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      I got a doctorate in biomechanics after average football career, now I want to follow Wenger’s footsteps in the Prem

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      REGIS LE BRIS revealed Arsene Wenger’s early work inspired him to become a boss.The Frenchman has guided Sunderland to the top of the Championship as they chase a return to the Prem following their relegation in 2017.Regis Le Bris has left the Black Cats eyeing promotion to the PremCredit: RexArsene Wenger taught his fellow Frenchman well at MonacoCredit: RexLe Bris, 48, grew up in Brittany and had an unremarkable career as a defender in France.But he knew he wanted to coach after studying Arsenal legend Wenger during his seven years at Monaco from 1987.Saluting the 75-year-old’s Monte Carlo masterclass, Le Bris said: “I really liked Monaco under Arsene Wenger. I wasn’t really a fan but when I was young I liked this team and  his style.“If a player, team or manager had a specific style, I liked analysing the way that they played, their personality . . . there was something different.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“It was new — with many young players and  a proactive style of play.“I was young, so it was difficult to assess the different elements involved in a game.“But I think it was about emotional elements, which were different from other teams.“You can see a football team and think, ‘They are playing well’ or, ‘This is interesting’. But  you don’t really know  why — it just makes you  feel something different.Most read in Football “As a player, I was  interested in understanding the game because I probably didn’t have the  X factor technically or physically.FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“When you have a specific talent then you just  have to use it and be good on the pitch — but I was average everywhere.“So I had to think how I could compete with stronger players, understand the game better and be connected with the other players to  solve problems.”Rising star Chris Rigg talks about his rise through the ranks at Sunderland After an “average” playing career as a defender at Rennes, Laval and Belgian minnows Ronse, Le Bris went on to achieve a doctorate in sport physiology and biomechanics while first embarking on his coaching career.Following a spell as youth coach at Wasquehal, he spent eight years at Rennes before moving  to Lorient to help bring through their kids into  the first team.Ex-Arsenal man Matteo Guendouzi and Leeds keeper Illan Meslier were just two of those prior to him becoming first-team boss in 2022.Le Bris always had a “curiosity” to work abroad — and felt England would be the perfect place having visited many clubs.He added: “I wanted to discover new cultures, environments and languages.“I’m just curious and, when I’m in  the same environment for a long   time,  I like working on a long project but  need to be fed new elements to learn.“If it all just stays the same, then I’ll need something else to grow, keep the energy  and connect with other people.“It was a whole new experience and I was  aware that it would be different — but I liked that difference and was prepared for that.“I have visited many football clubs in Spain  and England so  was aware of the environment  and  really liked it.England U18 midfielder Chris Rigg is one of Sunderland’s hot prospectsCredit: GettyJude Bellingham’s younger brother Jobe is another top Black Cats teenCredit: PA“Crystal Palace, Liverpool, Everton, Leeds,  Chelsea, Arsenal and probably two or three more.“I’m like that, I’m curious about new ideas, behaviours and thinking about football.”Le Bris ended up joining Sunderland in July and has no doubts his  young guns —  including Chris Rigg, 17, and Jude Bellingham’s 19-year-old younger brother Jobe — can reach the very top.The impressive Frenchman has already scooped two manager-of-the-month awards but a Premier League return is the biggest prize he is chasing.Le Bris, whose side go to Millwall on Saturday, explained: “The players are good — very good.“I have worked with many, many players that  have worked at the highest level.“It is always a question of potential. We think that they could play at the highest level, Premier League or Champions League.“But the question between the potential and  reality is down to the pathway.I don’t think you can assess the reality of the size of Sunderland before being at SunderlandRegis Le Bris“I’m very confident for them but it’s still fragile. “Yet their behaviours, for example Jobe, Riggy and other players, it’s very interesting their potential and qualities and the way they are managing this relationship with the game.“If you can keep this relationship with the game then you can exploit your potential.“If the environment around the football becomes more important then it will be more difficult.“I’m just a part of their journey, really. If I can help them to grow, and if they can help us to grow as a club, then that’s a good connection. So we’ll have to see for the future.“I don’t think you can assess the reality of the size of Sunderland before being at Sunderland.READ MORE SUN STORIES“Away to Preston, the stands were full and it was crazy. It’s a new experience for me.“This  football club is very important and its history, the fanbase is big and the passion around the club is impressive.” More

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      Everton had Premier League’s easiest start – now pressure is on for Sean Dyche with £600m takeover complete by Christmas

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      DAN FRIEDKIN is on schedule to make many despairing Everton fans’ Christmas wishes come true.The days are passing fast on his £600million Toffees takeover that will finally see the departure of debunked majority owner Farhad Moshiri, expected by the end of next month.Everton manager Sean Dyche could face a nervy yuletideCredit: GettyDan Friedkin is on the brink of completing the long-awaited takeoverCredit: GettyWhether boss Sean Dyche will be able to mark the Californian’s arrival as a season to be merry or not remains to be seen.For he is about to start opening the windows on an advent calendar from hell.By the time he has completed it, any thoughts he might have had  of landing a new contract from Friedkin could be mere humbug.Dyche goes into Saturday’s home clash with Brentford under growing pressure.READ MORE TOP STORIESThe game will signal the end of what Opta stats suggest was the easiest start of this campaign for any Prem club.Yet in 11 games Everton have scraped together only ten points, with just two wins and ten goals.And that after kicking off with four defeats in a row to mark their worst league opening in 66 years.And now comes the hard bit.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSFollowing the visit of the Bees is a trip to Old Trafford a week on  Sunday in what will be Ruben Amorim’s first home league game as Manchester United’s new manager.Wolves at Goodison follows on December 4 before resurgent title leaders Liverpool come calling in the Merseyside derby three days later.Everton legend Andy van der Meyde takes busty star Charlotte Michelle for a spin in his car It is not liable to get any easier, either, with Arsenal at the Emirates on December 14, Chelsea on the 22nd then a Boxing Day meeting with reigning champs Manchester City.Were Dyche and his players still standing after that lot then he would surely deserve backing from incoming chief Friedkin. But everything points to another winter of discontent among the majority of supporters and a third successive drop battle.Fans are grateful to the 53-year-old manager for keeping the club up against a backdrop of financial crises and sales of prized playing assets like Anthony Gordon and Amadou Onana.A year ago Dyche and Co were left reeling by a ten–point penalty, later reduced by two points, over breaches of the  Prem’s Profit and  Sustainability Rules. Another two points were docked later.Throughout his near-two-year tenure, Dyche has been swimming against the Mersey tide.Transfer funds for new  players have not even been at the same level as most Championship clubs. And there is appreciation on the Gwladys Street End  for his efforts.But, increasingly, he is facing a revolt over his playing style.The faithful complain about dull, predictable, long-ball tactics, with striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin — who is refusing to extend his own deal that also expires next summer — as the only attacking option.If — and it is a big if — Dyche can keep Everton up, do they really want to kick-off Prem life in their new 52,888-seater  stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock playing that brand of football?As the takeover of The Friedkin Group has gained momentum, Dyche has repeatedly sounded off about the problems he has faced.Everton hope their new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium will be ready next yearCredit: AFPHe said: “There seems to always be that cloud waiting around Everton Football Club — on or off the pitch.”Before the 2–1 win over Crystal Palace in September, the ex-Watford and Burnley boss stressed, “Some day the truth will come out,” on how difficult his time in charge has been.He added: “After all that’s been happening, it would be nice just to talk about football.“That’s something that’s  happened about twice since I got here 21 months ago. I’ve worked hard to correct a lot of things and I think I’ve done a very good job.”But more and more, Dyche comes across as someone who does not see himself lasting too much longer.There is also his admission that, despite the mess he has been trying to clean up, “the fans want to see a winning team, no matter what”.And through no great fault of his own, Dyche has struggled to produce winning teams, having just hit the 550-game mark as a manager.Brentford’s visit will be his 77th game in charge at Goodison, with just 25 victories.READ MORE SUN STORIESHow many more he  gets over the next sequence that ends at the  Etihad — by which time Friedkin is likely to be in charge — will almost certainly decide his future.Dyche, facing that nightmare fixture schedule, may well need a Christmas miracle of his own to survive the entrance of Moshiri’s successor. More

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      Man City set to offer Erling Haaland huge £100MILLION package to persuade him to stay after Pep Guardiola’s new deal

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      MANCHESTER CITY will now step up their efforts to convince Erling Haaland to follow Pep Guardiola in signing a new deal.The Prem champs hope boss Guardiola’s decision to stay for at least one more year can help get superstar Haaland to agree a £100million mega package.Man City are hoping to tie Erling Haaland down to a new dealCredit: GettyHaaland is the Cityzens next target after agreeing a contract extension with manager Pep GuardiolaCredit: GettyGuardiola has said ‘yes’ in principle to a new 12-month contract — with the option of extending it until the summer of 2027.The Catalan’s fresh deal is not believed to include any release clauses if City are found guilty of the Prem’s 115 charges for alleged breaches of financial rules and get relegated as a result.The Norwegian striker — who already boasts 105 goals for City — has been linked with Barcelona.Haaland, 24, joined in 2022 and still has two-and-a-half years left on a deal worth £375,000 a week before bonuses. His weekly wage means he will bank more than £20m a season.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLAny extension would see Haaland remain at City for four or five more years — which would let him pocket in the region of £100m without even accounting for bonuses.Guardiola and Etihad chiefs would love to get him to commit his long-term future to them.And speaking on duty with Norway last week, Haaland said: “I hope Pep signs a new contract. He has been important for me in the first two-and-a-half years.“I hope he stays longer. I like Pep a lot and hope he likes me, too.”Most read in FootballA look at the Premier League’s top earners at the momentFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSCity have a big call to make over talisman Kevin De Bruyne — out of contract in the summer.The Belgian midfielder, 33, has battled injuries in the past few seasons.Pep Guardiola says Man City is not ‘in a dark place’ despite Sporting Lisbon loss He will be free to open talks with foreign clubs in January and may have to accept a reduced role and wages if he decides to stay beyond the 10-year mark at the Etihad.Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, who will attend City’s clash with Tottenham on Saturday, is another likely to be offered a new deal.Meanwhile, Guardiola has no get-out clause in his deal if City are relegated by the Premier League next year.A hearing into the 115 alleged breaches of financial rules is ongoing, with a verdict expected at some point in the spring.If found guilty, City are expected to be hit with a huge points penalty — which could potentially see them lose their top-flight status.But Pep has said he would be happy to stay and begin the march back to the top — even joking he would be happy to play club legends Paul Dickov and Mike Summerbee up front.The dates of his contract — believed to be worth around £20m a season — are sure to be of interest to FA bigwigs.READ MORE SUN STORIESThey approached Pep in the summer about succeeding Gareth Southgate but he told them he would not break a contract with his employers.Now he has a break clause in summer 2026, when Thomas Tuchel’s initial 18-month contract as England boss expires.Man City are also deciding the future of superstar duo Kevin De Bruyne and RodriCredit: GettyWhat will happen to Man City?MAN CITY are favourites to win the Premier League title yet again – but there is one elephant in the room that threatens to put the skids under the Etihad giants.Sunsport’s MARTIN LIPTON discusses what the next few months could hold with Head of Sport SHAUN CUSTIS….Custis: So the big question – will there be a resolution this season?Lipton: Yes…. probably! We know the case will start to be dealt with in October or November.It will take at least a month to go through the evidence. So I suspect around March, April time, we will get a result. But that’s where it starts to get tricky.Custis: Why is that?Lipton: If the result is in City’s favour, that’s the end of the matter. They will be cleared. They will have no punishment to face.But if City are found guilty, these will be the heaviest penalties ever imposed by the Premier League.I suspect if they are found guilty, they will be expelled from the league or given a massive points deduction and a huge fine so that they’re not in the Premier League next season.Check out the full discussion on Man City’s future. More

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      Moment Pep Guardiola launches furious F-word rant at ‘unacceptable’ Phil Foden captured in Man City documentary

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      PEP GUARDIOLA lambasted Phil Foden for his “unacceptable” mistake in a furious X-rated rant last season.Guardiola’s heated dressing down after City’s 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace last December was captured as part of Manchester City’s new behind-the-scenes documentary.Pep Guardiola launched an X-rated rant at his players after last season’s 2-2 draw with Crystal PalaceCredit: Man CityGuardiola labelled Phil Foden’s penalty error as ‘unacceptable’Credit: Man CityThe Premier League’s dominant force have today released a feature film following their record-breaking four-in-a-row Prem title success last term.The movie, aptly named ‘Together: 4-In-A-Row’, gives fans a glimpse into what it took for the Cityzens to win their fourth consecutive Premier League title.But with that comes the challenges they faced too, including blowing a 2-0 lead at home to Crystal Palace in December and the aftermath of that draw.City had led by two goals but saw their comfort blanked ripped from underneath them as Jean-Philippe Mateta bagged a late goal and then won a penalty in stoppage time – which was converted my Michael Olise to share the points.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe late collapse left Guardiola fuming, particularly with Phil Foden, who was the man that had brought down Mateta in the dying embers of the game to give away the spot-kick.Acting in frustration, Guardiola lashed out at Foden’s mistimed tackle and blasted it as “unacceptable.”He said: “Phil, in the f*****g 18-yard box, you don’t touch the opponent. It’s unacceptable, Phil Foden, unacceptable!”Going on to blast the team as a whole by adding: “You are to apologise. You are teenagers. Most read in FootballFoden fouled Jean-Philippe Mateta in the box to give away an injury time penaltyCredit: GettyFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”I say something when we drop points against Tottenham and Liverpool? I say something? Tell me. I blame you? I say something?”Here [pointing at his head], use it. Here, you have to use it! F*****g hell. F*****g hell.”Erling Haaland does pull ups on cliff edge and runs with wolves as Man City ace stars in insane Beats by Dre advert Perhaps it’s those standards that helped Foden kick on to become the PFA Player of the Year last term and the team to claw back a seven-point deficit from title rivals Arsenal later in the season.However, Guardiola admitted in the documentary that he doesn’t like getting angry with his players and would rather stay calm in the dressing room.”I’m not really proud sometimes.”, He said. “Most of the times, right after the game when I am angry, for my emotions, to it to the players.”I’m a human being and make mistakes and I don’t like that. I don’t like it.”In that moment from 2-0 down, an unnecessary penalty, sometimes I cannot control myself either.”Guardiola has become well known for his impassioned antics on the sidelines and in the dressing room.But the Spaniard is widely considered as the best manager in the world with his unusual techniques all part of his genius.And it looks like City players will have to put up with that harsh criticism and direct approach from the former Barcelona boss for a little longer too.READ MORE SUN STORIESThat’s because SunSport understands that Guardiola is on the verge of agreeing a new one-year contract extension with Man City.It’s expected he will put pen to paper on a new one-year deal with the option of a further 12 months.Foden went on to win PFA Player of the YearCredit: GettyGuardiola is in line to sign a new contract with Man CityCredit: ReutersWhat will happen to Man City?MAN CITY are favourites to win the Premier League title yet again – but there is one elephant in the room that threatens to put the skids under the Etihad giants.Sunsport’s MARTIN LIPTON discusses what the next few months could hold with Head of Sport SHAUN CUSTIS….Custis: So the big question – will there be a resolution this season?Lipton: Yes…. probably! We know the case will start to be dealt with in October or November.It will take at least a month to go through the evidence. So I suspect around March, April time, we will get a result. But that’s where it starts to get tricky.Custis: Why is that?Lipton: If the result is in City’s favour, that’s the end of the matter. They will be cleared. They will have no punishment to face.But if City are found guilty, these will be the heaviest penalties ever imposed by the Premier League.I suspect if they are found guilty, they will be expelled from the league or given a massive points deduction and a huge fine so that they’re not in the Premier League next season.Check out the full discussion on Man City’s future. More

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      Jack Grealish slammed Gareth Southgate and annoyed Pep Guardiola – now he must do his talking on the pitch for Man City

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      JACK GREALISH vowed to “prove some people wrong” as he returned to training early following his Euro 2024 snub — but we are still waiting.No doubt the main one was Gareth Southgate – the man who axed him from the squad – and he took aim at the former Three Lions  boss again this week.Jack Grealish is back with England but needs to step up for Man CityCredit: GettyGrealish helped usher in Lee Carsley’s interim reign with the Three Lions by rounding off a 2-0 win away to Ireland in SeptemberCredit: GettyThe Man City ace will hope his recall under Carsley continues with England’s incoming permanent boss Thomas TuchelCredit: GettyThe Manchester City winger is clearly still hurting from what he described as the “hardest moment of his career” back in June.He vowed to use his heartache as motivation, and prove that he should have been on the  plane to Germany despite an indifferent previous 12 months at the Etihad.Yet, despite a couple of goals in the autumn internationals, the £100million man’s season is yet to really take off.And with no more international football for four months, the time has come for him to do some talking on the pitch for City.READ MORE TOP STORIESJust four Prem starts so far, with two cup games,  is not what his employers were hoping for after almost a third of the campaign.What is more, he managed to test the patience of Pep Guardiola yet again by telling him he wanted to join up with the England squad earlier this month.The Etihad chief made it clear Grealish should be staying back at the City Football Academy to work on his fitness after a hamstring issue.But the former Aston Villa skipper insisted he wanted to go — although in the end he was  sent back almost as soon as he put his bags down at St George’s Park.Most read in FootballGrealish will have to wait four months to see if Tuchel picks himCredit: AFPFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSGrealish could probably see why his club manager was so miffed.He was back in training a couple of days before City’s defeat at Brighton ten days ago,  but has not played any competitive football  since October 20.Top ten greatest Premier League players of all time as Kevin de Bruyne and Cristiano Ronaldo both miss out on top spotThat was as a second-half sub at Wolves, while his last start came two weeks before that as the champions edged past Fulham.Guardiola said Grealish has had “two or three setbacks” with injuries and has not been able to find any rhythm. This was not what anyone had in mind when he was one of the first to report back for pre-season training in July.Speaking in Orlando on City’s pre-season tour in late July, he opened up on his Euro heartache, saying: “It was the hardest moment for me as a footballer. And I’ve had a lot of ups and downs in my career.“I felt like I should have been in the squad. “But I want to try and use it as motivation now, going forward into this season, and hopefully prove some people wrong.“I just need to regain my form and fitness and after that I know what I can do on the pitch.”He has shown glimpses of what he can do since then — for his country at least — with goals in the away wins over Republic of Ireland and Finland. But he has just one assist in seven Prem appearances for City so far this term. And not many of the Etihad faithful will be surprised either, given the way last season ended for him.He appeared in just one of their last five matches as City swept to a fourth straight Prem title and that was a brief cameo off the bench.City chief Pep Guardiola was unhappy Grealish went with EnglandCredit: ReutersGareth Southgate omitting him for Euro 2024 hurt GrealishCredit: GettyOver the course of last season, he started only ten Premier League matches.Then, when City desperately searched for  a goal in their FA Cup final defeat to United, the most expensive signing in the club’s history stayed on the bench.Guardiola admitted after that game that Grealish had “struggled” for much of the campaign.The signs were promising as Grealish impressed during City’s four-match summer tour of the US.His manager said in August: “From what I’ve seen so far from Jack,  I’ve loved it. It’s his commitment in every session.“Hopefully he can sustain it until  the end of the season and compete for a place, but it depends on him.”Fast forward three months and Pep had a face like thunder when he  discussed Lee Carsley’s call-up of Grealish for this month’s internationals — and the player’s decision to accept it.The pair might have to patch things up a bit when training resumes ahead of Saturday’s visit of Tottenham.And Grealish, who turned 29 in September, will know he needs to get that form and fitness back quickly.It does not matter if Southgate, Carsley or Thomas Tuchel is boss,  if you are not performing well for your club, you cannot expect to play for your country.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd after his summer heartache, Grealish knows that only too well. More

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      Just 58% of Dream Team managers have used a Booster this season – activate one in Gameweek 12 for bumper returns

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      OVER half of all Dream Team managers are yet to play a single Booster this season.To be precise, 58% of gaffers still have Goal Bonus, 12th Man and Max Captain in the holster.Send your points into orbit by playing a BoosterCredit: Dream TeamWith over two thirds of the campaign remaining, this is perfectly reasonable given each Booster can only be played once per season – there’s certainly no need to be overly eager.However, if you’re included in the aforementioned 58% of bosses, you should at least consider the possibility of activating a Booster ahead of Gameweek 12.Generally speaking, Boosters are best deployed when the vast majority of your players have two fixtures at their disposal for the very simple reason that assets with additional games tend to perform better than counterparts who are essentially limited to league commitments.Seven teams are set to pull double duty in Gameweek 12 with Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Aston Villa in Champions League action, Tottenham and Manchester United active in the Europa League, and Chelsea resuming their Conference League campaign.What’s more, several of those clubs have favourable league fixtures this weekend.A trip to Ipswich represents a relatively favourable start for Ruben AmorimCredit: GettyGAMEWEEK 12 DOUBLE HEADERS:MANCHESTER CITY vs Tottenham, FeyenoordARSENAL vs Nottingham Forest & Sporting CPLIVERPOOL vs Southampton & Real MadridASTON VILLA vs Crystal Palace & JuventusTOTTENHAM vs Manchester City & RomaMANCHESTER UNITED vs Ipswich & Bodo/GlimtCHELSEA vs Leicester & HeidenheimIf your team features plenty of Liverpool, Man United and Villa players then it might be well suited to a Booster as those three sides are due to face teams currently in the bottom four across Saturday and Sunday.Most read in FootballRemember, the Goal Bonus Booster increases the value of each goal from six points to nine points.For example, if you captain Mohamed Salah (£7.3m) and he bags a brace against Saints and a goal against the La Liga giants in midweek, which is perfectly feasible on current form, you’re looking at a mega haul of 70+ points from the Egyptian superstar alone.It goes without saying that your XI needs to be loaded with goal threats when you activate Goal Bonus – there’s no point hitting the button when you’ve got five defenders.Salah could feast against bottom-of-the-league Southampton on SundayCredit: GettyAlternatively, you might want to consider selecting a 12th Man for Gameweek 12.If you haven’t got Bruno Fernandes (£6.1m) in your midfield and can’t afford to recruit the game’s most in-form player via a transfer ahead of Saturday’s deadline then the Portuguese playmaker would make an excellent 12th Man with the Red Devils set to face Ipswich and Bodo/Glimt.Man United’s fixtures look even more appealing if you believe in the power of a New Manager Bounce with Ruben Amorim now firmly in charge at Old Trafford.Score PredictorPlay Score Predictor with Dream Team this season!FREE to play£250 weekly prizePredict scores of five selected Premier League fixtures and earn points for accuracyMost points wins weekly cash prizePLAY NOWIt should be stressed that Boosters should only be played when it suits your specific team – don’t force it if it’s not the right time.Gameweek 12 looks like an inviting opportunity on paper but with several popular players currently flagged as availability concerns – Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, Bryan Mbeumo, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Phil Foden, etc – it may not be the right time for you.But if the stars align there could be bumper points up for grabs this coming Gameweek.BetMGM sign up offerBetMGM: Get £40 in free bets — HERE**New cust only. 7 days to opt in by placing a £10 qualifying bet at 1/1 (2.0) odds or greater to receive 4x Free Bets: 1 x £10 horse racing, 1 x £10 Bet Builder, 1 x £10 Acca and 1 x £10 football. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs apply.Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org More

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      Ex-Man City women’s star probed for ‘conning fuming parents out of £45k in coaching sessions that NEVER happened’

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      AN international women’s footballer is being investigated for allegedly conning parents out of thousands of pounds for coaching sessions that never took place.Welsh star Natasha Harding, who played for Manchester City, Liverpool and Aston Villa, is accused of taking hundreds of pounds for one-to-one training with youngsters – but never carrying out the classes.Natasha Harding in action for Manchester City in 2015Credit: GettyHarding was capped 103 times by WalesCredit: GettyAngry parents claim Harding, capped 103 times by Wales in a star-studded career, owes them £45,000 in refunds.Harding has apologised for the cancelled sessions but said it was “unavoidable” and “beyond my control”.She said she is “devastated” over the situation and has agreed to pay refunds.There are 27 “victims” including whole teams of young girls, who are said to have handed over as much as £1,200 each without getting anything in return.Read More SportIndividual sessions for kids aged between eight and 15 cost £30 an hour, but many parents were buying multiple classes and some included whole squads of hopefuls.Now the South Wales football community, where Harding began her career, fear the ex-striker has deliberately taken their money and has no intention of giving it back or holding any of the coaching sessions.A WhatsApp group was created by outraged parents, after they realised more and more alleged victims were owed hundreds of pounds by Harding.A source, whose 12-year-old daughter was due to train with the ex-pro, told The Sun: “She promises a lot to the kids, my friend’s daughter is autistic and she kept asking when she was going to see Natasha.Most read in Football“She spent £900, she would add on dietician and gym plans but never actually got anything.“She has repaid small amounts now that she knows we are putting up a fight to get our money back.“But the parents who are owed more than £1,000 have got nothing back.”After retiring from professional football last year Harding, 35, started offering out days where children could participate in private sessions.According to sources, the sessions grew in popularity and Harding started block booking for up to £360.OUT OF POCKETA lot of the children who booked onto the sessions play for academies in Gwent, South East Wales, or The South Girls’ Development Centre.Their parents are fearful that speaking out could affect their children’s future football careers.The anonymous source added: “She is putting fear into us because she is perceived to control the football world, she’s got contacts everywhere.“My daughter ended up having zero sessions, I couldn’t get her to commit to a date and it took me weeks to chase her for a refund.“People are realising she has purposefully taken money with no intention of giving it back.”The promised sessions were supposed to start in June 2023 and when they began to be cancelled many gave Harding “the benefit of the doubt”.But now parents are exchanging up to 90 messages a day on a specially set-up WhatsApp group as the missed thirty-pound sessions have begun piling up.Reported excuses include Harding telling parents she had two car crashes in three weeks, alongside two car breakdowns and one car “blow out”.Harding, Welsh Footballer of the Year in 2016, has been reported to Action Fraud, and the National Fraud and Cyber Crime Reporting Centre.It is understood parents have also reported her to Gwent Police and Gloucestershire Police.STAR’S APOLOGYHarding, 35, who lives in Stroud, Glos, has apologised and blames circumstances beyond her control for the missed coaching sessions.She told The Sun: “I offer my apologies to those affected whose sessions I could not complete. “This was unavoidable, and it was never the intention not to fulfil the sessions.”Because of circumstances beyond my control, which was always made clear to parents, I had to cancel some sessions after initiating and completing others.”Harding, now a TV commentator on the women’s game, added: “I’ve been trying to expand my small academy and was unfortunately let down by additional coaches, my car being written off and the second car breaking down.“When without a car I caught a two-hour train to sessions to avoid cancellations, lugging my equipment with me and needing taxis.”However, this was not sustainable.”The academy’s purpose is to provide detailed technical coaching to young boys and girls and provide them with opportunities I never had, with the cost below alternative coaches to give equal opportunity without barriers, prejudices, or preferences.”I’m devastated that I haven’t been able to finish the session blocks, and I’ve always been upfront about the problems I’ve faced that are beyond my control.”We agreed on refunds for those sessions and I have paid them.READ MORE SUN STORIES”The majority of parents have been incredibly understanding and I have received a huge amount of positive references and I continue to work hard, delivering local sessions.”A spokeswoman for Action Fraud confirmed a complaint had been made about Harding. 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      Raheem Sterling opens up on ‘difficult’ upbringing as troubled kid before becoming Premier League star

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      RAHEEM STERLING has opened up on the “great support network” that saw him overcome a troubled childhood to become a Premier League star.The Arsenal winger, 29, has a foundation in his name that funds knife banks and university places for boys as well as hosting mentoring sessions.Arsenal’s Raheem Sterling has enjoyed an incredible Prem career so farCredit: GettySterling had a troubled upbringing before joining QPR and then Liverpool’s academyCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdThat foundation is supporting a campaign launched today by Multibank – a nationwide network of donation hubs designed to help those with cost-of-living struggles.Several weeks ago, Sterling spent three hours with seven young men from Brent’s youth offending service in King’s Cross to act as a mentor, giving advice and telling his own story.Sterling was born in Kingston, Jamaica before moving to London with his mother age five after his father was tragically murdered three years earlier.A difficult upbringing – including being displaced by social housing and regular school suspensions – was turned around from the age of nine when he came across Clive Ellington, a volunteer mentor to young boys who introduced Sterling to his first football club: Alpha and Omega FC in Kingsbury, Brent.read more footballCharity Multibank said one million children arrive at school with dirty uniforms as many families now see detergent as a luxury item. And some 19 per cent of parents polled by The Hygiene Bank said their kids have missed school in the past year because of shame over unwashed clothes, creating a classroom divide.Children are also isolated and made fun of with nasty comments due to poor hygiene, teachers say.On meeting Ellington, Sterling – who also has 82 caps for England – explained: “It was a real difficult period for me in my schooling because it was a time I was getting expelled from school.Most read in Football“I was moving schools, moving around a lot. [Ellington] was a massive help for me to kind of see a different perspective.“I always struggled because of circumstances at home that I couldn’t quite understand myself.“Those actions and things started to play a pattern in my school with my focus, with my behaviour and how I was within the school environment.“[Ellington] made me see different opportunities. I wasn’t too much into football before that. I wasn’t playing, just at school and stuff at home, but he brought me into it at grassroot level.“I was starting to smile again and having a place that I could express myself was a real weight off my shoulder.“Looking back now, it’s easier to see, but as a child you’re probably not understanding what’s going on, but at the same time, taking in what’s going on.“So, you can’t quite understand how to interpret that in your speech and how to communicate that with people.”At 11-years-old, Sterling was picked up by academy systems at Queens Park Rangers and then Liverpool, going on to star for the Reds as a 17-year-old.After seven years at Manchester City between 2015 and 2022 – winning four Prem titles – he joined Chelsea for around £50m before joining the Gunners on loan this summer.Sterling continued: “I give a lot of credit to [Ellington]. It is something that is vital for individuals to have a great support network around them.“Year after year, the progress in my behaviour and in my concentration and just maturing as a young man.”Meanwhile, England rugby star Maro Itoje, who is also backing the campaign, said: “It’s our duty as a society to look out for those who are coming behind us.”Entertainment platforms Sky, Prime Video, TNT Sports and TalkSport have also joined forces to support the campaign.Tottenham are one of the first Prem clubs to also align with the Multibank scheme, focusing on affording basic hygiene products, with a donation bank available at their game against Fulham on December 1.England star Itoje is also backing the campaignDonna-Maria Cullen, executive director at Spurs, said the football club has made donations to its local foodbanks ahead of Christmas in support of the most vulnerable within the community.She said: “We are certain that our football family will unite to ensure young people in our area are able to build their confidence from an early stage in life by having access to basic hygiene products.”Andy Carpenter, head of the Harlequins Foundation, said: “Given our dedication to working with young people living in the poorest areas to address the deprivation-related challenges they face, it was a no-brainer to be a part of this campaign to support those most in need in our heartlands.”READ MORE SUN STORIESMultibank said: “With two in three staff expecting the level of hygiene poverty to increase in their school, we endeavour to get soap, shampoo, shower gel, deodorant, toothpaste, and toothbrushes, in the hands of those most in need.”The Multibank’s 2024 Christmas campaign is designed to raise awareness and respond to rising issues of hygiene poverty. For more information visit: https://themultibank.co.uk/ More