly the senior ones — as well. And Stevie and Frank could tell you all about that better than most.Some of the stuff Frank had to put up with back in the day was horrendous, horrible stuff.It was the same for Gerro, especially when he was captain.But the pair of them stood up and came through it. And that’s the sort of character you want and need as England manager.It’s not about being a fantastic coach. When do you really get the chance to prove that with England? You don’t.You’re not out there every day doing shape, shadow play and the like. For one thing you tend to pick the team at the last minute because you don’t want it leaking out!It’s about managing, not coaching and there is a difference. It’s about picking the best players in the right positions.It’s about attacking and being positive — and in my book, nothing would be more positive than giving Stevie or Frank a call.But I’d be very surprised if anyone at the FA even picks up the phone and dials their numbers. More

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    Heartbroken Millwall stars and staff pay emotional tribute to tragic Matija Sarkic after goalkeeper, 26, passed away

    HEARTBROKEN Millwall players, staff and fans will pay a touching tribute to their much-loved keeper Matija Sarkic this weekend.The 26-year-old tragically passed away after suffering heart failure in June while on holiday with partner Phoebe in his dad’s native Montenegro.Matija Sarkic died earlier this yearCredit: GettyAndy Marshall worked with the goalkeeper at Millwall and Aston VillaCredit: RexJoe Bryan hailed Sarkic as an ‘incredible person’Credit: RexHis untimely death left the whole Millwall community stunned — just one year after their American owner John Berylson died in a car crash and two years since lifelong fan and SunSport journalist Paul Jiggins passed away suddenly, aged 50.Ahead of their Championship opener against Watford, the club will unveil a mural in Sarkic’s honour, funded by the Millwall Supporters’ Club.The Lions are also retiring his No 20 shirt and a new gong called the Matija Sarkic Save of the Season Award will be competed for across the first team, academy and Lionesses.A memorial tree is being planted at the players’ entrance at the request of the squad and Sarkic’s family will be welcomed pitchside pre-match.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLGoalkeeper coach Andy Marshall, 49, worked closely with Grimsby-born Sarkic, first at Aston Villa nine years ago, before linking up again at The Den.Marshall told SunSport: “I met Mati when he was 17 and brought him over to the UK from Belgium.“He was a smart young man and that was the first thing that hit me about him — always eager to learn. He was desperate to absorb all the information you could give him.“And it was that, along with his work-rate and determination to succeed that made me think, ‘this lad is going all the way to the very top’.Most read in Football“He had everything you wanted. The size of the lad, determination but the best thing about him was that he had the ability to have a fun side towards it.“He enjoyed what he was doing. He realised how to become successful and what was needed to become successful plus he could enjoy himself at the same time.”Emotional moment Millwall manager Neil Harris chokes back tears as he reveals heartbreak over death of Matija SarkicMatija Sarkic career statsMillwall: 33 games, 12 clean sheetsShrewsbury: 29 games, 11 clean sheetsBirmingham: 23 games, 10 clean sheetsLivingston: 18 games, nine clean sheetsStoke: Eight games, three clean sheetsWigan: Three gamesHavant & Waterlooville: One gameMarshall will never forget the early morning phone call that broke his heart, from Sarkic’s grieving father Bojan.The Lions coach said: “There are poignant moments in people’s lives when certain things happen and people remember. I was laying at home in bed and at exactly 6.57am my phone rang and I saw it was Bojan.“I didn’t quite get to the phone in time to answer but text to ask him if everything was OK, because when someone calls you just before 7am you know something’s not right.“He called straight back and as I picked the phone up, I knew Mati had died and that was tough. It was awful.“I’ll forever remember the conversation, what he said to me, that Mati had died and that was very, very tough to hear. I had to take ten to 15 minutes to try to absorb it, which was impossible.“I was thinking he was a 26-year-old man who four weeks earlier I had been in Turkey and also in Spain training him.“I also drove over to Belgium to watch him play for Montenegro just ten days before his death.“Matija was like a son to me. I was close to his family, too.“So when I found out this after all the years I have spent with him, it hit me like a juggernaut. I was extremely emotional for a long time after.“It’s hard to accept someone so young has passed away.”Lions defender Joe Bryan, 30, was close friends with Sarkic.He said: “As is often the case in tragic circumstances, you hear people talking about a wonderful, incredible person — and with Mati that is true. He was a happy, smiley, wonderful person.“He was always the first one in to the training ground every morning and had a big smile on his face.  He loved his coffee. I’m also into coffee and he was telling me about all the places that he and Phoebe were going to visit.“He loved his cortado. He always said, ‘The shorter the coffee, the more sophisticated the man’. We’d always laugh about that.“Mati had this Pilates machine in the canteen that he used to always be sitting on doing his hamstring stretches.“Whenever I think about it, it makes me laugh. It looked so out of place in the canteen under the darts board.“It’s been so difficult for us all. We’re just used to seeing him wandering around here with a coffee in his hand smiling. That’s the Mati I remember and it’s difficult moving forward to come to terms with the fact we’ll not see him again.”Millwall boss Neil Harris believes Sarkic had all the talent to reach the very highest level and would have played a key role this season.But he said Sarkic’s sad passing has brought everyone even closer together in what was already a tight-knit dressing room.He said: “When we came back into the building, the first couple of days we started to use it as a mourning period for Mati.“It gave us a chance to laugh, shed a tear, to remember, to talk.“We had a group meeting, which I led, and then had a minute’s silence out on the pitch in the goal area. It felt right to do it in the goal area rather than anywhere else — that helped, it gave us a chance to reflect.“This isn’t about being a professional footballer, this is about being a human being and how you deal with adversity and difficult moments in your life.“We’re here to help, the club have been hugely supportive to everybody but the players have also been exceptional and continue to be exceptional.READ MORE SUN STORIES“It’s been a difficult couple of years with Jiggo, who was a good friend of mine, passing and then John, who was also a mate as well as my boss.“We will always remember these great people and it’s fitting that the club are doing so much to pay tribute to Mati. He deserves that.”Who are these famous footballers? More

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    Lauryn Goodman may look greedy over Kyle Walker court demands – but here’s why I applaud her

    EARLIER this year, I wrote that famous “kiss and tellers” throughout tabloid history were rarely motivated by money.The majority were doing it because, in modern parlance, they’d been ghosted and it hurt.Kyle Walker’s former mistress Lauryn Goodman has recently faced him down in court over maintenance demandsThe England and Man City defender is facing perhaps his most tenacious attacker yetCredit: PAThey wanted to be heard, not just by the person who had promised them the world while the affair was going on, but also by the people who remained inner circle while they’d been cast aside.Now imagine that it wasn’t just you being made to feel like an irrelevance, but your children too.Consequently, England and Man City defender Kyle Walker is facing perhaps his most tenacious attacker yet — reality star Lauryn Goodman, his former mistress and mother to his son, four, and daughter, one.She’s refusing to go quietly into the night and has recently faced him down in court over maintenance demands that, on the face of it, appear to be cold-hearted money-grabbing.READ MORE FROM JANE MOOREA car for Lauryn herself every three years. A car for the nanny. An AstroTurf garden for the baby who, despite not walking yet, has a mean side-kick that suggests she, er, might play for the Lionesses one day.But dig a little deeper and one might charitably conclude that the real motivation is that she’s a tiger mum scorned.“My kids should have what Kyle and [wife] Annie’s kids have, says Lauryn, 33. “The law states that they should have the same.”In other words, it’s not really about AstroTurf, per se, but about seeking equality and relevance for the children she feels have been emotionally abandoned by their “errant father”.Most read in FootballIn an interview with The Sun on Sunday at the weekend, her hurt was palpable.She says Kyle “was present in Kairo and Kinara’s life and then just turned his back on them, when he promised he never would”.Lauryn Goodman Reveals Baby’s Name Amidst Court BattleShe adds: “What mother wouldn’t fight for that little abandoned boy and his sister? One day they will know what their father did — and what their mother did for them.” ‘I hope my children will be proud’When you have a child, the urge to protect them from harm, both physical and emotional, is visceral.You love them so much that the thought of anyone in the family not feeling the same way, let alone their father, is as deeply wounding as it is perplexing.“I hope one day my children will be proud. I love them so much and I have done all I can to protect their future. “I am the only parent in their life. I have to do that,” says Lauryn, who claims that all the money she asked for was for them alone.She also claims the house they live in “belongs to him” and is “an investment for him and one day I will leave it”. So while the financial demands read out in court are beyond the realms of what most people can afford, Kyle Walker is on £160k a week. And let’s not forget that, despite being trolled when her demands were revealed, it’s not Lauryn who betrayed Annie; Kyle was the one who stood at an altar and made vows.Sarah Symonds, who once did a kiss-and-tell on Gordon Ramsay, wrote to a newspaper this week in support of Lauryn, applauding her on behalf of “other women” everywhere for “having her day in court”.She wrote: “Keep going Lauryn. The Sisterhood of the Mistresshood are behind you. People will only treat you how you let them.”So while some of Lauryn’s demands are indeed excessive, there’s a small part of me that applauds her for refusing to be kicked to the kerb by an arrogant Premier League footballer who used her when it suited him then, when it didn’t, emotionally abandoned her and their kids.ACRES of column inches have been written on Katie Price’s ability to carry on with jaunts abroad despite being declared bankrupt for the second time.So I’ll make this observation instead.She is currently in Turkey for her umpteenth cosmetic procedure on her face. Begging the question: What self- respecting medic would continue to carry out “tweakments” on someone who will clearly never feel happy with what they see in the mirror?OK FOR SOME, AUNTIEDISGRACED former BBC newsreader Huw Edwards continued to receive his £479,999-a-year salary despite being suspended from work.Disgraced Huw Edwards continued to receive his huge salary despite being suspended from workCredit: GettyHe even received a £40k pay hike.Tim Davie, Director-General of the BBC, explained that it was a “difficult” decision but he was following employment law that ensures “employees are protected and there’s no risk”.And as Edwards was an employee of the BBC, Mr Davie admitted it would be almost impossible to claw back any salary paid since his arrest in November or to stop his generous pension.Now imagine it was Adrian Chiles, another well-known face on our screens, who had found himself in a position where he would lose his job.He would have been dropped at the first sign of trouble, with zero pay, zero benefits and zero employee protections.Why? Because Adrian is a freelance contractor who works for the Beeb and other media platforms via his company Basic Broadcasting Ltd.And yet he’s already been dragged through three tribunals by HMRC (with a fourth pending) who reckon he should be classed as an employee under complex IR35 legislation that no one understands.In other words, they want him to pay the same level of tax as Huw but with none of the associated employment benefits. Go figure.ON holiday 20 years ago, Andy Walker hit his head on a rock diving into the sea in India and was paralysed from the neck down.Now the Oldham-based 47-year-old plans to raise money for charity by cycling a 1,000-mile length of Britain on a bike controlled by his chin.He says: “Since my accident, I’ve had absolute conviction and determination to lead a full and rewarding life.”So, the next time we feel sorry for ourselves because a holiday flight is delayed or the car has broken down, we should all be a little bit more Andy and not sweat the petty stuff.CHLOE IS A MUDDY MARVELRICHARD MADELEY’S daughter Chloe has asked people to stop bad-mouthing her rugby star ex James Haskell online.Chloe Madeley has asked people to stop bad-mouthing her ex James Haskell onlineCredit: GettyShe says there’s “a heavy insinuation that he’s not a nice guy” and adds: “We went through our battles but we’re co-parenting really well and 50 per cent of that accolade is on him. “I want him to have some of that respect from people, which I don’t see him getting.”Given that so many celebrity couples publicly fling mud at each other after a break-up, how refreshing to hear someone throwing compliments instead.Is that fat or fiction you are on about, Rosie?Rosie Huntington-Whiteley posed following a lymphatic drainage treatmentCredit: https://www.instagram.com/p/C-KsmJpssSI/?hl=en&img_index=10MODEL Rosie Huntington-Whiteley has posted this photo of herself following a lymphatic drainage treatment that rids the body of “excess fluid”. I wasn’t aware she had any.BRITS? YOU’RE JOKINGMARRIED racists Dawn Thompson, 48, and Damian Smith, 36, from Gateshead, make a lovely pair, don’t they?Damian Smith, 36, has been jailed for the violent harassment of a Kurdish neighbour in their council block who was hit with a pole and punched in the faceCredit: NNPSmith’s wife Dawn Thompson, 48, was also jailedCredit: NNPSmith has 13 previous convictions for 16 offences, including theft, criminal damage, burglary, battery, possession of a blade and possession of class A drugs.While Thompson has 63 previous convictions for 181 offences, the majority of which were for theft, but also included racially aggravated harassment and witness intimidation.Together, they have just been jailed for the violent harassment of a Kurdish neighbour in their council block who was hit with a pole, punched in the face, and told to “go back to his country”.Presumably this reprehensible pair regard themselves to be 100 per cent British and, therefore, superior to their poor victim.I beg to differ.There’s definitely a bit of Neanderthal in there somewhere.SHAME TROLLSWHAT, one wonders, goes through the clearly tiny mind of whoever sent a death threat to actress Amanda Abbington?The message warned her that she would “die on stage” unless she retracts her bullying complaint about former Strictly dance partner Giovanni Pernice.Given that she’s currently performing in a small theatre to assembled strangers, this threatening email must have been terrifying to receive.Yes, you could argue that it was probably sent by a sad loser whose bravado vaporises the second they step away from their keyboard.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut equally, there’s a lot of irrational anger on our streets right now, so who wants to take the risk of underestimating the sender’s true intentions?Whoever they are, I hope they are found, named, shamed and prosecuted as a deterrent to anyone else who is thinking of behaving in such a reprehensible way. More

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    Major update on Gareth Southgate’s successor as ‘England chiefs give formal approval for appointment of foreign boss’

    FA chiefs have given their formal approval for a foreign manager to replace Gareth Southgate as England boss, it’s been claimed.Southgate resigned from the role after England’s second successive European Championships final failure last month.Gareth Southgate resigned from his role as England manager last monthCredit: REXFA chiefs have given Mark Bullingham the green light to pursue a foreign manager to succeed SouthgateCredit: PANewcastle United boss Eddie Howe and the out-of-work Graham Potter are the standout English candidates to succeed Southgate.But the FA aren’t hellbent on having an Englishman at the helm of the ship.That’s according to The Guardian, who claim the FA’s nine board members have given chief executive Mark Bullingham their blessing to pursue the services of a foreign manager.The FA brass are said to have an “open mind” over who will replace the recently departed Southgate, who restored the feel-good factor around the national team.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSIt’s claimed that Lionesses manager Sarina Wiegmann is a contender to replace Southgate.The 54-year-old guided the Lionesses to Uefa Women’s Championship glory in the summer of 2022, five years after leading her native Netherlands to the title.The out-of-work Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pochettino are also viable contenders to take up the job.But it’s claimed former Chelsea managers’ respective wage demands could be problematic.Most read in FootballThe pair, 50 and 52 respectively, will likely demand much more than the cool £5million a year Southgate was paid for the gig.Only two foreign managers have ever taken charge of England.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSSouthgate’s England legacy should be celebrated, not torn downBy Tom BarclayGareth Southgate claimed that only winning Sunday’s final would earn England the respect of the footballing world.Spain proved a last-gasp comeback too far in Berlin, but defeat did not change the fact that Southgate’s eight-year transformation put respect back into the world of England football.Critics will pick apart his cautious tactics, his selection choices and his record in the most high-pressurised games – with some legitimacy.Yet what is quickly forgotten is the laughing stock our national side had become before he took over in 2016.A shambolic Euros exit to Iceland that summer had been followed up by Sam Allardyce quitting just one game into his tenure thanks to his pint of wine with undercover reporters.Then came Southgate, with his decency, his humility, his understated eloquence and his vision for a better, different future.He had analysed why England had so often failed in the past, from lack of preparation at penalty shoot-outs to players being bored out of their minds during major tournaments.Southgate took those findings and implemented a culture where players wanted to play for their country again – and it led to back-to-back finals for the first time in our history.Instead of going to war with the media, he opened his doors to them and discovered, shock, horror, that it was met, generally, with support. It did not stop him from being criticised when required – we are no cheerleaders, here – but the vitriol of yesteryear – or today on social media – was largely gone.No manager is perfect and neither was Southgate. We cannot pretend his teams played like those of Pep Guardiola or Jurgen Klopp.But in the fullness of time, his feats will likely be revered because the results speak for themselves.Hopefully his successor can go one step further and bring football home. To do that, they must show respect to what Southgate has created and build on it, rather than rip it down.To read more from Tom Barclay click HERE. Sven Goran Eriksson was the first, with the Swede being appointed as Kevin Keegan’s successor in 2001.Italian Fabio Capello, who succeeded new Jamaica manager Steve McClaren, had the job for four years from 2008 to 2012.Lee Carsley for EnglandThe first England match of the post-Southgate era will see the Three Lions take on the Republic of Ireland in a Nations League clash next month.Lee Carsley, who is currently Under-21s gaffer, is expected to be in interim charge of the team. More