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      Ex-Arsenal transfer chief explains why Gunners made infamous £40m+£1 bid for Suarez, when there was NO release clause

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      ARSENAL’S former transfer chief Dick Law revealed why the club made their infamous £40million and £1 bid for Luis Suarez.The Uruguay international looked set to move to the Emirates Stadium in the summer of 2013 after Liverpool failed to qualify for the Champions League.

      PA:Press Association

      Luis Suarez was heavily linked with a switch from Liverpool to Arsenal in summer 2013 The now 36-year-old, who plays for Brazilians Gremio, had a clause in his contract with the Reds that they had to inform him of any transfer bid if it was more than £40m.
      And Law insisted that Arsenal were always aware the figure was not a buy-out clause and they simply added the extra pound to kick-start negotiations.
      But Liverpool owner John W. Henry took offence to the offer and, after it was publicised, he tweeted: “What do you think they’re smoking over there?”
      Suarez ended up remaining at Anfield for another season where he was named PFA Player of the Year before sealing a £75m move to Barcelona.
      Several years later and the striker was available for a nominal fee, leaving Barcelona for Atletico Madrid in 2020, where he won the LaLiga title.
      The Gunners’ then-transfer guru Law would later explain that the North London side had never wanted to antagonise their Premier League rivals. More

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      What does the Man Utd badge mean?

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      MANCHESTER UNITED is one of the most followed football teams in the worldIn April 2023, the club’s iconic badge came under scrutiny as woke campaigners questioned its historic links.
      The Manchester United badge has changed over the yearsCredit: Getty
      What does the Man Utd badge mean?
      The Manchester United club badge is one of the most recognisable in the world of football.
      Over the course of the history of the club, the badge has evolved.
      Originally, the club used Manchester’s coat of arms as its crest.
      This featured three diagonal stripes, a globe and a ship, with the motto “Concilio et Labore”, which loosely translates as “by wisdom and effort”.
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      The words Manchester United Football Club were added in the forties as the badge was reshaped into the familiar form we know today.
      Legendary manager Matt Busby first coined the nickname the Red Devils in the 1960s, and the stripes were then replaced by the devilish figure in the 70s.
      It is suggested he used it to try and inspire the players to be aggressive and fearless on the pitch.
      Originally, the red devil design was drawn by cartoonist and ex-player Dennis Law.
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      The emblem now sees a shield with a red devil holding a pitchfork with a three-mast ship above it.
      What does the ship on Man Utd badge mean?
      The three-mast ship represents the historic connection between Manchester and the Irish Sea.
      It is the only feature remaining from the city’s coat of arms, although is very different in appearance.
      The ship represents the city’s global trading power during the industrial revolution.
      In April 2023, campaigners called for the removal of the ship alleging it has links to a darker past of slavery.
      Historians have dismissed the claims.
      Local Labour MP Graham Stringer said the “crazy” claim tarnished the northern city’s proud history of anti-discrimination.
      He added: “Manchester had nothing to do with the slave trade.
      “People from the city at the time of the US Civil War in 1861 ­protested against slavery.
      “This is one of the craziest campaigns I have ever seen.”
      The boat on the Manchester City crest represents the famous Manchester Ship CanalCredit: PA
      What does the Man City badge mean?
      Manchester City’s club badge contains a boat which is a reference to the Manchester Ship Canal, which opened in 1894, the same year Ardwick FC changed its name to Manchester City.
      The ship canal was one of the biggest feats of engineering in the world at the time and the city of Manchester was very proud of it, hence its inclusion on the Manchester City badge.
      It also incorporates the red rose of Lancaster which symbolises the county of Lancashire.
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      The three blue lines on the shield represent the city’s three rivers; the Irwell, the Irk and the Medlock.
      Much like their local city rivals, their badge has changed over the years, with the most recent version introduced in 2015. More

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      RB Leipzig star Ilaix Moriba ‘cancelled flight’ to seal Man City transfer before Barcelona debut, his dad claimed

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      THE father of Ilaix Moriba has revealed he cancelled his son’s flight to Manchester City so the teen could remain at Barcelona.Moriba, now 20, burst into Ronald Koeman’s team in 2019 and was tipped for a bright future with the Catalans.

      AFP OR LICENSORS

      Ilaix Moriba, now 20, was set to agree a deal with Man City before staying at Barcelona However, he chose to leave the Camp Nou in 2021 and joined RB Leipzig for around £16million after a row over his contract.

      He had a two-year spell on-loan with LaLiga giants Valencia, and his future is currently in limbo in Germany.

      Moriba was put up for sale in the summer, although there were no takers.

      But, Moriba came close to joining Pep Guardiola at City when doubts emerged over a Barca deal back in 2019.

      The Spain youth international, who plays internationally for Guinea, had even booked a plane ticket to the Etihad as he searched for his first professional contract.

      However, Moriba’s dad Mamady Kourouma cancelled the ticket on the morning of the flight after a breakthrough in contract talks with Barca.

      He told Sport: “With Barcelona, the negotiations did not advance. We met with Txiki Begiristain [City’s sporting director] and he explained his entire project to us.

      “We liked it because they bet a lot on him. A few weeks later we had the tickets to travel to Manchester and sign the contract.

      “I cancelled it the morning that we had to go there. I wanted Ilaix to be an example and a reference for the next generations of Barcelona.

      “His friends were gone. If he stayed, it was proof Barca was betting on the youth players. We managed to reach an agreement where we all came out winning.” More

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      Rafa Benitez turned down more than TWENTY job offers and reveals key reason for taking over at Celta Vigo

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      RAFA BENITEZ turned down mega money and more than 20 clubs to be closer to home at Celta Vigo.Spaniard Benitez was unveiled as the LaLiga side’s new boss in the summer.
      Rafa Benitez took charge of Celta Vigo back in the summerCredit: AFP
      It was Benitez’s first job in home country Spain since he coached Real Madrid in 2016Credit: AFP
      Although he’s had a tough start to life with the Galicians, who sit third from bottom after nine games.
      However, the former Everton, Liverpool, Newcastle,  Chelsea and Real Madrid manager revealed when he took the job: “I had more than 20 offers for much more money — but coming to Celta is a source of pride.
      “I wanted to be in a top league, closer to my family and a project that allows me to grow. This offer was the most attractive.”
      The ex-Inter Milan and Napoli chief, 63, has one of the most impressive hauls of silverware for any modern-day boss.
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      He’s racked up triumphs in the Champions League, LaLiga twice, the Europa League, UEFA Cup, Club World Cup, FA Cup and Coppa Italia.
      The former Valencia manager previously bossed in his home country with Real in 2015-16.
      But he was axed halfway through that campaign when Los Blancos dropped to third in LaLiga, amid claims he was unpopular with fans and some players.
      Benitez last won a trophy when Newcastle lifted the Championship crown in 2017.
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      He then oversaw China’s Dalian Pro from July 2019 to January 2021.
      Next came his last job until now, seven months at Everton that began with a winning streak but ended in a dire run and the axe in January 2022.
      Celta were quick to boast of his pedigree when they appointed him back in June.
      When announcing his arrival, they posted: “Rafa Benitez is one of the most successful coaches in the history of our country and has coached world-class teams in the main European leagues.
      “(In) our Centenary season, an unforgettable event for Celta’s fans, (we will have) a formidable leader on the bench.” More

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      Strangest cars footballers drive from Djibril Cisse’s snakeskin Cadillac to Stephen Ireland’s bizarre fleet of motors

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      THEY really, really simply cannot help it, can they?We all know footballers are paid ridiculous money in the modern game.
      Former footballer Stephen Ireland is a serial offender when it comes to car crimes
      And, put simply, sometimes footballers have so much they don’t know what to do with it all.
      And that has led to some rather outlandish decisions in the garages over the years.
      Case in point, these car-lovers who seem to deliberately do their best to ruin their class motors with the oddest customising imaginable, or they just have rather unique tastes.
      The likes of Mario Balotelli, Stephen Ireland and Djibril Cisse have all committed crimes against cars.
      But who do you think is the worst offender?
      Join SunSport in giving you the definitive run-down of footballers’ most astonishing-looking cars.
      Let’s start with Stephen Ireland…
      The ex-Stoke City midfielder has always been a little out there with his car choices, as you can see.
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      A pink-trim Ranger Rover did little for his street-cred, while his blue and white resprayed Audi R8 (when he played for Manchester City) was flashy.
      What made his R8 even more ridiculous was its Superman petrol cap! Why?
      He once bought his wife, Jessica Lawlor a £260k Bentley too, paying £1,000 to have the iconic ‘B’ motif on the bonnet changed to her initials.
      The car also featured red leather seats with ‘To Jess, Love from Stephen’ written in stitches on them, as well as hearts stitched on the headrests.
      Over the years, Ireland has splashed hundreds of thousands on garish motorsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The ex-Stoke City midfielder loved customising his carsCredit: Cavendish
      Ireland once got his missus a special £260k BentleyCredit: Eamon and James Clarke
      The trouble with El Hadji Diouf…
      The notorious Senegal star regularly found himself in hot water, whether it was with managers, referees or even the authorities.
      On the pitch, he liked to stand out from the crowd, showing off silky footwork with some crafty step-overs, sometimes bamboozling defenders.
      Off the pitch, he was equally as flamboyant and his gold-plated Cadillac Escalade was an ultimate statement of wealth.
      You could say he acted as inspiration for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who covered his Lamborghini in a gold wrap.
      El Hadji Diouf’s gold-wrapped Escalade was a fright for sore eyesCredit: Alamy
      On the pitch, Diouf was just as controversialCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Go, Go Power Ranger…
      Former Newcastle star Nile Ranger wasn’t afraid to wear his colours on his car.
      He had his own customised Range Rover in white with a black strip running through the middle of it. But that wasn’t why it was offensive to the eye.
      The fact the bad boy swapped out ‘Rover’ on the bonnet for his own surname was a bit too much to take for us.
      Nile Ranger wasn’t afraid to wear his colours on his carCredit: Rex Features
      Ranger’s customised Range even had his name on it
      The gall of Gallas…
      When you’ve got an amazing car – in this case a Mercedes McLaren SLR – its beauty speaks for itself.
      But if you’re ex-Arsenal and Chelsea star William Gallas, you’ll want to add your own personal touch to proceedings.
      He had his £200k-plus car wrapped in chrome, making it look more like a disco ball. What was he thinking?
      William Gallas had his car wrapped in chrome like a shiny disco ball
      Gallas committed a serious hate crime against his Mercedes McLaren SLRCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Must train harder…
      When David James was at Portsmouth, then-manager Tony Adams made a rule that the worst trainer in the squad had to drive a 1992 Robin Reliant the next day to training.
      The ex-England goalie was reportedly behind the wheel most days because he was terrible.
      And over the years, Pompey’s pros threw money at the vehicle to customise it – once making it look like Mr T’s A-Team van!
      When David James was at Pompey he had to drive the club’s Robin ReliantCredit: The Digital South
      Balotelli has balls…
      The controversial Italian striker once asked, ‘Why Always Me?’ on a hidden shirt revealed after he scored against Man Utd for his old club, City.
      And when he was in Manchester, he loved going out – and whether or not he was trying to be inconspicuous with his camouflage Bentley, we don’t know.
      But the garish sight certainly meant he stood out from the crowd.
      It is unclear if Balotelli still owns the garish Bentley after he sold off a load of his supercar collection including a Lamborghini and Ferrari.
      Mario Balotelli’s camo Bentley always caused a stir in ManchesterCredit: Splash News
      Wayne Rooney’s first car…
      Since then, he’s definitely had an upgrade, eh? Over the years, we’ve seen Roon driving a Range Rover, a BMW i8 and even an Audi Q7.
      But when he was a whipper-snapper at Everton, the then-teenager invested in his first car.
      Rooney kept it sensible, getting himself a reliable Ford Ka – the sports model, need we add. Note the personalised reg plate.
      Wayne Rooney’s first car was a Ford Ka
      And finally…
      Djibril Cisse has always been a man who has been out there with his fashion choices.
      The ex-Liverpool striker, who is now a DJ, had a snakeskin wrap on his Cadillac Escalade that took pride of place in his car collection.
      But that wasn’t his ultimate statement of individuality.
      On his Chrysler he had a painting of his daughter, Ilona front and centre on the bonnet.
      As touching a sentiment as it is, it wouldn’t have done much for its re-sell value.
      Djibril Cisse got his Escalade decorated with a snakeskin interiorCredit: YouTube
      French star Cisse also had this paintwork of his daughter on his Chrysler
      Cisse is a big fan of customising his cars
      And Cisse also has a rather unique taste in motors unlike any other footballerCredit: Northpix – England More

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      in Motorsport

      Inside Christian Horner’s country mansion that Red Bull’s F1 boss shares with Geri Halliwell and three miniature donkeys

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      RED BULL chief Christian Horner is used to living life in the fast lane working in F1.But when it comes to his personal life, the team principal of the motorsport giants prefers a more quiet and slower existence away from the race track.
      Red Bull boss Christian Horner lives a life of luxury in the countryCredit: Instagram @christianhorner
      Horner poses on the grounds of their Oxfordshire farmhouse with son MontagueCredit: Instagram @therealgerihalliwell
      He shares TWO stunning country homes with wife, Spice Girl Geri in Oxfordshire and Hertfordshire and their brood.
      The former property is, perhaps, the most lavish and most shared online – boasting its very own duck pond, which they use for boating.
      Their farm also houses three miniature donkeys, horses and goats in the estate’s stables.
      For Horner, living on a farm offers the ideal existence away from the stresses of the F1 circuit.
      Read more on F1
      Back in 2019, he told Luxury London that the sprawling country abode was the “perfect home to relax in.”
      “Restoring the farm has been my hobby – the way I put racing out of my mind,” he added.
      “The main house is finished but now the barns are being converted. We’re currently putting the finishing touches to an indoor swimming pool.”
      Certainly, it’s the property in Oxfordshire that gets the most love from Geri on Instagram, who regularly shares candid snaps of her family life.
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      Horner, who last year celebrated Max Verstappen regaining the F1 Championship, is stepdad to Geri’s daughter Bluebell Madonna, 17, and the couple share a son, Montague, who is 6.
      He also has another daughter, Olivia, 10, from a previous relationship with ex-partner Beverley Allen.
      Christian has been spied alongside his boy riding matching John Deere tractors.
      He’s also been seen standing with his vintage Aston Martin DB5, which was Sean Connery’s car of choice as James Bond in Goldfinger.
      F1’s Horner poses on the steps of the home with daughter Olivia from his previous relationshipCredit: Instagram @christianhorner
      Son Montague and dad have matching John Deere tractorsCredit: Instagram @christianhorner
      An Aston Martin DB5 sits proudly in Horner’s garage
      Horner is married to Spice Girl GeriCredit: Instagram @therealgerihalliwell
      Geri shows off the home’s swimming poolCredit: Instagram @therealgerihalliwell
      Geri appears happy to play the role of housewife, often sharing photos in the kitchen rustling up treats.
      A budding chef, she has shown off her baking skills by crafting cakes using a customised Ginger Spice KitchenAid mixer, which Christian had specially designed for her.
      And with four separate ovens to choose from with the AGA range the kitchen boasts, she has plenty of space for her other favourite pastime – making bread.
      You can bet, Christian, who also loves using the outdoor barbecue, and the kids are well fed in the Horner household with Geri’s production line of cakes and bread.
      Geri is often spied in the kitchen and loves bakingCredit: Instagram @therealgerihalliwell
      Christian shows off his grilling skills with the outdoor barbecueCredit: Instagram @christianhorner
      Christian and Geri have a number of reception rooms to entertain from.
      However, the most popular one appears to be where a £16,000 original Wurlitzer can be found.
      When she celebrated her 45th birthday, Geri posted a video online singing along to Michael Jackson hit Billie Jean while thanking Christian for the music, which suggested it was a gift for her.
      Another living room shows off a stunning chandelier, as well as a marble fireplace.
      A £16,000 vintage Wurlitzer can be seen in a reception room, which was a gift from Christian for Geri’s 45th birthdayCredit: Instagram @therealgerihalliwell
      The Oxfordshire property boasts several reception roomsCredit: Instagram @therealgerihalliwell
      A spacious dining room was seen when Montague celebrated his birthdayCredit: Instagram @therealgerihalliwell
      The glam couple also have a bar space in their propertyCredit: Instagram @therealgerihalliwell
      The family love taking advantage of the huge grounds on offer at their farmhouse.
      And why not when you’ve got an incredible duck pond so big you can go boating on it.
      Horner and Geri can even take their dogs for a walk around the expansive gardens.
      The pair have even been seen zooming around on a quad bike, as well as picking raspberries in the garden with Montague.
      Miniature donkeys live in the stables
      The grounds are vast on the Horner’s Oxfordshire plot
      The Horners show off their horses and have their own stableCredit: Instagram @therealgerihalliwell
      Geri picks raspberries with Montague in their lush gardenCredit: Instagram @therealgerihalliwell
      The duck pond on the property has its own boat
      Christian and Geri live the country life away from the racing circuitCredit: Instagram @therealgerihalliwell
      Of course, no farm would be complete without animals either.
      And Christian and Geri boast three miniature donkeys that are housed in the stables, as well as some goats.
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      The singer often shares videos online when it’s feeding time.
      Clearly, you can forget the fancy racing circuit of heading to places like Dubai or Monte Carlo. A farmhouse is where it’s at. More

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      David Beckham became part of Real Madrid’s Brazilian clique leaving Spanish-speaking stars jealous, Robinho reveals

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      DAVID BECKHAM left Spanish-speaking members of the Real Madrid squad jealous thanks to being part of the Brazilian clique at the club, according to Robinho.The 39-year-old Brazilian and former Manchester City star recounted his time at the Bernabeu to Italian media outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport.
      David Beckham was a popular member of the dressing room at Real MadridCredit: Reuters
      Beckham spent four seasons at the Bernabeu before leaving for LA Galaxy in 2007Credit: EPA
      In April 2020, he spoke of the chemistry in the team and his ex team-mate Beckham, who owns MLS side Inter Miami, saying: ”When Madrid came, I saw that they had a large Brazilian presence in the team and they had Vanderlei Luxemburgo as their coach at the time.
      ”So, why go to Barcelona? There was a great harmony among the Brazilians in the squad. Beckham was always with the Brazilians. He was part of our group.
      ”The Spaniards were jealous because he spoke more Portuguese than Spanish, so he ended up spending more time with us.”
      After scoring more than 80 goals over four seasons at Santos, Brazilian Robinho moved to Europe and helped Real Madrid win back-to-back LaLiga titles in 2007 and 2008.
      Spanish giants Barca had had their eyes on the starlet at around that time, but Real swooped in with a deal before their rivals had the chance to steal their prize.
      He then stayed in Spain for three seasons before moving over to City in 2008.
      Things did not end on good terms for him and Real when his time with the club came to its eventual end.
      He also told Gazzetta: ”My goal was to go to Chelsea. But things ended badly with Real Madrid.
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      ”They didn’t like Chelsea selling shirts with my name on them before the deal was concluded.
      “I don’t regret leaving Madrid. But I am sorry I made mistakes with them when I left.
      ”Madrid was the club that opened my doors and offered me the opportunity to conquer Europe.”
      Former England captain Beckham joined LA Galaxy from Real in 2007 and part of his contract gave him the option to buy an MLS franchise at a reduced rate in the future.
      It took him several years, but he took up that option and now owns Inter Miami.
      And the ex-Manchester United winger recently recruited Lionel Messi to his franchise. More

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      Pep Guardiola considered snubbing Manchester City when the Premier League boss demanded a luxury city-centre mansion

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      MANCHESTER CITY almost failed to secure Pep Guardiola as manager after struggling to meet his luxury accommodation demands, a book revealed.Guardiola wrapped up his fifth Premier League title in May after inspiring his City stars to an incredible run of form to overhaul Arsenal.
      Pep Guardiola secured the Treble for his club last seasonCredit: Getty
      The Guardiolas eventually moved to trendy DeansgateCredit: Manchester Evening News
      The Man City manager now lives at the plush City Suites in the city centreCredit: Manchester Evening News
      The City manager can unwind in the private swimming poolCredit: Manchester Evening News
      The ex-Barca boss then watched his side defeat Manchester United 2-1 in the FA Cup Final at Wembley.
      They capped off a remarkable and historic season to secure the Treble, by defeating Inter Milan 1-0 in the Champions League final.
      But the extraordinary spell of success he has had might never have happened due to the coach’s specific living requests.
      Guardiola agreed to succeed Manuel Pellegrini in February 2016 but Etihad officials were left sweating on whether he may change his mind before the following season.
      In a book entitled Pep’s City: The Making of a Superteam – written by Pol Ballus and Lu Martin – club chiefs were worried the then-Bayern Munich manager would go back on his word.
      Ballus and Martin tell of how Etihad director of football Txiki Begiristain told player liaison manager David Quintana to hold crunch talks in Munich with Guardiola over the situation.
      Begiristain had said ominously: “It seems we’ve got a problem with the German.”
      And in the book, Ballus and Martin confirm: “They did indeed. In Munich, the Guardiola family had lived in a spacious mansion on Sophienstrasse.
      “Pep demanded accommodation of a similar standard in Manchester and the issue was in danger of becoming a deal-breaker.
      “Quintana and Pep met over a leisurely three-hour lunch in a local Vietnamese restaurant.
      “Lunch was spent discussing key elements of the club’s organisation, infrastructure, players, but the issues around the Guardiolas’ new home remained unsolved.
      “The problem was that Pep was refusing to live anywhere but the city centre and there just wasn’t the right property there to suit him.
      “It didn’t exist. Begiristain could see all his plans going up in smoke. The deal to bring Pep to City was under threat.”
      The in-demand ex-Barcelona manager was assured by Quintana, however: “No worries; if we have to, we’ll build you what you want. It might take a few more months but we’ll make it happen.”
      The Guardiolas eventually moved to a luxurious apartment in the Deansgate City Suites in the centre of Manchester.
      And they were soon joined in the plush building by his first signing Ilkay Gundogan – who scored the fastest goal in FA Cup Final history before departing for Barcelona in the summer.
      City legend Sergio Aguero was also tempted in by the true city slicker lifestyle at the time.
      The Argentine swapped his countryside pad to become one of the first residents of the brand new West Tower in the city centre Deansgate development.
      The City manager’s eventual choice of home in Manchester means he can keep himself in shape in the private gymCredit: Manchester Evening News
      The City boss can cook up a feast in the kitchen… or rely on the ground floor restaurant’s top chefCredit: Manchester Evening News
      The building Guardiola lives in is a 16-storey high riseCredit: Manchester Evening News
      Guardiola can chill out in the luxurious living areaCredit: Manchester Evening News
      Each apartment has a plush modern bathroomCredit: Manchester Evening News More