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    How it all unravelled for ‘new Pele’ Robinho – from joining wrong Manchester club to languishing in Brazil jail

    ROBINHO was hailed from an early age as the new Pele – even by the man himself.But instead of becoming another Brazilian football legend, Robinho is now one of the game’s most notorious criminals.Robinho once had the world at his feet – now he languishes in a Brazilian jail cellCredit: EPARobinho was once dubbed ‘the new Pele’ but saw his career implodeCredit: AlamyThe Brazilian former player is now in the ‘prison of the famous’Robinho, left, with Ronaldinho after winning the 2005 Confederations Cup in GermanyCredit: GettyAt the age of 12, he joined Pele’s old club Santos. At 24, he became the most expensive player in English football history when he joined Manchester City for £32.5million as the marquee signing of their new Abu Dhabi owners.But at 41, he is serving a nine-year sentence for gang rape.An Italian court heard in 2017 how Robinho and five friends attacked a woman in a Milan nightclub in 2013.After years of legal arguments, he finally entered Dr Jose Augusto Cesar Salgado P2 prison in Tremembe, Sao Paulo state, in March 2024.In the institution nicknamed ‘the prison of the famous’, the winner of league titles in five different countries has high-profile murderers for company.And within football, he is the ultimate pariah, even in Brazil.When Santos tried to bring him back for a fourth spell in 2020, there was public outcry and a major sponsor cut ties with the club.Inside Robinho’s jailDISGRACED footballer Robinho swapped his luxury seafront home for a hellish overcrowded prison housing murderers and follow rapists.The Brazilian, who has an estimated £60million net worth, now spends his days in a tiny 8m squared cell, which he shares with another inmate. Some cells sleep up to six prisoners.His new neighbours include a man who killed his own daughter, a man serving 98 years for kidnapping and murdering a 15-year-old girl and a doctor who abused 39 sedated patients.Robinho’s cell is said to have only one single bed, a small sink and a toilet built into the floor.A small barred up window provides just a glimpse of the outside world.All 430 inmates are forced to wear matching outfits of a white T-shirt and khaki pants.The former Real Madrid star is given four meals each day – the first being at 6am and the last at 5.30pm.He will be expected to work during his time behind bars.Prisoners make items such as school desks and chairs, or even toilet disinfectant tablets – something the P2 jail is known for.Inmates can also take acting lessons and participate in workshops on reading, literacy, and origami.While Robinho’s fellow prisoners gifted him some football boots to play during recreation times.Santos and Robinho cancelled the five-month deal and a career that had promised so much ended in infamy.Pele, who later died in 2022, did not offer his thoughts on this occasion.Court finds Ex-Man City star Robinho ‘brutally humiliated gang rape victim’But he had plenty to say about the young Robinho.When Pele saw Robinho at 15, three years after the young man had joined his former club, the legendary No10 said the winger reminded him of himself.Similar glory soon followed, as Robinho helped Santos win the Brazilian championship in 2002 and 2004.A horrible consequence of his growing celebrity was the kidnap of his mother Marina de Silva Souza in November 2004. She was returned unharmed after six weeks in captivity following the payment of a ransom.And her son regained enough form to seal a move to Real Madrid in the summer of 2005.He went with the blessing of Pele, who said: “He is already the best player in Brazil and he has all the qualities needed to be one of the best in the world.”Robinho, like the rest of the Galacticos, did not quite hit the heights that ambitious president Florentino Perez had hoped.Yet over his three seasons, which brought two LaLiga crowns, he was the third highest scorer behind Raul and Ruud van Nistelrooy.But he was unhappy with his treatment by the Bernabeu bosses, who stopped him going to the Olympics and openly courted Cristiano Ronaldo.Robinho wanted out. But he did not end up where he thought he would.Robinho wanted Chelsea and is claimed to have believed he was joining Manchester United when he ended up at CityCredit: GettyHis transfer to Manchester City on deadline day in September 2008, hours after Sheikh Mansour completed his takeover, was not only one of the most expensive deal involving a British club – it also remains one of the most bizarre.Chelsea and their CEO Peter Kenyon were convinced they would reunite Robinho with former Brazil boss Luiz Felipe Scolari, their new manager.So convinced that the Blues’ website started offering fans the chance to pre-order shirts with his name on.Instead, Robinho found himself being unveiled at the Etihad – much to his own confusion, it seemed.Robinho said: “On the last day, Chelsea made a great proposal and I accepted.”Decapitated inmates & jailhouse warlords – inside Brazil’s hellish prisons where ex-Man City star Robinho faces 9 yearsA reporter replied: “You mean Manchester, right?”. “Yeah, Manchester, sorry!” answered Robinho.He also responded to criticism of the move by Pele, who said the player had been badly advised.Robinho said: “I accept Pele’s criticism as he is the king of football, but if he had been me, he would have done the same.“Real did not want to retain me. They even used me as a potential exchange to sign Cristiano Ronaldo. But as that negotiation fell through, they wanted to retain me then.”One story – or urban myth – says that Robinho thought he was signing for Manchester United.That has never been proved, but the-then City boss Mark Hughes helped fuel the rumours when interviewed years later about the deal.Timeline of Robinho’s rape caseThe rape case involving Brazilian footballer Robinho spans several years. Here’s a brief timeline:January 22, 2013: Robinho was one of a group of six men convicted of sexually assaulting an Albanian woman in a club during his stint for AC Milan.2014: Brazilian media reported on the allegations against Robinho, but no formal charges were filed at that time.2017: Robinho was found guilty of sexual assault by an Italian court and sentenced to nine years in prison. However, he denied the charges and appealed the verdict.2020: After the appeal process, Robinho’s sentence was upheld by the Italian court. But due to the statute of limitations in Italy, he was not extradited to serve his sentence.2022: Robinho’s prison sentence is ratified.March 2023: Robinho surrendered his passport to authoritiesNovember 2023: Italian prosecutors said they felt Robinho should serve his time in Brazil.March 20, 2024: Brazil’s Superior Court formed a simple majority and voted for Robinho to serve the sentence in his home country.Hughes said: “It was a crazy day, there were bids going out for Lionel Messi and all sorts! “We finally managed to get Robinho over the line which was a hell of a statement, and the rest is history. “There’s probably a grain of truth in the rumour that Robinho thought he was actually signing for Manchester United. “He certainly didn’t recognise me when he turned up, he was probably expecting to see Sir Alex Ferguson at the airport! “He was probably a bit disappointed to say the least.”Robinho’s recollectionRobinho later recalled: “My first goal was to go to Chelsea as it was the only club to have made a formal offer. “But Real did not like Chelsea shirts with my name on being sold before sorting out the negotiations.“Also, they did not reach the value Real demanded so then Manchester City came in at the last minute to sign me.”Whatever the truth, Robinho started his City career well, scoring a fine free kick on his debut against, of all teams, Chelsea.But a 3-1 defeat by the Premier League’s original moneybags club underlined how far City had to go.And Robinho would not be there to see the glory years as he and fellow Brazilian signings Jo and Elano failed to impress.Mark Bowen, Hughes’ assistant, reflected: “What we found was, for all his talent, Robinho – and maybe Elano at the time, and Jo – yes they were sticking together but they weren’t putting the shift in. “When the going got tough in certain games, you could almost see Robinho thinking “What am I doing here? I’ve come from Real Madrid’.”That could cause problems, sometimes on the training ground and matchdays in the dressing rooms. “They wanted to see that commitment of putting the effort in.”Inside Robinho’s cell in the notorious prisonRobinho started his promising career at Brazilian giants SantosCredit: AFPRobinho returned to Santos in 2010, 2014 and 2020 – with the latter causing uproarCredit: Getty Images – GettyRobinho returned to Santos on loan in early 2010 and helped them win another Brazilian title.But he was unable to secure a permanent deal to go home and was instead sold to AC Milan for £15m.With 14 goals in his first season, Robinho was a key figure in Milan’s Scudetto triumph and he scored 11 more as they finished runners-up the following year.Injuries took their toll, however, and in 2013, the year of the rape, he almost returned to Santos twice before agreeing a new San Siro deal on a lower salary.More injury problems hindered Robinho again and in the summer of 2014 he made his second return to Santos.That reunion lasted just a year, only for another to appear, as the winger joined the talent exodus to the mega-rich Chinese Super League to play under Scolari at Guangzhou Evergrande.Robinho scored three times in 10 league games in 2015 as he claimed a title in a fourth different country.Then it was back to Brazil again, this time with Atletico Mineiro. In the second of his two seasons there, he received a one-off recall to the Brazil squad.He made his 100th and final appearance for his country in January 2017 in a friendly against Colombia.Brazil picked a group of entirely home-based players for the match that was staged to raise money for Chapecoense, the Brazilian club that had lost 19 players when their plane crashed on the way to the Copa Sudamericana final in Colombia.Robinho is still married to his childhood sweetheart Vivian GuglielmettiCredit: ReutersThe allegations against Robinho are said to have broken VivianCredit: ReutersRobinho admitted cheating on his wife but denied rape at his trialCredit: Instagram / @robinhoRobinho was still only 33 and seemed to gain a new lease of life when he moved to Turkey.After a promising season and a half at Sivasspor, he joined newly-rich Istanbul Basaksehir and helped give them bragging rights over their three big city rivals as they lifted their first Turkish title in 2019-20.But Robinho could not enjoy that fifth league crown of his career for long.Santos announced his latest return on October 10, 2020. But the backlash was swift.Brazilian media published transcripts of voice and other messages that formed part of the 2017 trial in Milan at which Robinho was found guilty of raping the woman.In one message, Robinho said: “I’m laughing because I couldn’t care less, the woman was completely drunk, she has no idea what happened.”Inside Robinho’s family lifeIN 2009, Robinho married Vivian Guglielminetti. The couple have two sons, Robson Jr, 17, and Gianluca, 14, and a daughter Giulia, 9.Robinho and Vivian’s love story began when they were teenagers.The childhood sweethearts had been together 12 years prior to tying the knot in July 2009 at the Casa Grande hotel in Guaruja, Brazil.At the time Robinho was already playing for City and was still the Premier-League’s highest paid player, earning £165k-a-week.Vivian initially postponed their wedding when Robinho was accused of sexually assaulting a woman in a nightclub in Leeds earlier that year.The wedding was rescheduled after the case was dropped and Robinho and Vivian have remained together since – despite Robinho’s current convictions.But the allegations broke Vivian, who told police she stood there like a “stupid woman who doesn’t know anything”.Son Robson Jr is following in his father’s footballing footsteps, having signed a professional deal with Santos.He’s regarded as one of the gems of their youth academy and already has a release clause of over £40m, with European sides likely to come calling.In another chat Robinho insisted he did not have sex with the victim.His friend replied: “I saw you when you put your penis inside her mouth.”Robinho’s response was: “That doesn’t mean having sex.”Orthopride, a leading dental health firm in Brazil, cancelled its shirt sponsorship in protest at Robinho returning to Santos.Chief operating officer Richard Adam said: “We have enormous respect for Santos’ history. But at this point, we have decided to terminate the sponsorship contract.“Our audience is mostly female and, out of respect for the women who buy our products, we had to make that decision.“We want to make it clear that we were not previously informed about the signing of Robinho, we were taken by surprise by the news over the weekend.”Robinho and Santos finally read the room and cancelled the contract, leaving him to concentrate on his defence.The player always protested his innocence and claimed his sexual contact with the woman in 2013 was consensual.Brazilian jails are overloaded with dozens of convicts in a single cell in some placesRobinho was transferred to Penitentiary 2 of Tremembe, in Sao Paulo, where he will serve his nine-year sentenceCredit: Laurene Santos/TV VanguardaBut later in 2020, the Milan Court of Appeals upheld Robinho’s conviction and sentence, finding that he had “belittled” and “brutally humiliated” the victim and misled investigators with a false account of what happened.In January 2022, Italy’s Supreme Court of Cessation also confirmed the original trial’s findings and a month later an international arrest warrant was issued for Robinho.Brazil does not extradite its citizens to overseas jurisdictions and refused to hand over Robinho and his friend Ricardo Falco, who had also been found guilty of the rape.But in 2023, Italy asked Brazil to make them serve their sentences in Brazil under a law that had been introduced in 2017.On March 20, 2024, the Brazilian authorities agreed to impose the nine-year sentence on Robinho. Two days later, he was arrested and jailed – justice was finally served, 11 years after the crime.Robinho is now a different kind of celebrity.Some reports credit him with helping to set up a controlled version of Tinder that allowed inmates in his jail to make contact with those in a nearby women’s prison. It is a distasteful and disturbing idea.Among Robinho’s fellow inmates are notorious murderers, including Lindemberg Alves, a man who kidnapped and shot dead 15-year-old former girlfriend Eloa Cristina Pimentel in 2008.Despite that appalling crime, Alves was among the prisoners let out for 11 days over Christmas 2024, according to local reports.But Robinho spent the festive season behind bars.Cells at the Dr Jose Augusto Cesar Salgado P2 prison are between eight metres and 12 metres squared. Up to six men cram into each one.Robinho was once spoken of in the same breath as Pele. After one of football’s most shocking falls from grace, he is now forced to share the air with fellow criminals. More

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    ‘I can’t match that’ – Mike Tyson doesn’t hesitate when asked who was most powerful puncher in boxing

    MIKE TYSON is regarded by many to be one of the most ferocious punchers of all time.But the boxing legend humbly admits he’s NOT the hardest hitter to have graced the heavyweight division.Mike Tyson is viewed by many to be the hardest puncher in boxing historyCredit: GETTYIron Mike knocked out all but two of his opponents on his way to winning the WBC strap in 1986Credit: GETTYBut the boxing legend insists he’s not the hardest puncher the sport has ever seenCredit: AFPIron Mike knocked out all but two of his 28 opponents during his incredible run to the WBC heavyweight title in 1986, which he won at the tender age of 20.The power he displayed in his destructive highlight reel gave his diehard fans hope he could knock out Jake Paul in his ring return last November.Tyson has long taken great pride in his crushing body of work but is adamant the power he showcased paled in comparison to one of his predecessors.When asked to name the hardest-hitting heavyweight ever, he told Fight Camp: “[It’s George Foreman].READ MORE ON MIKE TYSON”I can’t match somebody’s power who’s that big and that much man.”Only thing that allowed me to be exciting was that I did it faster than the other guys.”Foreman stopped all but one of his 38 opponents on his way to winning the unified heavyweight titles against Joe Frazier in 1973.The Olympic gold medallist was renowned for decimating his opponents with ferocious hooks, particularly to the body, after putting them on the back foot.Most read in BoxingJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSMike Tyson believes George Foreman is the heaviest hitter in boxing historyCredit: GETTYFormer heavyweight champ Foreman packed a nasty wallopCredit: GETTYThat strategy, however, failed him in October 1974 when fought Muhammad Ali in the ‘Rumble in the Jungle’, which he lost via an eighth-round TKO.Like Foreman, power came naturally to Tyson – who still, to this day, is the youngest heavyweight champion in history.’I’m kind of depressed a little’ – Boxing legend Mike Tyson’s alarming confession one month on from Jack Paul fightBut the 58-year-old insists: “Nothing about me was natural.”Only my desire to win was natural, I had a great teacher.”Only you can do that. You’re born with it but somebody has to elicit that.”Tyson suffered a unanimous decision defeat in his controversial crossover clash with Paul last November.He refused to rule out the prospect of lacing up his gloves again but was quickly OVERRULED by his wife, Lakiha. More

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    Sky Sports presenter leaving after 43 years on TV as he gives ‘final goodbye’ in emotional statement

    LEGENDARY Sky Sports presenter Nick Powell is rolling credits on a glittering 43-year broadcasting career.Powell, 65, spent 29 years with Sky and will be retiring later this week on his 66th birthday.Sky Sports presenter Nick Powell is retiring after a glittering 43-year broadcasting careerPowell puts his mic down after 29 years with SkyCredit: GettyThe popular broadcaster has covered some of the greatest sporting events, such as England’s Ashes triumph in 2005, London 2012 and Andy Murray’s Wimbledon win in 2013.The journalist issued a long farewell message on Sky Sports’ website where he also looked back at unforgettable interviews with the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson, Muhammad Ali and Princess Anne.Powell wrote: “And there you have my job in a nutshell: holiday irrelevant; knowledge, authority and quick reactions essential.”I have built all that up over 43 years of live broadcasting, good and bad.Read More on Sport”The good – being there for England men’s first Ashes win in 20 years at The Oval in 2005, Super Saturday at the 2012 London Olympics and Andy Murray’s 2013 Wimbledon triumph.”The bad – the Bradford fire, the Hillsborough disaster and the premature loss of sportspeople like Gary Speed.”And the surreal – interviewing Archbishop Desmond Tutu and covering a Bruce Springsteen concert on the same afternoon for Yorkshire Television, or explaining The Hundred to viewers of Sky Germany. In German.”Powell looks back at his career very fondly without regretting even the hardest times that saw him working under difficult circumstances.Most read in FootballBut there were also some very pleasant experiences along the way, such as when he covered Liverpool’s first ever Premier League triumph in 2020.Powell wrote: “And now it’s a final goodbye.Premier League giants give update on £300m, 60,000-plus-capacity stadium expansion with area turned into building site”Favourite moment? So many, but as a born and bred Liverpool fan, it’s hard to beat being on air for their first league title in 30 years.”As it turned out, between the final whistle going on Manchester City’s defeat at Chelsea, which meant Liverpool could not be caught, and the start of a special programme fronted by David Jones to mark Liverpool’s triumph, I had precisely 12 seconds.”But that’s live television for you.” More

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    It’s not right, fair or proper that only two non-league clubs win promotion to EFL – hypocritical rules must change

    WHAT have Oldham, Southend, Scunthorpe and Macclesfield got in common?All four clubs were relegated to the National League in a complete mess after years of financial mismanagement in the EFL.Wrexham are chasing Championship promotionCredit: RexIn fact, Macclesfield went bust and had to reform at the bottom of the non-league pyramid.Now — what have Luton, Wrexham, Stockport and Bromley got in common?All four sides were promoted from the National League in excellent financial health and are proving to be model clubs.Luton climbed all the way to the Premier League.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBromley are enjoying their first-ever season in the EFL, while the Dragons and County are even challenging for promotion to the Championship.All 72 clubs in the National League and National South and North last week supported the launch of the 3UP campaign, which is calling for three promotion and relegation places between League Two and the fifth tier.And I agree with them. It’s not right, fair or proper that there are currently only two up and two down between these divisions.The 72 EFL clubs are due to discuss these proposals in more detail this month. There will clearly be a number of matters to consider.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSOne of the red lines would be for the National League to adopt its Profit and Sustainability Rules — or something close to it.Fifth-tier clubs are not subject to the same financial scrutiny.EFL star, 24, ‘REFUSES to show up for game’ over transfer speculation weeks after shocking Premier League sideThere have often been examples of them spending more on wages and players than many League One teams, never mind League Two.EFL chair Rick Parry beats the drum for the importance for the League to look down as well as up. They are seeking fairer financial redistribution of funds filtering down from the Premier League — something I also support.The government is set to appoint a football regulator, but its remit does not include issues such as promotion and relegation.The National League is not like the old days of the Vauxhall Conference, when almost every team was semi-pro. All but two of its 24 clubs are full-time.And even one of its part-time teams, Tamworth, held Premier League giants Tottenham to a 0-0 draw after 90 minutes of their recent FA Cup third-round tie before succumbing in extra-time.We’ve seen National League North club Kidderminster almost knock West Ham out of the FA Cup — and last season National League South side Maidstone reached the last 16 after toppling Ipswich at Portman Road.This illustrates the depth of quality in the fifth and sixth tiers.These clubs are not Sunday morning beer-bellied hoofers.They have the same ambitions and aspirations as Championship teams currently trying to get promoted to the Premier League.’IT’S UNFAIR’It is hypocritical on one hand to allow three to go up to the top flight from the second tier, while not allowing the same for teams in the National League.Can you imagine the stink in the EFL if there was only one automatic promotion spot up for grabs between the Championship and the Prem — with the second one decided by the play-offs?The National League decide their second promotion spot with a six-club play-off format.In this system, teams finishing second and third play the winners of games between fourth v seventh and fifth v sixth before progressing to the final. This is done to give more of the clubs hope they can achieve promotion to the EFL.And then you have the bizarre situation where there are four promotion and relegation places between Leagues One and Two.It’s unfair for League Two clubs to enjoy that sort of privilege, while National League teams are only allowed half the amount of spots.For any changes to happen, it will need to carry a majority vote across all 72 EFL clubs — and even then there has to be a majority of Championship teams endorsing.The EFL have previously warmed to the idea of changing the number of promotion and relegation spots but are waiting for the regulator to be appointed — and for a fair deal struck with the Premier League.READ MORE SUN STORIESMy concern is it could take three or four years before any of that is sorted. In that time, the dreams and aspirations of National League clubs and the towns and cities they represent are being held back.The EFL should get on the front foot on this issue — regardless of progress with the Premier League and regulator — and be a champion of fairness for all teams that make our national game so great.What is the 3UP campaign? By Martin LiptonAll 72 clubs in the National League have signed a letter to EFL chiefs asking them to back a vote of member clubs over changing to a three-up, three-down system between League Two and the fifth tier.National League clubs argue that the current system, where only one club gets automatic promotion to the EFL with a second place available through the play-offs, is inconsistent with the rest of the pyramid.And at a meeting last week which formally endorsed the “3UP” campaign, clubs in the National League’s three divisions unanimously backed the move.EFL bosses have previously spoken positively about the idea but a switch would need the formal backing of the clubs – with those in League Two likely to need more convincing.National League chairman Jack Pearce suggested the likely arrival of the Government’s new Independent Football Regulator this summer meant that the EFL had to respond. More

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    Former Chelsea star and Match of the Day pundit returning to UK after quitting football to become PREACHER in Canada

    FORMER Chelsea star Gavin Peacock is returning to the UK after leaving to become a PREACHER in Canada. Peacock spent three years at Chelsea after signing in 1993 from Newcastle.Gavin Peacock is returning to the UK after leaving to become a preacher in CanadaCredit: Phil Shephard-Lewis – The TimesHe also played for Bournemouth and QPR before his move to Stamford Bridge and later Charlton after leaving the Blues. He retired in 2001 and later moved into punditry with the BBC, working on Match of the Day and Football Focus. It was after Euro 2008 – where he worked as a pundit – that Peacock moved to Canada to become a preacher.But according to The Express, the ex-forward is plotting a return home to spend a year as pastor at Bethersden Baptist Church in Kent.READ MORE IN football Peacock has been a Christian since his teens and has taken part in a number of ventures to discuss links between religion and football.Explaining his decision to move to Canada, he said: “[The TV work] was all going very well. “So when I gave everything up, it did surprise a number of people. It’s been the hardest few years of my life – but coming away from the UK has given me some anonymity. “Here in Canada, they consider me a preacher, not a footballer or pundit.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS “In 2006, my wife got an illness and was in hospital for a couple of weeks.”That recalibrated my thinking and I thought about going into church leadership, and eventually gave up my media career. “Being a pastor really is calling to me. I’ve played at Wembley in an FA Cup final but feel a stronger sense of responsibility when I’m giving a service to 30 people.”Peacock spent three years with ChelseaCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdPeacock, middle, also worked as a commentatorCredit: Getty More

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    ‘Poor decision after poor decision’ – Ryan Giggs SLAMS 10 years of mismanagement at Man Utd and says ‘give Amorim time’

    RYAN GIGGS has accused Manchester United chiefs of making “poor decision after poor decision” for TEN years.Club legend Giggs is urging the Old Trafford board to back new boss Ruben Amorim’s bid to restore the glory days.Ruben Amorim is the right boss for Man Utd, according to GiggsCredit: RexRyan Giggs revealed he ‘really likes’ Amorim as a managerCredit: AlamyAnd the former Wales star, 51, wants part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe to give the Portuguese coach plenty of time.Giggs, who won 25 major honours at United, said: “Like any business, recruitment needs to be right and hasn’t been for the last ten years.“We’ve just made poor decision after poor decision.“Now it’s whether Ruben gets the players he needs, the support he needs — the time.”Amorim, 40, has endured a tricky first three months in charge, with his record at Old Trafford a particular worry for fans.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut club legend Giggs says the club hierarchy have to back Amorim with new signings for at least the next three or four transfer windows.And while he accepts his old team are currently a long way behind their rivals, he does not feel they are a lost cause.The former United No 2 said: “We’re in a bad place at the moment but, first of all, I have to say I actually really like the manager.“Given a chance and given time, Amorim will bring success back.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS“If we get the right players in and the manager gets time, we will be OK. But at the moment, we are miles off it. We’re nowhere near — a long, long way behind — but it can soon turn around.”New part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has already shown a ruthless edge since buying into the club in December 2023.Fans spot Sir Alex Ferguson YAWNING as he watches woeful Man Utd – but get distracted by who he’s sitting next toIn a cost-cutting drive, he made staff redundant across various departments. Even club legend Sir Alex Ferguson lost his contract as an ambassador.And funds are still tight as United try to comply with strict Profit and Sustainability Rules.But Giggs has urged the board to find a way to back their head coach, saying: “We’ve tried giving managers a little bit of time but now he needs a bit longer — three or four transfer windows, I think.“It’s whether he gets the players he needs, the support he needs, the time.”Giggs spent his entire professional career at United — including a spell as player-manager — so few know the club as well as him.And the former Wales manager — who is a co-owner of League Two Salford City — revealed he understands why Amorim said after the defeat by Brighton last month that this could be the worst Red Devils team ever.He said: “I get a feeling he knows the history and he’s frustrated. And I get that. That’s why I like him.“He’s frustrated and that’s why he was so honest a couple of weeks ago, because he wants to be a winner.”United have lost seven of their first 13 home Premier League matches this season — the joint worst start to a campaign in their entire history.United recruited Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven in the transfer windowCredit: PAWorryingly, they have also lost five of the last six in the league, which has left even the most faithful fans disillusioned.Back when Giggs was playing, the thought of visiting Manchester United used to frighten the life out of rival teams.He said: “You have to show some guts when things aren’t going well at Old Trafford.“When people used to play here, they would say the pitch seemed massive.“They said they felt that they couldn’t get near any of us.“But at the moment it looks like it’s the reverse — it looks like it’s too big for our own players.“And it’s horrible to see but we need to somehow turn that around where we’ve got that fear factor again.“I say that because at the moment, any team that comes here to play, they all look confident from the beginning.United have always had the best teams, the best facilities, always forward-thinking, so we should have the best stadium.“First and foremost, you need to get Old Trafford back to being a fortress.“We need to make sure that we don’t let teams come and play — and we make it a horrible place to come again.”The Welshman — who also captained the Great Britain team at the 2012 London Olympics — was speaking this week at a Q&A with Nobby Stiles’ son John at An Evening with Ryan Giggs at the BAWA in Bristol.United are now leaning towards turning their backs on their spiritual home and all its history by building a new purpose-built stadium nearby.The club’s record appearance-maker would rather they stayed — but understands why they are ready to move.Giggs explained: “If it would be possible, a refurbishment would be the best scenario if they would safeguard it for the next 30 or 40 years.READ MORE SUN STORIES“But it looks like a decision has already been made and it’s going to be a brand new stadium.“United have always had the best teams, the best facilities, always forward-thinking, so we should have the best stadium.” More

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    ‘Lineker never misses a chance’ – Fans in stitches as BBC show host trolling Alan Shearer in throwback clip from 2007

    FANS hailed Gary Lineker’s lethal trolling after he enjoyed a trip down ‘memory pain’ at Alan Shearer’s expense.Prem record scorer Shearer never won silverware in 10 years at Newcastle.Gary Lineker showed Alan Shearer an awkward clip from 18 years agoShearer had a different look back in 2007 but unfortunately not much has changed for Newcastle in terms of a lack of trophiesFellow pundit Shay Given was also dragged into the trollingAnd when the two ex-England strikers were together in the BBC Match of the Day studio on FA Cup fourth-round day, Lineker went straight THERE…Admittedly, it came on the day Newcastle fought back to oust League One Birmingham 3-2, albeit with a controversial goal.But back in 2007 the story could not have been more different when the two sides met at St James’ Park in a round-three replay.Toon cult hero Nolberto Solano even bagged an own goal as Brum triumphed 5-1, despite a reply from James Milner.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBirmingham netted three times after Steven Taylor saw red for the Magpies.And Shearer’s MOTD colleague Shay Given was the Toon keeper that day.Lineker showed a flashback clip from 18 years ago, when Shearer was an MOTD rookie after retiring as a player at the end of the previous season.Beeb host Lineker was seen addressing grinning studio pundits.Most read in FootballBruno N’Gotty netted as Brum won 5-1 at Newcastle 18 years agoCredit: ReutersJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSThe ex-Tottenham striker said: “No shortage of cup winners, though, in the studio.”Alan Hansen with Liverpool, Lee Dixon with Arsenal and… Alan Shearer, who went close a couple of times with Newcastle.”Newcastle’s Alexander Isak talks to Alan Shearer about Champions League desires Lineker mocked Shearer for being “really confident” Newcastle would beat Birmingham back then – and for always predicting his old club were set for glory.He said to the 260-goal Prem marksman at the time: “I suppose this would be typical if this is the year they go and do it, now you’ve retired?”Shearer admitted ruefully: “I’ve been saying it for the past 10, 11, 12 years – this might just be our year.”MOTD then returned to live coverage, with gleeful viewers suggesting “Lineker never misses a chance!” to taunt pal Shearer.One reckoned the ex-Barcelona ace delivered a “straight bullet”.And another fan twisted the knife by saying of Shearer: “He never won anything at Newcastle that’s for sure unless he played for them in the 60s.”By this stage, Given might have thought he’d escaped stick – for being between the sticks for the 5-1 humiliation.However, Shearer then joked Birmingham’s triumph was “only because Shay was in goal”.READ MORE SUN STORIESGiven said, “Don’t look at me, lads!” – before adding: “I know, I know – I can’t remember!”One viewer responded: “Some things never change! Shearer taking Ls even off the pitch, and Shay caught in the crossfire.” More

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    Thiago Silva’s Wag Belle enjoys sunshine break on luxury yacht as their son Isago, 16, makes debut for Chelsea U-18s

    LIFE doesn’t get much better for Thiago Silva’s family.Or that’s what the Chelsea legend’s wife and elder son might tell him!Belle Silva’s army of online fans loved her bikini snapsCredit: Instagram / @bellesilvaShe has 724,000 followers on Instagram aloneCredit: Instagram / @bellesilvaBelle rated this adventure with friends as ‘therapeutic’Credit: Instagram / @bellesilvaShe named three special things in her life while at seaCredit: Instagram / @bellesilvaSocial media star Belle looked in balmy bliss on a “therapeutic” trip with friends aboard a luxury yacht off the sunny Brazilian coast.Meanwhile, the couple’s 16-year-old son Isago took another huge step forward to fulfilling his and dad Thiago’s dream.Isago made his Chelsea Under-18s debut, having joined the Blues’ youth team along with younger sibling Iago four years ago.Thiago would dearly love his two sons to follow him all the way into the Stamford Bridge first team.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe 40-year-old centre-back is still playing after returning to home-country giants Fluminense last May.Defender Isago, who normally plays in Chelsea’s U-16s, came on for the final 25 minutes as the U-18s beat Leicester 3-1 on Saturday.Mum Belle was sometimes a fiercely outspoken fan when her husband was at Stamford Bridge.But she will have had only an extra big grin on her face after Isago’s age-group elevation.Most read in FootballThiago Silva said a tearful goodbye from Chelsea in May 2024, with wife Belle plus sons Isago and Iago in attendanceCredit: ReutersJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSHowever, it would be difficult to top the huge smile she wore when soaking in every second out in the water off secluded beaches.Super-toned Belle relaxed in a bikini as she shared snaps and named the three things that made it all so special.Kyle Walker’s wife Annie Kilner set to get £750k to star in Celeb Big Brother – but only if bosses agree to strict ruleAlong with her Instagram photos, she wrote: “Bathing in the sea, friends getting together and my Rio de Janeiro… “There are things that are not therapy, but they are therapeutic, right?”And far from sounding envious, Belle’s online admirers lapped up her love for life.One said: “Wonderful as always, thank you for providing a weekend in my week.””Congratulations! You know how to enjoy life,” commented another, while a third simply claimed: “You are the best!”And one fan appeared to suggest Belle’s online offerings were literally out of this world.He called her the “best digital influencer in the universe”.Fans are used to Belle sharing snaps in perfect weatherCredit: Instagram @bellesilvaShe lists ‘fashion, family & lifestyle’ as prime interestsCredit: Instagram @bellesilvaHer smile suggests locations don’t come more dreamy than thisCredit: INSTAGRAM/BELLE SILVABelle was happy to speak her mind while Thiago was at ChelseaCredit: instagram @bellesilva More