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      Barnsley ‘new manager denied work permit just days before play-offs… having already signed contract’

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      DOMINIK THALHAMMER has been denied a work permit to become the new Barnsley manager.The Austrian had looked set to become the new Tykes boss ahead of their League One play-off campaign.Dominik Thalhammer has been denied a work permit to become Barnsley managerCredit: GettyHowever, his appointment has now been cancelled just days before they face Bolton at Oakwell.That is despite Thalhammer already signing a contract with the club, he has revealed.Thalhammer told Austrian outlet Kurier: “The English want to push their own people, so coaches from abroad have to provide 36 months as head coach in the relevant leagues as proof of work.”That’s disappointing because it would have been an exciting project that would have interested me very much. The contracts were signed.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe 53-year-old has been out of work for almost a year after leaving Belgian side KV Oostende in June 2023.He had been singled out as the man to replace Neill Collins for the play-offs, though.Collins was sacked last month despite Barnsley sitting in the play-off places in League One.His exit came after a run of four defeats in five matches and just one win in eight during the run-in.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSCaretaker boss Martin Devaney went on to secure a sixth place finish to prolong the club’s season.Devaney is now set to be in the dugout for Friday’s first leg at Oakwell against Bolton.Football stars’ weird phobiasThe two sides will then meet again for the second leg on Tuesday for a place in the final at Wembley Stadium.Barnsley are looking to return to the Championship for the first time since relegation in 2022.They were beaten finalists in last year’s play-offs, having knocked out Bolton in the semi-finals before losing to Sheffield Wednesday. More

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      Former Championship star who missed £100m penalty wakes up unemployed at 28 after being relegated from EFL

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      A FORMER Championship star has woken up unemployed after being released by Forest Green Rovers.Fankaty Dabo was part of the Coventry City team that were on the cusp of promotion to the Premier League in 2023.Fankaty Dabo missed a vital penalty in the 2023 play off finalCredit: RexThe costly miss stopped Coventry from winning promotion to the Premier LeagueCredit: RexHe has now been released by Forest Green RoversCredit: RexDabo, 28, missed the crucial penalty that allowed Dan Potts to fire in the winner and send Luton Town to the promised land.To make matters worse the right back was then released by the Sky Blues.He was then signed by League Two outfit Forest Green Rovers in September 2023 and made 34 appearances for the club this season.However, following the club’s relegation to the National League he is one of 11 players to be released.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLDabo was joined on the released list by Nathan Holland, Dom Bernard, Darnell Johnson, Mathew Stevens, Jordon Garrick, Sean Robertson, Alex Gorrin, David Davis, Reece Brown, Richard Keogh and Luke Daniels.Holland and Robertson are both notable players to now be without clubs having come through the academies of West Ham and Crystal Palace.The club added a statement saying: “Forest Green would like to say thank you to all of the players for their hard work.”During his time at the club he was criticised by manager Troy Deeney during his 29 day tenure.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe former Watford star said: “I said to him in front of everyone, six months ago, you had a kick to get to the premier league.”Now you won’t even get a game in the national league.”Every Premier League club’s most famous and also most surprising fanDabo came through the youth academy of Chelsea and spent 12 years at the club.He had three loan spells away from the Blues at Swindon Town, Vitesse and Sparta Rotterdam.He left permantely in 2019 for Coventry and spent four seasons with the Sky Blues before leaving.Who are these famous footballers? More

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      Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney ‘buy stake in new club as they team up with Mesut Ozil and Kate Upton’

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      RYAN REYNOLDS and Rob McElhenney have joined the celebrity shareholders of a Mexican football club, according to reports.The popular Hollywood pair are already owners of Wrexham, buying the Welsh side in February 2021.Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds have invested in Mexican outfit Club NecaxaCredit: PAKate Upton is one of the many celebrities to have put money into the Liga MX sideCredit: GettyTheir brilliant rise has seen the Red Dragons enjoy back-to-back promotions from the National League to League One.But while Phil Parkinson prepares for life in the third tier next season, his bosses are expanding their football empire.Variety report the acting duo purchased a minority stake in Liga MX outfit Necaxa.The deal was said to be in the works “for months and finalised recently,” ESPN added.READ MORE ON WREXHAMReynolds and McElhenney join an elite list of blockbuster names who have also pumped money into Necaxa.That includes former Arsenal and Germany World Cup winner Mesut Ozil. He is joined by plenty of fellow sports stars – iconic NFL wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr, baseball star Justin Verlander, alpine skier Bode Miller and NBA trio Victor Oladipo, Richard Hamilton and Shawn Marion.And glamorous actresses and models Kate Upton and Eva Longoria also form part of the epic consortium.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSLongoria was even in attendance at Necaxa’s last game – Sunday’s 5-2 defeat at home to Monterrey. Formed in 1923, Los Rayos play their football at the 23,000-seater Estadio Victoria and are currently ninth in the Liga MX table. The story of Wrexham’s incredible riseWho are the owners of Club Necaxa?

      RYAN REYNOLDS (Net worth: £280m)
      Deadpool actor co-owns Wrexham with pal Rob McElhenney and is married to actress Blake Lively
      ROB McELHENNEY (£50m)
      Made his name as star of It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, where he met wife Kaitlin Olson – teamed up with Reynolds for Wrexham revival
      MESUT OZIL (£96m)
      Ex-Arsenal and Real Madrid star won World Cup with Germany in 2014, retired in 2023 to focus on family and business ventures including M10 streetwear, esports team, coffee shops and sports clinic
      KATE UPTON (£24m)
      Actress and model starred in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2011, and was cover model for the 2012, 2013 and 2017 issues – married to baseball star Justin Verlander
      EVA LONGORIA (£64m)
      Mexican-American Texan boasts impressive CV of films and TV shows, activist Longoria also founded own charity to support adults with developmental disabilities
      ODELL BECKHAM JR (£32m)
      Won 2021 Super Bowl with LA Rams, friends with David Beckham, LeBron James, Beyonce and Drake – has host of big sponsors and was linked with romance with Kim Kardashian
      JUSTIN VERLANDER (£120m)
      Iconic pitcher for Detroit Tigers, New York Mets and now Houston Astros – married Upton in 2017, two days after winning World Series
      VICTOR OLADIPO (£40m)
      Maryland basketball star twice named NBA all-star during spell with Indiana Pacers – appeared in The Masked Singer in US
      RICHARD HAMILTON (£40m)
      Spent 14 years in NBA – including nine with Detroit Pistons where he won NBA in 2004 – now analyst for CBS Sports, married pop star TJ Lottie in 2009
      SHAWN MARION (£48m)
      Four-time NBA all-star helped Dallas Mavericks to first title in 2011 – also invested in New Zealand Breakers basketball team
      BODE MILLER (£9m)
      Apline skier won one Olympic and four World Championship gold medals, turned out in baseball for Nashua Pride and even tried a career in tennis – has eight children, six of them with model and beach-volleyball star wife Morgan Beck
      AL TYLIS (Unknown)
      Real estate investor a veteran in industry and has pumped considerable wealth into DC Pickleball team and G2 Esports – now runs family foundation and sold Manhattan apartment for £30m in 2023
      ERNESTO TINAJERO FLORES (Unknown)
      Businessman has enjoyed success in banking, telecommunications, wine and owns half of Club Necaxa where he is chairman

      They have been crowned Mexican champions three times in their history – all in the 1990s. The all-star NX Football USA LLC – spearheaded by real estate investor Al Tylis – bought 50 per cent of Necaxa in 2021 after approval from the Mexican Football Federation.Ernesto Tinajero Flores owns the other half and is the club chairman. As well as Reynolds and McElhenney joining the Necaxa group, it is also understood the existing conglomerate of the Mexican club have agreed to buy a five per cent stake in Wrexham.Eva Longoria is also part of the consortiumCredit: GettyMesut Ozil stumped up some of his own cash to be involvedCredit: Instagram / @m10_officialNecaxa play their home matches at the Stadio VictoriaCredit: Getty More

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      Wrexham set to axe up to TEN promotion-winning stars as chief predicts where they’ll finish in League One

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      WREXHAM are set to axe up to 10 players ahead of their return to League One.The Red Dragons will play in the third tier for the first time since 2005 following promotion this season.Wrexham could axe up to 10 players this summerCredit: RexHollywood owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds are preparing for League OneCredit: AFPPhil Parkinson’s side finished second in League Two behind Stockport as they secured back-to-back promotions for the first time in their history.However, as many as 10 members of their squad could be let go ahead of next term.Several stars see their deals at the Racecourse Ground expire this summer.Goalkeepers Mark Howard, Rob Lainton and Liam Hall are all out of contract, along with defenders Callum McFadzean, Aaron Hayden, Jordan Tunnicliffe and Ben Tozer.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLMeanwhile, midfield duo James McClean and Luke Young are also nearing the end of their deals.Parkinson has addressed the contract situation, explaining: “We’ve got a lot of players out of contract, so we need to sit down and resolve that.”Our first job is treating the out-of-contract players respectfully. Last year we didn’t have many out of contract, but this year is different.”Those talks are important and it is important that we get them done sooner rather than later.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAs for Wrexham’s targets for next season, executive director Humphrey Ker is eyeing a top half finish in League One.He has revealed the club are hopeful of finishing in upper mid-table on their return to the third tier.The story of Wrexham’s incredible riseKer told the Independent: “I think we’ve often talked about the idea that it takes three transfer windows to really build a squad into what you need to compete in any one division and next season will be one window shorter than that.”But I think the core of this team is very strong. They’re very strong personalities, good players and they love each other, so that’s a great basis to build from.”We’ll be adding players in the summer and sadly saying goodbye to one or two, which is sort of just the nature of football, and then we’ll sort of see where we wind up.”Inside the building, we’re like, ‘Look, our objective is get up and stay up, stabilise and build a good platform and go again the following year.’James McClean is one of 10 Wrexham players out of contract this summerCredit: PAThe Red Dragons are eyeing a top half finish after promotion from League Two this termCredit: Alamy”But stranger things than promotion have happened – we might go through the division again.”To be honest, that would probably be too fast for us. It wouldn’t actually be that good for the club as a whole if we did go all the way through this year because we’d just be going so quickly.”Then we’d be trying to catch up with infrastructure and our facilities and everything would be a big, big challenge. So I think something nice and comfortable – upper mid-table, please! Tenth. I’d be very happy with that.” More

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      Former Man Utd wonderkid who came through under Sir Alex Ferguson wakes up unemployed aged 28

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      FORMER Manchester United academy prospect James Wilson has woken up unemployed after being released by Port Vale.The 28-year-old forward came through the club’s academy while Sir Allex Ferguson was in charge.James Wilson scored twice on his Man Utd debut against Hull City in 2014Credit: News Group Newspapers LtdThe striker has now been released by Port Vale after suffering League One relegationCredit: GettyHe was then tipped by another ex Old Trafford boss Louis van Gaal as a potential replacement for both Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie.That was after Ryan Giggs had already handed him his full debut as interim boss following David Moyes’ departure in 2014.Wilson scored twice in that game against Hull City with Giggs saying: “He is a natural goalscorer but he has got more to his game than that.“He can run at people, he has got pace and he is a clever player.”READ MORE ON MAN UTDUnfortunately, the ex-England U21 international did not live up to those expectations as he left the club after four goals in 20 appearances.He had enjoyed loan spells at Brighton, Derby and Sheffield United, but it was Aberdeen who made it permanent to bring him to Scotland.However, he struggled to discover his form after heading north of the border and failed to score in 16 games.That led to him returning to Manchester to sign for Salford City, owned by Giggs and United’s Class of ‘92 stars, in January 2020.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSWilson found the net ten times for them, leading to Port Vale snapping him up in the summer of 2021 on a two-year contract.He repaid that faith by helping them to promotion with a goal in their League Two play-off final win over Mansfield in 2022.Ryan Giggs talks about former Man Utd striker James Wilson But after netting just three goals last term, Vale announced that they had released him.After failing to secure a new club, he returned to the Valiants for pre-season training and his performances earned him a new six-month contract.Wilson scored on his first two starts but was sidelined in October with a calf injury.He was given an extension to his package until the end of the season but suffered another injury in March.That ruled him out of action for Darren Moore’s side for the remainder of the campaign, with the club now revealing that he has been released along with several others following relegation to League Two.Vale have also let Jayson Leutwiler and Gavin Massey depart.Ex-Canada international goalkeeper Leutwiler, 35, joined on a one-year contract from Oldham Athletic last summer but has not made a single appearance in the third tier.Winger Massey, 31, signed after Vale’s promotion, producing three goals and four assists in 81 league appearances, but is now on the lookout for a new team. More

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      Thousands of ecstatic Derby fans invade pitch after sealing promotion back to Championship after two-year absence

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      DERBY fans flocked on to the Pride Park pitch after their heroes sealed a Championship return.Needing a draw to join Portsmouth, the Rams beat relegated Carlisle thanks to strikes from Max Bird and James Collins.Derby’s Championship return saw fans pour on to the pitchCredit: ReutersEbou Adams celebrates with delighted Rams fansCredit: PADerby owner David Clowes savours the moment with the second-placed trophyCredit: ReutersWarne still wears a hat despite the white-hot atmosphere as he celebrates promotion with his staffThe result saw Derby ensure Bolton could not climb above them into the automatic promotion places and sparked wild scenes.Thousands of Rams fans flooded on to the field chanting “we are going up”.It was Derby’s second promotion in 26 years and comes after they dropped into League One while in dire financial straits in 2022.Manager Paul Warne has now led four successful escapes from the third tier – three with former club Rotherham.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe said: “You wake up in the morning and pretend like it is any other game but it isn’t.”You have to try to convince the lads to play it like any other game. That’s difficult because they are not idiots. “David Clowes brought us in – and I appreciate not the most popular choice – we’ve come in here to get promoted and we’ve done it.”We fell short last year and we wanted to win the title this year. We didn’t but we tried to get an average of two points per game which we did. Most read in Sport”The lads have been great. And I am really pleased for everybody who works at the football club, the fans and there is no greater fan than the owner.”It’s nice when somebody shows you that much respect and belief that you can pay them back. Mo Salah held back by team-mates after explosive touchline row with Jurgen Klopp before coming on at West Ham”The highlight for me, and this sounds really saccharine, but when I saw David and his wife Cath, all the heartache and the stress I’ve taken off my life is worth it.”Bird got derby off to a flier as his curling effort gave them the lead after just five minutes.And Collins’ second-half strike saw the party really start in the stands for a deserving fanbase.The party continued in the dressing roomCredit: RexThere were jubilant scenes at full timeCredit: PA More

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      Premier League clubs ‘in talks to enter shock new competition’ just days after FA Cup replays scrapped

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      “RIDICULOUS” plans for a new competition after FA Cup replays were scrapped have angered fans.The Premier League are reportedly in talks over a format involving 16 of their Under-21 teams and 16 National League sides.The FA Cup will lose replays but the National League could yet face fixture congestion via another competitionCredit: PASheffield United boss Chris Wilder blasted the axing of FA Cup replaysCredit: GettySupporters blasted the suggestion – having already joined many clubs and managers from the Prem down in slating the FA for ditching FA Cup replays from next season.But the idea of a new 32-team event might be the reason the National League shocked lovers of grassroots football by BACKING the replay axe.That’s because the fifth tier could profit financially from the plan for an EFL Trophy-style competition, as revealed by the The Athletic.It would see four regional groups of eight teams, with the National League teams playing the U-21 sides at home.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSIt’s understood the host NL clubs would keep all the gate money plus half the prize money.The rest of the cash would be split between the eight NL teams not competing in the tournament, as well as all the NL North and NL South sides – meaning 56 clubs in all.The National League’s top 16 teams would take part – with the two clubs promoted from there into the EFL replaced by the two relegated sides going in the opposite direction.The Athletic’s Matt Slater posted on X: “When is fixture congestion OK? A: When it’s subsidised by the PL.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnd most fans appeared to agree with his withering reaction.One wrote: “This is ridiculous. No one wants u21 sides in the EFL trophy. The national league boss wants less fixture congestion. So why is this needed? Keep FA cup replays.”Another argued: “What a ridiculous idea. So they now want to ruin the FA Cup AND the FA Trophy? This is appalling.”Chris Wilder leads furious backlash to FA Cup replays being scrapped as fans urged to protest at ‘ridiculous’ decisionAnd a third said: “How can the National League look at this year’s fixture congestion and think the answer is more games?”However, one supporter posted: “I am no doubt in a minority but I do enjoy the more unusual competitions, including the EFL Trophy.”Cheap tickets, lots of games, get to play teams you wouldn’t normally. Random nature of it with teams not chasing promotion means unlikely teams make the last stages too.” More

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      Forgotten ex-Premier League manager, 45, out to avoid relegation to League One as he says ‘adversity is in the blood’

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      GARRY MONK is ready to stare down adversity again with his Cambridge side needing a point to guarantee survival.Monk bossed Swansea in the Premier League and then took charge at a series of Championship teams including Leeds and Middlesbrough.Garry Monk is hoping to save Cambridge from relegationCredit: AlamyBut he spent more than three years out of football management after getting the sack at Sheffield Wednesday in November 2020.Monk finally returned in early March as Cambridge’s head coach, tasked with preserving the club’s League One status.They were thrashed 6-0 at Lincoln and 4-0 at Reading in his first two away games at the helm.But he has since stabilised the U’s, who will definitely beat the drop if they draw at Port Vale tomorrow.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLMonk knows what it takes to stay up via the final fixture, having masterminded Birmingham’s 3-1 victory over Fulham in 2018.Monk, 45, said: “Adversity’s in the blood. I kind of like adversity. I’ve faced a lot of it in my career, and as a person in my life. My mentality is always really strong with it.“I’m looking forward to the game and the players should be looking forward to it. “I know there’s a big, huge responsibility and an outcome that’s needed from it, but you have to enjoy these moments as well.Most read in EFLCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSGarry Monk’s managerial record
      Swansea: Played 77, Won 28, Drew 17, Lost 32.
      Leeds: Played 53, Won 25, Drew 11, Lost 17.
      Middlesbrough: Played 26, Won 12, Drew 5, Lost 9.
      Birmingham: Played 59, Won 19, Drew 20, Lost 20.
      Sheffield Wednesday: Played 58, Won 18, Drew 15, Lost 25.
      Cambridge: Played 10, Won 2, Drawn 3, Lost 5.

      “Yes I’d rather be at the other end of the table fighting, but sometimes you face these situations.“It’s the character and belief you have in yourself and in each other that will come shining through. I’m pretty confident that will come through in the players on Saturday.”Most dramatic Premier League’s final daysMonk has been impressed with the spirit and determination demonstrated by the Cambridge’s squad in their quest for safety.He added: “Often in these situations, there’s a lot of fracture and discontent that you have to try and manage.“But I feel lucky that I haven’t had to do too much of that work. It hasn’t been any of that – it’s just more an enhancement of confidence and belief.“Even the Reading and Lincoln games, there wasn’t like you had a fractured group. “It was just two games where we did poor, but it wasn’t for a lack of wanting to do the right thing or anything else. It was very early days and new.“But since Reading I think they’ve done exceptionally well. They’ve shown what they’re about, showed all the ingredients that you’d want in this type of situation. One more huge effort and we can get the job done.”Despite Cambridge’s precarious position, Monk has relished being back involved in club life.He said: “I’ve hugely enjoyed it. I’ve had a lot of support. Not just the players and the staff, but from around. The fan base, the ownership and the directors – I’ve just had a lot of support. And that’s quite nice.READ MORE SUN STORIES“That’s not been at every club you have that type of support. I think when you get that kind of support, outside of just being professional, you are kind of more desperate to give them what they want, because they’re good people at the club and around the club.“So you feel a bit more emotionally attached to what you want to give them and how important it is for everyone.”Bottom of the League One table going into the final day More