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      in Soccer

      14 ex-Man Utd stars as managers who have been sacked 17 times, and the ONE legend who has been a major success

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      RUUD VAN NISTELROOY is taking his first steps into management as boss of PSV Eindhoven.The Manchester United legend, 45, will take charge of the Dutch giants from next season, after coaching the clubs youth side.
      Ruud Van Nistelrooy will take over the reigns at PSV from next seasonCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      Many who played under legendary boss Sir Alex Ferguson have made a foray into management, however most ended up flopping.
      Although, there’s one who was a major success…
      OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER
      THE super-sub was brought off the bench once again when things went wrong under Jose Mourinho.
      After a great start, he was given the job permanently.
      But a lack of trophies and with the side in dire straits earlier this season, he was regretfully given the boot.
      He didn’t fare much better when he was manager of Cardiff, although did enjoy some success in his native Norway with Molde where he won the league twice and the cup.
      VERDICT: A FLOP ON THESE SHORES
      GARY NEVILLE
      ASTONISHINGLY, after working mostly as a TV pundit and co-owner of Salford City, the ex-right-back was handed the reigns at Valencia in 2015.
      .css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-1x7hydu{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Read More Sun Sport.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
      It was an appointment that lasted a meagre 28 games.
      The biggest low including a 7-0 drubbing to rivals Barcelona.
      “I never should have said yes to the job,” Neville said in 2019. “I wasn’t qualified for the job and didn’t wake up every morning and think about coaching.
      “There was already far too much going on with the Sky stuff, writing articles for a newspaper and doing all the stuff in Manchester with Salford.”
      VERDICT: FLOP DEBUT BUT TIME TO PROVE US WRONG
      Gary Neville famously flopped as Valencia boss
      STEVE BRUCE
      A FORMER United captain, Bruce is now somewhat of a journeyman manager.
      He’s managed 10 clubs, including Wigan Athletic twice. Major honours have escaped him though, with FA Cup runner-up at Hull City in 2014 perhaps a highlight.
      Most recently, he was the brunt of Newcastle fans who lambasted his tactics.
      His first sacking came at Huddersfield in 2000. Since then, he’s been fired from jobs at Aston Villa and the Toon.
      VERDICT: FLOP – MOST OF THE TIME
      Steve Bruce was recently sacked by Newcastle
      PHIL NEVILLE
      NEVILLE’S first taste of being boss came with England’s lionesses.
      In 2018, he led the women’s team to glory in the SheBelievesCup.
      However, a year later finishing fourth in the World Cup seemed to be a bit of a disappointment.
      After stepping down from his role with the Three Lions, he was appointed as boss of David Beckham’s Inter Miami.
      However, they finished fourth from bottom in the MLS Eastern Conference and failed to make the play offs.
      VERDICT: FLOP SO FAR
      Phil Neville is proving to be a dismal appointment for Inter Miami
      RYAN GIGGS
      IN 2014, after David Moyes was fired, Welsh legend Giggs was hired as United’s interim manager – winning two of his four games in charge.
      Following a stint as Louis Van Gaal’s assistant, he took on the Wales national job in 2018 – leading his country to qualify for Euro 2020.
      But in 2020, he was forced to take gardening leave.
      VERDICT: TOO EARLY TO CALL
      Jury’s out on Ryan Giggs’ career as a manager
      ROY KEANE
      AS a leader on the pitch, Keane appeared to be management material.
      And things seemed to get off to a good start with Sunderland, who he helped gain promotion to the Premier League.
      However, he stepped down in 2008 amidst a player mutiny and a dismal run of form.
      Worse was to follow at Ipswich Town, where Keane was sacked when The Tractor Boys dropped to 21st in the Championship in 2011.
      VERDICT: FLOP
      Roy Keane was sacked by Ipswich Town in 2011
      JAAP STAM
      STAM played in the same sides as Keane, and himself was a tough competitor.
      Most recently, he was dismissed as boss of MLS team FC Cincinnati having won four of just 25 games.
      Before that, he handed in his resignation with Feyenoord bosses after 4-0 thrashing to rivals Ajax.
      On our shores, Stam is remembered for his time at Reading. He enjoyed a successful first season, leading the Royals to the play offs.
      However, it went downhill the following year. One win in 18 league matches was enough for Stam to be given his marching orders.
      VERDICT: FLOP
      At Reading Jaap Stam was given the bullet following a dismal run
      BRYAN ROBSON
      CAPTAIN Marvel has had a 17-year career as a manager, taking in jobs with the likes of Middlesbrough, Bradford City, West Brom, Sheffield United, Thailand, and then Thailand’s U23s.
      His most successful period came at Boro, who he helped gain promotion. Between 1994-2001, Robson also led the club to three Wembley cup final appearances, although they lost each one.
      A stint at Bradford City saw Robson officially sacked for the first time after just 28 games in charge and a winning percentage of just 25 per cent.
      At West Brom he pulled off the great escape, with his side bottom of the Premier League at Christmas.
      The following year, though, they were relegated and Robson left by mutual consent.
      He also sacked by Sheffield United in 2008. He hasn’t managed anyone since the Thailand job ended in 2011.
      VERDICT: FLOP
      Captain Marvel Bryan Robson endured 17 years in management but hasn’t been in a job since 2011
      MARK HUGHES
      LIKE Robson, Hughes appeared to be tailor-made to be boss – doing decent jobs with Wales and Blackburn.
      That scored him a big job at Manchester City in 2008, who were then taken over by Sheikh Mansour two months after he arrived.
      However, after spending a fortune, including signing the disastrous Robinho for £32million, he was sacked after 18 months with nothing to show but a 10th place finish.
      After a bust-up with Mohamed Al-Fayed, he resigned as Fulham boss 11 months after his appointment – with Al-Fayed labelling the Welshman a ‘strange man’.
      Sackings at QPR, Stoke and Southampton then followed.
      Officially, he’s the most sacked out of the United legends.
      Now, he’s at Bradford City resurrecting his career.
      VERDICT: BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT AFTER WALES AND BLACKBURN JOBS
      Mark Hughes has been sacked four times – more than any other ex-Man Utd star
      PAUL INCE
      ‘THE GUVNOR’ has been out of a job since 2014, since leaving Blackpool, where he was once handed a five game ban for berating an official in the tunnel.
      In the lower leagues, Ince did a stellar jobs at Macclesfield Town in a player-manager role, before then getting Milton Keynes Dons promoted to League Two and winning the FA Trophy.
      In 2008, however, when Blackburn Rovers asked him to make the step up to the Premier League, Ince proved to be out of his depth.
      After three wins in 17 games, he was given the bullet.
      VERDICT: FLOP
      Paul Ince couldn’t hack it in the Premier League as a boss
      PAUL SCHOLES
      WITH one of the greatest football brains in the modern era, Scholes was surely going to make a decent coach?
      Maybe too soon to tell. He spent just 31 days at crisis club Oldham between February and March 2019, until walking away following a disagreement with the owners.
      “In the last week there was a couple of issues with a couple of players,” Scholes revealed in a chat with BT Sport in 2019.
      “Experienced pros that I felt didn’t deserve to be treated the way the club wanted to treat them.
      “I didn’t need the hassle of that. I really like the players, really respected them and would have done anything for them. But once I get told ‘don’t play him’, that’s when it is time for me to go…
      “That only happened once, but that was the end of it. There were subtle hints along the way, but that was the end of it.”
      VERDICT: TOO EARLY TO CALL
      Paul Scholes spent just 31 days at crisis club Oldham
      GORDON STRACHAN
      THE Scot spent five years at Coventry City, mostly doing his best to avoid relegation.
      Eventually, his luck would run out in 2001 when the club were demoted from the Premier League.
      He was sacked the following season after a poor start in the First Division.
      Within weeks, Strachan was back – this time in the Southampton hot seat. He resigned as Saints boss in 2004, after wanting to take a break from football
      At Celtic he was victorious – winning three league titles in a row. But in his fourth season, the Hoops lost out Rangers and he handed in his resignation in 2009.
      His time at Middlesbrough was forgettable. With the club languishing in 20th position, he commendably tore up his contract and refused compensation.
      For his last act, Strachan walked away from the Scotland job after failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
      VERDICT: MIXED BAG
      On our shores, Gordon Strachan struggled at Coventry City and Middlesbrough
      WAYNE ROONEY
      Manchester United’s all-time top scorer, Rooney is the most recent former Red Devil star to try his hand at managing after being hired in 2020 by Derby County.
      But it’s been a tumultuous time for the club, who are in dire financial trouble.
      They narrowly avoided relegation on the final day of last season, but it looks highly unlikely they will be able to repeat that feat – after they were docked 21 points for financial irregularities and sit rock bottom of the Championship with four points and 22 games played.
      Hard to judge Rooney on this though, given his hands are tied.
      VERDICT: TOO EARLY TO TELL
      Wayne Rooney’s first foray into management at cash-strapped Derby can’t be judged
      LAURENT BLANC
      The exception to the rule, Laurent Blanc is one of the world’s leading managers and has been linked with the Old Trafford job.
      Currently in Qatar with Al-Rayyan, the France World Cup winner has won all his trophies in his homeland.
      He landed the title with Bordeaux in 2009, then won three successive championships with PSG, as well as two French Cups and three French league cups with the latter in just three years.
      The only blot on his copybook, perhaps, was his time as France boss, who he could only lead to a quarter-final of Euro 2012 before standing down.
      But, he’s never been sacked.
      VERDICT: HIT
      Laurent Blanc is the exception to the rule, enjoying success as a boss More

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      in Soccer

      Benfica XI of former stars would fight for Champions League after selling £450m worth of talent in the last decade

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      BENFICA’S business model of buy low, sell high has delivered domestic success but the £450million worth of talent leaving the club could have deprived them of greater glory.A stunning array of star players have passed through the Lisbon club’s doors over the past decade, showcasing their eye for a gem.
      Benfica have sold some of Europe’s best players in the last decade
      An impressive XI can be constructed from former Benfica men – with plenty left spare.
      The 2019 summer deal for Joao Felix, with Atletico Madrid paying £115m, represents by far their biggest sale but a mega 15 players left for between £20m and £35m in the past 10 years.
      Manchester City’s defensive stalwart Ruben Dias is the next most expensive exit after arriving in a £64m deal to shatter David Luiz’s £22m effort.
      His team-mate goalkeeper Ederson follows with a defence of Nelson Semedo, Victor Lindelof and Fabio Coentrao banking Benfica £87m combined.
      A pairing of Axel Witsel and Renato Sanches represents two central midfielders sold early on in their careers for huge profits.
      And with Angel Di Maria and Goncalo Guedes joining them in a £121m midfield, there isn’t even space for Nemanja Matic.
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      Ezequiel Garay and Nemanja Matic left for big fees yet are nowhere near the top of the rankingsCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      The Serb bruiser left for Chelsea in 2014 for a ‘measly’ £21m, meaning he misses the cut for this line-up along with £13m playmaker Bernardo Silva.
      The exit fees for Lazar Markovic, Nico Gaitan and Enzo Perez also exceeded £20m – and yet aren’t enough for our XI.
      Nuno Tavares swapped Benfica for Arsenal in the summer of 2021 but fails to make our XI as his bargain £7m fee is no match for the £27m banked when Coentrao joined Real Madrid back in 2011.
      Up front, Felix partners Wolves’ record buy Raul Jimenez to oust £27m Valencia signing Rodrigo.
      Had all these players stayed, it isn’t hard to imagine Benfica reaching the latter stages of the Champions League and even threatening to win the competition.
      Add in the likes of Jan Oblak, Joao Cancelo and Luka Jovic and suddenly the team looks nigh-on imperious.
      Sure enough, the Portuguese giants do have two European Cups to their name but a decade that saw them reach just two Champions League quarter-finals and lose a pair of Europa League finals could have been very different. More

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      in Soccer

      Ex-Man Ud star Paul Scholes names Papa Bouba Diop as one his three toughest opponents alongside Vieira and Savage

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      PAUL SCHOLES named Papa Bouba Diop as one of the toughest opponents he came up against.The former Fulham, Portsmouth and Senegal international sadly passed away at the age of 42 in November 2020.
      Paul Scholes in action against Papa Bouba Diop back in 2008Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      Diop died after a long illness, with his former clubs paying tribute to the 2008 FA Cup winner.
      The ex-Lens ace was also part of the Senegal side that shocked world champions France in the opening game of the 2002 World Cup.
      Manchester United legend Scholes, 46, came up against the likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Zinedine Zidane during his career.
      In fact, over his 718 appearances for the Red Devils, Scholes faced virtually every great player of his generation.
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      But he has revealed it was former Fulham man Bouba Diop – who was nicknamed The Wardrobe – along with Patrick Vieira and Robbie Savage that caused him the most problems.
      The ex-England star told Savage Social: “When I played central midfield I like to go into games thinking ‘I just want to have all the time in the world here, just nobody around me, just find a little bit of space and pass the ball around’.
      “Then you play against people like you (Robbie Savage).
      “An absolute nuisance, trying to close you down dead quick. I don’t want that, I just want it nice and relaxed.
      Portsmouth icon Papa Bouba Diop has tragically passes away at the age of 42
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      “The way I played I didn’t really have to beat people or be stronger, quicker than the other person.
      “I suppose Patrick Vieira, you play against him he is so long, he is so big.
      “You think you’ve got the ball, and the next minute he nicks it over your head.
      “He was a clever player as well. There’s one more that people won’t think of.
      “We used to play against Portsmouth.
      “Do you remember Papa Bouba Diop? Big, massive. They used to call him The Wardrobe!
      “You get involved physically with him and you’re wasting your time.
      “I always found him awkward to play against. He wasn’t a Vieira, of course he wasn’t, but he still had talent.”
      The Red Devils legend did not enjoy playing against Patrick VieiraCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      Robbie Savage caused Paul Scholes problems on the pitchCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      Take a look back at Crystal Palace ‘s draw with Man Utd in the Premier League More

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      in Soccer

      Man Utd’s amazing British XI with Rooney, Beckham and Scholes but Ferdinand and Sheringham left out

      by

      MANCHESTER UNITED have had some of the finest players born in Britain.So here at Sun Sport, we set United End Editor Tom McDermott the task of choosing an all-British Red Devils XI from those players he has watched during his days as a supporter (and without any Irish stars… sorry Roy and Denis).

      Les Sealey
      Sealey is just ahead of Roy Carroll because of his personality, and performance in the 1990 FA Cup Final replay.
      He only played 31 times for United, leaving a lasting impression not just on supporters, but on the defenders in front of him.
      Check out his save for United against Nottingham Forest on YouTube, it’s one of the best.
      Gary Neville
      A regular for club and country for over a decade, Neville major was a leader and example to the other members of the squad, even in his early years as a senior player.
      His game flourished through his twenties, and with experience, made improvements to his distribution in the final third of the pitch.
      How many players over his career got the better of him?
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      Steve Bruce
      The United captain never won an England cap but was the heart and soul of the defence during the first Premier League success and the 1994 Double-winning side.
      Bruce wasn’t the quickest but was mentally superior to his opponents and could read the game as well as anyone.
      We shouldn’t forget his ability to score goals at the other end as well, and not just from the penalty spot.
      Steve Bruce and Gary Pallister make it into the heart of defenceCredit: Bob Thomas Sports Photography – Getty
      Gary Pallister
      A club record £2.3m signing from Middlesbrough in 1989, Pallister had the poise and class required to be an outstanding defender and forged an unforgettable partnership with Bruce at the heart of the defence.
      Pallister would have appeared more times for his country had it not been for injury, and a list of central defenders that included Tony Adams, Terry Butcher, Martin Keown and Mark Wright.
      Phil Neville
      Used in different positions by Sir Alex Ferguson, the younger Neville was more technically gifted than brother Gary.
      Perhaps his versatility cost him in the end, because he was later sold to Everton.
      But, when he did play, he never let the side down, and was capable of doing more than a job in either full-back position or in midfield.
      David Beckham
      They made a film about Beckham’s right foot, that’s how good he was.
      Beckham could create a goal from any position in the opposition half, even if he was given only half a yard of space.
      His free-kick collection will provide younger supporters with hours of fun online and his technique is still copied to this very day on pitches up and down the country.
      David Beckham’s right foot was that good a movie was written about itCredit: Getty Images
      Paul Scholes
      The first name on the team sheet and one who played in several positions.
      Give him the ball in front of the back four and he’ll dictate the tempo. Play him just off the front man and he’ll score you a goal.
      Scholes was an orchestrator, creator, scorer, genius. It’s as simple as that.
      The crime was that his talent was wasted by several England managers.
      Bryan Robson
      Captain Marvel sits next to Scholes and even though his best years were behind him when the first of Ferguson’s titles arrived, the rest of the squad knew exactly how important his experience was.
      At his best, Robson was the finest midfielder in Europe – all action, but with the class to match.
      It’s a shame that injury robbed him of his best years for club and country.
      Ryan Giggs
      United’s most decorated player terrorised teams for more than 20 years and his combination of skill and speed embarrassed the very best defenders across Europe.
      What often fails to get a mention though, was his exceptional work-rate and desire to win.
      Such attributes alongside his undoubted talent meant that he was only ever going to reach the very top.
      How much would a prime Giggs cost in the current market?
      Ryan Giggs is a no-brainer in this team
      Wayne Rooney
      United’s record goalscorer is an easy choice. A hat-trick on his debut after joining as a kid from Everton, he went from strength-to-strength.
      And the interesting thing with Rooney, despite being top scorer, he has played both wide, No.10 and a midfield role.
      Imagine how many he would have scored if he had played in the No.9 position all of his career?
      Andrew Cole
      Didn’t see eye-to-eye with strike partner Teddy Sheringham, but that didn’t stop them from performing on the pitch.
      Cole’s ability to play on the shoulder of the last man meant he was a constant thorn in the side of most defences.
      Far better technically than he was often given credit for, and a couple of bicycle kick goals and a lofted finish against Tottenham in 1999 stand out in my mind.
      Wayne Rooney is a guaranteed starter up front for the Red DevilsCredit: Getty
      Roy Keane dancing on FIFA 21 leaves fans in hysterics as it’s as if Man United icon and Jesse Lingard ‘swapped bodies’ More

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      in Soccer

      Man Utd star Bruno Fernandes picks dream midfield and is asked to choose between legends Keane and Scholes

      by

      BRUNO FERNANDES could not choose between Paul Scholes and Roy Keane – so included them both in his dream Manchester United midfield.The Portuguese midfielder, 27, backed himself to fit perfectly alongside the two Old Trafford veterans.
      Bruno Fernandes has impressed since joining United in JanuaryCredit: PA:Press Association
      Paul Scholes and Roy Keane achieved legendary status at UnitedCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Fernandes was asked who he preferred out of Keane and Scholes during a Q&A on the club website.
      Keane scored 51 goals in 480 appearances for United, while Scholes racked up 155 goals in 718 games.
      Both played huge roles in club’s success including the 1999 Treble-winning season.
      Former Sporting CP star Fernandes could not pick between them – and decided to name them both in his dream midfield.
      He said: “This is a difficult one, eh? I think the most difficult until now. So, I don’t know.
      “If I can have both, better, because I need the guy behind me kicking everyone and recovering balls, like Roy Keane does, and have the quality to give the balls to the guys up front.
      “If you look at Roy Keane, he’s the kind of player all teams. Teams play in different ways, but all the teams can have him.
      “Doesn’t matter if you play in possession, in counter, you need a guy like this normally.
      “I think Roy Keane is an excellent player and he can give me a lot of cover in the back.
      “To play side to side with Scholes would be fantastic.
      “If I can play with both, I play with Roy Keane in the back behind me and Scholes.
      “Because me and Scholes can both go in the area scoring.
      “We want to score, we want to be in the area, no? And maybe we will need Roy Keane at our backs.”
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      Keane would approve as he is a huge admirer of Fernandes, who has scored three goals and made four assists in nine appearances for United.
      The 50-year-old claimed the midfielder’s “arrogance” has contributed to his super start to life at Old Trafford.
      And Scholes, 47, has tipped Fernandes to follow in the footsteps of club legend Eric Cantona.
      Man United new boy Bruno Fernandes answers fans’ questions about training routine More

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      in Soccer

      Incredibly buff ref Anderson Daronco stuns fans as they joke players are terrified to argue with his decisions

      by

      HENCH referee Anderson Daronco left fans stunned on social media .The Brazilian officiates in his home country’s top-flight.
      Fans were stunned as this picture went viral of referee Anderson DaroncoCredit: Twitter
      The Brazilian also officiates international matchesCredit: Getty
      And pictures circulated online last season of Daronco, 41, taking charge of games, with his rippling biceps on display.
      Players petulantly arguing with officials is a common sight in football.
      But Twitter users have joked that they wouldn’t dare remonstrate with Daronco.
      One wrote: “If he gave me a red card, I would say to him ‘sorry’ and offer to put it back in his pocket for him.”
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      Another added: “I don’t think any player ll challenge his decision”.
      A third quipped: “Meet Brazilian referee Anderson Daronco. If he gave me a red card I’d say thank you.
      “Look at the size of them arms”.
      Daronco also seems to be making a positive impact in other ways.
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      In August 2020, he became the first referee in Brazil to halt a match because of homophobic chanting.
      The incident, not new in Brazilian football, took place in a game between Vasco de Gama and Sao Paulo.
      And Daronco intervened, stopping play and instructing home manager Vanderlei Luxemburgo to address the crowd.
      The South American is a commanding man in the middleCredit: Getty
      Fans joked that they would not dare to mess with Daronco due to his bulging bicepsCredit: Getty
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      Man Utd manager target Erik ten Hag lives above supermarket, studies Guardiola’s teams and loves Van Gaal and Cruyff

      by

      ERIK TEN HAG famously lives above a supermarket in Amsterdam, but the only shelf he wants to stack is his club’s trophy cabinet.The Ajax boss, who is reportedly a manager target for Manchester United, has won two Eredivisie titles with the Dutch giants.
      Erik ten Hag is the Dutchman who has revived European giants AjaxCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      The quiet Dutchman, fairly unknown across the continent after a 13-year playing career in Holland, has revived the glory days at Ajax with a vibrant young team.
      In 2019, with a side that featured homegrown talents like Frenkie de Jong, Matthijs de Ligt, Donny van de Beek and Hakim Ziyech, he reached a Champions League semi-final.
      Ten hag, a keen golfer with a high-pitched voice, worked wonders given Ajax had not even competed in the knockout stages since 2005-06.
      Having already surpassed par, Ten Hag is becoming a Master. That’s why he is a serious contender for the Old Trafford hot-seat.
      AJAX ICONS
      On the wall of his modest office at the club’s De Toekomst training ground hang photos of Johan Cruyff, Rinus Michels and Louis van Gaal.
      In an era when Ajax are surrounded by financially beefed up opponents, he has ensured the club have stayed competitive. This season, they were narrowly beaten by Benfica over two legs to exit the Champions League in the Round of 16 stage.
      So how has the former centre-back from a rural town in Twente transformed their fortunes?
      Ten Hag’s education in coaching goes some way to explain.
      In 2013, having spent his entire career in Holland, he moved abroad to work with the master of management.
      At Bayern Munich, ten Hag cut his coaching teeth with the reserves while watching closely as Pep Guardiola revolutionised the German giants’ style.
      “Every day I get to work with him, I look forward to it. He inspires me,” he gushed.
      Ten Hag worked closely with Pep Guardiola for two years as Bayern Munich II’s managerCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Ten Hag is a disciple of Guardiola with his focus on attacking and attractive footballCredit: AFP or licensors
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      And his approach to training shows ten Hag is a disciple of Guardiola, such is the obsession with detail.
      He has a particular focus on the character of a player.
      Ten Hag will note down how each individual responds to minor errors, losing the ball or committing a foul, and works out the mentality of his team to suit their opponent.
      Before being appointed at Ajax in 2017, these skills helped him guide Utrecht into the Europa League.

      DEVELOPING YOUTH
      Ten Hag suited Ajax due to his ability to nurture young talent into stars.
      Frenkie de Jong, 21, joined Barcelona in a deal worth £65million in 2019. Matthijs de Ligt, 19, joined Juventus for the same fee – boosting the club’s coffers.
      Ten Hag played a key role in the development of players like Memphis Depay, at PSV, and Marko Arnautovic, at FC Twente.
      He transformed Depay from a central midfielder to a wide position, with the coach’s focus constantly on attacking and attractive football.
      Yet, Ten Hag is also able to identify what his team needs.
      Among his youthful stars, are seasoned veterans including former Man United man Daley Blind and ex-Southampton midfielder Dusan Tadic.
      Both were brought in 2018 by Ten Hag to redress the team’s inexperience.
      Ten Hag’s first managerial job was with Dutch side Go Ahead EaglesCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Ten Hag rose to prominence in Holland by taking Utrecht to the Europa LeagueCredit: Rex Features
      Former defender Ten Hag focuses on developing youth by gaining their trustCredit: Getty – Contributor
      The Dutchman has spoken of his lofty ambitions to manage a bigger club.
      And with Ajax now firmly established back as one of Europe’s big guns under ten Hag, he might feel his work in Amsterdam is done.
      Could a new challenge in the Premier League with Man Utd await him? More