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      Kante and Benzema’s very different lifestyles, from Chelsea star’s £10k Mini to Real Madrid striker’s £6m car collection

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      AS personalities go, Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante could not be more different.The Ballon d’Or winner, 35, is believed to earn £278,000-per-week at Real Madrid, and lives a life of luxury.
      Karim Benzema leads a glam life away from footballCredit: Instagram / @karimbenzema
      Modest N’Golo Kante prefers a more pared down existenceCredit: Getty
      While World Cup winner Kante, 32, prefers the simple life, despite pocketing £290,000-per-week.
      Before the pair face off against one another when Chelsea take on Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final second leg, SunSport compares their very different lifestyles.
      From the humble Kante to the free-spending Benzema, here’s what they like to splash their cash on.
      Cars
      When it comes to motors, serial Champions League winner Benzema boasts an epic fleet of supercars worth around £6million.
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      Most recently he has been seen driving a £160,000 Lamborghini Urus, but his prized possession is a £2.5million Bugatti Chiron he bought in 2021.
      The forward also has a very rare Bugatti Veyron, which cost £1.5million – but now being a collector’s item is worth much more than that.
      Then there’s a £200,000 Ferrari 458 Spyder and a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren that is appreciating in value and could be worth up to £400,000 in today’s market – all sitting comfortably in Benzema’s garage.
      Least we forget a Lamborghini Gallardo £220,000 and a £250,000 Rolls-Royce Wraith.
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      Kante does things a little bit different. It is believed his second-hand Mini Cooper, which costs around £20k brand new, is still his ride.
      He reportedly bought it when he signed for Leicester City in 2015, and has refused to part with it ever since.
      Former team-mate Antonio Rudiger told The Players’ Tribune: “Everything with NG [Kante] is authentic. Even the Mini Cooper — people laugh about it, but there is a real story behind it.
      “It was a dream for NG to make it to the Premier League, coming from where he came from, and the Mini was the first car that he bought when he got to England.
      “So for him, it is not just a car. It has a deep meaning.”
      Most recently, Benzema has been spotted driving a Lamborghini Urus worth £160,000Credit: Instagram / @karimbenzema
      Benzema boasts a £2.5million Bugatti Chiron in his garageCredit: Instagram / @karimbenzema
      Benzema’s car collection is said to be worth £6million
      Kante seen driving his Mini Cooper S back in 2016Credit: iCelebTV
      Fashion & shopping
      When it comes to fashion, you can forget about Kante spending money on designer clothes.
      Often spotted in leisure wear and trainers, the midfield general turned up to the 2018 wedding party of Cesc Fabregas and Daniella Semaan in Ibiza wearing a white spotted shirt with navy shorts.

      Benzema is a totally different animal.
      On his crowning glory at last year’s Ballon d’Or ceremony, he wore a fitted black tuxedo over a banded collar shirt in a nod to a famous outfit worn by Tupac Shakur at the 1996 American Music Awards.
      Matched with expensive Jean Paul Gaultier frames and a Cartier bracelet and Richard Mille watch, he was a picture of elegance.
      In 2019, he modelled a Fendi collection, while he’s often front row at Paris Fashion Week.
      His go-to designer is Balenciaga, who he is often spotted wearing.
      Benzema was a picture of elegance at the Ballon d’Or awards in 2022Credit: Rex
      Expensive designer threads are important to Benzema

      Kante appeared at the wedding of Cesc Fabregas and Daniella Semaan wearing shortsCredit: Getty
      Casual Kante prefers to dress in relaxed leisure wearCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Kante was once spotted by a fan shopping in AsdaCredit: Twitter / @Sarfraz_A10
      Kante’s food shop tells you everything you need to know.
      He was once spotted by a fan at budget supermarket Asda.
      Speaking on Twitter, fellow shopper Sarfaz Ahmed said: “Went out for some casual grocery shopping at Asda and look who I bumped in to.
      “@nglkante what a player and what a human being! Very kindly took a picture with me and was so polite.
      “Listened patiently to what I had to say, so humble for a player of such class!”
      Mobile phones
      According to Blues team-mate Kai Havertz, Kante has had the same phone for ten years.
      He said: “There’s an image of footballers, all fancy and diamonds and this and that.
      According to his team-mate Kai Havertz, Kante has had the same phone for 10 yearsCredit: AFP
      Benzema splashed around £3,000 on his customised 24k gold iPhone
      “I have met players who spend so much on things where you think: ‘Why do you do this? There are players who don’t care but others do. It’s not always about saying: ‘I did this.’ That’s sometimes a bit fake.
      “N’Golo Kante is another. He’s had the same phone for 10 years, doesn’t care about cars, doesn’t care about clothes.”
      On the other hand, Benzema commissioned iPhone Gold to make him a customised 24k gold iPhone costing somewhere in the region of £3,000.
      Holidays
      When the season ends, Benzema takes himself on a well-deserved holiday.
      He will travel in luxury, seen taking a private jet to glam destinations including Ibiza and Los Angeles.
      Often, he will share his travels to his 69million followers on Instagram – who are wowed by the lifestyle he leads, which includes renting luxury yachts or going on safari.
      However, homebody Kante doesn’t care for a break away much.
      Benzema favours taking a private jet to glam destinationsCredit: Instagram / @karimbenzema
      Travel is important to BenzemaCredit: Instagram / @karimbenzema
      No expense is spared when Benzema enjoys his downtimeCredit: Instagram / @karimbenzema
      Kante is a self-confessed homebodyCredit: Getty
      Amusingly, when filming for Chelsea’s kit sponsors Trivago, Kante revealed in the video that his perfect summer holiday would be if he didn’t go anywhere at all!
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      He said: “Sometimes I just stay at home only and I’m happy.”
      How Trivago might have wished they had the chance to ask Benzema that question. More

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      Real Madrid fuming as ‘disaster’ ref Luka Modric called ‘one of worst ever’ will be in charge of crunch Chelsea showdown

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      A REFEREE Luka Modric has labelled a “disaster” has been put in charge of Real Madrid’s second-leg clash against Chelsea. Daniele Orsato will be the official at Stamford Bridge tomorrow for the huge Champions League quarter-final game.
      Daniele Orsato has refereed many high-profile matches at club and international levelCredit: Rex
      Luca Modric has been outspoken on his views on Orsato previouslyCredit: Rex
      Madrid hold a two goal lead after beating Chelsea at the Bernabeu and will be looking to get the job done.
      But the Mail report there is “panic” from Madrid at the decision to appoint Orsato to the role given club grievances with him before.
      Modric has been the most critical of the Italian ref after taking issue with his officiating in last year’s World Cup semi-final between Croatia and Argentina.
      The Croatian midfielder felt that his country should have been given a corner shortly before Argentina went up the other end and won a penalty which Modric also thought was unjust.
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      The Real Madrid star, 37, said: “It’s a key moment in the game, he doesn’t give us a corner and he whistles a penalty, which wasn’t for me, because he shoots and collides with our goalkeeper.
      “I can’t believe he whistled that penalty. That changes the game.

      “I never talk about referees, but today it’s impossible not to talk. He’s one of the worst I know.
      “Not only because of today’s game. He’s whistled me many times and I never have a good memory of him. He’s a disaster.”
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      Orsato also wound up Real Madrid when he officiated their first-leg last 16 Champions League defeat in 2020.
      Sergio Ramos was sent off late on for dragging back Gabriel Jesus and City won a penalty when Dani Carvajal took down Sergio Ramos.
      But Orsato was also in charge of Real Madrid’s dramatic extra-time win over Manchester City in last year’s Champions League’s semi-finals and awarded them a penalty.
      In total the ref has officiated seven Madrid games with Los Blancos winning three and losing four.
      The Spanish club will be favourites for the game regardless of the referee with struggling Chelsea without a win in six. More

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      Real Madrid star Toni Kroos set to stay and sign new one-year deal and Aurelien Tchouameni will NOT be allowed to leave

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      TONI KROOS is set to sign a new one year contract at Real Madrid whilst Aurelien Tchouameni will not be allowed to leave the club, according to reports. Kroos, 33, joined the Spanish giants from Bayern Munich back in 2014 for a fee of £20million.
      Kroos and Tchouameni are both set to remain at the Bernabeu next seasonCredit: Getty
      The German international has made 265 appearances to date for Los Blancos scoring 21 goals.
      Speculation had been rife around Kroos’s future with his current deal expiring at the end of the season but he is set to extend his stay in the Spanish capital.
      Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has reported that the German will put pen to paper on a new one year deal until June 2024.
      Romano added that Kroos didn’t negotiate with any other clubs and it was either retirement or staying at Madrid.
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      The German international has won three La Liga titles and the Champions League four times during his time with Madrid.
      Meanwhile Kroos’s team-mate and fellow midfielder Tchouameni won’t be allowed to leave the club this summer according to Spanish publication AS.
      The Frenchman was a big money signing in the summer from AS Monaco and having made a promising start his Madrid career has stagnated since the World Cup.
      AS report that within the club they are putting it down to adapting to a new way of playing, a new country and a club which is notoriously difficult to adapt to as was the case with Luka Modric and Eder Militao.
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      The report adds that Madrid won’t listen to any offers for the 23-year-old and they believe he will become the player that did so well at Bordeaux and Monaco.
      Tchouameni has made 24 appearances for Los Blancos in LaLiga this season and has yet to find the back of the net for his new team.
      He was part of the Madrid side that won the Club World Cup in February. More

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      Liverpool pulling out of Bellingham transfer race came out of the blue.. Real Madrid will be rubbing hands with glee

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      IT was a bit strange how Liverpool have let it be known that they won’t be signing Jude Bellingham this summer.Because there is only one club Bellingham has publicly stated he wants to play for in the future — and that is Birmingham City!
      Liverpool have pulled out of the bidding war for Borussia Dortmund star Jude BellinghamCredit: Rex
      Borussia Dortmund’s Brummie star has stated he’d like to go back and finish his career with the boyhood club he started out with as a 15-year-old.
      Of course, Jude will not be heading to St Andrews next season.
      Even as club captain and a lifelong Bluenose, I am happy to admit that Real Madrid or the Manchester clubs might be more tempting options for him.
      Many people assume that Jude, who has never played in the Premier League, will fancy a return to English football, but I’m not so sure.
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      Kids of his generation grew up in the Messi-Ronaldo era and most of them know more about Real and Barcelona than any English clubs.
      There is a real lure for them in playing for either of those Spanish giants.
      Just imagine being Jude, though. He is still only 19 and he seems to have all of the world’s biggest and most glamorous clubs desperate to sign him.
      If that was me, my head would explode. It would be the same for most teenage lads.
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      But Jude is still totally at his game, aiming for the Bundesliga title with Dortmund. His head doesn’t seem to have been turned at all.
      In the summer, if he does move, he will be looking around and asking, ‘What is the best project for me?’
      And that wasn’t going to be the Reds, given that they are extremely unlikely to be playing Champions League football and they need an entire midfield overhaul.
      For me, the Santiago Bernabeu is his most likely destination.
      I watched Real against Chelsea on Wednesday and it was no more than a six or seven out of 10 performance by the ridiculously high standards of the 14-time European champions.
      But even then, players like Luka Modric and Vinicius Junior made your jaw drop at times.
      Real are regenerating their midfield – the wonderful Modric is 37 now, Toni Kroos, at 33, has openly talked about retiring this summer, and Casemiro has already moved on to Manchester United.
      Troy Deeney believes Real Madrid will benefit from Liverpool ending Bellingham interestCredit: Getty
      They have some wonderful young players, the likes of 20-year-old Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde, 24, Rodrygo and of course Vinicius — both 22.
      I’m sure Jude would love to be part of that. What an opportunity for him it would be.
      And having been at Dortmund since he was 16, he is used to living and playing abroad.
      Going to Madrid will not be as daunting for him as it would be for a young English player moving straight from a  Premier League club.
      Not that anything seems to faze Jude, anyway.
      I think going to Germany at such a young age has been the making of him.
      That formative experience is what will help turn him into a genuine world great.
      I know the family, Jude’s brother Jobe is a team-mate of mine, and I know the move had some challenges for them in the early days but it was the right decision to go to the Bundesliga and it has paid off handsomely.
      Bellingham has attracted immense interest from the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty
      I am convinced he will captain England and whichever teams he plays for.
      He’s already skippered Dortmund and they are a massive club with a passionate fanbase.
      It seems that Manchester City will be Real’s main rivals for Jude’s signature.
      I look at how another Brummie, Jack Grealish, has developed so brilliantly under Pep Guardiola and know that Jude could add new dimensions to his already world-class all-round game.
      But then again Real’s gaffer Carlo Ancelotti, with his four European Cups, isn’t exactly a clown, is he?
      As for Liverpool, it seems as if they are keen to sign Mason Mount and Conor Gallagher from Chelsea.
      Now, they are two decent players and a lot younger than their current midfield, which clearly needs some refreshing.
      But those two are not players who would go to Anfield and change the whole mood of the club.
      Bellingham still has a soft spot for childhood club BirminghamCredit: PA
      They are more like younger versions of what Liverpool already have.
      Jude would have been that game-changer but I’m not sure he would ever have chosen them above Real, for instance.
      And now that Jurgen Klopp’s team won’t be among the European elite next season, that is even clearer.
      It feels like Liverpool are deliberately lowering the expectations of their supporters ahead of the summer transfer market because so many of those fans seemed convinced that Jude would be the player to revitalise their team.
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      Presumably they thought Liverpool’s passionate fanbase and great history might be an irresistible lure for him.
      But as every Birmingham fan knows, there is only one club Jude gets truly emotional about! More

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      Chelsea fans in disbelief as new footage shows Wesley Fofana READING seconds before Chelsea concede against Real Madrid

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      CHELSEA fans have been left in disbelief after footage emerged appearing to show Wesley Fofana READING just before Real Madrid scored.He and a number of other players appeared to switch off and the mistake proved costly for the Blues stars as the Spanish side took a set piece quickly, and Marco Asensio was able to fire in the side’s second goal of the night.
      Is that defensive “expert” still at the club? state of defending at that corner, looks like Fofana is reading a note when ball comes in! pic.twitter.com/ygLvLvFKOt— RoyalBlueChelsea⭐⭐ (@CFCROYALBLUE) April 12, 2023

      Chelsea’s Wesley Fofana was reading a note as Real Madrid scored from a cornerCredit: twitter: @CFCROYALBLUE
      While Reece James and other defenders had also switched offCredit: twitter: @CFCROYALBLUE
      Chelsea went on to lose the first leg of the quarter-final 2-0 and it got even worse as Ben Chilwell was sent off and will miss the second leg.
      But fans are even more upset with the result as it appears the second goal could have been avoided if the players were more alert.
      In the clip posted on social media, Reece James has his back to the ball and Wesley Fofana appears to be reading a note handed to him by one of the substitutes.
      And the club’s supporters have slammed them online.
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      One Chelsea fan tweeted: “Is that defensive “expert” still at the club? state of defending at that corner, looks like Fofana is reading a note when the ball comes in!”
      A second commented: “Is nuts, half of them backs turned, pointing, yeah Cucarella does at least move, Fofana (whose legs the ball goes through ) looks like he’s reading a book ….little things make the difference…it ain’t over but so frustrating to concede soft goals.”

      A third pointed out: “They’re aren’t even focused on defending the corner. It’s almost like everyone already gave up.”
      A fourth wrote: “Only subs that could have brought that note on are either Gallagher or Mount..that’s on Lampard! Sending on a note before a set piece is defended..shocking!”
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      A fifth said: “Pls where was James going was he not supposed to mark Vini they left him free.”
      While a sixth declared: “SHAMBOLIC.”
      After the game, interim boss Frank Lampard admitted his players switched off after going down to ten men.
      He said: “The disappointing thing is you give away a set-piece and switch off for the second goal with ten men.
      “I don’t think with ten men they carved us open. That was due to the spirit.
      “And I think at that part of the game we had our chances, three pretty good chances. Joao [Felix] early, Raheem [Sterling], Mason [Mount] near the end. So there’s some good things, but the result is a reality.
      “I just said to the players, special things can happen at Stamford Bridge. They’re a good team, but we have to believe.” More

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      Man Utd icon Paul Scholes predicts Jude Bellingham’s transfer and says ‘I don’t know why, I’ve just got that feeling’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Paul Scholes has made a prediction about Jude Bellingham’s future.The Borussia Dortmund and England midfielder, 19, is being heavily linked with a big-money move in the summer.
      Jude Bellingham is expected to leave Borussia Dortmund in the summerCredit: Getty
      Paul Scholes hopes Bellingham will join Man Utd but feels another club have the edgeCredit: Alamy
      A host of Europe’s top clubs are thought to be interested in signing him including Man Utd, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.
      Liverpool reportedly pulled out of the race earlier this week as they do not intend to spend such a hefty fee – thought to be around £130million – on one player.
      And Scholes feels Man Utd are in the running to secure the teenage superstar’s signature.
      Speaking on BT Sport, he said: “I think they [Man Utd] are contenders [to sign him].
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      “If you went back a couple of years you’d have said no chance. Even back to the start of this season.
      “But now I think they have to be. He would look at this team and think this is up and coming for the next few years.”

      Yet despite Scholes’ hope that Bellingham will move to Old Trafford, he feels 14-time European champions Real Madrid will ultimately come out on top.
      He added: “I do think he’ll sign for Real Madrid – I don’t know why. I’ve just got that feeling.
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      “But I do hope he comes here [Old Trafford]. He could make United a proper team.”
      Bellingham has contributed 20 goals and 25 assists in 127 games for Dortmund.
      That includes a superb 17 goal contributions for the club this season.
      He has also already racked up 24 caps for his country and was one of England’s standout players at the Qatar World Cup.
      Despite a huge amount of interest in Bellingham, Dortmund are still hoping to keep hold of him for one more season.
      The club are planning to offer the midfielder a new deal that would see his annual salary increase by 150 per cent to £13million.
      It is also claimed his contract would include a £131m release clause. More

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      Real Madrid ‘step up £44m hunt for Reece James transfer but fans joke the Chelsea man ‘failed the Vinicius test’ in loss

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      REAL MADRID have reportedly stepped up their chase of Reece James.The Chelsea star could be available for just £44million this summer.
      Real Madrid believe they can land Chelsea star Reece James for just £44mCredit: Rex
      Fans joked James has already failed the Vinicius Jr testCredit: AFP
      But some fans jokingly fear James may not be up to the mark after “failing the Vinicius Jr test.”
      James, 23, has become one of Chelsea’s most important players after working his way through the academy.
      He has already won a Champions League, Super Cup and Club World Cup after 145 games.
      And Chelsea rewarded James’ talent by doubling his wages on a new five-year deal in September.
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      However, the Blues face a fire-sale this summer after Todd Boehly’s £600million spending spree unbalanced the books.
      Real Madrid are big fans of James as they eye a new right-back to replace Dani Carvajal.
      And Marca claims Los Blancos are ready to step up their pursuit by making a £44m bid, with Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies also on their radar.
      They believe it could be enough to secure James’ signature with Chelsea needing a quick cash injection.
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      Real got the chance to witness the defender first-hand in last night’s Champions League win over the Blues.
      But James’ attacking threat was nullified by Carlo Ancelotti’s clever tactics.
      And he also struggled to keep up with flying winger Vinicius Jr, who had a field day on the left wing.
      Indeed, some supporters jokingly fear James may not be good enough for Real after his below-par performance.
      One said: “Reece was being evaluated without knowing yesterday and it doesn’t look good.
      “He failed the Vini test.”
      Another declared: “He had a stinker this week.”
      One added: “James is finished, should not be a target at all.” More

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      Man Utd legend Gary Neville fires brutal comeback to Chelsea troll after sharing tactical insight in Real Madrid clash

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      GARY NEVILLE hit back at a troll who mocked his ‘tactical analysis’ during Chelsea’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid.The Blues suffered a 2-0 defeat to the Spanish giants in the first leg of their quarter-final tie at the Bernabeu on Wednesday night.
      Karim Benzema put Chelsea to the sword once again on Thursday nightCredit: REUTERS
      Gary Neville called the Blues going a goal behind moments before Benzema struckCredit: GETTY
      Neville was mocked over his ‘tactical advice’ but hit back at the troll by pointing he guided Valencia to a 2-2 draw against RealCredit: TWITTER
      Chelsea’s goal was breached in the 21st minute by Karim Benzema, a moment Neville foresaw when he claimed the West Londoners were struggling to make the most of their possession.
      After the goal went in, he tweeted: “Too late with my tactical advice!
      “That was coming!!!”
      A troll then proceeded to mock Neville’s brief stint as Valencia manager, which lasted a mere four months.
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      The Manchester United great responded by informing the troll he got a point against Los Blancos, saying: “Drew 2-2 with Real Madrid.”
      The draw with Real was one of the few highlights of Neville’s reign at the Mestalla, which ended following a run of three wins in 16 matches.
      And Neville – who oversaw a 7-0 battering by Barcelona – admits he wasn’t ready for management when he took the gig.
      During an appearance on The Overlap, Neville said: “Roy [Keane] said before about saying no, and I did say no the first time I was asked.
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      “I didn’t want to be a manager. should have said no, it wasn’t for me and I wasn’t experienced enough.”
      He added: “Go over there thinking four or five months.
      “I didn’t think it was gonna be easy, but I just thought I had to basically steer the ship to the end of the season, literally four-five months.
      “And over there I remember looking in the mirror one morning and thinking: ‘I’m struggling.’
      “Didn’t know what to do with the players, was changing systems, all the things that I say on television now you should never do and it was too much.
      “Out of my depth. I needed to get out of there but it was something that I learned a lot from.
      “I wouldn’t do it in the future. I would never do it again.” More