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      in Soccer

      Gareth Southgate to be offered top punditry job if he leaves England after Euro 2024 final heartbreak

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      GARETH SOUTHGATE will be offered a punditry role by ITV if he leaves the England job, according to reports.The England man has guided England to back to back Euros finals.Southgate left England’s team hotel earlier todayCredit: RexBut after another gutting defeat, his future as England manager is now unclear.Southgate refused to make any immediate decisions on his future in the fallout of the game after England lost 2-1 to Spain.He told the BBC: “Now is not the time for me to speak about that. I need to talk to the right people and give myself a bit of time.”To get to another final… it was a privilege to have the opportunity. But to come up short is hard at the moment.”READ MORE ON EURO 2024Now the Daily Mail report that he will be offered a punditry role to cover England by ITV should he leave his post.Southgate’s England contract expires in December.While the FA are keen on him to extend his deal he is understood to be considering his options.ITV’s head honchos are said to be very keen on bringing Southgate on board although it is unlikely he would be able to join for their Nations League coverage which starts in September.Most read in Euro 2024Southgate’s quit hintGareth Southgate appeared to suggest he might move on as England manager by referring to the team as “theyHe said: “I think England are in a really good position in terms of the experiences they’ve got now. The age of the squad.”Most of this squad are going to be around not only for the World Cup but the next Euros as well.”There’s a lot to look forward to but this moment is not any consolation.”When asked if he would quit by the BBC, he said: “Now is not the time for me to speak about that. I need to talk to the right people and give myself a bit of time.”To get to another final… it was a privilege to have the opportunity. But to come up short is hard at the moment.”BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThat’s because Southgate is expected to take a break if he does step down in the immediate aftermath of the Euros.ITV have re-acquired the rights to the Nations League after it was previously shown on Channel Four.Gary Lineker destroys Gareth Southgate with brutal six-word comment after England’s Euro 2024 final defeatMaybe Kane really is cursed as trophy drought goes on… he may never get a better chance with EnglandIT now seems as though he really is cursed. Along with the rest of us, writes Charlie Wyett.Tragically, unbelievably, Harry Kane’s agonising search for a trophy still continues and you know have to wonder whether he will ever actually manage it.Certainly for England, in any case.Kane has now suffered defeat in three major club finals and two finals of the European Championships.Last night, the Three Lions captain was so ineffective that he was replaced by Ollie Watkins just after the hour.Like much of this tournament, he really struggled to make the impact when England needed him, not that he had much service.He had one shot in the first half and that was Rodri, who subsequently injured himself and went off at the break.When Cole Palmer struck that brilliant equaliser, Kane was off on his feet from the bench, only for the national team to get another kick in the bo**ocks at the end.Kane was substituted in both the games against Switzerland and Holland which England went on to win but on this occasion, he could only witness a gut-wrenching twist just when it looked as though Gareth Southgate’s team had dug their way out of trouble.The Bayern Munich striker suffered the World Cup 2018 semi-final loss against Croatia, endured heartbreak against Italy in the Euro2020 final and then missed from the spot in the World Cup 2022 quarter-final against France.He really thought that this was his time, even though England did not play well in Germany.Kane will know that he will have more opportunities with England. But not many more.The World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico seems a long way away and it will surely be under a new manager. Will England be better than they are now? Probably not.And we are all left to wonder how much better England would have been with a fit and firing Kane at his very best.Read the full verdict on the curse of Harry Kane…Or check out all of Charlie Wyett’s Euro 2024 stories…They also have the rights to show England’s World Cup qualifiers.Southgate is understood to favour a punditry switch to ITV rather than the BBC.That’s because the BBC’s harsh punditry of Southgate at this tournament is understood to have “stung” him according to The Mail.By contrast, ITV’s coverage, led by Gary Neville and Roy Keane has been a lot more conciliatory towards the England manager.Southgate may not take a punditry role at all though, if he decides to go back into a club management.Southgate has not managed a club team since he was sacked as Middlesbrough manager in 2009.Manchester United were rumoured to be interested in Southgate but have just given Erik ten Hag a contract extension.This felt like our time… but keep Gareth’s culture and we can win it in 2026 instead, writes Jack WilshereIT will take a while for me and every England fan to get over this, writes Jack Wilshere.To come so close to winning that trophy, only to be beaten in a second Euros final in a row, is a huge disappointment.Especially when it really felt like this was our time.It seemed that everything was coming together for us to end the long wait for a major title.But Spain deserved it. They were the better team in the final and the best team of the tournament.We will all — supporters, players, coaches, the FA — have to move on and go again.Because English football is still in a good position.Gareth Southgate has taken us to two finals, a semi-final and a quarter-final in four tournaments. We have never produced a run like that before.The challenge now is to maintain this level of competitiveness and make England even better.Southgate and his staff have done a fantastic job in changing the whole environment and narrative around the national team.Whether Gareth carries on or not, the wider culture he has put in place must be preserved.This tournament was the biggest test of that culture the team had to go through.They overcame the problems and went all the way, only to fall at the final hurdle.But there is every reason to believe we can challenge at the World Cup in 2026 and beyond.We’ve got a really good group of players, many of them young, who can go on playing and performing for England for years.Jude Bellingham, Kobbie Mainoo, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer — to name just five — have plenty more tournaments in them.This tournament will also be an inspiration for the next generations of players. Unfortunately there isn’t the trophy lift to take that to a completely different level.But England have delivered moments in Germany that will be replayed forever.The Bellingham overhead kick and Ollie Watkins’ semi-final winner will be recreated in playgrounds and cages up and down the country.What I would like to see now is England continuing to develop, to become a team that can consistently dominate opponents and can give a real identity to English football.We now have players who are comfortable on the ball and technically very good.The biggest disappointment of the tournament was that we didn’t see that as often as we would have liked. That leaves us with a ‘what if?’ feeling.England must not lose that old-school mentality of finding a way to win even when you’re not playing well — that never-say-die spirit which got us through this Euros more than once.But the next step is to allow other qualities to shine through, to give the players that our system is creating the platform to show  everything they can do.The job for me and for other coaches is to keep producing players that are comfortable on the ball and understand how to perform under pressure at a high level.English football is in a good place but we need to keep going. Then we will finally get over the line.Real all of SunSport columnist Jack Wilshere’s Euro 2024 columns… More

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      Three England fans sacked after ‘risking it all’ and telling bosses they were heading to Euro 2024 final

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      THREE England fans were sacked from their jobs after they told bosses they were heading to Berlin for the Euros final.The trio of train engineers said they “risked it all” for their love of the Three Lions.Three England fans were sacked from their jobs after they told bosses they were heading to Berlin for the Euros finalThree Lions fans on the streets of Berlin in GermanyCredit: RexAn England fan holds a flag inside the stadium before the matchCredit: ReutersDylan Reely, 26, his brother Billy, 29, and their dad Allan, 58, were told on their way to Dover that their contracts were being terminated with “immediate effect”, and that the company needs staff who are “committed”.The trio told The Sun: “We’ve risked it all.”They told their employers that they’d be heading to Germany after England won their semi-final against the Netherlands on Wednesday.On their way to Dover on Thursday, the Birmingham trio say they received an email from bosses stating that their contracts were being terminated with “immediate effect”, and that the company needs staff who are “committed”.Read More on SportBut Dylan told us: “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity”, as he continued his trip to Germany to watch England bring it home.He said: “It’s the most important thing in the world – England is the most important thing for us. We’ve risked it all.“All three of us are self employed – jobs come and go but this might be the last time my dad can see us in the final – It took eight hours refreshing the UEFA website [to get the tickets] and it might never happen again.”The trio have been travelling to Germany from the Midlands to make it in time for Sunday’s final, spending 16 hours driving to Hannover, and plan to turn the trip into an experience, win or lose.Most read in Euro 2024“It’s worth it – it’s great to experience this with my dad and my brother regardless of the result. We spent £3000 on three tickets for the weekend of our lives!”But Dylan remains confident that the Three Lions can bring it home from Berlin, with the Aston Villa season ticket holder hopeful for another magic performance from club hero Ollie Watkins.Boozy England fans on hols hit Tenerife bars & plead ‘bring it home boys’“Spain look like the most confident team, but we have the best team in the world.” It’s in our hands .If we go toe to toe, I think we can bring it home – COME ON ENGLAND!”All three friends have even squeezed in time for an open-top bus parade in London if England brings it home, before returning to Birmingham.And as for their job prospects, the self-employed trio remain in high spirits.Dylan added: “We will deal with our jobs in the future, our country means the world to us, up the three lions!”No-show train blowHUNDREDS of rail services across Britain were cancelled as train drivers and other staff refused to work overtime so they could watch the football.Northern, Great Western Railway, London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway all cancelled scheduled services.Many drivers and other crew do not have Sunday working included in their contracts, with numerous operators often relying on them volunteering to work extra paid shifts.Drivers’ union Aslef said: “Some drivers are on holiday and some like to watch football.” More

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      in Soccer

      How you can bunk off work on Monday after Euros final WITHOUT getting sacked, lawyer reveals

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      THERE is a way England fans can bunk off work on Monday after the Euros final without losing your job, a lawyer has revealed.Depending on the outcome of the big game against Spain, Brits across the country are likely to be either celebrating or drowning their sorrows.Depending on the result, fans could be celebrating or drowning their sorrows on SundayCredit: AlamyEngland fans in Manchester celebrate Ollie Watkin’s goal against the Netherlands in the Euro semi-final gameCredit: PAHopefully England supporters will be celebrating a historic win on SundayCredit: AlamyEither way, many could over do it and find themselves the worse for wear come Monday morning and the need to head to work.Lawyer Lynette Calder, from 5 Pump Court, has revealed there is a way you can be excused from a day’s toil without being fired.In most cases, not turning up for work when you’re due in would be a breach of the terms and conditions of your employment.Lynette warned: “Basically you have a contract with your employer and in most cases not turning up when you should will breach that contract, unless you are covered – as most people are – by a clause about sickness but it unlikely that a hangover will be covered by that.”Read More on the EurosBut there is a way you can swerve this but it depends on how long you have worked for your employer as well as your track record of attendance there.Any employer who has worked for the same employer for at least two years has the statutory right not to be dismissed unfairly.Lynette said: “This means that in certain circumstances, whatever your contract says, the statutory rules apply.“The key question here is likely to be your employers trust and confidence in you, if you lie and are caught out in a lie then that can be even more damaging than the not turning up.Most read in Euro 2024“On the other hand who wants to tell their boss they aren’t coming in because they are hungover?”But a large factor is down to just how well you get on with your boss.England gets ready for almighty Euro 2024 final party with fans set to spend £800MILLION on beer and pizzaLynette added: “If it’s good and your company needs you then a strictly truthful ‘I really don’t’ feel very well’ is unlikely to be a big deal, unless everyone in the company does the same thing.“In which case your employer may well want to make something of it to discourage it happening again, here you could be looking at a verbal or a written warning.”Which would mean you are likely to find yourself in the clear with no problems, but things could be trickier if things aren’t so good.Lynette said: “If you already have problems and there is a history of your employer querying your performance then they could take more drastic action up to and including dismissal for gross misconduct depending on all the circumstances.”Another aspect to consider is just how important is it that you turn up for work on Monday and are able to perform your role.The legal expert said: “If it is crucial to the business that you turn up on Monday and you don’t, or you turn up not capable of performing your job, then your employer may well be able to fairly impose sanctions up to and including dismissal.”However, anyone trying to duck out of work when they have worked for their current boss for two years may find themselves in a sticky situation.Lynette said: “If you have less than two years service bear in mind that the ‘fairness’ test doesn’t apply to you.“That means in practise that your employer can get rid of you with very little risk to themselves, so you may be even less inclined to give them any sort of reason to want to.”To give yourself peace of mind, come Monday morning and the possibility of being hungover, the advice is simple – book a day’s holiday.If it’s too late for getting some time off there are some decent alcohol-free beers on the market that you can enjoy, safe in the knowledge you’ll have a clear head in the morning.BIG SPENDINGThe news comes after it is expected a whopping £800million will be spent on pizza and beer for the Euro 2024 final.World Cup hat-trick hero Sir Geoff is hoping Gareth Southgate’s men will finally end 58 years of trophyless hurt — and he is backing growing calls for a bank holiday if football does comes home.With warm weather forecast, packed boozers around the country will be allowed to stay open extra late on Sunday night — as they were for Wednesday’s semi-final triumph.Experts reckon Ollie Watkins’ dramatic 90th-minute winner against the Netherlands has triggered a £405million spending bonanza in pubs and supermarkets.An estimated £120million worth of booze will be sunk on Sunday alone, with pubs expected to sell ten million more pints than usual.READ MORE SUN STORIESTesco, Britain’s biggest supermarket, reckons it will sell four million packs of beer and cider, plus 1.2 million cans and bottles of low and zero-alcohol beer.Andrew Rennie, chief executive of Domino’s, said the takeaway chain expects to be making 20 to 25 pizzas a second during the game.Fans could find themselves in hot water with their boss if they don’t show up for work on Monday morningCredit: EURO 2024 News Pool (ENP)Fans may feel the worse for wear come Monday morning if they’ve over-indulgedCredit: EPA More

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      in Boxing

      I walked away from pro MMA career to become Conor McGregor’s photographer… now he’s helping me make Misfits Boxing debut

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      PHOTOGRAPHER Dave Fogarty was picturing a career in professional MMA – until Conor McGregor came calling. The Irishman was an amateur champion with World and European medals to his name. Photographer Dave Fogarty with Conor McGregorCredit: Instagram Fogarty training for his boxing debutCredit: Instagram And while training to be a fighter, he picked up the camera as a hobby to do while out the gym and snapped in local Irish shows. That is how he was introduced to McGregor – who later became his boss after the UFC icon offered him a job as his personal photographer. Fogarty, 34, told SunSport: “I definitely could’ve turned pro. “It was definitely on the cards and something I thought about but when my amateur career had come to an end is when I started working full time for Conor.READ MORE IN BOXING“The time commitment working with Conor wouldn’t work with the full time commitment of doing pro MMA. “So I obviously chose to continue working with Conor.”Despite walking away from a fight career, Fogarty has never left MMA. That is because he is on call 24/7 with McGregor, meaning he is always in the gym and around the world’s biggest fights. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSFogarty is among McGregor’s most trusted confidants. The talented snapper is part of McGregor’s core team who travel around the world with him.Watch disgusting moment Conor McGregor dislocates then resets his toe in training as injury sees him pull out of UFC 303Fogarty joins nutritionist Tristan Kennedy and strength coach Julian Dalby along with a padman and masseuse wherever McGregor goes. He said: “The man doesn’t take holidays, he doesn’t take vacations. He’s always doing something, when he’s away, the team is always away with him. “Like he says, there’s a gym on the yacht. Even if he’s on his yacht, he’s still training. He trains all year round. It’s great to be surrounded by that.” Fogarty – who has continued to train since his last MMA bout in 2017 – has captured McGregor’s meteoric rise through his lens. He revealed: “It’s mad. When you step back and see what it must be like for him. “Because when all that stuff is happening, I’m just in work mode making sure I get the pictures and have it covered.  “So to step back and see that’s what he does, day in and day out. That’s his life, it’s crazy. Conor wears different hats. You can be around him sometimes and he’s Conor, your friend and you’re having a buzz. And then, when it’s time to get to work and he becomes the boss.Conor McGregor’s photographer Dave Fogarty “It becomes normal until you step back and realise that it isn’t normal.” Fogarty teased that an upcoming project he worked on with McGregor is due to be released soon. And he opened up on how his close friend can just as quickly flip to strict boss at any moment. He said: “Conor wears different hats. You can be around him sometimes and he’s Conor, your friend and you’re having a buzz. “And then, when it’s time to get to work and he becomes the boss there’s times when I’m taking pictures and it hasn’t been his vision. “And, he’s told me about it. He’s let me know, that’s when it’s Conor the boss. “But there’s times when he loves the pictures and we’re having a buzz. “There’s times where he’s Conor McGregor, head of McGregor Sports & Entertainment or Claymore Productions.’I’ve soaked it all in’“I don’t want people telling me all the time my pictures are great, they’re not always great, no one’s are. “I think it’s important to have that relationship.” Fogarty will now call on McGregor’s expertise as he prepares to make his fight return – this time in the boxing ring. He has signed to Misfits Boxing – home to celebrity-style crossover bouts – and faces their lightweight champion Deen the Great on August 31 in Dublin. Fogarty will be coached by McGregor’s first ever trainer, Irish boxing great Phil Sutcliffe. When travelling with McGregor, he will work under the same coaches and recovery team hired by the UFC legend. He will then jet back to do his sparring under the watchful eye of two-time Olympian Sutcliffe. Fogarty does not rule out McGregor coming to support on the night and will make use of everything he has learned over the years while observing his boss. He is now preparing to make his boxing debutCredit: @ginger_beard_photosHe said: “I’ve soaked it all in. I’ve structured my training camp the exact same way I’ve seen Conor structure his. That’s where I’ve got the blueprint from. “It’s a very precise, measured and calculated way of doing it and it’s the optimal way of doing it. “Obviously, being around Conor and seeing how he’s done it is the way I’ll do it. He’s one of the best minds in combat sports history. “He’s a phenomenal coach, you saw on The Ultimate Fighter how dedicated he is to it, how dedicated and enthusiastic he is. “I’ve taken in so much from him, being around and seeing how he puts his training camps together. “It’s been a huge inspiration to how I’m going to do this.”Fogarty will challenge for Deen’s lightweight belt and prepares to take on a brash-talking unbeaten American. He said: “I’ve said it from the start, He is good. I’m not going to take anything away from him or discredit him. READ MORE SUN STORIES“He is a good fighter, a bit of a mouth, bit arrogant and cocky, but look, he is a good boxer. He’s got power in both hands, moves his head well, moves his feet well. “So I think it’s a big challenge and the hardest fight in the division being the champion. But I’m here for big fights and big opportunities.” Fogarty at the famed Crumlin Boxing ClubCredit: Instagram More

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      in Boxing

      I needed four stitches after winning brutal boxing war but my real hero dad still called me a p***y

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      DANNY QUARTERMAINE won a bloody and brutal war last Saturday – needing four stitches – but his superhero dad still joked he is a ‘p***y’.The 27-year-old super-featherweight was dropped in the opening round by James Chereji and left with a horribly cut and swollen eye.Danny Quartermaine celebrates victory alongside his dadBut he came through the trenches and rallied to win a unanimous decision – moving him to 12-0 – that impressed almost everyone apart from the main man.After his battle wounds were stitched up, 1st battalion paratrooper Quartermaine Snr took the hilarious chance to remind his fearless lad who the toughest man around the dinner table will always be.The Leamington Spa star laughed to SunSport: “I had two stitches in my eyebrow and two in my head and I looked at him and he looked back at me and said ‘p***y’.“But this is coming from a man who once had 22 stitches right across his forehead, so I have to take it and get on with it.READ MORE BOXING“But that mentality has always been in me. I was never pushed too hard to do anything. “I always understood how important it was to give my all, never give up and fight to win.“My dad never boxed, but he did a lot of martial arts and he was also a doorman for a long time, since the age of 16, going all over the country. “So I think that fighting mentality has always been there for him and it’s there for me now.”Most read in BoxingBoxing is full of some of the world’s toughest blokes but there is still the odd pretender playing the tough guy.Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk proved they’re the real deal in their undisputed duel in May – only for attention-grabbing John Fury to blow his boy’s chance at immortality with laughable corner work.Tyson says Paris doesn’t know how much is in their bank accounts Thankfully Quartermaine knows his old man – who also bravely served and protected us in the Pathfinder Platoon – is far too honourable to pull a similar stunt.He told us: “You won’t ever see him jumping up and celebrating, never. For my dad it’s a case of ‘job done’.“He won’t go down the John Fury route, he’s far too quiet. He taught me to stay quiet and take everything in, then react if you have to.“Dad’s definitely not getting up and getting involved in anything, I am pretty sure he’s seen enough p***heads in his lifetime on doors to avoid all that. “I’d never find him in my corner talking over my coach, I’d more likely look over the ropes and see him throwing people out for free!”Role at Aston MartinDespite his father being a real-life James Bond, Quartermaine walked out on 007’s favourite supercar firm Aston Martin when they tried to cut into his training time.A steady 9-5 with one of the most glamorous motor companies on the planet was not enough to stop the proud Midlands lad trying to make himself a local legend and secure his family’s future.The handsome fighter explained: “I have been full time for almost three years now, thanks so much to my sponsors.“Before that I had all sorts of jobs, just to work around my training. People thought I was mad to leave Aston Martin, such a prestigious company, but they moved into shift work and that meant I had to leave because I have always known I want to be a boxer and everything else has to revolve around that.“I want to create a bit of a legacy. I would love in years to come, if someone says ‘Danny Quartermaine’ in a pub or gym, I would love someone to overhear and say ‘I remember him, I remember him being in a great fight and winning that title’.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I have just started making a living out of it now and I would love to be able to change the lives of the people around me with it too.”Danny Quartermaine is proudly sponsored by Scott Simpson, Jay RSD, Max Biddle, Steve Massey & The Hope, Simon Bennett and Barry Gueney, John Barrett, Ace Scaffolding, Laki, The Bulldog Pub and the K9 Club.  More

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      in Soccer

      Ex-Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson’s firm’s staggering earning last year revealed

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      FORMER Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson’s firm earned £1.6million last year — more than a decade after he retired.The Premier League legend’s ACF Sports Promotions Ltd now has £24.3million in assets and investments.Former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson’s firm earned £1.6million last year — more than a decade after he retired from the roleCredit: SportsfileThe figure for the year to the end of June 2023 was up on the £22.7million held 12 months before.ACF lists the nature of its business as “other sports activities” — with Sir Alex, 82, raking in cash from book deals, speaking gigs and personal appearances since retiring from United in 2013.Sons Mark, Darren and Jason are also directors, as was Sir Alex’s wife Lady Cathy, who died in October aged 84.ACF has cash reserves of £5.1million and paid £188,832 in corporation tax.READ MORE ON SIR ALEX FERGUSONIt has almost £2million in heritage assets — football memorabilia on show at museums and universities.Sir Alex, who also managed Aberdeen and Scotland, set up his company – named after his initials including middle name Chapman – in 1983.But a note on the statement filed with Companies House shows ACF is “subject to an HMRC enquiry in relation to tax years from 2016-17 to 2019-20”. It added: “The company’s legal advisers are currently involved in an ongoing correspondence with HMRC to resolve these matters.”Most read in FootballSir Alex holds the Premier League trophy in 2013Credit: GettySir Alex Ferguson can’t stop smirking as he says he’s ‘quietly confident’ of landing biggest ever £2.7million win More

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      People are just realising very rogue job England superfan Andy Milne has when not following Three Lions across the world

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      PEOPLE have been left shocked after discovering what England superfan Andy Milne does for a living.He first came to the attention of the general public when he went viral after appearing during a broadcast of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.Andy Milne has already been spotted at Euro 2024 cheering on EnglandHe first became a hit when he went viral at the 2018 World CupCredit: GettyThat was because viewers at home had to double-take to check whether it was former England boss Steve McClaren.The supporter has become a household face after being spotted celebrating wildly at several tournaments.And the Three Lions fanatic has already been spotted at Euro 2024.Milne is a member of the England Supporter’s Club and has been following the Three Lions for over 40 years.READ MORE ON EURO 2024The die-hard has been to no less than eight World Cups, with the current Euros his ninth.Milne is now retired after reportedly previously enjoying a career as a teacher in his hometown of Northwich, Cheshire.However, these days he is doing something very different when not following England across the globe – running a real-life treasure hunt in Thailand.They last six hours and are situated on an island that is part of the Chumphon Archipelago on the west of the Gulf of Thailand.Most read in Euro 2024CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSGuests have to solve clues and find the map that will then lead them across the island.On their way they will meet friendly locals and also stop off at a number of picturesque coves and beaches.The Sun’s Tom Barclay gives England squad update from training ahead of quarter final clash with SwitzerlandSpeaking to The Mirror about it, he said: “When you arrive, you get to a pirates den, and then after the introduction, you begin.“The start is like a traditional escape room.“Customers work out the clues to find their treasure map. Then they will set out in groups of up to 12 for the day.“They will follow a route through the main town, visit local businesses to find their provisions and transports.“The tour takes them to four beaches and view points.EURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANY“They get to snorkel for clues and follow a trail underwater to find a giant sea creature.”READ MORE SUN STORIESHowever, despite loving his new business, Milne will be hoping to stay away from it for at least another nine days out in Germany.His beloved England face Switzerland in the quarter final of Euro 2024 tomorrow as they look to edge a step closer to glory in Berlin next Sunday. More

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      Southgate must trust his gut and make bold formation change if he needs to – defeat to the Swiss is not acceptable

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      IT might be time for England to try something different at these Euros.Maybe Gareth Southgate will want to start the quarter-final against Switzerland in a 4-4-2 formation, with Ivan Toney alongside Harry Kane up front.Gareth Southgate watches on during England’s nervy clash with SlovakiaCredit: AlamyI think it might work, and if Gareth feels the same, he should do it.This is the time when, as a manager at a tournament, you have to trust your gut instinct and never hold back from unpopular decisions.The quarter-finals are make-or-break time. Win and you’re in the last four and everyone respects you.Lose and it’s not acceptable for big nations like England, Germany, France and Spain.READ MORE ON EURO 2024England are facing the best Swiss team of all time on Saturday.They will be difficult opponents and this is certain to be another real drama, perhaps as dramatic as Sunday’s emotional rollercoaster against the Slovaks.I understand there can be snobbery about playing a 4-4-2 but sometimes you have to do something different. And I liked the look of Toney when he came on against Slovakia.The 4-2-3-1 has now become the standard formation — since Spain who won three tournaments in a row in 2008, 2010 and 2012.Most read in Euro 2024Most clubs and countries have adopted it but what if it’s not working? You always have to have an open mind. If you change formation and it doesn’t work, you can switch back.I lived my whole career as a striker playing in a 4-4-2 system. For instance, when I played up front with Teddy Sheringham at Spurs, I was the happiest man in the world having my mate next to me.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHarry Kane reveals genius tactic England worked on before Slovakia that helped pull off epic Euro 2024 comebackFor a real No 9 like Harry Kane to have a strike partner takes a lot of the physical work away. It is a great freedom to have.It can still be a fantastic system — two hard-working frontmen like Kane and Toney can be a real threat to the opposition.Toney is a menace in the air he can bring a different dynamic to the team.Gareth said Toney “had the hump” with him for bringing him on so late in injury time against Slovakia but he set up Kane’s winner with an excellent guided header and he looked a handful.Giving him his first involvement in injury time was a test. You don’t know whether he can cope with it until you try it — but Toney coped well.The best of England vs SlovakiaCHECK out all the best action from England’s rollercoaster Euro 2024 last-16 win over Slovakia.Like a lot of people, I was surprised Gareth didn’t make substitutions earlier against Slovakia although, as the boss, you have more knowledge than anyone about your squad.If you stick to your starting XI and are 1,000 per cent convinced they will turn it around, that’s fine.But if there is one doubt in you, then that’s what you’re the national team manager for. You have got to make a switch, because what happens right now is not coming back again.Every game is a final now and you will regret it if you have a gut feeling to bring on Toney or Cole Palmer or whoever and you don’t act decisively.Harry Kane applauds after England’s comeback win against SlovakiaCredit: AlamyGareth Southgate brings on Ivan Toney for the final few minutes against SlovakiaCredit: GettyYou can’t have too much respect for those you started.This is what you live for, to make those decisions and Gareth is very capable of doing so — he brought off his front three against Denmarkand he replaced Conor Gallagher at half-time against Slovenia.Personally, I don’t like being able to use five subs. It was a rule brought in during Covid and I think we should go back to three. Being able to change half the team is too much and it usually disrupts the flow of a game.The Slovakia match was crazy. England were seconds away from elimination, then a couple of minutes later they were 2-1 up and into the quarter-finals.Their big players — Jude Bellingham and Kane — stepped up. England didn’t play well but they didn’t stop believing, they didn’t stop working.Germany, France and Portugal have all suffered similarly to get into the last eight. Even Spain in the first half against Georgia.People underestimate how difficult it can be to break down teams who park the bus. Especially if you go a goal down as England did.Moments like Bellingham’s equaliser can give some players extra energy for the rest of the tournament, others will be drained by the drama.Gareth will be monitoring who sucks it up in a positive way and who sucks it up in a negative way.England ratings: Bellingham rescues woeful Three Lions as big names, and manager, have a shockerJUDE BELLINGHAM’S majestic overhead kick deep into stoppage time saved England from a humiliating Euros exit.Gareth Southgate’s side had been utterly woeful and looked to be heading home thanks to Ivan Schranz’s clever finish.But Bellingham came to the rescue in the 96th minute, brilliantly firing into the corner after Marc Guehi had flicked on Kyle Walker’s long throw.Remarkably, it was England’s first shot on target, summing how poor they had been.But another one came soon after, as 53 seconds into extra-time, Harry Kane headed home from close range to set up a quarter-final with Switzerland.It was as close a shave as it comes, and if they play like this against the Swiss, then they will be toast.Here’s how Tom Barclay rated England’s stars… and manager Southgate.Jordan Pickford: 5Appeared to hurt his left hand when taking a big whack in the warm-up, but still played. Fired a lot of long balls and was lucky not to be lobbed by David Strelec’s 45-yard strike.Kyle Walker: 4England’s second-most experienced player had a shocker. He looked uncharacteristically slow, his touch was heavy and his crossing was nowhere near good enough. But it was his long throw that led to Bellingham’s magic.John Stones: 4Said it was time for the senior pros to step up in the build-up to the game, but there was little sign of that until Bellingham did his thing, and he is only 21. Stones fired aimless long balls, gave it away and it was his mistake that almost led to Strelec’s trying his luck from range.Marc Guehi: 5Booked early after Kieran Trippier’s underhit pass meant he had to take out the excellent David Strelec, meaning he is out of the quarter-final. Ivan Schranz bamboozled him for Slovakia’s opener but his flick-on to Bellingham brought the leveller.Kieran Trippier: 4When Jude Bellingham’s good ball found Trippier on the edge of the box early doors, on his favoured right foot, you thought, ‘Here we go’. He smashed it into Row Z.Declan Rice: 5An old-school reducer on Juraj Kucka was a fair tackle, even if it left the 37-year-old hobbling. His curling effort with ten minutes to go cracked against the post.Kobbie Mainoo: 6FIRST start at a major tournament and our only decent performer in an horrendous first half from England. Blasted a volley over but was also booked for a late tackle.Bukayo Saka: 5We all know what a fantastic player Saka is for Arsenal, and for England in games gone by, but he rarely threatened here. Did go the distance though, and in a number of positions.Jude Bellingham: 7 and STAR MANCometh the hour, cometh the man. He had underwhelmed again until the 96th minute, but who cares when you step up like that.Phil Foden: 4Thought he had levelled early in the second half but his tap-in was ruled out by VAR after he was caught being, inexplicably, offside. Just off it all night, in danger of being dropped.Harry Kane: 6Still way off his best – he was nowhere to be seen in the first half and missed a free header after the break – but got it right when it counted in extra time.SUBSTITUTIONSCole Palmer (on for Kieran Trippier, 66): 7FANS were on their feet applauding when Southgate finally made a change and brought him on. So lively and with a lovely delivery, must be in with a chance of starting against the Swiss.Eberechi Eze (on for Kobbie Mainoo, 84): 6Did enough to put off Slovak full-back Peter Pekarik from turning home at close range in extra-time. Looked like he had been hit by a train when Denis Vavro walloped into him.Ivan Toney (on for Phil Foden, 90): 7GRABBED the assist for Kane’s winner by flicking on after a free-kick – which he had won with his strength – had been cleared.Conor Gallagher (on for Harry Kane, 105): 6Southgate rolled the dice in extra-time by trying to shut the game out, taking his captain off for the Chelsea midfielder.Ezri Konsa (on for Jude Bellingham, 105): 6Ditto to Gallagher as Konsa got his first minutes of the tournament in place of the hero Bellingham, which felt a risky strategy.MANAGERGareth Southgate: 3.A lucky, lucky man. Tactically, his team were all long ball, lacked any movement, and did not conjure up a shot on target until Bellingham’s wonder strike – and that came from Walker chucking it in the mixer. Subs took ages in the 90 and then felt risky as he sought to see the game out in extra-time.Based on what you see from breakfast until late at night, the manager will make his decisions on the team selection for Switzerland.You have to have the courage to make those decisions even if they could hurt one or two big names.You have 56 million managers back home who all want you to make different decisions.You cannot allow yourself to be distracted by any of them. The team which starts the tournament will never be the team that ends it, should you make it all the way.It always depends on who pushes through mentally and physically — and who pushes the team through in difficult moments, like when you are booed off at half-time?Switzerland are going to be very tough opponents.Over the past couple of years they have developed into a special side.They have great chemistry, they have forward players with the quality to hurt you and in Granit Xhaka, a midfielder who was so important in Bayer Leverkusen’s incredible unbeaten title season. For me, he was the Bundesliga’s player of the season.READ MORE SUN STORIESI think England need to surprise the Swiss, to try something different.And that just might be a good old-fashioned 4-4-2. More