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      in Boxing

      Inside Conor McGregor’s first gym where coaches spotted talent aged 12… but knew he wasn’t destined to make it as boxer

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      CONOR McGREGOR showcased his raw talent aged just 12 – but his coaches knew his future was never destined for the boxing ring. McGregor wandered into the Crumlin Boxing club with muddy football boots as a youngster and immediately impressed head trainer Phil Sutcliffe. Conor McGregor’s first gym was Crumlin BoxingMcGregor has returned back to the club to train and boxHe poses to the crowd during a fundraising eventMcGregor has made shock appearances to box in local eventsAnd despite later choosing a career in mixed martial arts over boxing – he remains Sutcliffe’s most famous graduate from the gym. It is now over two decades since McGregor trotted into the club on his first day but Sutcliffe said: “Course I remember…”When he walked in, I told him he had to take his boots off.“He was playing football against Crumlin United. He was a little blonde kid, good looking kid, but he had his football boots on. READ MORE IN MMA“You don’t walk on the floor with your football boots full of mud, so we told him to take them off.“He started punching the bags. I said if you want to join, get your ma’ and da’ down. You have to fill in a form and apply.”The gym is located on Dublin’s south side and has been producing champions since the 1940s.Chief trainer Sutcliffe is an Irish amateur boxing great, having competed in the 1980 and 1984 Olympics.Most read in BoxingMcGregor returns to Crumlin to box in fundraisersHe uses the boxing club for his MMA trainingCoach Phil Sutcliffe with McGregorCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSSutcliffe coached McGregor through his teens and has no doubt he had the skills and making of a future boxing champion.But at 16 he chose MMA over the sweet science – sacrificing his potential as a top pugilist.I leant Conor McGregor £60 for tools when he was a young plumber… he paid it back 15 YEARS LATER with incredible gestureSutcliffe said: “In pure boxing ability he was as equal to them but he didn’t put in enough for the one talent. “It’s like if you wanted to play rugby but you play on the soccer pitch. It’s hard to master the two. “If you want to play rugby you need to be tough, you want to be fast but in soccer you want to be skillful, you want to be avoiding. “It’s the same in the boxing. If you want to box, you stay boxing. But Conor mastered the ability of reading. Reading the shot that comes at you.“He always mastered that from an early age of 12, he was able to avoid, he was able to move comfortably.”  McGregor’s choice of MMA over boxing paid off having become the UFC’s greatest star – but at the time Sutcliffe could not see the vision. He admitted: “I was never fond of mixed martial arts, I thought it was barbaric until I got involved and saw the amount of work these boys have to put into it.“I saw it and thought, This is interesting.'”  A huge mural of McGregor drapes the wallMcGregor is not the only boxing legend commemorated in the gymMcGregor also sponsors the gymCrumlin is nicknamed ‘The School of Excellence’McGregor only returned to boxing once in 2017 when he lost in ten rounds to American great Floyd Mayweather. In the aftermath of his defeat, the southpaw returned to his roots and Crumlin coaches to be part of his training and corner team. McGregor made sure to give back to the gym that first honed his skills having paid thousands to renovate the club.Pictures of the UFC legend training and boxing drape the gym walls while there is a huge mural dedicated to his success.But he is not the only legendary fighter commemorated in the gym with paintings of Mike Tyson, Ricky Hatton and Roy Jones Jr filling the walls. McGregor still visits during his training camp to sharpen his boxing and was doing so before his scheduled return on June 29.But he was forced to pull out of the comeback fight against Michael Chandler, 38, due to a toe injury with his UFC future still in the air. McGregor has been linked with a return to boxing in the past to fight the likes of Manny Pacquiao and Canelo Alvarez. READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd Sutcliffe hopes to see it having not been part of the Mayweather bout. He chuckled: “I hope he boxes for me, I’ll get another payday!” McGregor kitted out the coaches with new gearThis is the ring where McGregor sparsHe bought the club all new boxing equipmentThe gym is located in Dublin 12 More

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      in Boxing

      Inside YouTuber Danny Aarons’ stunning SIX STONE weight loss after ditching junk food to become ‘the next KSI’ of boxing

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      DANNY AARONS has gone from overweight gamer to the next KSI of Misfits Boxing with a sensational life turnaround. Aarons was over 17 STONE while rising to fame on YouTube playing FIFA video games. Danny Aarons has gone through a huge body transformationAarons makes his debut against former footballer Danny SimpsonBut amid the rise of celebrity-style crossover bout with Misfits Boxing, the 22-year-old fancied getting in on the action. He now makes his debut on Saturday night in a headline fight against Premier League winner Danny Simpson in Dublin. It marks a stunning contrast as Aarons told SunSport: “Obviously there’s physical changes yes but you don’t realise how much of it is mental.”I was waking up at stupid o’clock doing nothing with my life being so unproductive, eating a bunch of junk food, and it was just not not healthy and not a sustainable way to live.READ MORE IN BOXING”So you had to make good change. It’s a mental change, but I’m not a doctor or anything but honestly, just get out, get outside, do some walks, eat clean.”Aarons is now down to 11st 7lb having put in hours of training under the guidance of coach Huzaifah Iqbal in Surrey. He said: “It’s easy to to get in there one day and do it cos it’s fun, you know, it’s new. “But when you have to wake up again, do it the next day and then the next day and the next day it’s just being consistent with it is the is the tough bit.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”The easiest part, I think just my coaches and that they just feel like family, like it’s not like I have to go to training.”It’s like I’m just hanging out with the boys, man, it feels good.”Aarons has welcomed being compared to KSI – having gone from content creator to boxer. He said: “I love pressure. I love pressure. To be compared to KSI, can’t be a bad thing. So I’ll take it.”Danny Simpson agrees to put Premier League winner’s medal on the line in boxing fight against YouTuber Danny Aarons More

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      in Boxing

      I leant Conor McGregor £60 for tools when he was a young plumber… he paid it back 15 YEARS LATER with incredible gesture

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      CONOR McGREGOR once settled a 15 YEAR OLD debt with an incredible gesture after returning to his old stomping ground. McGregor – the highest-paid MMA fighter of all time – was an apprentice plumber in Ireland before he packed it in to pursue combat.Conor McGregor with boxing coach Bra BradyHe was still training at Crumlin Boxing at the time under the coaching of Olympian Phil Sutcliffe and Patrick “Bra” Brady. Bra was a career plumber himself and gave a teenage McGregor €70 (£60) to get himself some tools under the promise it would get paid back. But the future multimillionaire never squared his debt. Bra told SunSport from the famed Crumlin gym: “I’m a plumber all my life, retired now, but Conor wanted to be a plumber so when he started off, he’s 16, I said I’ll get him his tools. READ MORE IN MMA”I knew a fella that worked in the trade that could get the tools for cheap. “I said, I’d get him the tools and he can pay me back week by week because he used to be at the club. “I said, ‘You got them?’ He said, ‘Yeah, I’ll pay ya back.’ But, he never did.” McGregor went onto become an icon of the UFC, winning titles in two divisions at the height of his rise. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIn 2017, he crossed over to the boxing ring for a lucrative bout against American great Floyd Mayweather, losing in round ten. McGregor regretted not reuniting with the boxing team who first honed his skills. Watch never-before-seen footage of Conor McGregor vs Khabib with audio of exactly what was said between hated UFC rivalsSo after defeat to Mayweather, the UFC superstar returned to Crumlin to train with Sutcliffe and Bra. He became so immersed in his first ever gym that he spent thousands renovating the club in an incredible gesture.McGregor even boxed on their club show to raise money and also kitted out the club and its coaches in custom tracksuits. But there was still one more thing left to do – pay back the money he owed from a decade and a half ago. Bra said: “It was 15 years later he paid me back, that’s when he wanted to get on the show. “He gave us a few things, a new ring and things like that, tracksuits and all that. He said, ‘Are you happy with that?’ “I said, ‘Yeah, but one more thing… I want my 70 quid!'” READ MORE SUN STORIESMcGregor still comes into Crumlin Boxing while in training camp but is currently nursing a toe injury.  It forced him out of his return against American Michael Chandler, 38, which was set for June 29 but now looks to be postponed until next year.McGregor returned to box on a Crumlin show More

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      in Soccer

      How former teacher Sven-Goran Eriksson became ice cool England hero and unlikely playboy – before tragic cancer battle  

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      THE scoreline still makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end: Germany 1, England 5.In the dugout, masterminding the demolition of the old sporting enemy that day, was a thoughtful Swede who stayed ice cool amid the pandemonium around him.Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has died aged 76Credit: ReutersSven with Italian former girlfriend Nancy Dell’OlioCredit: Rex FeaturesEngland’s first foreign manager, Sven-Goran Eriksson, seemed like nothing would ruffle him.Few would have guessed — from his owlish exterior at least — that away from the football pitch he led such a tumultuous personal life.That crazy night in Munich in 2001, now part of English footballing folklore, proved something of a high watermark for Sven and his Golden Generation of players.His three international tournaments with England all ended at the quarter-finals.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLBroken metatarsals, bodged penalties and a Ronaldinho free kick that looked to be a mis-hit denied him sporting immortality.And his time as Three Lions coach will be remembered as much for his shenanigans off the pitch as his successes on it.With receding grey hair, rimless specs and a demeanour seemingly as chilly as a Scandinavian fjord, he didn’t seem like a ladies’ man.Yet appearances were very deceptive.Most read in FootballHis glam Italian former girlfriend Nancy Dell’Olio wrote breathlessly of their first meeting: “The attraction was electric before we touched — but one touch was all it took.”And there were affairs with Britain’s other famous Swede Ulrika Jonsson and FA secretary Faria Alam — both while he was still dating Nancy.Elk huntingSven, who has died of pancreatic cancer aged 76, landed the Three Lions job after Kevin Keegan quit the post after England lost 1-0 to Germany in October 2000. David Beckham shares heartbreaking tribute video after tragic death of former England manager Sven-Goran ErikssonTerry Venables — who had guided England to the Euro 96 semi-final — was overlooked. Instead, the FA chose Sven, who had won Italy’s Serie A with Lazio but was largely unknown in Britain.The elevation of a foreigner to the top job in the motherland of football was not welcomed by all.One leading sports writer complained that England had “sold our birthright” to a “nation of seven million skiers and hammer throwers who spend half their lives in darkness”.When Eriksson’s name was announced, I was dispatched by The Sun to his remote home village of Torsby, set in thick pine forest not far from Sweden’s border with Norway.Many of the 4,000-odd inhabitants of the village, where temperatures can drop to -30C, were as well versed in elk hunting as they were in football.Some said that, away from footie, Sven enjoyed Tibetan poetry and tennis — quite a departure from the usual lifestyle of the English game.Known as Svennis in Torsby, the truck driver’s son had worked as a sports teacher before a short-lived career as a pro footballer.A solid, right-footed defender for teams in Sweden’s lower leagues, Sven was forced to retire in 1975 after an injury, aged just 27.After the appointment of Tord Grip — one of his old managers and later his No2 at England — at part-timers Degerfors in Sweden’s third division, he asked Sven to be his assistant.The pair aped the English game, playing 4-4-2 formations.When Grip took over as boss of the Swedish national team, Sven was given the Degerfors top job.A boyhood Liverpool fan, he later said: “I was always drawn to the physical strength and commitment of the English game. It was my model in the early days in Sweden.”In March this year he achieved a life-long dream when he was invited to Liverpool’s Anfield ground to manage the club’s Legends veterans for a day, and led the side to a 4-2 win against Ajax Legends.At Degerfors he brought in a sports psychologist and the side won promotion.He was on his way.In 1979, when he was just 30, Swedish giants Gothenburg gave him the manager’s job, and three years later they won the Uefa Cup.In 1982 he left his homeland for successful stints at Benfica in Portugal — twice — plus Italian sides Roma, Fiorentina and Lazio, before securing the England job.In 1977 he had married Ann-Christine Pettersson, daughter of the principal of a teacher-training college where he had been a student.They had two children, Lina, now a charity worker, and Johan, a football agent.The couple divorced in 1994, then in 1998, while at Lazio, Sven was introduced to a raven-haired Italian with a taste in plunging necklines.The Swede was a boyhood Liverpool fanCredit: Sunday TimesA young Sven Goran Eriksson in uniformCredit: Nina PerssonMarried lawyer Nancy Dell’Olio later recalled her first impression when she met Sven at a Tuscan spa resort was that he appeared “quite distinguished but nothing special”.She added: “Later he told me that he was completely transfixed from the first moment he saw me.”Sven invited her to lunch and Nancy later said she had “hated” deceiving her husband Gianfranco, also a lawyer and a friend of Sven’s.Eventually Sven asked her to leave her husband, and they broke the news to Gianfranco together.At Christmas 1999 Sven produced “a beautiful diamond engagement ring” and they seemed set for a happy marriage.Yet Nancy later wrote in her life story My Beautiful Game: “Little did I know that even stormier waters were lying just ahead.”England had come calling for Sven in October 2000.He was one of world football’s sharpest and most decorated managers, with the BBC calling him “the man with the Midas touch”.Sven said of what has been called an impossible job: “All England managers have been declared idiots at some times in their career, even Sir Alf Ramsey.England’s ‘first lady’“I knew what to expect. I didn’t take the job for the money or the weather. I took it because it’s England.”He and Nancy moved into a luxury home overlooking London’s Regent’s Park and she later described herself as “the first lady of English football”.His first game in charge — a friendly against Spain at Villa Park in February 2001 — saw England win 3-0.Victories against Finland, Albania, Mexico and Greece followed, with Sven the first England manager to win his first five games.Then, on September 1, 2001, came a far greater challenge — the might of Germany in a World Cup qualifier at the Olympic Stadium in Munich.The Germans had only ever lost one World Cup qualifier at home.Since losing to England in the 1966 final, they had beaten the Three Lions at tournaments in 1970, 1990 and 1996.Yet Sven’s England destroyed them, with the fifth goal scored by Liverpool’s Emile Heskey, who had a reputation for being goal shy.To this day England fans still chant to the tune of the Village People’s Go West: “5-1 — even Heskey scored.”Then automatic qualification for the 2002 World Cup was secured ahead of Germany with a 2-2 draw with Greece at Old Trafford.Yet in April 2002, with the World Cup just weeks away, came news that left many flabbergasted.Sven had been having an affair behind Nancy’s back with Ulrika Jonsson, who was 19 years his junior.But the TV presenter later said: “This was no great passionate affair.“It was devoid of passion. He had all this power and money, yet he was the weakest man I have ever met.”The pair had met when she had asked for his autograph at a party thrown by Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell.It was devoid of passion. He had all this power and money, yet he was the weakest man I have ever metUlrika on SvenUlrika added: “When news of our affair broke he didn’t confirm what went on between us.“This meant I was left high and dry, even to the point that people believed I had made it up to get Press attention. That really angered me.”Yet Nancy stayed with Sven, despite the affair.Ulrika added: “I sensed he feared her. He admitted to me that she loved the attention she was getting from the media, so it’s little wonder if she didn’t want to give that up.”In the group stage of the 2002 World Cup England beat Argentina — in one of international football’s biggest grudge matches.In the quarter final against Brazil England scored first, then Brazil equalised in injury time.SGE played for Swedish division III team SK SifhallaCredit: Pressens BildWhen Sven was just 30, Swedish giants Gothenburg offered him the manager’s jobCredit: EmpicsGareth Southgate — then a player — allegedly said of Sven’s half-time talk: “We needed Winston Churchill but got Iain Duncan Smith [referring to the “quiet man” former Tory leader].As Sven stood on impassively in the second half, Brazil won it with a fluke free kick from Ronaldinho that wrong-footed goalie David Seaman.It was best summed up with what became a Sven catchphrase: “First half good, second half not so good.”Perhaps the most glorious missed chance for Sven and English football was Euro 2004 in Portugal, when teen sensation Wayne Rooney limped off with a cracked metatarsal in the quarter-final with the host nation.England went on to lose on penalties.That year Sven had a fling with another far younger woman — ex-model Faria Alam, an FA secretary.She later said: “After he’d filled the dishwasher, he led me upstairs to his bedroom. He didn’t have the mindset of a super-rich man.“He was saying how he did yoga and things like that. And I just fell in love with him, I guess.”Sven with ex wife Ann-Christine and son Johan in 1980Credit: Pressens BildMatters were complicated by the fact that Faria had also had a fling with FA chief executive Mark Palios.Yet again, Nancy stayed with Sven, who later admitted there were other lovers, including a singer, a Romanian ex-gymnast and a Swedish employee of Scandinavian Airlines.In January 2006 it was announced he would leave his £4.5million-a-year job after that summer’s World Cup.The tournament again ended in failure at the quarter-finals and will largely be remembered for Sven perhaps wisely allowing the Wags to grab centre stage.But his record of 40 wins and 17 draws in 67 fixtures was not matched by his successors until Gareth Southgate’s reign.Don’t be sorry, smile. Thank you for everything – coaches, players, the crowds, it’s been fantastic. Take care of yourself and take care of your life. And live itSven’s farewellLater management roles included stints with Manchester City, Notts County and Leicester City, as well as the Mexican, Ivory Coast and Philippines national teams.His turbulent relationship with Nancy also ended.Sven saw out his days back in Sweden with long-term partner Yaniseth Bravo Mendoza, a Panamanian former nightclub dancer 21 years his junior who he met outside a bar in Mexico City.In January he revealed he had terminal cancer.In a poignant Amazon documentary, he said of his impen-ding death: “Don’t be sorry, smile.“Thank you for everything, coaches, players, the crowds, it’s been fantastic.READ MORE SUN STORIES“Take care of yourself and take care of your life. And live it.”A maxim he certainly abided by.Sven posing at the front of a motorbikeCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdThe coach had an affair with fellow Swede Ulrika JonssonCredit: PA:Press AssociationThe Swedish football manager with partner Yaniseth Alcides during the Sports Gala 2024Credit: RexThe footie icon had an affair with FA secretary Faria Alam while he was still dating NancyCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdSven led England to a 5-1 win against Germany in 2001Credit: Getty Images – GettyMichael Owen scored a hattrick during Sven’s demolition of Germany in MunichShrewd Swede’s greatest gamesBy Thomas GodfreySVEN’S Three Lions teams left fans with some spine-tingling memories.5-1 vs Germany, 2001Boss recalled out-of-form Michael Owen who scored a hat-trick. Skipper Steven Gerrard and Liverpool’s Emile Heskey also netted to stun 60,000 home fans in Munich.Becks free kick, 2001Sven kept David Beckham on against Greece and was rewarded when he lashed home a 93rd-minute free kick for a 2-2 draw and 2002 World Cup qualification.Argentina KO’d, 2002Four years on from being sent off against our bitter rivals, Beckham’s penalty secured a 1-0 win and eliminated them.Argies encore, 2005Michael Owen scored two late goals in 3-2 friendly win in GenevaRooney rescue, 2004Wayne Rooney, then 18, scored twice in a comeback 4-2 Euros group stage win over Croatia. More

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      in Motorsport

      F1 ace Lando Norris splits from model girlfriend Margarida Corceiro after a year of dating before Dutch GP triumph

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      FORMULA One driver Lando Norris has split from his model girlfriend Margarida Corceiro.The pair had been linked for the past year, with the British racing ace seen spending time with the Portuguese model on a number of occasions.Formula One driver Lando Norris has split from supermodel Margarida CorceiroCredit: Capture Media AgencyLando and Margarida watching the final of the Monte-Carlo Tennis Masters in Monaco this AprilCredit: Sky SportsHowever pals said the pair are no longer dating, with Lando, 24, admitting over the weekend: “I don’t have a girlfriend.”A source said: “Lando and Margarida had a fun time together and hung out a lot.“But it wasn’t working out so they cooled off. He’s free and single and just wants to focus on his sport.”Maclaren driver Lando, who won the Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday, and Margarida were first spotted together in May last year.READ MORE ON LANDO NORRISShe was pictured riding in the back of his Fiat 500 Jolly.As well as enjoying dates in Monaco, where they attended the Monte Carlo Tennis Masters final in April, before she was seen supporting him at the Miami Grand Prix.Margarida started dating Lando following her split from footballer Joao Felix last year.Bristol born Lando stayed tight lipped about their relationship but in May said he had “many girlfriends” when asked whether he was dating her.Most read in MotorsportPrior to dating Margarida, Lando was in a relationship with another Portuguese model Luisinha Oliveira.The pair were together for a year before breaking up in late 2022.Lando Norris sheepishly admits he has ‘many girlfriends’ during lie detector test amid links to glam Portuguese modelLando confirmed their split and said in a post on Instagram: “After time and consideration, Luisa and myself have mutually decided to end our romantic relationship but remain good friends.“I wish her the world and have so much respect for her and all she does as such an amazing and strong woman with nothing but kindness.”Lando triumphed over his rivals at the Dutch Grand Prix, beating Max Verstappen into second place.Despite his dominance in the race, Lando said he had a long way to go to win the title over the remaining ten races.He said: “I’ve been fighting for the championship since the first race of the year.“There’s no sudden decision, now I need to do better.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I’ve been working hard the whole year and I’m still 70 points behind Max. So it’s pretty stupid to think of anything at the minute.“I just take one race at a time and just keep doing what I’m doing now because there’s no point to think ahead and think of the rest.”Magarida is a Portuguese modelCredit: Capture Media AgencyStunning Margarida has also dated footballer Joao FelixNorris triumphed over his rivals at the recent Dutch Grand Prix, beating Max Verstappen into second placeCredit: Splash More

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      in Soccer

      Inside late Sven-Goran Eriksson’s tragic cancer battle after revealed he had terminal illness just months ago

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      AS Sven-Goran Eriksson bravely battled his tragic cancer battle he opened up about his struggles in heartbreaking confessions about family and treatment.The former England and Manchester City manager revealed his pancreatic cancer diagnosis in January and today sadly passed away aged 76.The former England and Manchester City manager revealed his diagnosis in JanuaryCredit: APSven-Goran Eriksson delivered a final goodbye message just months before his deathCredit: Amazon PrimeHe spoke about how scared he was but also told how he came to terms with cancerCredit: Amazon PrimeThe Swede’s family released a heartbreaking statement which read: “Sven-Goran Eriksson has passed away.”After a long illness, SGE died during the morning at home surrounded by family.”The medicine… we don’t know what’s going to happen. I’m sort of scared. It takes a little bit of time before we can accept it. I’m still hereSven-Goran Eriksson Amazon documentary A heart-wrenching tribute from his children Lina and Johan Eriksson added: “Our father Sven-Goran Eriksson fell asleep peacefully in his home at Björkefors outside Sunne this morning. He has for a long time fought bravely with his illness, but now it came to an end.”They continued: “We hope that you will remember Svennis as the good and positive person he always was both in public and at home with us.”Doctors initially gave Eriksson – who managed the Three Lions for five years and three tournaments – “about a year” to live.He received the crushing blow following tests after he woke up feeling dizzy.The former manager previously revealed: “I thought I was fully healthy but suddenly I had a small stroke so I fell and my children took me to the hospital. “After one day of examination they told me I had five small strokes, but said ‘no problem, you will recover 100 per cent from that’. Most read in Football”But worse is they said I have cancer which they can’t operate on.”They said they will give me treatment and medicine to try and live as long as possible. I have that diagnosis and they can’t operate, unfortunately.”Sven-Goran Eriksson filmed his heartbreaking final goodbye alone – and his emotional message left film crew in tearsIn the months before his death, the 76-year-old saw his life chronicled in a documentary for Amazon Prime Video.Sven gave a final message to former players, coaches and supporters after speaking openly about his affairs and life in the film. In a touching clip at the end of the documentary, Sven told viewers: “I had a good life. I think we are all scared of the day when we die, but life is about death as well.But you can trick your brain. See the positive in things, don’t wallow in adversity, because this is the biggest adversity of course, but make something good out of itSven-Goran Eriksson”You have to learn to accept it for what it is. Hopefully at the end people will say, yeah, he was a good man, but everyone will not say that.“I hope you will remember me as a positive guy trying to do everything he could do. Don’t be sorry, smile.In the film, Sven bravely opened up about his cancer battles and reveals his fearsCredit: Amazon PrimeLina and Johan Eriksson appeared in the documentary to speak about their dad’s devastating diagnosisCredit: Andrew TimmsSven and his kids reconnected while he spent most of his time in SwedenCredit: YouTube / Amazon Prime Video Sport”Thank you for everything, coaches, players, the crowds, it’s been fantastic. Take care of yourself and take care of your life. And live it.”The film then pans back to Sven in his home, with the former England manager concluding his message with “bye”.Since learning of his diagnosis, Sven spent most of his time in Sweden at his family home in Sunne.He revealed one of his favourite spots, Fryken lake, could be his final resting place. It comes as…“I always thought it’s a great place to sleep,” he said.”The ashes could be thrown into the water here. It feels like home.”Meanwhile, one of Eriksson’s close friends released a heartbreaking update just days before his death. The dear pal spoke of how the 76-year-old had been too ill to go on his favourite lakeside walk in his final days. Sven-Goran Eriksson’s managerial careerFOLLOWING Sven-Goran Eriksson’s death from his battle with cancer, SunSport takes a look at his remarkable managerial career…PROMISING STARTIt began in Sweden in 1977 where he won the third division with Degerfors, before he joined Gothenburg and won two Swedish Cups and the Uefa Cup.He then took over at Benfica in 1982 and spent two seasons with the Portuguese giants where he won back-to-back league titles.INCREDIBLE ITALIAN SUCCESSStints followed in Italy with Roma and Fiorentina, but he returned to Benfica in 1989 and reached the European Cup final before losing to AC Milan.Eriksson claimed a third league title with Benfica the following year, leaving in 1992 for Sampdoria.He spent five seasons with the Serie A side, winning the Copa Italia in 1994.Eriksson then added another two Coppa Italias to his trophy cabinet with Lazio across a four-year spell.ENGLAND APPOINTMENTThen came the England job in 2001 where he spent five years at the helm of the national side.He reached the quarter-finals of World Cup 2002, losing 2-1 to eventual winners Brazil.England then suffered back-to-back eliminations at the hands of Portugal at Euro 2004 and World Cup 2006.PREMIER LEAGUE SPELLSAfter leaving the Three Lions following his third major tournament, he spent one season at Manchester City.Spells followed at Mexico, Ivory Coast and Leicester, before he moved to China where he coached three clubs across a four-year period.His last managerial stint came for the Philippines national team, a position he held from October 2018 to January 2019.MAJOR HONOURSPortugal League title x 3 (Benfica 82/83, 83/84, 90/91)Copa Italia x 4 (Roma 85/86, Sampdoria 93/94, Lazio 97/98, 99/00)Serie A title (Lazio 99/00)Uefa Cup Winners’ Cup (Lazio 98/99)Uefa Super Cup (Lazio 99)BBC Sports Personality Coach of the Year (England 2001)Speaking to The Mirror, close friend Runebjer said: “I’ve seen Sven and how do I feel? I feel sad but I am happy to have known Sven and know that I can still see him. This is my reaction.”He is such a tremendous person.”Lake Fryken is beautiful. It is 90 kilometres long from south to north and it is a beautiful landscape. You can see that in the pictures. You can definitely fish in that lake too.”But sadly his condition does not allow Sven to do that any more. It is a hard time for him.”FAMILY BONDSDuring his gruelling battle with the disease, Eriksson opened up about how he healed his relationship with his children.When he was rushed to intensive care, his daughter Lina called her brother Johan to tell him: “Dad is in the emergency room. And he’s not in a good way.”The family went into “panic mode” when they discovered that Eriksson had suffered five strokes.Even doctors were left in tears when delivering the dire news.Son Johan, 45, who now works as a football agent and Lina, 37 both rallied behind him during his illness and appeared in the documentary.It’s only very recently that I’ve been able to reconnect with dad and to have a very different relationship with him than I had had as a teenagerLinda ErikssonAmazon documentaryIn the film, Eriksson was candid about his parenting choices during the breakdown of his marriage.He said: “When you get divorced, you feel bad – and I did. At that time I don’t think I was a great dad. But before that and after that I guess I was okay. “It’s good to see that the children found the right way and have a good life. I am proud of them. Extremely proud.”Lina also talked about reconnecting with her father and how difficult it was to see him struggle.She said: “He’s a very black-and-white person when it comes to how he’s feeling. Everything’s good, or it’s s**t.”Every time coming back to the house, I see the clear difference in deteriorating. That’s really, really hard to see.””I think it has taken time to process and I think he has come a long way now than initially”, Lina added.”It’s only very recently that I’ve been able to reconnect with dad and to have a very different relationship with him than I had had as a teenager.”You realise the value of life and that what you thought was important is really not that important.”Symptoms of pancreatic cancerPANCREATIC cancer doesn’t always cause symptoms in its early stages. As the cancer grows and you do begin to show signs, these may come and go and be unspecific, making it hard to diagnose, according to Pancreatic Cancer UK. Common symptoms include: Indigestion – a painful, burning feeling in your chest with an unpleasant taste in your mouth Tummy or back pain – it may start as general discomfort or tenderness in the tummy area and spread to the back, which get worse lying down and feel better is you sit forward Diarrhoea and constipation – see a GP if you have runny poos for more than seven days, especially if you’ve lost weight as wellSteatorrhoea – pale, oily poo that’s bulky, smells horrible and floats, making it hard to flush Losing a lot of weight without meaning toJaundice – yellow skin and eyes, as well as dark pee, pale poo and itchy skin Speaking of the diagnosis himself, Eriksson said: “It was a shock. It’s one of those which will not go away.”But you can slow them down hopefully. I have no pain but I know it’s there. One day it will take you. Before that day, live instead of sitting down thinking about what and when it will happen.”I always feel bad to plan the future.”I take it as it comes. I know what I have and I know life will not last forever. Far away from that but I’m okay.”Eriksson bravely undertook treatment that helped slow down the progression of his cancer.”The medicine… we don’t know what’s going to happen. I’m sort of scared. It takes a little bit of time before we can accept it. I’m still here,” he said.Daughter Lina also spoke about her father’s previous fears of his treatment being stopped.”He really wants to continue with the treatment to try and stop the growth of the cancer as much as possible”, she said.”So for him, any kind of side effect or challenge or anything like that, he just tries to fight it because he’s so scared that they will stop the treatment for him.”In a touching and emotional moment, she added: “It’s hard to imagine life without him.”Sven will be rightly recognised and forever remembered for his significant work with the England team, and for his wider contribution to the gameCurrent FA chief executive Mark BullinghamMeanwhile, his partner of the last 15 years, Yaniseth del Carmen Bravo Mendoza, also stood by his side in the final days. “I’m trying to be calm for his sake because he’s making such a huge effort”, she said in the documentary. “We’ve been together fifteen years and I’m hoping that we’ll be together for many years to come. I’ll never lose this hope. I can’t.”Due to his health issues, Eriksson was sadly forced to step down as sporting director at Swedish club Karlstad in February 2023.After bravely announcing his cancer diagnosis, he was granted his lifelong wish when he led out Liverpool Legends, as they played in a charity match against Ajax at Anfield in March.Revealing his illness in January, Eriksson told P1: “Everyone understands that I have an illness that is not good.”Everyone guesses it’s cancer and it is. But I have to fight as long as I can.”When asked about the prognosis, Eriksson said: “You can’t be absolutely sure. It is better not to think about it.”But you can trick your brain. See the positive in things, don’t wallow in adversity, because this is the biggest adversity of course, but make something good out of it.”Heartbreaking tribute in fullA statement from his children Lina and Johan Eriksson today read: “Our father Sven-Goran Eriksson fell asleep peacefully in his home at Björkefors outside Sunne this morning. He has for a long time fought bravely with his illness, but now it came to an end.”Our thoughts go out to Sven-Goran’s father Sven; girlfriend Yaniseth and her son Alcides; to his brother Lasse and wife Jumnong, as well as to all good friends and acquaintances in Sweden and around the world.”Dad told us at the beginning of this year about his serious illness and received an amazing response from friends and football fans around Europe. He was invited to several football teams in England, Italy, Portugal and Sweden.”They shared their love for football and for dad. It was unforgettable for both him and us. He expressed his appreciation and joy and stated that such beautiful words are usually only uttered when someone has died.”The children added: “We have shared his gratitude and got to experience the wonderful meetings between him, football and all his friends. We thank everyone for these positive memories and your support during his illness”We hope that you will remember Svennis as the good and positive person he always was both in public and at home with us.”‘TRUE GENTLEMAN’ During Eriksson’s time at the helm, England’s “Golden Generation” went from 17th in the world rankings to fifth.Football Association patron Prince William today paid tribute to him as a “true gentleman of the game”.The England fans’ group Free Lions also paid a touching tribute on X: “RIP Sven. For the night in Munich, amongst everything else, thank you for the memories.”This is honouring England’s glory after their 5-1 victory over Germany in Munich in a World Cup qualifier in September 2001.Current FA chief executive Mark Bullingham added today: “This is a very sad day. He gave all England fans such special memories. No one can ever forget the 5-1 victory in Munich against Germany under Sven’s guidance.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Sven will be rightly recognised and forever remembered for his significant work with the England team, and for his wider contribution to the game.”On behalf of my colleagues at the FA, past and present, our thoughts are with his friends and family today. He will be much missed, and we will pay tribute to him when we play Finland at Wembley next month.””Sven was a good coach… better than he seems, says SunSport experts”SunSport’s Shaun Custis and Martin Lipton discussed Sven-Goran Eriksson’s England legacy following his death aged 76.Custis: “He was the most polite, civil manager I’ve ever dealt with in my life.”Lipton: “There are many managers who are prone to paroxysms of aggravation and screaming matches.”You can’t imagine Sven ever raising his voice, let alone having a row with someone. He was a gentle man and a gentleman throughout his dealings with us certainly. And I think that always came across from the very outset.”He was clearly a quite calm, unflappable character and he wasn’t going to let anything perturb him no matter what it was. No matter what questions were thrown at him, no matter what stick he got. He had this veneer of utter tranquillity.”Custis: “There was a lot of mystery to him. You weren’t reading things about him every two minutes online as you would do now but he came in and he got off to a great start with that 3-0 win over Spain.”Lipton: “He just loved being around football, didn’t he that was the thing.”He didn’t want to give it up… He actually, genuinely loved being around football players, being a manager and all the trappings of that and just being important. Because he enjoyed being Sven-Goran Eriksson – football manager.”Lipton: “He brought back a belief in the England team in that period, he gave us a night we’ll never forget and oversaw the real change in the culture of English football in that it became more celebrity in many ways.”The players became bigger than they’d ever been and he managed to keep that under a degree of wraps… He was a better manager than I thought he was at the time.”Eriksson’s partner of the last 15 years, Yaniseth del Carmen Bravo Mendoza, stood by his side in the final daysCredit: AlamyDuring Eriksson’s time at the helm, England’s ‘Golden Generation’ went from 17th in the world rankings to fifthCredit: ReutersHe has won 18 trophies in an incredible career that has spanned decadesCredit: Reuters More

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      Meet the glam partners of Man Utd’s stars, from the ‘Premier League’s hottest Wag’ to a JD Sports model

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      THEY are one of the most famous clubs in the world, which means they attract star names.Man Utd have a storied history and remain a big drawer for top talent.Blonde beauty Cam Reading is one of Man Utd’s famous WagsCredit: InstagramThe Scottish beauty is a regular at Old Trafford where she cheers on her beauCredit: instagram/Cam ReadingCam is the partner of Scott McTominayBut this doesn’t just extend to the playing staff.Watching in private boxes at Old Trafford are the player’s gorgeous Wags.From the ‘Premier League’s hottest Wag’ to a South American showgirl, meet the Wags of Man Utd’s stars.Cam ReadingBeauty Cam began dating Scott McTominay in about 2022.Read more Man Utd newsShe regularly shares their glamorous life together on Instagram, including stunning holidays in Dubai.There, the blonde dazzler shows off her amazing bikini body to her 27,000 Instagram followers.According to reports, she is an investment management director.However, she also appears to be a model too.Most read in FootballMaja Nilsson LindelofMaja has been crowned, unsurprisingly, the ‘Premier League’s hottest Wag’.The Swedish stunner was given that moniker following a survey last year by Betting Sites.co.uk, and it’s hard to argue with.Fans stunned by ‘insane’ giant screens in bar showing Man Utd game and ask ‘are you sure you’re not in Old Trafford’Aside from being absolutely beautiful, she is a marketing expert, blogger, writer and podcast host.In 2020, Maja became a UNICEF ambassador and uses her influence to raise money for charity.Her husband is centre half Victor Lindelof.Maja Nilsson Lindelof has been called the ‘Premier League’s hottest Wag’Credit: instagram @majanilssonlindelofMaja is the wife Sweden defender Victor LindelofCredit: Instagram @victorlindelofMuri LopezLisandro Martinez’s Wag Muri is a showgirl in regularly dresses up in outrageous outfits for carnivals in South America.They reportedly met when the Argentinian centre back was coming through the ranks at Newell’s Old Boys.As his career blossomed, she joined him in Amsterdam when he moved to Ajax, and Manchester in 2022.She often shares her glam life on social media, from fancy holidays to showing off her designer outfits and penchant for Balenciaga.Stunning Muri Lopez is a carnival showgirlArgentina World Cup winner Lisandro Martinez poses with missus MuriCelina KerrCelina is reportedly the girlfriend of Red Devils new Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee.The influencer and model is believed to have graduated in Berlin with a degree in Media and Communication Management.They have kept their personal lives private on social media, but they were once seen embracing on a Valentine’s Day video shoot with JD Sports.The couple wore unisex tracksuits sold by the sportswear giant in the digital ad campaign, which was shared by Celina on her Instagram feed to her followers.Celina Kerr reportedly dates Man Utd new boy Joshua ZirkzeeZirkzee and Celina posed for JD Sports together in an adFern HawkinsFern isn’t just a Man Utd Wag, she’s a season pro at international tournaments.The missus of Harry Maguire was in Russia for the 2018 World Cup, then saw England fall in the Euros in 2021 and, again, at Qatar 2022.They finally married in 2022 at a plush ceremony at the Chateau de Varennes in South Burgundy, France.Maguire and Fern share two daughters together. Fern Hawkins is one of the country’s most famous WagsCredit: InstagramHarry Maguire and Fern got married in 2022Ana PinhoAna and Bruno Fernandes have been together since they were teenagers.She supported the Man Utd playmaker during his lowest ebb when he was broke playing for Italian minnows Novara.Fernandes said: “Ana has been with me on this ride since we were 16, 17, 18 years old.“We met as teenagers, and when we first started dating, I wasn’t making any money as a footballer, and she had a nice job working as a futsal referee on the weekends.“She used to do three or four matches in a row on a Saturday, and then we would always go to the cinema on Sundays.“I personally didn’t have much money at the time so Ana was the one who had to pay for our movie tickets. Same with going out to dinner. Even at the pizza shop, she had to pay.”Ana Pinho is the wife of Man Utd captain Bruno FernandesFernandes has spoke of how Ana Pinho supported him when he was a struggling starread more sports featuresAnneKee MolenaarThe latest arrival in Man Utd’s posh boxes, and joining the prawn sandwich brigade, will be Dutch model, AnneKee.With nearly 500,000 followers on Instagram, the blonde stunner is hugely popular.READ MORE SUN STORIESShe will be even more popular if new signing and her beau Matthijs de Ligt is the key to shoring up United’s leaky backline.AnneKee has football in her blood. Her dad played for the Netherlands, while her brother plays in the amateur leagues.Annekee Molenaar is a model from the NetherlandsAnneKee poses with United’s latest centre back Matthijs de Ligt More