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      Inside Birmingham City’s stunning £2bn new ‘spaceship’ stadium with 62,000 capacity scheduled to open in five years

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      BIRMINGHAM CITY are planning to build a stunning new and state-of-the art complex that may end up looking like a ‘spaceship’ – but it will cost them £2billion.Earlier this year Blues majority ownership group, Knighthead, announced that they had acquired a 48-acre site within a mile of St Andrews.A polo club will be opened to fansThe new owners are planning to build more than just a stadiumFans will have plenty of choices when it comes to bottles of fizzThey have since purchased 12 more acres of land next to the former Wheels site and have taken inspiration from Manchester City’s Etihad Campus.Knighthead plan to create a Sports Quarter that comprises a stadium, training and academy facilities.There are also plans for office spaces, restaurants and social hubs for the surrounding community. Co-CEO and Chairman Tom Wagner wants it to be built in time for the 2029-30 campaign, with the overall project costing between £2-3billion.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSWagner told the Birmingham Mail: “My timeframe is lunacy but we’d like to get this completed in five years. “That is the perfect world if everyone works with us at the same pace we’re willing to work. I’m going to keep saying that even though it makes everyone around me sweat. “A lot of it is outside our control but that’s the goal.”But the capacity plans are certainly ambitious.Most read in FootballIt will create more than 3,000 jobs for the areaPremium hospitality packages will be on offerTom Wagner promised brilliant food and drink facilitesAn AI platform has predicted what Birmingham’s new £2billion stadium will look likeFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSEarly indications suggest that the new stadium will have a capacity of 62,000.This would make it the eighth-largest stadium in England, 850 seats under the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and slightly more than Anfield, which has 61,276 seats.Inside David Beckham’s Inter Miami stadium with palm trees and a bar on its roof It would make the venue suitable for large scale non-football events.Taylor Swift concerts and NFL fixtures in Birmingham could become a possibility.As fans gasped at the video shown by Wagner, he said: “I don’t know if we’re going to go with the spaceship look but I think it gives you a strong idea of what our intent is.“Maybe the most important aspect is this huge promenade where people are coming in because not everyone will be watching the game in the stadium because obviously all 62,000 seats are sold.”Wagner likened the possible design to a ‘spaceship’Fans will have incredible dining experiences on offerHe then joked: “That’s no problem.“But there’s a lot of activity in the offices and all of this (pointing to offices) will be built with the tenant in mind – we’ve already had inbound calls from people looking to partner with us on this.“We want something that fits in the community and critically it’s important that this doesn’t look like a blight on the skyline of Birmingham and that it fits within the context of the city and more importantly, the neighbourhood.“There’s a lot to be done here but all of this is in keeping with our broader objectives.”Last season, the Blues struggled to regularly sell out St Andrew’s which only has a capacity of 29,409.Despite their best efforts, the club were relegated from the Championship after flirting with League One for several seasons.The new base is within walking distance of the city centre and Knighthead have said that the “world-class Sports Quarter” will create 3,000 jobs.There is no official name for the new ground yet.AI platform Midjourney, with the assistance of Chat GPT, provided images of the new stadium’s design.It includes a partly retractable roof, solar panels and efficient lighting.St Andrew’s has looked tired for many years now, but the club spent a fortune on renovation works in 2023.This summer, they also upgraded the stadium’s hospitality areas, but the decision has been made to leave and move to a new site.READ MORE SUN STORIESNFL legend Tom Brady is one of Birmingham’s investors, but has no voting rights.Birmingham go head-to-head with Wrexham, who are also bankrolled by US celebrities Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in a League One blockbuster on Monday night. More

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      Inside world of US millionaires bankrolling Birmingham and Wrexham from mansions and celebrity wives to car collections

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      THE two wealthiest clubs in League One go head-to-head – with bragging rights the order of the day.Or, as Rotherham United manager Steve Evans called the game – it’s the Real Madrid of League One against the Harlem Globetrotters.Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds are the co-owners of WrexhamBirmingham City investor Tom Brady will be joined by David Beckham at tonight’s gameCredit: ReutersAll three co-owners boast mega fortunes and amazing lifestylesCredit: RexBoth clubs are bankrolled by US celebrities who will be expecting bang for their buck this season.Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney revealed at Sunday night’s Emmy Awards he was flying to the UK and heading to St Andrew’s to join Birmingham investor Tom Brady and his pal David Beckham at the match.Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds is not expected to attend the game that will draw a 30,000 sell out crowd.SunSport compares the millionaire owners and takes a glimpse into their mad worlds.Read more football news Astonishing wealthIn terms of net worth, it’s Reynolds who is the daddy of them all.The Hollywood movie star’s fortune has risen in the last few years thanks to the blockbuster Deadpool films, If and Bullet Train.He also invested in production company, Maximum Effort.It’s not just in entertainment where Reynolds is thriving. A keen eye for business, he made a reported profit of £96million from the sale of Aviation Gin.Most read in FootballWhile he sold a 25 per cent stake in Mint Mobile to T-Mobile in 2024.All of that means Reynolds is believed to be worth around £300million.Ryan Reynolds tells Liverpool star Mo Salah to ‘think about’ stunning Wrexham transfer in brilliant videoHis rival Brady is said to be worth £228 million.Most of the former NFL star’s wealth was accumulated by his playing career as a quarterback for the New England Patriots and later the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He did lose an estimated £44million in the FTX crypto collapse between 2022 and 2023, but that’s been buffered by a mega TV deal with FOX Sports.It was reported the network had agreed a 10-year contract with the seven-time Super Bowl winner worth a cool £285million.Although McElhenney hasn’t quite got the same wealth as those two, the It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia creator has around £50million in the bank.It was that comedy, as well as Apple TV series Mythic Quest that have contributed towards his net worth.Like Reynolds, McElhenney also boasts interests away from TV and film.He invested in new entertainment-tech company, Adim to help “communities of creators, writers, artists, designers, developers, fans and friends working together to create and own a new generation of content.”Last year, he and Reynolds also invested a 24 per cent equity stake in F1 team Alpine Racing.Brady has amassed a fortune believed to be around the £228m markCredit: ReutersDeadpool A-lister Ryan Reynolds, with Wrexham star player Paul Mullin has more than Brady with a £300m net worthMcElhenney, who previously admitted he needed Reynolds’ financial muscle, is believed to have £50m in the bankFamous wivesReynolds is one half of a Hollywood super-couple.He married Gossip Girl actress Blake Lively in a small, secret ceremony in 2012.They met on the set of The Green Lantern in 2010, were pals, before they fell in love.The Canadian was previously married to another beauty, Scarlett Johansson.McElhenney met future wife Kaitlin Olson on the set of It’s Always Sunny in 2005, and began dating a year later.They tied the knot in 2008, with the TV writer continuing to gush over his wife.The pair filled in for Jimmy Kimmel on his chat show Jimmy Kimmel Live in 2022.”We’ve had our ups and downs, we’ve been married for 14 years this September. And I can tell you that I love you more now than I did 14 years ago,” McElhenney shared with Olson alongside him.”And that, for as hard as it is sometimes, just like in any relationship, I will keep showing up and doing my best, because I love you so much.”Hollywood actress Blake Lively is Reynolds’ other halfBrady had a shocking split from supermodel Gisele Bundchen in 2022Brady is believed to have moved on with Russian model Irina ShaykBrady was married to the most famous supermodel in the world, Gisele Bundchen until their shock split in 2022.Currently, he is said to be in a romance with another model, Irina Shayk.They met at a a mutual friend’s wedding in Sardinia, Italy in 2023. She was famously in romances with Cristiano Ronaldo and Bradley Cooper.Amazing mansionsReynolds and Lively spend most of their time on the East Coast, while Brady and McElhenney are based on the West Coast.Their family home can be found in Pound Ridge, a scenic town in New York state.It boasts 11.65 acres, has an outdoor barn, with the main Colonial-style house measuring around 8,892 square feet.It features seven bedrooms and six bathrooms, and was believed to have cost around £4.4million.They added a stunning Tribeca Loft penthouse to their property portfolio, where Justin Timberlake and Harry Styles also have apartments around 2017. Each one has its own swimming pool.It is believed Brady has moved into a mega mansion in Los Angeles, after it was renovated in the summer.Tom Brady’s mega mansion in LA was a work in progress in the summerCredit: BackGridReynolds and Lively own a penthouse in TribecaMany of the luxury apartments had their own swimming poolsCredit: refer to captionread more sport featuresSpanning 14,000 feet, he purchased the land for a sum believed to be around £12million and then erected a home.His former Miami home went up for sale for over £12million after his divorce from Gisele.McElhenney also lives in Los Angeles in a home that was built from the ground up.It’s not known how much that cost.Epic car collectionsReynolds and Brady are two petrolheads who love their motors.The former sports star has an insane car collection worth a whopping £3.5million.In his garage, you’ll find a Rolls Royce Ghost, two Aston Martins (A DB11 and a Vanquish Volante), a Bugatti Veyron Super Sport and a Ferrari M458-T.On top of that, Brady has also been seen behind the wheel of an Audi R8, a Range Rover Sport, and a Lexus.Reynolds boasts a speedy Lamborghini Aventador in his collection, that reaches a top speed of more than 217mph.To get around in luxury with his family, the Van Wilder actor also has a huge Cadillac Escalade.Always with an eye for the classics, Reynolds also added a super Mercedes-Benz 190 SL (W121) to his collection.READ MORE SUN STORIESIt set him back a cool £121,000, and was produced between 1955 to 1963.Lavish lifestyle, aside though, who has the better team? We’ll soon find out.Reynolds shows off his stunning Lamborghini AventadorReynolds also has a Cadillac Escalade to cart him and his family aroundBrady is said to have a Bugatti Veyron in his garage worth £2millionBrady’s car collection is estimated at being worth £3.5m More

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      Inside life of ‘special man’ Lee Carsley who raised son with Down’s Syndrome and continues second job alongside England

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      LEE CARSLEY does not intend to put his life on hold after becoming interim England manager.The Three Lions boss oversaw wins over the Republic of Ireland and Finland in his first two games in charge, and has received growing support to take the job on full-time.Lee Carsley has received growing support to be the next permanent England managerCredit: AlamyBut he admitted how he turned from being a ‘selfish’ player after the birth of his second sonCredit: GettyCarsley takes his son, who has Down’s Syndrome, to Solihull Moors Foundation on FridaysCredit: Instagram @solihullmoorsfoundationBut Carsley, described as a “special man” by SunSport columnist Troy Deeney, is far more than just an international coach.He is a loving father who takes his son, Connor, to training for the Solihull Moors Foundation’s Down’s Syndrome team regularly on Friday evenings.In an interview with the Daily Mail last year, Carsley opened up on how the birth of his second son in 1999 saw him turn the leaf from being a “selfish” Premier League player.Carsley has three children with wife Louisa.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHis second son, Connor, was born with Down’s Snydrome, a condition which increases the risk of health complications such as heart disorders, hearing problems, thyroid issues and recurrent infections.He said: “It affected the whole family. I was quite selfish as a player. I didn’t know anything about special needs because it didn’t affect me. “I was quite sheltered in terms of if you went to hospital (for an injury), you went to a specialist. A car took you in, waited, you went straight in, back in the car and away. “We went from that to, ‘No, this is the real world, if you want a speech therapist you have to get in the queue with everyone else’.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”That probably doesn’t sound right but it was different from what we’d always done. “It made me a lot more aware of the bigger picture, the bigger world, more aware of how much support families need. Money is obviously important but it didn’t help us.”‘Good on him’ – Lee Carsley wins the praise of Roy Keane after very frank admission following first two England gamesCarsley also revealed how Connor, now 25, would take up around 80 per cent of his and his wife’s time when growing up compared to siblings Callum and Lois.His own fundraising efforts for the foundation led to extra support being made available for other families.When moving to Everton in 2002 he became vice-president of the club’s Disabled Supporters’ Association, while his influence led to further donations to the Down’s Syndrome Association from team-mates.The late Sven-Goran Eriksson was said to be among those to contribute.Carsley, 50, also has the second job of coaching weekly sessions for young footballers aged between 16 and 21 at the Strachan Football Foundation in Warwick.It affected the whole family. I was quite selfish as a player. I didn’t know anything about special needs because it didn’t affect me.Lee CarsleyOn his role at the team, he said: “I still find a way to coach which gives me the chance to practise what I’m going to do with any teams I’m working with.”I could potentially be practising for two months on what I’m going to try, rather than a day when you’ve got two games in an international window.”It gives me a chance to experiment and then hopefully deliver it when the (England) players are live.”I was there in Warwick last Friday (Aug 23). I’ve been doing that for maybe three years. It’s like an education and coaching centre.”The biggest thing you notice when you first come and work internationally is that you stop coaching and I was adamant that wasn’t going to happen to me.”My biggest strength is coaching so that is one of the things I didn’t want to stop.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I have other priorities within the job as well. I have to be creative and make sure I have got a couple of hours every week on a Friday morning that I’m able to get out there and try things and get it wrong!”England’s next games will come in October against Greece and Finland.England ratings vs Finland: Kane bags double on his big day… but he’s not the Three Lions’ star manTRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD showed his brilliance as Harry Kane’s brace saw England beat Finland.Interim boss Lee Carsley maintained his 100 per cent win record in charge of England.SunSports Tom Barclay has given their ratings of the England players…Jordan Pickford – 6Had nothing to do.Trent Alexander-Arnold – STAR MAN 9England’s best player as he supplied some beautiful balls from deep that on another day would have led to a glut of assists.He did get one in the end, although that was more thanks to Harry Kane’s lethal finishing.Ezri Konsa – 6Showed his ability on the ball with a super ball through for Bukayo Saka on the half hour.Twisted his ankle early in the second half, surprisingly played on before being replaced on the hour.John Stones – 6Played at left-sided centre-back before shifting when Levi Colwill came on.Solid though not much to deal with. Now 19 short of 100 caps.Rico Lewis – 7In the right place to snuff out early danger from ex-Norwich man Teemu Pukki.Came close to a goal on his second England cap when prodding wide after the break.Declan Rice – 5Lost possession to give Finland their one and only big chance which Topi Kesinen should have squared to Pukki, but instead fired wildly over.Angel Gomes – 7Wanted the ball from the off, just like Lee Carsley thought he would. Deliciously drilled cross-field ball to Alexander-Arnold early doors showed his range.Bukayo Saka – 7Almost scored and almost assisted in a lively display.Unlucky that Kane was millimetres offside after the centurion had headed home the Arsenal man’s wicked delivery.Jack Grealish – 7Enjoyed being in the heart of the action at No10 again, as he did on Saturday against the Republic of Ireland.Carsley clearly likes him – it will be fascinating to see what happens when Mssrs Bellingham, Foden and Palmer all return.Anthony Gordon – 7Caused problems down the left with his rapid pace – how we needed some of that in the Euros.But did not have on his shooting boots as he fluffed a decent chance early in the second half.Harry Kane – 8Two blistering finishes took the centurion to an astonishing 68 goals in 100 caps.Was denied the chance of a hat-trick in front of his family when subbed off to a standing ovation for the final ten.Kane said he fancies his chances of reaching a ton of international goals – and it does not seem fanciful.SUBSLevi Colwill (on for Konsa, 61) – 6Next to no threat from Finland by the time he came on.Eberechi Eze (on for Gordon, 66) – 6Raced on to yet another special Trent pass but could not loop it over the keeper.Noni Madueke (on for Saka, 66) – 7Looked to make an impact every time he got the ball on debut. Excellent one-two with Trent saw the Chelsea man tee up Kane’s second.Marc Guehi (on for Stones, 80) – 6As with Colwill, little to do.Jarrod Bowen (on for Kane, 81) – 6Played up top after Kane went off for the final minutes, as he has done for West Ham. More

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      A sparkie, night shiftworker and sweet shop owner shooting it out for FA Cup golden ticket at Wembley

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      A SWEET shop owner, electrician and a telecoms engineer are all shooting it out to be at the FA Cup Final – one way or another.The trio would all love to fire their respective non-league sides to a miraculous Wembley triumph.Jonathan Lacey was last season’s top goalscorer in the FA CupCredit: X @EmiratesFACupAshford United’s Gary Lockyer is leading the way in this season’s competitionCredit: X @AshfordUnitedFCHe has eight goals so far and is gunning for more this weekendCredit: X @EmiratesFACupHowever, it’s fair to say that they all stand a much better chance of being a VIP under the arch instead of actually playing on Saturday 17 May. And that is because all three are currently battling to be crowned this season’s FA Cup top scorer and land themselves the Mitre Golden Ball award.The Football Association created it three years ago, and the winner gets the honour of not only collecting the trophy from an FA Cup legend but also walking the cup final match ball out onto the Wembley pitch before the final.The competition has already provided Tilbury hotshot Sam Bantick, who has five goals so far, with his greatest football memory.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe 32-year-old, who owns Sam’s Sweets and Shakes near Brentwood station, tasted the magic of the cup firsthand back in 2017.That was when he helped fire Heybridge Swifts into the first round proper and scored in their 3-1 defeat against their Football League opponents at St James Park.He moved to Isthmian League North Division outfit Tilbury this summer and capped his home debut with a hat-trick against Buckhurst Hill.But his exploits were caught on camera, and he soon went viral when his third, an audacious effort from inside his own half, was shared online.Most read in FA CupFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“I’ve tried it a few times but it hasn’t always come off. If I could do it all the time then I wouldn’t be playing the level that I’m playing at,” he told Sun Sport.“I hit that perfectly and as soon as I did I knew it was going in. I’ll always remember it.” I broke FA Cup record against Man Utd in final.. 20 years later I’m playing for non-league side in qualifying roundBantick has never been to an FA Cup Final, but after discovering the prize that awaits the top goalscorer, he says it would top the “best day of my life” at Exeter if he went to Wembley to collect the trophy.He said: “I’ll have to try a bit harder on Saturday now.“We don’t often get exposure or the chance to play big sides, of course you want to help your team out, but to get the chance to get honoured on a personal level like that is unreal.”And ahead of welcoming National League South outfit Chelmsford City to Chadfields, he added: “It’s going to be really tough, but it’s XI vs XI.“We know we’re massive underdogs but they’ll have to come to our ground, the changing-rooms will absolutely stink and we’ll try and make it as hard as we can for them.”Sparkie Sonnie Coleman, 27, is another looking to continue his hot-streak of six goals in three matches.And the Northern League Crook Town striker, who scored to help Hardwick Social retain the FA Sunday Cup in 2018 at Bramall Lane, has even played at Wembley before.He was part of the Stockton Town side that suffered FA Vase Final heartbreak at the hands of Thatcham Town six years ago.Tilbury hero Sam Bantick went viral earlier in the competitionCredit: Focus PhotosHe runs a family sweet shop near Brentwood stationCredit: Focus PhotosHe said: “Winning the Sunday Cup two years running was great but the Vase was the biggest game I’ve played in. That was the first and only time that I’ve ever been to Wembley. “So it would be amazing to get there and I have been keeping my eye on it.“I’ve seen the leader has eight, but I feel a bit ripped off as we haven’t had one replay and just gone straight through. He’s had a couple of replays but he’s obviously doing very well.”Coleman is gunning for Witton Albion, who are a step above them in the pyramid, on home turf on Saturday and added: “It’s already the furthest the club have been in the cup this century.“We’ve beaten Ashington already, who were from a step above, so let’s see if we can go even further.”The man they are all chasing is Ashford United’s Gary Lockyer.He already has EIGHT – including a four-goal haul in the last round – but was only told about JJ Lacey’s haul of ten being enough to secure the Golden Ball last season a fortnight ago.Sonnie Coleman of Crook Town already has some fabulous Wembley memoriesCredit: Si CrumbsLockyer, who works night shifts as a telecoms engineer for Network Planning Solutions, said: “After the four goals took me to eight, my manager said ‘you should be really up there’ but I hadn’t really thought or known about it.“I then looked it up and saw that the gentleman won it with ten goals last time and instantly thought ‘I’m quite close here’ and it would really be something to remember.“So I’m definitely hoping for a few more.”Man Utd fan Lockyer, 31, has experienced the first round proper when he was 17 at Hyde Town but didn’t play and he has also attended finals under the arch as a spectator.But the father-of-four is determined to stave off his competition and beat the likes of Erling Haaland and Mo Salah in the scoring stakes to land himself and his wife a VIP day out under the arch.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd after being informed that his rivals were desperate for him to draw and blank and for Ashford united to be eliminated, Lockyer added: “I’m exactly the same!“I’m one for healthy competition and I’m eager to get it now that I know I’m in the lead. Hopefully I can get a few more this weekend.” More

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      I’m not scared of Liverpool at Anfield… I scored the winner in Europe’s maddest derby where fans set fire to the stadium

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      NIKOLA MILENKOVIC says stepping into the Anfield cauldron holds no fears.That is because he came of age playing in the maddest, baddest derby in Europe.Nikola Milenkovic thrived in the barmy Belgrade derbyCredit: AlamyPartizan Belgrade fans are seen burning Red Star T-Shirts back in 2016Credit: AFPLiverpool fans are among the most passionate in world football, with the Kop capable of producing a spine-tingling atmosphere to unnerve the best.But Nottingham Forest’s 6ft 5in defender reckons he can handle the Merseyside crowd today after surviving the bonkers Balkans derby between Partizan and Red Star Belgrade.Milenkovic played in four of the notorious clashes which divide a nation, never mind a city — winning three and drawing one.The 26-year-old, who was born in the Serbian capital, said: “The atmosphere is crazy in Belgrade derbies but I really enjoyed them.READ MORE TOP STORIES“On derby day in Belgrade everything stops in the city — absolutely anything goes. There are so many police all over the place and rival fans fight in the streets.“The stadium looks as if it is on fire — and it often is because the visiting Ultras set fire to the seats!”Milenkovic was only 18 and had barely graduated from Partizan’s academy when he was thrust into his first ‘Eternal Derby’.On that occasion Partizan fans gave the visiting Red Star supporters a warm welcome hell would have been proud of as their Ultras displayed a washing line packed with Red Star shirts… then set it ablaze!Most read in FootballNemanja Vidic, who went on to shine for Man Utd, was Milenkovic’s idol, despite playing for Belgrade rivals Red StarCredit: GettyFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSMilenkovic emerged a 1-0 victor and went on to win a league and cup double at Red Star’s expense.He scored the only goal in the Serbian Cup final AGAINST them with a booming header on his 36th and final game for Partizan before his 2017 move to Fiorentina.Ex-Liverpool boss and heavy metal fan Jurgen Klopp soundproofs £6m mansion in Germany’s ‘Beverly Hills’Unfortunately, the derby has a history of violence — with its darkest day coming in 1999 when a teenage Red Star supporter was killed by a rocket fired by Partizan fans.In 2013, 104 arrests were made following violent clashes before, during and after the match.Two years later the derby was delayed for 45 minutes due to crowd trouble with rival fans hurling seats and flares at riot police — before launching stun grenades on to the track surrounding the pitch.Milenkovic, a £12million summer arrival at Forest, said: “Unfortunately these things happen in the derby of Serbia.“In England you don’t have this hatred. Here you have a lot of passion for the game and your clubs. I’m really enjoying the atmosphere here in English grounds but in Serbia it’s loco, it’s all a bit crazy!“Partizan and Red Star share the same city and the two stadiums are only 800 metres apart.“But it can also be a beautiful experience — especially when you win.“It was a great achievement for a child who grew up in the Partizan academy, to go on to win the double with Partizan, especially against Red Star.“To score the winning goal in the cup final before moving to Fiorentina, that was a dream come true for me.”Meet North London derby WagsARSENAL travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the North London derby on Sunday.So with that in mind, SunSport has put together a piece looking at 10 of the players’ partners ahead of the game.One Arsenal man is with a woman who had a romance and daughter with Hollywood star Jude Law.Another Gunners player is married to a competitive twerker who goes by the stage name Redheaded.And one Spurs star convinced his partner to move to England from Los Angeles when they got together – before they went on to have three children.Click here to read the full story.Milenkovic only played 36 games for Partizan but will go down in club history for that goal. As a kid he was compared to Serbia legend Nemanja Vidic, who he idolised despite being a Red Star man.Milenkovic said: “My role model was Nemanja Vidic. He is the best Serbian defender ever and a legend of Manchester United.“I grew up watching him on YouTube. I watched almost every game of his.“I still have my Serbia national team jersey with his name at home which I wore as a child, playing football in the streets.“I learned so much just watching Nemanja but our playing careers passed each other by and I’ve never had the chance to meet him but I hope so one day.”Milenkovic has won more caps for Serbia than Vidic, who only represented his nation 56 times.The Forest defender marked his 58th appearance by captaining Serbia for the first time last week in the Nations League against Spain.And his inspirational leadership sealed a brilliant, battling 0-0 draw with the European champions  as he helped tame Nico Williams, Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal.Milenkovic added: “I was hugely honoured to captain my country and represent our people.“It was very emotional for me to lead my nation and such a young Serbian team.READ MORE SUN STORIES“The national anthem was such a proud moment for myself and my family, and to draw 0-0 with Spain was a real highlight of my career.“Did I shed a tear during the national anthem? No, I am a big defender, I don’t cry…” More

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      Inside Kate Abdo’s intimate wedding as Malik Scott reveals sweet gesture that made him cry and why Carragher didn’t come

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      MALIK SCOTT has lifted the lid on his secret wedding to sports presenter Kate Abdo.The retired boxer and coach of former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder tied the knot with the CBS Sports star in an intimate wedding earlier this month.CBS Sports presenter Kate Abdo recently tied the knot with Malik ScottCredit: INSTAGRAM@KATEABDOAbdo moved her new husband to tears with an incredible gesture involving their cakeCredit: INSTAGRAM@KATEABDOScott, understandably, was emotional as he vowed to spend the rest of his life with the former Sky Sports presenter.But Abdo moved the hardman to tears with an incredible homage to his first boxing gym on their wedding cake.Recalling their big day in an interview with Genting Casinos, the 43-year-old said: “Kate did something incredibly creative, caring, and compassionate—reflecting the walk of life I come from.”She took an old picture of my first ABC Gym in North Philadelphia, where I was raised—the gym that essentially saved my life.READ MORE ON KATE ABDO”She copied the ring from that gym and turned it into a cake, with me in the ring wearing the boxing trunks I had on when I fought Tony Thompson.”Those trunks had a design I borrowed from Sugar Ray Leonard when he fought Tommy Hearns the second time, but I added my own colours—pink and black with stripes.”She even put herself next to me in a wedding dress.”The thoughtfulness and creativity moved me to tears because it took me back to my childhood in that ring, where I faced many challenges, learned hard lessons and grew.Most read in Sport”That ring always meant the world to me.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSKate Abdo and Malik Scott tied the knot in a low-key ceremonyCredit: INSTAGRAM@KATEABDO”She made sure to incorporate that into our wedding day, placing us both in the ring on the cake—her in a wedding dress, me in my boxing outfit. “The contrast was beautiful, thoughtful, and loving.’Why would you even say that’ says Kate Abdo after Jamie Carragher’s most awkward joke ever on live TV”It was emotional for me because I had never shared my craft with anyone the way I have with her. It’s refreshing and comforting.”In the past, I’d kept that side of me private, but with her, I’m comfortable letting her in—whether it’s film study or talking about boxing. “It’s a special connection that I’ve never had with anyone else.”Scott and Abdo, who went public with their relationship earlier this year, didn’t have an expensive and over-the-top celebration of their love.And there was no room on the exclusive guestlist for Abdo’s on-air CBS colleagues Jamie Carragher, Thierry Henry and Micah Richards.”Our wedding was intimate—just the two of us, really,” Scott revealed. “We didn’t want a big affair. “We focused on each other and the commitment we were making.”It was a godly ceremony on the Malibu hills, just how we wanted it. “My kids were there, and it was important for them to see this meaningful, godly moment.”Watching her walk down the aisle was so emotional for me. Every day I fall deeper in love with her.There was no room on the Abdo wedding guestlist for Jamie Carragher, Thierry Henry, Micah RichardsCredit: CBS SPORTS”I don’t know if Jamie Carragher would have been invited to the wedding. I don’t know.”I don’t know how to answer that because having a bigger wedding was never a possibility. That’s something that wouldn’t have happened.”[But] Thierry, Michah, Jamie—they all sent their wishes.”Carragher was unlikely to have received an invite to the nuptials after joking that Abdo wasn’t “loyal” to her new husband live on air.Scott, however, bears no ill will towards the former Liverpool and England defender.He said of Abdo’s colleagues: “They’re a good group of people. “I may not know the full ins and outs of their status, but what impresses me most is the kind of men they are.”The respect they carry, the pride they walk into a room with. They’re men’s men. And there’s nothing wrong with my relationship with Jamie.READ MORE SUN STORIES”It was never broken. Jamie has a good understanding of how people are, especially in this social media era.”We sat down, broke bread, and had good conversations. I’ve never had a problem with him.” More

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      Steve Bruce reveals text from Sir Alex Ferguson with cheeky eight-word command after getting Blackpool job

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      STEVE BRUCE is on Fergie time once more as he starts back as a boss – by order of the great man himself.The former Manchester United skipper takes charge of his first game tomorrow with Blackpool after almost two years out of the game.Steve Bruce’s Blackpool tenure kicks off on SaturdayCredit: PABruce exclusively revealed details of what former boss Fergie text him this weekCredit: Getty – ContributorSince his appointment 11 days ago, the 63-year-old has been deluged with messages – some, he laughs, asking : “Are you bonkers?”But the one that meant the most to him came from Sir Alex Ferguson.He reveals: “Thursday morning the phone rang at half past six.“I didn’t know who it was, didn’t have a clue, because the screen came up showing a no-caller ID, so I thought I’d leave it.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS“Then all of a sudden a text message comes through from Sir Alex: ‘Congratulations, delighted for you’ etc, etc,etc.“’And by the way. You should be on the way to work’. And that’s at 6.40 am.“Typical him, some things never change. He is what he is.“At Old Trafford he was always in first for training, no matter how successful he was, just ready for another day and another challenge.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“He was incredible and still is. His work ethic was unbelievable and he’s always been such an inspiration.Sir Alex changed my life. He gave me an opportunity which I cherished.Steve BruceMan Utd’s best XI of academy graduates“He made me captain of Manchester United for five years. I’ll always be glad he had such a major influence on my life and career.”Yet Bruce admits that having been sacked by West Brom, the 11th club he had managed before those two years away, he was pining for to get that career going again.The fact that he has now picked up the reigns again, even in the EFL’s third tier at a club that hasn’t won any of its first four games has rejuvenated him.Bruce has never managed below the Championship and twice took Birmingham City as well as Hull City into the Premier League.Amongst other club he took charge of was boyhood club Newcastle United over two years which is why, he knows, some of his pals questioned his decision to step down the ladder.Fergie and Bruce share the same birthday in DecemberCredit: GettyBut he explains: “After West Brom I did a lot of travelling with my missus Janet.“We’ve been all around the world, everything that we wanted to do, seen what we wanted to see.“And yeah, I’ll miss that part. I’ll miss Barbados in January that’s for sure when the wind’s blowing hard around here.“And I’m just as sure Janet will too.“In the first year I just wanted to have a look at it from the outside although there were five or six opportunities then but I forced myself to stay away.“But the last six months the lack of that routine of managing a team, the buzz of Saturday match day, was getting to me.“Whatever it is – a bug or a drug – you need it. Retirement wasn’t for me just yet.“I need a purpose to get out of bed in the morning and all I’ve had in my life is this, really. Football.”What we know about the ‘new’ Old TraffordMANCHESTER UNITED plan to build a new stadium rather than redevelop Old Trafford.The decision was made after a number of fact-finding missions to other stadiums including the Bernabeu and Nou Camp.The cost of the project is expected to be a staggering £2billion.A capacity of 100,000 is expected.It is felt that a club of United’s standing should have a new state-of-the-art facility.The new stadium will be built on land adjacent to the Red Devils’ current home.United are looking to not only build a stadium but regenerate the area of Trafford where the ground will stand.They plan to KEEP Old Trafford rather than demolish it, and use it as a second venue. They will scale it down to a 30,000-seater that can then be used for the women’s team and academy matches.That would mean the history remains with statues and the Munich clock and memorial plaque all most likely staying in their current positions.The club consulted with 30,000 fans about what to do and believe there is roughly a 50-50 split on staying or moving.Old Trafford has been United’s home since 1910.The target is for completion by 2030. That text from Ferguson a couple of days ago certainly found him out of bed early – even if he wasn’t quite on his way to work – and a little long in the tooth or not that buzz is back.A home clash with Exeter City marks his return and he adds : “Most of the messages I got were positive, saying : ‘Good for you. Why not? “Yes, Blackpool are League One but after speaking to the owner it was like, ‘Why not?’ too.“I haven’t got any more ego left in me and so many of my close mates understood that in the last six months I really wanted this life again.“I didn’t know I would be working back at the coal face again but we’ve got a squad that I believe can compete with anybody in the division.READ MORE SUN STORIES“The plan is to get this club back in the Championship.“If I didn’t think we could do that – then what WOULD be the point?”Steve Bruce left Newcastle in November 2021Credit: Getty More

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      Eddie Howe reveals he HASN’T spoken to Paul Mitchell in bombshell admission after Newcastle chief slammed club strategy

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      EDDIE HOWE launched a passionate defence of his Newcastle signings after Paul Mitchell claimed there was “no clear strategy” regarding transfers previously.The Magpies boss also set alarm bells ringing by revealing the Toon chiefs have not spoken since last week’s bombshell interview as he addressed the internal “civil war” talk.Newcastle boss Eddie Howe revealed he hasn’t spoken to Paul MitchellCredit: GettyNewcastle sporting director Mitchell blamed transfer struggles on the previous regimeCredit: GettyNew sporting director Mitchell came in for fierce criticism after failing to deliver Marc Guehi or any other top outfield reinforcements in the summer after replacing Dan Ashworth.However, he pointed the finger of blame at Newcastle’s previous regime for their struggles in the last window and claimed the recruitment set-up he inherited was “not fit for purpose”.But Howe, who played a pivotal role in transforming the squad since taking over in November 2021, hit back and said: “I’m very, very proud of every single player that we signed in that period.“It’s easy to look back on any transfer window and make a judgement on the players that you signed three years down the line. Read More on Football”But, actually, you have to go back to the situation that we were in at those moments and when you’re in the relegation zone and trying to recruit players, that’s not an easy thing to do.“You are also recruiting for the long-term and not just the short-term and I think when you look then that work was good.“Our objective was to stay in the league, and I’m not going to critique every signing, but I’m proud of the body of work that we did and the players that we have now from the legacy of those transfers. I think everybody can hold their heads up very high.”As well as convincing Kieran Trippier to leave Atletico Madrid to help Toon fight relegation in his first season, Howe has also brought in a host of young and hungry talents such as Anthony Gordon, Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnd all of them will now be worth considerably more than they were signed for.Howe continued: “I’m very, very proud of those signings and I’ve said all along – and I don’t want to make it about old and new structure – but those signings I played a huge part in.Eddie Howe reveals best striker he’s ever worked with who’s scored 58 times this season while on £75-per-goal bonus“I took ownership of all those signings, whether they were good, bad, I’ll take ownership of that as ultimately I was the final decision maker on those signings.“I was very proud to sign those players and I think they’ve been brilliant signings for where we were and the very long-term future of the club and I really believed in them and still do. I’d certainly like to find a few more of them.“We were in a relegation battle so some of those signings were more short-term in that moment because you needed instant results, relegation wasn’t something we could contemplate.“But, always in the back of my mind with every signing I make, it is always about can they impact the team now and impact the team in the right way in the future.“The key thing now is the future and I’m sure we can get future transfer windows right as ultimately that is the most important thing at any club because to be successful you have to recruit well.”Mitchell also claimed that Howe had played more of a supporting role over the past window than the leading one he had previous, to which the Newcastle boss responded: “I don’t think it’s right for me to make individual comments in reply to Paul’s.“I don’t think that will help our current situation and for me I’m just focusing on the future.”’No contact’Mitchell also said he and Howe spoke for “an hour on the phone” each night, but the latter revealed that the pair have not had any contact since the former’s interview.“I’ve had no contact from Paul,” said Howe. “But I don’t think that is unusual. We’ve got different jobs to do, I’m focusing on the football and the team and he’s focusing on his role.”When pressed on why Mitchell went public with his “not fit for purpose” remarks, Howe replied: “That’s for Paul to answer, I don’t think I can answer for him.“The scouting structure was there, and whatever you think about the structures, the results were very good.”Howe was given the opportunity to respond directly and publicly to the criticism, but stated that “it wasn’t the time or place” to do that.As for rumours regarding internal problems between him and Mitchell, Howe said: “As for civil war stuff, absolutely not in my experience.No ‘civil war’ “But I’m cocooned in my work and absolutely focused on the players and the training and that is what I do every single day that I’m here.“I don’t involve myself in politics. For me, this job is very much about the players that we do have and trying to make the supporters proud every time that we play.“Everything else around that I try not to get involved in.”When asked to rate his “bromance” with Mitchell, Howe said: “I don’t really understand the fascination with our bromance and I don’t think that it has to be that way.“I think it has to be a collaboration and sometimes there are moments – I fall out with Jason [Tindall] a lot and that’s probably the closest bromance I have at the club.READ MORE SUN STORIES“We have healthy debate and argument and that’s never been a problem as long as it’s respectful and for the greater cause, which is always the football club and to try and get results.“There is no issue with that but I think that the collaboration part is the most important thing and it’s got to be teamwork for the ultimate aim.” More