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    Scott McTominay’s net worth revealed as Napoli star’s Manchester United millions take a hit after botched investment

    HE’s the man on the moment in Naples.Scotland star Scott McTominay is leading the charge towards the Scudetto for Napoli – but how is his net worth looking as he stands on the cusp of history in his first season in Italy?Scott McTominay is fast-approaching cult hero status with NapoliCredit: GettyAlready fans have dedicated a shrine to him in the city of NaplesCredit: EPAThe 28-year-old made a £25.5million switch from Manchester United to the Serie A club last summer.That transfer has since been derided by several former United stars, who believe those at Old Trafford must now regret the decision to sell him.McTominay has established himself as a fans’ favourite with the Partonopei faithful – fans have gotten tattoos of him, a pizza has been named in his honour and there’s even a SHRINE dedicated to the Scot in the city he now calls him.The midfielder has scored 12 goals for Napoli so far this season (11 in the league), with many coming in vital moments.His form has been so impressive it’s led to a tactical shift by boss Antonio Conte and it’s helped put Gli Azzuri on the verge of a fourth Serie A title.McTominay earned a pay rise when he moved from the Premier League to Serie A.He was on around £60,000 a week at Man Utd, raking in about £2.5million per year.But he now makes just over £91,000 a week at Napoli with an annual salary of £4,779,287. That figure would put him below 15 United stars in terms of yearly earnings.His wages aren’t all that make up his net worth, of course.He has a company set up for off-the-field investments, Scott McTominay Ltd, and back in February we revealed it had funds of £4,745,160.’How can you sell him?’ Ole Gunnar Solskjaer blasts Man Utd for Scott McTominay’s transfer to NapoliThat would put his net worth riches north of £8million – not including sponsorship and endorsement deals.However, his business’ accounts took a hit this week after a botched investment in which he loaned cash to a collapsed firm run by his Wag, Cam Reading.McTominay loaned £1million in cash plus £1.32million from his own investment company to Ashley Reading and Wag Cameron’s Fortress Capital Partners.Scott McTominay’s careerBorn in Lancaster on December 8, 1996Joined the Manchester United youth system aged five and signed his first professional contract in 2013Made his Premier League debut against Arsenal in May 2017McTominay went on to win Carabao Cup and FA Cup with Man UtdMade 255 appearances and scored 29 goals for the Red DevilsMcTominay joined Napoli in August for £25.7millionBorn in England, he qualified for Scotland through his dad who’s from HelensburghMcTominay was called-up by Scotland in March 2018 and has gone on to become a huge Hampden favouriteHe was part of the squad at Euro 2020 and Euro 2024He won his 50th cap while playing against Germany at Euro 2024McTominay has scored some huge goals for Scotland, including an injury-time winner against Israel and his famous double in the 2-0 win over Spain in GlasgowCam and her dad are facing fraud allegations and Cam has been told to hand over hundreds of thousands of pounds from sales of two pads in Dubai and a Spanish villa.McTominay himself is among creditors owed around £20million by Fortress after it went bust.But it’s understood investors stand to get just 3p back for every £1 — meaning McTominay would receive just £66,000.With all that accounted for, McTominay’s net worth can be estimated at around £5.8million to £6million.McTominay and Wag Cam ReadingAnd with Ashley ReadingKeep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

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    ‘I was faster than the boys’ – Alisha Lehmann opens up on her football beginnings and ‘moment everything changed’

    JUVENTUS ace Alisha Lehmann looked back at her football beginnings before reaching fame on the pitch and social media.Lehmann, 26, has been a pro footballer since 2016 and saw her career take off when she started combining her day job with modelling on various platforms, such as Instagram.Alisha Lehmann looked back at her football beginningsLehmann combines her career in football with social media modellingLehmann came a long way until she joined JuventusLehmann started playing football from the age of sixThat earned the forward an audience of 16.4million followers and the nickname of the “world’s sexiest footballer”.The Switzerland international claims she knew she had a calling from the age of six when she played football with boys.The ex-Aston Villa ace even claims that she was “faster than the boys” and that led to her playing for a local club.Everything changed when Young Boys scouted her at the age of 11 as that was when her career officially began.Read More on FootballLehmann recalled her beginnings in football: “When I was six or seven, I joined a club. “As a child, I was very fast, faster than the boys. I started in my village and always wanted to play. “The moment everything changed was when I joined Young Boys: I was 11 or 12 years old. “At that time, we trained with the boys in the mornings and played with the girls on weekends…Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”I had fun, but I didn’t think I could become a real footballer. Women’s football wasn’t like it is today, and I believed that in Switzerland I would earn more with a normal job than as a footballer. “I never thought I would make it; I lived my life.Fans baffled as Mark Goldbridge ‘chats up Alisha Lehmann’ on Baller League live watchalong”I’m a girl, I’m feminine, and I like nails. I’m not a full-back, I don’t have to take throw-ins. “People talk about these things too much; they don’t influence what happens on the pitch in any way. “I’m always criticised for these things. I don’t care what they write.”Scroll down to see more of Alisha’s glam lifeAlisha Lehmann played for Aston VillaCredit: RexLehmann was one of the WSL’s top starsCredit: instagram/alishalehmann7She has amassed a loyal following onlineCredit: instagram/alishalehmann7Lehmann has millions of Instagram supportersCredit: Instagram @alishalehmann7Alisha posed for her 2024 calendarCredit: Instagram @alishalehmann7She regularly posts saucy snapsCredit: Instagram / @alishalehmann7Lehmann is not shy when it comes to the cameraCredit: instagram/alishalehmann7She plays as a forwardCredit: Instagram @alishalehmann7Lehmann likes to travelCredit: instagram/alishalehmann7Fans will be cheering her onCredit: instagram/alishalehmann7Alisha has joined the Prime teamCredit: Instagram / @alishalehmann7Lehmann looks delighted to be partnering KSI and Logan PaulCredit: Instagram / @alishalehmann7Lehmann is the most-followed female footballer in the world.Credit: instagramLehmann was asked if she could send Drake one of her football shirtsCredit: instagram/alishalehmann7She received a surprising request from rapper DrakeCredit: instagramAn A-list celebrity had offered her £90,000 for a night of passionCredit: Instagram @alishalehmann7The footballer is sponsored by PrimeCredit: Instagram / @alishalehmann7She is also a Switzerland internationalCredit: Getty More

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    Anthony Joshua in talks over ‘serious investment’ in former Premier League club as boxer looks for new business venture

    ANTHONY JOSHUA has revealed he’s on course to punch a serious investment in Watford.The former two-time unified heavyweight champion, who has earned over £219MILLION in his boxing career, grew up in the town and has given back to the community through his Clean Herts Community initiative over the years.Former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua grew up in WatfordCredit: ACTION IMAGESAJ has given back to the local community over the years through his Clearn Herts Community initiativeThe London 2012 Gold medallist now wants to invest in Watford Football ClubCredit: GETTYBut the Watford warrior, 35, now wants to use his millions in the bank to help get the Hornets buzzing again.He told SecondsOut: “We wanted to move into private equity, venture capital funds.”As you earn, naturally, you want to save.”So rather than me spending recklessly I’m trying to invest money into certain asset classes and that was an opportunity that presented itself.READ MORE BOXING NEWS“Nothing’s come of it yet. It’s a serious investment. If it comes off it’s one that should do well.“If they went back to the Premier League, then I’d need to get a shop on Market Street because the traffic that would be coming through Watford would be phenomenal.“If we don’t do it then good luck to them anyway because they’re a great team.”Watford ended the Championship season in 14th place, a whopping 11 points off the final play-off place.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSAJ would love to be an investor at Vicarage RoadCredit: GettyJoshua has been on the sidelines since his crushing fifth-round KO defeat to Daniel Dubois in their Wembley war last September.AJ is currently eyeing a long-overdue Battle of Britain with rival Tyson Fury, who recently performed a public U-turn on his latest retirement.Eddie Hearn provides update on Anthony Joshua’s injury and Tyson Fury fightBut their mammoth domestic dust-up won’t take place any time soon as Joshua is set to go under the knife in the coming weeks to address a long-standing elbow injury.When quizzed about his ring return, he told DAZN: “I’m trying to get my body right.”I have got to actually have a little surgery on my elbow.”A small surgery sometime in May. I’m finalising the details.”That will see me out of the gym for maybe six to eight weeks, and then when I’m healed, I will be back.” More

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    How Wrexham was transformed from Spice-ridden hellhole to Welsh Hollywood as locals say ‘next stop’s the Premier League’

    AMERICAN and Japanese tourists seek some Hollywood glamour when they make a pilgrimage to Rob Clarke’s second hand DVD shop.The owner of Mad4Movies happily pulls his cardboard cut-out of Deadpool actor and local club owner Ryan Reynolds for the football tourists as they soak up all things Wrexham AFC.Wrexham recently secured promotion to the ChampionshipCredit: GettyThe Welsh team’s success has thrown the town into a frenzyCredit: GettyRyan Reynolds watched them secure promotion along with his wife Blake LivelyCredit: GettyDad-of-two Rob, 47, has his own claim to fame as he starred in Disney+ documentary Welcome to Wrexham which charts the town’s incredible football fairytale.The club has just secured a third historic promotion after beating Charlton Athletic 3-0, taking them from non-league to the Championship and one step from the Premier League.In delirious scenes, the club’s owners Ryan, 48, and his fellow Hollywood actor Rob McElhenney hugged the players as the fans raced onto the pitch at their Racecourse Ground.Ryan was also joined by his Gossip Girl actress wife Blake Lively who also greeted fans in the stands.Read More FeaturesHer husband Ryan, 48, and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia actor Rob McElhenney bought the club for £2 million nearly five years ago with the lofty ambition of getting to the Premier League.Now the Welsh club, which was formed in 1864 and is the third oldest in the world, has an army of fans around the world.Foreign tourists fly in to take in a game and take coach tours of the former mining town.It’s a welcome turnaround for an area once dubbed ‘Spice Town’, after images emerged of people under the influence of drugs at its bus station, in 2018.Most read in ChampionshipIt was also found to have the highest number of rough sleepers in North Wales, with 57, in 2020.But the “Ryan and Rob effect” has meant the town is teeming with visitors – boosting the local economy and creating jobs. Danny Devito celebrates Wrexham’s last-gasp win over Barnsley as he watches from virtual stadium in LATourism and hospitality revenue has increased by £120m in just three years and is now worth £180 million.Many tourists beat a path to Mad4Movies, which also sells books, music CDs and tapes, as well as Wrexham postcards for £1.Lifelong fan Rob said: “Ryan and Rob came to the shop when they first bought the club.”They wanted to meet fans who’d supported the club for a long time.”They were lovely. Ryan said he’s never seen so many DVDs and then he said: ‘There must be one you’ve never sold, that’s been here for years?'”I told him: ‘Well, we won’t talk about the Green Lantern’. This is one of his flops.”Fortunately he laughed. To be fair he signed my copy of the film.”It read: ‘Apologies in advance, Ryan.’ That got in the documentary.”Rob added: “I can’t believe how far the club has come – it’s amazing.”A while ago we nearly went out of existence and we were only saved by a fan whip round which raised £100,000.”Now we have fans come in for coach tours so all over the world.”Prem dreamsWalking down the main shopping street in the town, one ex-player said he is stunned by the club’s transformation.DVD shop owner Rob Clarke met Reynolds and McElhenney when they first bought the clubCredit: iSKANDU AGENCY / SUN COMMISSIONTheir ownership of the club has been documented in the documentary Welcome to WrexhamCredit: GettyImages of Spice addicts in the bus station shocked the world in 2018Credit: Daily Post Wales/Gavin RoddaThe centre was dubbed ‘Spice Town’Credit: Daily Post WalesWinger Nick Hencher, 63, who played for the club in the 1985-86 season, said: “It’s great – it’s galvanised everybody.”It’s a massive season in the Championship as it’s a big step-up.”You never know, we might see four promotions in a row.”He added: “The club has changed a hell of a lot.”I enjoyed playing for them, it was a great experience for a local lad.”But it’s big time now and I’m still a small part of it, being chairman of the former players’ association.”So I just stay involved a little bit.”Match days, the town is buzzing with thousand of people here enjoying the limelight.”The last few years since Ryan and Rob took over, it’s just boomed in football and tourismJames VealOther fans cannot also believe the transformation of the club.Former builder Brian Roberts, 60, said: “Three promotions in a row – I never thought I’d see it.”It’s fantastic for the town.”Miners’ charity worker James Veal, 27, said: “There’s just this buzz around Wrexham,”The last few years since Ryan and Rob took over, it’s just boomed in football and tourism.”It just seems brighter, there’s more going on.”More people want to invest in the the town, there’s more shops, more restaurants, bars.”It’s fantastic to see the growth and what these two lads have brought to Wrexham.James Veal has noticed a huge boom in tourismCredit: iSKANDU AGENCY / SUN COMMISSIONWrexham were just a non-league club when it was purchased by the Hollywood starsCredit: PAEleanor Swash has met tourists from all over the worldCredit: iSKANDU AGENCY / SUN COMMISSION”Wrexham seemed to be on the up and just doing its own thing, but they have shone a spotlight and given it a good boost.”Shop worker Eleanor Swash, 18, works in a Wrexham AFC pop-up shop in the town.She said: “We got lots of tourists from all over – America, Canada, Germany and Japan.”It’s crazy really but it’s so good for the town.”A-list fansDad-of-four Ryan has recruited a host of his Hollywood friends to the Red Dragons causes including Danny DeVito and Will Ferrell.He even took Magic Mike star Channing Tatum to The Fat Boar pub on a Friday night in December and bought everyone a drink.Manager Sean Cooney, 35, said: “We got a phone call from their team who said they’d be here in half an hour.The Ryan and Rob effect seems to be getting bigger all the timeSean Cooney”They turned up and were lovely.”We had a singer performing and they got on the mic to say drinks were on them.”We then put them upstairs in a room.”He added: “This place has become closely associated with the team.”We get lots of tourists especially Canadian and Americans.”In fact we are getting more and more Americans.”The Ryan and Rob effect seems to be getting bigger all the time.”I mean it must be them as you don’t normally get many Americans coming to Wrexham on holiday.”Now fans are dreaming of a fourth promotion in a rowCredit: Instagram/Ryan ReynoldsBlake and Ryan love supporting the gamesCredit: InstagramFans piled round the stars to snap a picCredit: APRyan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bought the club for a mere £2millionCredit: GettyThe club itself is in a healthy financial position thanks to Rob and Ryan’s backing and shrewd deals.Club accounts going up to June 2024 covering their season in League Two show revenues of £26.7million – which is a figure greater than seven of the Championship clubs.The Red Dragons have now even been linked to some stellar Premier League players including Man Utd’s Jonny Evans and Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy.And the latest series of the Welcome to Wrexham doc is to be screened on May 16.Councillor Nigel Williams, Wrexham Council’s lead member for economy, business and tourism, said: “The impact of Ryan and Rob as well as the documentary has been phenomenal.Read More on The Sun”We used to go to trade fairs and people would see we were from Wrexham and just walk past.”Now they are beating down our door.”Ryan took Channing Tatum for a night out at The Fat BoarCredit: iSKANDU AGENCY / SUN COMMISSIONBusiness is booming in the centre of the townCredit: iSKANDU AGENCY / SUN COMMISSIONHow Ryan Reynolds has been watching Wrexham games in styleCO-OWNER Ryan Reynolds hasn’t been able to make it to Wrexham in recent weeks due to filming commitments.But that hasn’t stopped him from watching his team in style.Streaming the match on a laptop or even a TV was not grand enough for the Deadpool star as he worked on the set of his latest movie.With a giant green screen behind him, he could not resist broadcasting Wrexham’s recent game on to the huge projector.Reynolds and his crew watched on as the Welsh side notched their 23rd win of the season against Crawley Town.He looked enamoured as the game played on behind him while surrounding by various pieces of Hollywood machinery.And Reynolds captioned the moment: “Watching the Wrexham game at work: new level unlocked.”It’s not clear what project Reynolds was working on at the time, with the actor currently developing several new movies including sequels to smash hits Free Guy and Red Notice. 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    Why Teofimo Lopez feels like he’s gone back in a time machine by sharing card with rivals Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia

    TEOFIMO LOPEZ feels like he has gone back in time by sharing a fight card with all old amateur rivals.Lopez features on the remarkable three-bout bill on Friday night, staged in the centre of New York’s Times Square. Teofimo Lopez returns to face Arnold Barboza JrCredit: GettyLopez was shoved by Barboza in the build upCredit: GettyThe WBO super-lightweight world champion, 27, defends his belt against Arnold Barboza Jr.Also in action is Devin Haney, returning after a year out to face Jose Ramirez Jr, up in weight at a 144lb catchweight clash. And headlining is the return of Ryan Garcia against former sparring rival Rolando Romero.READ MORE IN boxing Tempers have threatened to boil over in the build-up to the never-before-seen card in the Big Apple. After all, they know each other all too well having come up in the amateur circuit together where they would often fight alongside each other. Lopez told SunSport: “We all know each other from like the amateurs. That’s what it feels like right now.”It feels like we’re in a national tournament. Only thing is that the stage got bigger. Most read in Boxing”The people know us a bit more and what else can I say? It’s a historic event. But other than that, it’s, no pressure, no rivalry, just entertainment.” CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSGarcia is back after serving a one-year drugs ban for testing testing positive for ostarine – known to boost muscle growth – after fighting Haney.The initial victory – which included three knockdowns – was chalked off and turned into a no-contest. Why Devin Haney was ‘smiling ear to ear’ and Teofimo Lopez ‘loved’ Chris Eubank Jr’s emotional reunion with his dadBut a rematch is already planned between the two for October. Garcia said: “I think that he has a great chance to beat Ramirez. Ramirez is a little past his prime. So I expect both of us to win, for sure.”I have no idea how he’s gonna go about himself. I just know that I was in his head the first time.”It’s hard to look past getting dropped three times, I mean, you have to address that within yourself. So I don’t know how he’s gonna handle that.” Haney bluntly hit back: “Right now it’s not time for me to speak on that. Right now my main focus is Jose Ramirez and focusing on Jose.”We’ll get to that Ryan fight after this one, but right now I put all my attention, all my focus on Jose Ramirez because he’s a live dog. He’s coming to fight.”That’s my main focus right now.”Read More on The SunWatch the full episode of The Sun’s Split Decision featuring exclusive interviews with Canelo Alvarez, Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney.Garcia and Haney’s rivalry dates back to their six amateur boutsCredit: XGarcia headlines against Rolando RomeroCredit: RexHaney returns against Jose RamirezCredit: Alamy More

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    Ryan Garcia feared losing his kids at height of mental health battle but returns to boxing with chance of redemption

    RYAN GARCIA feared losing his kids at the height of his public mental health breakdown – but returning to boxing is his chance of redemption.The American superstar has spoken honestly in the past about struggling with depression at times in his career. Ryan Garcia drinks from a beer bottle before his fight with Devin HaneyCredit: AlamyGarcia shares daughter Bela and son Henry with ex-wife Andrea CelinaCredit: INSTAGRAMGarcia with his first-born daughter RylieCredit: INSTAGRAMAfter beating Luke Campbell in 2021, Garcia took 15 months out of the ring to deal with personal problems behind the scenes. But his fight outside the ring threatened to derail his career before facing Devin Haney in New York last year. Garcia was openly drinking and admitting to smoking cannabis in the build-up to the bout, partying throughout his training camp. Mixed in with worrying social media outbursts and conspiracies, fans and even his loved ones grew concerned for Garcia. READ MORE IN boxingAmazingly, the troubled boxer made it to the ring and beat Haney in a shock upset, only for the result to be overturned after a failed drug test. Now Garcia is back after accepting a one-year suspension – but thankfully turned his life around during the 12 months out.He told SunSport: “That route I was on is not sustainable as a professional athlete. “You can’t be going about things in that manner as a professional and just changing my whole mindset, making sure that I get back to being the best fighter I can be and the best athlete I can be and that was the switch that I made.” Most read in BoxingGarcia revealed he hit his lowest point last June after trashing a Los Angeles hotel room – causing £11,000 worth of damage. He was arrested and charged with one misdemeanour count of vandalism – and feared he would lose his three children in the process. Ryan Garcia says his one-year-old son is already a champion in the making… and has his famous left hookGarcia, who went to counselling, revealed: “I mean, as a father you’ve always got to be thinking about what examples you’re giving to your children.”And I think as a mature man, you have to realise your mistakes and make changes, no matter how they come about.”And I think that’s important. I love my kids and I love my family and making sure that I’m a great example for them is a huge priority for me.”So, I cannot be making those type of mistakes and I take responsibility and I’m ready to show them how great their daddy really is.”Garcia shares his eldest daughter Rylie with ex-girlfriend Catherine Gamez and has Bela with his former wife Andrea Celina.And in December 2023, he welcomed son Henry into the world with Andrea, who he remains close with as they parent together.The Garcia clan rolled into New York ahead of his return fight against Rolando Romero tonight – with boxing allowing him a second chance. Garcia with his son HenryCredit: INSTAGRAMGarcia feared losing his kids in the height of his mental health battleCredit: INSTAGRAMGarcia with his eldest RylieCredit: INSTAGRAMGarcia said: “It’s everything, that’s my career. This is my livelihood, this is how I support my family.”And obviously it’s really important for me to be the best I could possibly be if I’m not that, then it’ll be hard to do anything else.”Garcia – who claimed he was drinking on the week of his fight with Haney – has cut out and traded any damaging vices. He said: “I’m just playing chess. Playing video games, playing golf, honestly.”A clip of Garcia’s woeful driving on the golf course emerged on social media and he laughed: “Yeah, that was bad, right? “But I gotta find some type of hobby, so it is what it is, just enjoying my time with the people around me and that’s it, living the life.”Garcia, 26, dropped Haney, also 26, three times in Brooklyn last April on the way to a surprise points win off the back of his turbulent prepration. Garcia says he was partying in the days before fighting HaneyCredit: FightHype Haney was dropped three times but Garcia’s win was overturned amid the failed testCredit: GettyBut the result was chalked off after Garcia tested positive for ostarine – known to boost muscle growth. He had returned clean tests with VADA in the build-up to the bout and his team blamed contaminated supplements for the positive result.But the positive tests were taken on the day of and 24 hours before the bout at the Barclays Center.Garcia, who was also fined nearly £1million, said: “At the end of the day, I know I didn’t cheat.”I’ll take the ban for a year and that keeps it moving fast. Everybody knows that I didn’t take it.”I know my team, we know we didn’t take anything, so honestly it doesn’t really matter to me at the end of the day.”People are gonna believe whatever they want to believe, they’re gonna believe I’m innocent, the large majority do believe that, so who cares?”Garcia is back in boxing after serving a drugs ban and turning around his mental healthCredit: GettyGarcia says he is better ‘mentally and physically’Credit: RexGarcia returns to top a stunning three-fight card in Times Square against former sparring rival Romero, 29. Haney features in his comeback bout against Jose Ramirez, 32, as a rematch with Garcia is targeted for October. Garcia said: “I think that he has a great chance to beat Ramirez. Ramirez is a little past his prime. So I expect both of us to win, for sure.” Despite his failed drug test and subsequent no-contest the beatdown of Haney has left question marks of the former champion’s confidence. And Garcia goaded: “I have no idea how he’s gonna go about himself. I just know that I was in his head the first time.”It’s hard to look past getting dropped three times, I mean, you have to address that within yourself. So I don’t know how he’s gonna handle that.” Garcia steps up to the 147lb welterweight division to face Romero and said: “I’m just ready to go.”I may have been acting crazy last time around but I was still feeling pretty good physically, but for me this time around I feel good both, mentally and physically.Read More on The Sun”So, you know, I’ve done this before. I’ve fought many fights in my life and I’m ready, I’m in shape, ready to go 12 rounds and ready to do my job.”Watch the full episode of The Sun’s Split Decision featuring exclusive interviews with Canelo Alvarez, Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney.Garcia returns against Rolando RomeroCredit: RexHaney faces Jose RamirezCredit: Alamy More

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    Premier League manager, 56, lived in ‘cave’ that was flooded three months a year from the sea

    FROM growing up in a ‘cave’ to saving people as a lifeguard, the life of Vitor Pereira has not been plain sailing.But from treading water when he arrived, the Wolves boss is on the crest of a wave after leading them to Prem safety.Vitor Pereira took charge of Wolves in December 2018Credit: GETTYThe Portuguese has guided the early-season strugglers to Premier League safetyCredit: PAPereira came from the most humble of beginnings in seaside PortugalCredit: GETTYThe popular Portuguese has become a cult hero in Wolverhampton for the amazing turnaround he has inspired.But his status has been sealed just as much for sinking celebratory pints with fans in the city centre Wetherspoon’s Moon Under Water after games.Sitting in his club tracksuit, Pereira is sipping a pint of Japanese lager Asahi at The Inn at Shipley, eight miles west of Molineux, while holding court with the media.Where else but a boozer for the man whose catchphrase ‘First the points, then the pints’? now booms around Molineux? READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS”In the moments of celebration, you need to see the smiles. This is my energy,” he said.”In Wolverhampton, I must go to a pub, because this is the culture and where people go. This is our life.” His strength comes from his tough upbringing in Espinho, a small fishing village 10 miles south of Porto.”I’m a man of the sea. I grew up on the beach,” said Pereira, whose favourite tipple is Stella.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSVitor Pereira has become a beloved figure in the Black CountryCredit: REX”My house was 50 metres from the beach. At the time, my father didn’t have money so we lived in a cave – underground.”Every winter the sea came strong, without barriers, for three months, so there was water inside.Premier League clash descends into farce as VAR counts number of players”We had to rebuild the house. Every time there was water in the walls, and a bad smell. I felt ashamed because my clothes smelt.”You felt wet every time, but that was our life.”It was a very humble village with fishermen. We grew up on the street, fighting together.”But this is what I have inside of me. This is the power.”My friends are all from 50 years ago. I go there and I feel like I’m home.”I belong there, that is my space – in front of the sea, with my beer, my paper and a pen. This is what I like.” Life remained hard for Pereira, but a fierce work ethic helped him make his way in the world.”Since I was 16, I never asked for one euro from my parents,” he said.”I did small jobs to get money to go to discos. On Saturday mornings, I was a lifeguard on the beach.”They paid me a lot of money. And I saved a lot of people.”I had no worries – just to play football.”I went to university, did small jobs, and I started to save, from 18. I’m now 56. But my sons will spend the money, don’t worry!” Pereira, an amateur midfielder who never played pro, taught PE. But he felt he was always destined to manage.”When I played, I was a coach inside the pitch, shouting ‘Do this, do that’,” he recalled.”But when the ball came to my feet, the mind said one thing but the feet another! “I had a career, in the third division in Portugal. But I got money to do my course, go to university, buy my car and clothes.” Pereira has won titles with Porto, Olympiacos and Shanghai. But the glamour of travelling the world as a football coach has its downsides – like missing his three sons grow up.Now he admits he is a stranger when he goes home.”I have three sons: 28 – I hope I’m not wrong – 26 and 24,” he said.”This is difficult to speak about because for the last 15 years, my wife has been the father and the mother.”I didn’t see anything – birthdays and graduations – because now they have finished university. I have never been there.”I don’t want my sons in football because it’s impossible to have a family life.” But like a junkie craving his next hit, Pereira goes cold turkey without the Beautiful Game.”Football is like a passion and a drug – I cannot live without it,” he admits.”After one month, I get nervous. I cannot enjoy anything.”Before, I said to my wife, this is my opportunity to build the life for my sons.”But because I earned a lot of money, she asked me, ‘now it’s for what? It’s for you. Since the beginning, it’s been for you.”Sometimes I went home, and it’s like ‘where are my clothes?’ I don’t know where the knife or fork are. I change my house every time, the car.”When we have lunch or dinner, they start to talk but my mind is on football.Football is always on the mind of Vitor Pereira, even when he’s at the pubCredit: GETTYHe doesn’t go to the pub for the pints, he goes for the fans”I’m thinking about the problem I need to solve, and they are talking about things I don’t understand.”It’s like the personality of my sons has changed, and I didn’t realise it.”So football is not only about good things. We suffer a lot.” Personal loss has also caused Pereira suffering.”I cannot speak about this because I don’t want to cry,” he said.”When I arrived in Brazil, I went to Corinthians. They have 55 million supporters.”When I met the press, they asked, ‘Vitor, you don’t feel the pressure?’ “The pressure was when my father had cancer, my brother was dying, and my mother was crying.” If Pereira has struggled to connect with his own family, he certainly knows the value of building links with players and fans.”Connecting the people – me with the players, the players with the supporters, and the community with the city, is more important than the tactical idea,” he said.”There are big clubs in this country. We are in a small city.”If I go to the city centre, everybody knows me and this is our power.”We can make the difference because we are in a small area, and if we are connected, if we don’t lose our energy, if we don’t commit mistakes, we can do fantastic things together.”When I go to a pub, I like the beer but I go to be with the people, to feel I’m doing something to make them happy and proud.” Second bottom of the table having leaked 40 goals in 16 games, Wolves fans were drowning their sorrows when he arrived.The glass was very much half empty.But Pereira was always confident of turning pints into points from Day One after replacing Gary O’Neil.Vitor Pereira took charge of Wolves last DecemberCredit: AFPPereira replaced the sacked Gary O’NeilCredit: AP”I used to say if I go to the pitch for one training session, you will see the difference,” he said.”Nobody can work without confidence. We had to rebuild it.”We had a meeting with the players and started work from the first day on our identity.”The tactical idea is very clear. It took one training session.”After two days, they understood. We felt the enthusiasm in training.” Back-to-back wins against Leicester and Man United lifted Wolves out of the drop zone and he hasn’t looked back.”I will not change my game to play against another team, at home or away,” he vowed.”I like to create things. Every time I go to a club, creating a style of play is like taking a baby in my arms and helping him to grow.”If I wasn’t a manager, I would be something like an architect or a painter.”It’s like I start a new painting. I plan the training sessions, and I need to create every day because if I don’t, I start to become unbalanced.” Pereira is sometimes so much ‘in the zone’ he misses Wolves’ goals.”Sometimes when I’m in the game it’s like I’m playing PlayStation,” he said.”If we are in the offensive midfield, I’m looking to see if my players are in position to react when we lose the ball.”Sometimes I don’t see our goals because I’m looking at the opposition. I’m taking notes because I want to help us.” Pereira is making small beer of managing in the Prem. If Wolves win at Man City on Friday night, it will equal a club record seven straight top-flight victories achieved in 1946.But considering his route to finally arriving in England at the age of 56, it’s little wonder he is celebrating – after being approached by SIX Prem clubs.”The first was West Bromwich, in the Premier League, maybe 15 years ago,” he recalled.”The second? Everton. Third? Crystal Palace with the proposal, with a contract for two and a half years.I will not change my game to play against another team, at home or awayVitor Pereira”Then they changed the idea, but I realised that’s normal here.”After that, Chelsea, then Everton again, then Arsenal. I had a long, very good meeting with Arsenal before they signed Mikel Arteta.”Then a third interview with Everton. With Everton, the contract was agreed to start tomorrow. My bags were packed.”But it was a case of ‘check in, check out’ for one week.”Watford was the only time I said no. They were relegated.” So when the wolf came to the door, he was not about to slam it shut.”When I looked at Wolverhampton, we said, ‘it’s not difficult – they have quality’,” he insisted. “This was not a team to go down.”I’m very grateful to this club because they gave me the chance to be in the league I believe gives me the opportunity to be at my best level.”I feel I’m in the place you want to be all my life.”Maybe I was not ready before, and now is the time and this is the club.”I stayed three years in China, I went to Saudi twice, and twice to Fenerbahce.”Brazil and Turkey are very difficult to succeed in and Greece is not easy because the emotion is high.”But it all gave us the background and the experience to come here. I’m prepared.” Those experiences fuelled Pereira’s ambition and he does not intend to be battling to keep their heads above water again.Vitor Pereira has guided Wolves to Premier League safety in his maiden season in English footballCredit: GETTY”I didn’t come to England just to avoid relegation,” he said. “If you look at my career, this is not my record.”At a smaller club, we cannot make mistakes (in the transfer market).”If we make the right steps next season, we can be mid-table. After, we can make another step forward.”If possible, I want to keep almost the whole squad.”There will be players who want to move, so we need to have honest conversations.”Because it’s a smaller club it’s easier to work as we connect with everyone every day.”After, with the supporters, we can do very important things.”The pressure is what I put on myself, because I want my team playing strong, beautiful football, winning games.”If I’m in the right place to challenge me, I can do magic.” Pereira is open to star player Matheus Cunha staying, even though Man United are ready to meet the 17-goal striker’s £62.5m release clause.But he is more focused on Wolves being better next season, whether the brilliant Brazilian is there or not.”I don’t know if he’ll stay,” said the boss. “But we need to know the club will move forward to build a strong team, with or without Cunha. You cannot build a club around a player.” Wolves have lost their captains in each of the last three summers in Conor Coady, Ruben Neves and Maximilian Kilman.Now Pereira is sweating on skipper Nelson Semedo, 31, with his fellow Portuguese out of contract.Read More on The Sun”I hope Nelson stays,” he said. “He’s very important for the group.”But it’s his family life and if he decides to move, we need to find another good man.” More

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    World champ green lights Jake Paul ‘money fight’ after hearing YouTuber’s sensational KO claim

    A BOXING world champion has given the green light to a “money fight” with Jake Paul.The Problem Child has made many a bold claim since dipping his toes into the world of professional boxing in January 2020.Jake Paul has made several bold claims since making his professional boxing debut in 2020Credit: EPA’The Problem’ Child recently claimed he’d knock out Anthony JoshuaCredit: REUTERSPaul has also claimed he’d get the better of WBC cruiserweight champ Badou JackCredit: REUTERS’The Ripper’ has welcomed a ‘money fight’ against the YouTuberCredit: GETTYPaul’s immense self-belief has prompted sensational declarations that he can knock out the likes of Anthony Joshua and Canelo Alvarez.Among the names of current and former world champions Paul has claimed he can render unconscious is current WBC cruiserweight king Badou Jack.’The Ripper’ was stunned to hear Paul’s assessment of how a fight between them would go down, telling SunSport: “He said that? When?”The Swede, who returns to the ring on Saturday night against Noel Mikaelian, added: “I never heard about that, whatever. It’s a money fight.READ MORE ON JAKE PAUL”It’s an easy fight and it’s a money fight So, why not?”Paul hasn’t fought since his controversial crossover clash with boxing icon Mike Tyson last November.The clash of generational superstars proved to be a glorified sparring match as it went the full eight rounds, in which Tyson offered very little.Paul had his hand raised courtesy of a unanimous decision victory, although he clearly could’ve stopped the fight whenever he wanted to.Most read in BoxingJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSHe’ll face much more resistance in his next outing when he locks horns with another former world champion.Former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr – the son of Mexican boxing icon Julio Cesar Chavez – has been picked as Paul’s opponent for his June 28 return to action.Jake Paul reveals what Joshua told him on phone after ‘doesn’t have a chin’ jibe And Paul has vowed to take a giant step towards his dream of becoming a world titleholder by knocking out the 39-year-old.He said: “Five years ago, I stepped into the ring for my pro debut after a single amateur fight.”And every fight since has been a step towards becoming world champion. I just defeated the baddest man on the planet, and now I’m going against a former champion who conman Canelo couldn’t finish.”Chavez Jr. is Mexican, but I, El Gallo De Dorado, have the will and heart of the great Mexican fighters.On Saturday, June 28, live on DAZN pay-per-view, I will knock out Julio and make Chávez Sr. proud in ways Jr. never has.” More