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    What happened to the 16 former Sir Alex Ferguson players who went on to become managers including Carabao Cup hero

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    SIR ALEX FERGUSON’S 26-year tenure of Manchester United made him one of the greatest managers of all time.The Scot racked up a stunning 13 Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues, five FA Cups and four League Cups.
    Sir Alex Ferguson has many disciples in the gameCredit: Getty
    So it’s no wonder that his leadership inspired many of his former players to go into management.
    Michael Carrick is the latest of his ex-players to catch the eye in the dugout as Middlesbrough boss.
    His side are just one match from Wembley after a 1-0 win over Chelsea in their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg on Tuesday.
    Here’s we take a look at those who tried to following in his footsteps – to varying degrees of success…
    READ MORE ON MAN UTD
    Wayne Rooney
    Wayne Rooney was sacked by Birmingham earlier this monthCredit: Getty
    MANCHESTER UNITED’s all time record goalscorer is currently out of work after his disastrous spell with Birmingham.
    He was controversially given the job in October when the club’s new American owners sacked John Eustace despite being in the play-off places.
    However, after winning just two of 15 matches in charge, and the Blues dropping to 20th, Rooney was sacked following the New Year’s Day loss to Leeds.
    Michael Carrick
    While Michael Carrick is enjoying cup success at MiddlesbroughCredit: Getty
    ANOTHER one of Fergie’s disciples managing in the Championship at Middlesbrough – Carrick is known for his brand of attacking football.
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    He narrowly missed out on guiding Middlesbrough to the Premier League last season when he took them to the play-offs despite the club being 21st when he took over in late October.
    This season, he has overseen a fairytale Carabao Cup run that has left Boro on the brink of a first final in 20 years.
    His side take a 1-0 advantage to Stamford Bridge for the second leg on January 23 as they eye a place at Wembley next month.
    Ruud van Nistelrooy
    Van Nistelrooy is out of work despite a successful spell as PSV managerCredit: Getty
    VAN NISTELROOY had an excellent spell in charge of PSV last season, guiding them to a Dutch Cup victory and finishing second in the league.
    But he resigned in the summer, citing a lack of support from the board over transfers.
    Prior to that he’d worked as an assistant for the Dutch national team having retired from playing back in 2012.
    Gabriel Heinze
    Heinze most recently managed Newell’s Old BoysCredit: AFP
    THE former left-back is something of a cult legend on the United terraces.
    He was most recently the manager of Newell’s Old Boys in Argentina, where he started his career and has previously managed in the MLS for Atlanta United.
    Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
    Solskjaer hasn’t worked since his spell in charge of UnitedCredit: Getty
    ENJOYED three years in charge of United from 2018 until 2021 when he was sacked following a poor run of form.
    Guided United to a Europa League final as well as a second placed finish – their joint highest finish in the league since Ferguson’s departure in 2013.
    History is beginning to look back more kindly on Solskjaer’s tenure given the club’s current struggles under Erik ten Hag.
    Gary Neville
    Neville had an ill-fated spell in charge of ValenciaCredit: Getty
    A STALWART of Fergue’s defence, Neville’s foray into management was less fruitful.
    He won just three of his sixteen league games after surprisingly being made Valencia manager in the 2015-16 season.
    He made a rapid return to punditry following his dismissal.
    Phil Neville
    Phil Neville is back in management at Portland TimbersCredit: Twitter @SkySportsNews
    HAD a semi-successful spell in charge of England’s women team between 2018 and 2021 which ended in dismissal following a run of seven defeats in 11 games.
    His successor Sarina Wiegman took the side to Euro 2022 glory and the 2023 World Cup final.
    Was sacked by David Beckham’s Inter Miami in June but now has another MLS management role as the coach of the Portland Timbers.
    Ryan Giggs
    Giggs is currently out of managementCredit: Reuters
    HAD a spell as player-manager of Manchester United following David Moyes’ dismissal in 2014.
    Took over Wales in 2018 but stepped down in June 2022 after he faced trial over allegations of using controlling behaviour and assaulting his ex-girlfriend.
    Giggs was cleared of domestic abuse allegations.
    He was also cleared of attacking her sister Emma Greville on the same date and controlling or coercive behaviour against Kate over a three-year period.
    The 50-year-old was recently linked with the vacant Salford job before Karl Robinson’s appointment as manager.
    David Healy
    Healy has found success at LinfieldCredit: Pacemaker
    MADE just one league appearance under Fergie after coming through the academy.
    Healy has won five Northern Irish championships and two Northern Irish cups with Linfield.
    Michael Appleton
    Appleton is the current manager of CharltonCredit: Getty
    APPLETON came through the United academy and was limited to cup appearances for the Red Devils between 1994 and 1997.
    He is currently in charge of Charlton Athletic in League One.
    Has also enjoyed spells at Portsmouth, Blackpool, Blackburn, Oxford, Leicester and Lincoln.
    Mark Robins
    Robins narrowly missed out on Premier League promotion last seasonCredit: PA
    ROBINS is widely credited with the goal that saved Fergie’s job in a 1-0 FA Cup victory over Nottingham Forest in 1990.
    Led Coventry to the brink of the Premier League last season, where they lost in the play-off final to Luton on penalties.
    Also been in charge of Rotherham, Barnsley, Huddersfield and Scunthorpe.
    Laurent Blanc
    Blanc recently lost his job as Lyon managerCredit: Getty
    ARRIVED as a 35-year old veteran at United in 2001 having won the World Cup and Euros with France.
    Had a decent start to life as a manager with spells in charge of France and PSG, winning the league three times with the latter.
    But the manager has lost his way recently, and was most recently sacked by Lyon in September.
    Mark Hughes
    Mark Hughes was sacked by Bradford in OctoberCredit: Alamy
    A STALWART of mid-2000s Barclays, Hughes enjoyed good spells in charge of Wales, Blackburn and Fulham.
    He was Manchester City boss in 2008 when the club were taken over by Sheikh Mansour but was dispatched soon after.
    His career has dwindled over the last decade and he was most recently sacked by League Two Bradford City.
    Steve Bruce
    Bruce wants the Ireland jobCredit: PA
    ANOTHER manager who suffered at the hands of a takeover – Bruce was sacked by Newcastle shortly after they were bought by Saudi Arabia.
    An unhappy period as West Brom manager followed on from that.
    Has gone on record saying he would be interested in taking the Ireland job.
    Darren Ferguson
    Ferguson is in his fourth stint as Peterborough managerCredit: Getty
    FOLLOWED his father’s footsteps into management after spending four years in the United first-team.
    Currently on his fourth stint as Peterborough manager.
    Read more on The Sun
    Jaap Stam
    Jaap Stam is currently out of workCredit: Alamy
    CURRENTLY out of work after most recently managing Cincinnati in the MLS in 2021.
    The former defensive colossus, who famously had a huge fall-out with Fergie and was sold to Lazio, previously managed Reading in the Championship. More

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      Inside Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s historic haunted pub where drinkers stick money on the ceiling for ghost of murdered soldier

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      BEFORE Sir Jim Ratcliffe became a Man Utd investor, the billionaire tycoon bought a pub.The 71-year-old petrochemicals tycoon – who has bought 25 per cent of club for £1.3bn – enjoyed a regular tipple at the Grenadier in London’s Belgravia.
      Sir Jim Ratcliffe enjoys a pint at his pub the GrenadierCredit: Jon Bond – The Sun
      Man Utd investor Ratcliffe bought the pub in 2022
      So enamoured by its history, he approached brewery Greene King to take it off their hands, and then named his foray into the SUV market by the same name.
      The landmark boozer was built in 1720 and is a hidden gem in the capital – visited by Prince William and pop queen Madonna in recent times.
      While it also hides a secret story that adds to its mystique.
      According to folklore, the pub is the most haunted in the city.
      Read more Man Utd news
      And, there’s a reason why…
      Rich history
      Found in a secluded street in Belgrave Square, the Grenadier served as an officers’ mess in the 18th century.
      Meaning, it was used by military for meals, drinks and recreational activities.
      Word has it, the pub was visited by King George IV during his reign between 1820-1830.
      Most read in Football
      However, there’s a more sinister story involving a brutal murder of a solider.
      That’s the same soldier that’s said to haunt the premises.
      Caught cheating
      In 1818, a group of officers were enjoying a game of cards.
      But the night turned ugly when one, called Cedric, was reportedly caught cheating.
      He was taken outside by his comrades, who beat him to a pulp outside the doors.
      The pub is named after Cedric, himself, who was a Grenadier guard.
      Allegedly, the incident happened in a September.
      That is the month when most paranormal activity is reported, with a ghostly figure apparently seen walking through the pub’s rooms.
      The Grenadier is said to be haunted
      Punters pay tribute to a murdered soldier by sticking money on the ceiling
      A ghost of the soldier is said to haunt the boozer
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      Fitting tribute
      Because of tradition, punters who flock to the Grenadier, some tourists, have found a novel way of celebrating Cedric, who is featured in a painting behind the bar.
      Plenty stick money to the ceiling to pay off his debts, with currency from all over the world plastered all over the pub.
      Over 200 years later, and visitors are still making donations to the cause.
      But, that hasn’t stopped Cedric from continuing to play pranks on staff and drinkers.
      ‘Tables and chairs rattle inexplicably’
      Staff at the Grenadier have fed into the tale over the years.
      Cedric’s ghostly presence is certainly felt when it comes to glasses breaking and the like.
      The Grenadier is decorated in military regalia
      A painting, believed to be of Cedric, hangs in the pub
      A spokesperson previously told the Culture Trip: “Objects seem to either disappear or move without explanation. Tables and chairs rattle inexplicably, as well as an icy chill that befalls the pub that can last for days.
      “Footsteps have been heard wandering around empty rooms, and every so often, low sighing moans are heard from the depths of the cellar.
      “Famously, on one occasion, it was reported that whilst the Chief Superintendent from New Scotland Yard was enjoying a drink in the pub, smoke began to waft around him.
      Ratcliffe’s obsession
      “As he reached towards the smoke, it is said that an invisible cigarette burnt his hand.”
      The Grenadier has been a haven for the wealthy locals of Knightsbridge through the years.
      Ratcliffe came up with an idea to find a spiritual successor to the Land Rover DefenderCredit: Jon Bond – The Sun
      The idea for his Grenadier SUV was scribbled down on a beer mat in the pubCredit: Jon Bond – The Sun
      Ratcliffe, who boasts an estimated £30billion fortune, was a regular.
      It was there where he came up with the idea of building a sturdy 4×4 seen as the successor to the Land Rover Defender.
      Amusingly, he is believed to have scribbled down plans for the motor on a beer mat while drinking with a group of pals.
      Read more on The Sun
      He then decided to buy it in 2022.
      As they say, the best ideas come in the pub. More

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      Meet Britain’s richest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who is on verge of buying Man Utd and already owns Nice

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      BRITAIN’S richest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe – worth a staggering £15billion- and his Manchester United takeover is set to be announced TODAY.The billionaire businessman wants in after the Glazer family put the club up for sale – as long as it’s for the right price.

      Getty – Contributor

      Britain’s richest man, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, wants to buy Man Utd United announced last year that the Glazers were “looking to explore strategic alternatives” for the club.
      Ratcliffe, 70, is a lifelong Red Devils fan and it was revealed in the summer he was interested in taking over the club.
      He is now planning to formally launch his bid to take over the club.
      A spokesperson said: “If the club is for sale, Jim is definitely a potential buyer.
      “If something like this was possible, we would be interested in talking with a view to long-term ownership.
      “This is not about the money that has been spent or not spent.
      “Jim is looking at what can be done now and, knowing how important the club is to the city, it feels like the time is right for a reset.”
      Back in April 2022, Ratcliffe put in an offer for Chelsea after speaking with former Blues chairman Bruce Buck, when sanctions placed on Roman Abramovich triggered a fire sale.
      Ratcliffe is a petrochemicals tycoon who at his peak was worth around £21BILLION.
      He runs multi-billion-pound chemicals giant Ineos, which owns French club Nice, Swiss side Lausanne, plus a third of Formula One team Mercedes. More

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      Inside Eddie Hearn’s amazing life, from double-glazing salesman to managing Anthony Joshua and driving a Rolls-Royce

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      AS promoters go, Eddie Hearn must be the most famous and recognisable.The chairman of Matchroom Sport, which was founded by his renowned businessman dad Barry in the 1980s, is believed to be worth around £50million.
      Matchroom Sports supremo Eddie Hearn has built a fierce reputation in boxing
      Flying by private jet is the norm for HearnCredit: Rex Features
      Through the years, Hearn is said to have owned a £320k Rolls-Royce WraithCredit: Getty
      Smart, tailored Thom Sweeney suits look the business on Hearn
      Thanks to savvy moves in the boxing world, managing Anthony Joshua as a fighter and capitalising on his marketability, the 44-year-old lives a dream lifestyle.
      He often travels by private jet, wears tailored Thom Sweeney suits and enjoys a jet-set life driving a £320,000 Rolls-Royce Wraith and £80,000 Range Rover.
      His gift-of-the-gab began to show at 15, when he sold double-glazing in Essex for £3-an-hour.
      Failed school
      While dad Barry was swelling the coffers of Frank Bruno, Lennox Lewis, Chris Eubank and Nigel Benn, Eddie was flunking Brentwood High School.

      He failed his GCSE exams and was refused entry into sixth form, despite Hearn Sr’s pleas to give him a second chance because of his son’s sporting prowess in football and cricket.
      “I grew up thinking I was a hard nut, and in Brentwood School I was,” he once said. “Anywhere else I was a pansy.”
      Hearn went to the less selective Havering Sixth Form College in Romford to study A-levels in media studies, PE and business studies.
      He was on a promise from his dad of £1,000 if he got a C or better in his exams. Hearn scored two C grades and one A.
      Most read in Boxing
      Window shopper
      Hearn was already showing he was a born salesman when he was just a teenager.
      He immediately put his cheeky chappie persona to good use working in telesales for a double-glazing firm in Essex.
      “I worked for Weatherseal in Romford. I’d go there after college at night and do telesales,” he told The Guardian.
      “It’s the worst job in the world but the best training for sales.
      “For every rejection we had an answer on a list – from ‘I’ve just lost my husband,’ to ‘I’ve just done my double-glazing.’
      “We always had a reason to make an appointment.”
      Confident Hearn also told the Big Issue: “I was good in front of people. And I had a lot of chat. I suppose I could be a bit of a charmer if I wanted to be.”
      Hearn has always been blessed with a gift-of-the-gab
      Barry and Eddie Hearn have continued a family tradition of boxing promotingCredit: Vicki Couchman – The Sunday Times
      Aspiring agent to big break
      When he was 18, Hearn was recruited as a sports agent for LEA.
      He soon prospered, bringing in clients including Ian Botham, as well as several high-profile golf clients.
      His son’s work impressed his dad, who invited Eddie on board for a subdivision called Matchroom Golf.
      But it was by chance Eddie got involved in boxing.
      He was sat on a poker table with former heavyweight Audley Harrison, when the Olympic gold medallist asked him for help getting a fight.
      “I was playing in the World Series of Poker and happened to be drawn on the same table as Audley, who asked if he could get on a Matchroom show,” Hearn said.
      “So I phoned up the old man and told him: ‘I think we can do something with Audley.’
      “The phone went stone quiet. Then he said: ‘You’re on your own, I’m going nowhere near him.’”
      Eddie put Harrison on Prizefighter, which he duly won.
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      Hearn is no stranger to closing out dealsCredit: Rex Features
      After taking a punt on Audley Harrison, Hearn’s career in boxing took offCredit: Rex
      And then he got him a European title show, in which the Londoner defeated Michael Sprott in 2010.
      Incredibly, that earned Harrison a WBA title fight with David Haye.
      Harrison was knocked out in the third round, but it put Hearn on the map.
      “Those days are fun because it’s just you against the world,” Hearn told Square Mile.
      “No one really knows who you are. You’re just this kid whose blagging it. It’s fun, then.
      “Doesn’t come with the pressures and responsibilities and aggravation now. I weren’t a threat.”
      On top of the world
      Today, Eddie is a huge success story – reportedly dividing his time between his Bel Air home in Los Angeles and mansion in Brentwood, Essex.
      In 2018, he signed boxing’s first ever billion dollar fight deal with DAZN.
      World champions includin Canelo Álvarez, Gennady Golovkin, Oleksandr Usyk, Vasyl Lomachenko and Katie Taylor have all been promoted by him.
      Mexican boxing legend Canelo Alvarez was promoted by Hearn
      Anthony Joshua is one of Hearn’s biggest clients to dateCredit: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp0c2sVDVf4/
      But, his biggest, most fruitful and certainly most financially rich has come no bigger than Anthony Joshua.
      Amusingly, AJ is in on the “cash cow” joke he has been referred to when it comes to his relationship with Eddie and Matchroom boxing.
      When asked to comment on a photo with Hearn and Matchroom CEO Frank Smith by DAZN, the two-time unified champion jokingly called himself the pair’s “investment”.
      “You’ve got two business men checking in on their investment! Just making sure that it’s running steady,” he said.
      “People call me the cash cow, so they’re just checking in on their cash cow and making sure that it’s still creating that milk!”
      Family life
      Away from boxing, Eddie lives a very private life.
      He is married to the beautiful Chloe, who has been described as his “soulmate”.
      Eddie was by her side when the businesswoman opened the doors to her Chloe’s Beauty Bar in Brentwood, alongside TOWIE alumni Chloe Sims in 2014.
      The parlour featured regularly on the reality TV show, before closing it down in 2019.
      Chloe and Eddie Hearn pose togetherCredit: Splash News
      Chloe Hearn used to own a beauty salon in EssexCredit: Alamy
      Away from the spotlight, Hearn lives a very private lifeCredit: Sportsfile
      However, Eddie opened up about his family life in The Times in 2019, which includes their daughters Isabella and Sophia.
      Read more on The Sun
      Writing his own column, he penned: “I get jumped on by the kids about 6.30. It’s a lovely way to wake up — except on them days when you went to bed at 3 … Work takes me away a lot, so if I’m home, my missus expects me to do my bit.”
      Speaking about Chloe and their Essex life, he added: “My missus is from west London and she used to take the mick: ‘Ooh, I’m dating an Essex boy.’ Now? She adores it here. There’s a lot of good working-class people in Essex. And you won’t find no snobbery here, neither.” More

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      in Soccer

      Inside incredible stadium built on top of a SHOPPING CENTRE hosting big European tournament

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      THERE are few stadiums where you can nip to McDonald’s and H&M at half-time and make it back for the second half.But at this unique ground you might just manage it.
      The pitch is on the roof of a shopping centre
      The Vozdovac Stadium is also known as the Stadion Shopping CentreCredit: AFP
      The Voždovac Stadium stands on the roof of a SHOPPING CENTRE but can still sit 5,175 fans.
      The Vozdovac Stadium is also officially known as Stadion Shopping Center.
      And it has a McDonald’s and H&M within it.
      There’s an Intersport as well if fans fancy buying a replica shirt on the way out.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
      The Vozdovac stadium opened in 2013 and is approved by Uefa to host Champions League and Europa League games if required.
      It is one of the few rooftop stadiums in the world.
      Similar to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Wembley, the stadium utilises escalators to helps fans get to their seats.
      Week in, week out, the stadium is home to Belgrade side Vozdovac, a minnow who have made their way to Serbia’s first division this season.
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      But to aid the club with revenue, it’s loaned out to Red Star’s youth side for their Uefa Youth League games due to its Uefa approved status.
      That’s led to Manchester City taking on Red Star Belgrade there this week in the Champions League.
      City’s youth team managed to do the business at the Stadion Shopping Centre, with a 2-2 draw enough to see them advance to the knockout stages of the Uefa Youth League.
      The stadium seats 5,175 fansCredit: TNT SPORTS
      And was host to Manchester City in the Europa League todayCredit: TNT Sports More

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      Inside the four-star hotel owned by Man Utd legends that cost £24million to build and features a rooftop football pitch

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      IT has become the ultimate place for Manchester United fans from overseas to stay.In 2015, the four-star Hotel Football opened its doors to much fanfare.
      Hotel Football is a four-star hotel owned by Man Utd legends
      Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs are co-owners of Hotel FootballCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Rooms are football themed
      It helped that its owners are all Red Devils legends.
      Ryan Giggs, Gary and Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, and Nicky Butt all put their hand in their pockets, with the help of the GG Hospitality Management Company.
      Boasting 133 rooms, the Cafe Football restaurant, and a five-a-side pitch on the roof, it cost a whopping £24million.
      And, of course, it’s next to Old Trafford.
      Read more football news
      Rooms start at £89, but on match days can rise to £299.
      Finally, it’s beginning to make a profit – with a turnover of around £6.4million.
      Early formation
      Initially, it was Gary Neville who bought land off a group of Manchester United fans, who had intended to build a club house by the stadium.
      By 2011, plans for the design and build of a football-themed park were in place, with the help of former Stafford Hotel in London general manager Stuart Proctor providing that particular expertise.
      Most read in Football
      The Class of ’92 wanted the hotel to pay homage to the golden era of football pre-1990’s, when ticket prices were more affordable.
      In November 2014, the group won planning permission to install an astroturf five-a-side pitch on the roof.
      It can be hired throughout the year, except on a game day, when it’s turned into a bar and BBQ area for fans.
      How comfortable
      A hotel is measured by the comfortability of its rooms.
      No expense was spared in ensuring guests, who are certainly football fans, will enjoy themselves.
      Aside form the king-sized Hypnos beds, there are walk-in rainforest showers, as well as a complimentary mini-bar filled with retro sweets.
      Each room is a suitable reminder of the beautiful game, with football artwork adorning the walls, toiletries shaped like football shirts and aspirational phrases including ‘Dream big’ and ‘Dream of victory’ embroidered on pillows.
      Die-hard United fans will request a room with a stadium view.
      Prices for Rooms cost up to £299 on a match day
      Inspirational quotes from United’s greats are scribbled on the wall
      The Class of ’92 artwork features in one of the rooms
      A five-a-side pitch can be found on the hotel’s roof
      On a match day the five-a-side pitch is turned into a bar
      READ MORE SPORT FEATURES
      As with any hotel, there’s a gym on site that looks over Salford.
      Food for a King
      Foodies will be impressed by the hotel’s Cafe Football restaurant that offers breakfast, lunch and dinner.
      The 185-seat eaterie’s menu was overseen by the two-Michelin-star chef Michael Wignall of the country inn boutique b&b The Angel at Hetton.
      A couple of the mains are named after two of the owners.
      The Scholesy is a hearty steak suet pudding, chips, mushy peas and gravy.
      While the Giggsy is a grilled Cumberland sausage, mash potato and gravy.
      Pizzas and burgers are also recommended, and look amazing when you scroll through a social media and catch a glimpse of a plate of someone’s delicious meal, as desirable as it is Instagrammable.
      Cafe Football brings in punters on match days
      Fan can enjoy the extensive bar menu
      Tasty burgers can be ordered
      Healthy lunchtime meals are also available
      It’s making a profit
      Hotel Football is set for a record year financially in 2023.
      For the first time since it opens its doors in 2015, the hotel is set to make a profit.
      Gary Neville, in a statement included in newly-filed documents with Companies House, said that “all key performance indicators suggest” that the hotel’s revenue will exceed pre-Covid levels by the end of 2023 due to “increasing demand, especially with non-match day revenue streams increasing through accommodation, conference and events and food and beverage sales within the outlets of the hotel”.
      Incredibly, its revenue increased from £3.5m to £6.4m in 2022.
      While pre-tax losses were cut from £1.1m to £630,158.
      Hotel Football was opened in 2015
      Some eight years since opening, Hotel Football is finally turning over a profit
      The reviews are kind
      TripAdvisor can make and break hotels.
      Lucky for Hotel Football, the reviews on there are glowing.
      Over 2,472 visitors have left their thoughts about the Class of ’92’s establishment.
      And they have rated it at 4.5 out of five.
      One punter wrote: “We had the most wonderful stay at Hotel Football. The rooms were modern and clean, the restaurant was great for breakfast, and the hotel staff went above and beyond to make our stay special.
      “A big thank you to Catherine who made our day by making sure we were able to meet Manchester United legend Wes Brown when he stopped by the hotel for a Q&A as part of the hotel’s excellent game-day hospitality suite.”
      Another commented: “Outstanding hotel, clean warm and very comfortable. The bed and pillows were exceptionally comfy along with the staff who are all outstanding.
      Punters are delighted with Hotel Football
      Five star reviews are the norm for Hotel Football
      “Evening meal was very good, as was the breakfast. Great views of Old Trafford Stadium, Trafford Park and Salford Quays, depending on which side of the hotel your room is on.
      “I would highly recommend this hotel whether you are a football fan or not. Great all round facilities and a very enjoyable stay.” More

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      I starred for Man City but I now make millions selling Lamborghinis and Ferraris to the rich and famous

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      FANS of Manchester City will remember Dutch international Nigel de Jong for his combative nature on the pitch.The midfielder famously committed one of the worst fouls in a World Cup final ever to go unpunished when he launched a karate kick into the chest of Xabi Alonso.
      Nigel De Jong launched Continental Cars in 2007Credit: Instagram @nigeldejong
      The former City star studied for an economics degree while in the Ajax academyCredit: Instagram @nigeldejong
      His business focuses on selling luxury vehiclesCredit: Instagram
      De Jong counts Premier League players and shakes as clientsCredit: Instagram
      De Jong racked up 137 appearances for City after arriving from AC Milan in 2012, winning a Premier League and an FA Cup during his time in Manchester.
      With opposition midfielders letting out a shared sigh of relief when he retired from the game last year, it was interesting to see what his next move in the game would be.
      The Dutchman has made sporadic appearances as a pundit for ITV, often during major international tournaments such as the Euros and World Cup.
      And while he now works as the technical director of the Dutch national team, he still has a very nice side hustle which has been earning him money dating back to his early playing days.
      READ MORE ON SPORT
      De Jong studied for an economics degree during his time in the youth set up at Ajax and has put it to good use ever since.
      While playing for Hamburg in Germany, De Jong founded a luxury car business called Continental Cars in 2007.
      De Jong made it his mission to only sell the finest cars in the world and stocks Bentleys, Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Maseratis, Aston Martins, and Rolls Royces.
      During his playing days, he made the most of having access to a clientele of professional footballers and sourced cars for the likes of Arsenal stars Mesut Ozil and Lukas Podolski.
      Most read in Football
      De Jong became accustomed to success at CityCredit: Getty
      He was part of the first City team to win the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty
      He’s sold cars to Mesut OzilCredit: Instagram
      And Lukas PodolskiCredit: Instagram
      De Jong credits his business acumen to his grandfather, who was a managing director of Ford in Holland.
      De Jong said: “My grandfather was one of the CEOs of Ford in Holland and I saw closely how he developed himself as a businessman.
      “He was always on time, making sure payments were never late, paying attention to service and giving customers extra, always making sure the company and his family was stable.
      “I looked up to him, and off the pitch, I wanted to be like him. I also think his professionalism is something I carried with me as a footballer too.”
      He emphasised the importance of footballers investing in their education outside of football when he spoke to Joe, saying: “My mother always said ‘football is only part of your life, you have to develop yourself beyond that’ and I felt it was vital for me to do something for myself that wasn’t related to it.
      “Besides being a professional player, I had the dream of owning a company and when I had the money and the expertise, I made it happen.
      “God gave me the talent and the strength to become a football player, which gave me the financial resources and empowerment to improve in other areas.
      “I think it’s so important for football players to be smart with what they do with their salaries, because it can become an investment or be gone before you know it.
      The Dutch FA were so impressed with his business chops that they sought him out to be a technical director for the national sideCredit: Instagram @nigeldejong
      The footballer made millions from his venture alongside footballCredit: Instagram
      He’s encouraged other players to get the same education he did so they can do the sameCredit: Instagram
      He admits there is a temptation for young players to waste their moneyCredit: Instagram
      A sample of some of the brands De Jong has to choose fromCredit: Instagram
      “It is very tempting in our industry to live for now – to buy the expensive cars and live a flashy lifestyle – but you have to plan so you’re able to do that in future too.
      “This is an education players should get from a very early age to help them deal with the money they’ll make.”
      De Jong said not only does he deal with footballers wanting the most luxurious cars, but he has dealt with Middle Eastern Sheikhs that need motors sourced too.
      He said to Voetbal International: “Of course many footballers know where to find us,” he said.
      “But also business people, collectors, and we just have to work hard for it, it’s not that we’ve had success for ten years.
      De Jong forms a business power couple with wife Winonah, 41.

      De Jong at the launch of one of his wife’s collectionsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      De Jong’s collection would be the envy of any petrolheadCredit: Instagram
      Winonah runs her own fashion label named WINONAH which launched in 2015.
      The former midfielder now invests in other businesses with high potential.
      Speaking to Bundesliga.com he said: “Some people say footballers are thick and not bright enough to be entrepreneurs.
      “But when I see that a company has potential, I move the borders and go all the way for it.”
      De Jong now works as the Dutch national team’s technical directorCredit: Getty More

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      in Motorsport

      Inside Jenson Button’s life married to ex-Playboy model Brittny Ward, driving two £2m cars and splashing £123m fortune

      by

      AS one of the voices of Sky Sports’ F1 coverage, Jenson Button is still earning a pretty penny in retirement.But it was as a driver where he earned an astonishing net worth, believed to be in the region of £123million.
      Jenson Button lives a life to envyCredit: Instagram
      Over the years Button has amassed a fortune worth £123mCredit: Instagram
      Button is married to the stunning ex-Playboy model Brittny WardCredit: brittny/Instagram
      His most famous moment on the track came during the 2009 season, when he raced for the Brawn GP team.
      That incredible year is the subject of new Disney documentary Brawn: The Impossible Formula 1 Story which is narrated by Hollywood superstar Keanu Reeves.
      Button was crowned word champion, cementing his name in the annals of motorsport.
      Away from sport, Button knows how to live a life of luxury and spend his vast fortune.
      Read sports lifestyle news
      After a failed first marriage, he is now settled down with the stunning American Brittny Ward who posed for Playboy.
      They live in Los Angeles in a home he reportedly splashed £5million on.
      That’s after he flipped another property in the City of Angels for £4.7million, as well as a Palm Springs mansion for £2million.
      And did we mention he drives TWO cars worth £2million…
      Most read in Motorsport
      Property tycoon
      Button has made a pastime out of buying homes over the years.
      At the turn of 2023, he purchased a stunning Santa Monica pad costing around £5million.
      The Spanish Revival bungalow boasts four bedrooms and three bathrooms, and is the perfect spot for Brittny and their two children, Hendrix and Lenny.
      That came 12 months after he bought a fixer-upper in California’s mountainous region between Calabasas and Malibu for £4million.
      In 2020, they reportedly sold a massive six-bedroom home in Bel Air for around £9million.
      The ex-Brentwood mansion Button sold for £4.7mCredit: refer to caption
      Brittny and Jenson have made money flipping housesCredit: refer to caption
      Brittny and Jenson live in a Spanish Revival bungalow
      Happy family – Button and Brittny show off son Hendrix and laughter Lenny
      Showing their love of flipping homes, his incredible Brentwood home, which featured five bedrooms, a pool and spa was also flogged for £4.7million.
      The couple also listed their four-bedroomed Palm Springs house for £2million, while Button’s wife Brittny said they have another home in the Californian desert.
      Brittney, who has now turned her hand to interior design, said: “Between my design career and Jenson’s busy work schedule, on top of our family life, we don’t have time to manage two homes in Palm Springs. We are so sad to say goodbye, but we know whoever is lucky enough to purchase the property will be very happy there.”
      Cars
      It’s no surprise Button is a car enthusiast, after his career as professional race car driver.
      He is believed to have a car collection to die for – from modern supercars to classic motors.
      The most expensive are his Lotus Evija hypercar and McLaren P1 GTR, that both cost a cool £2million.
      Button also invested in a Bugatti Veyron – but recalled having to sell it when it became a problem.
      He told GQ magazine: “I had a problem on a circuit with it once.
      “Then on Kensington High Street it just got stuck in neutral and I was stranded.
      “Quite embarrassing, but then again I owned a Bugatti and the people laughing at me didn’t. There are two ways of looking at it.”
      Button has a £2m McLaren motorCredit: Instagram
      The Ferrari F40 was Button’s dream car growing upCredit: Alamy
      Button also has a £2m Lotus EvijaCredit: Getty
      Button revealed problems he had with a Bugatti VeyronCredit: Getty
      In his garage, there’s also an iconic 1950’s Jaguar C-Type, 19780 Pontiac Trans-Am and a number of classic Ferrari models including his favourite car growing up, the F40.
      He said: “The car that meant so much to me as a child was the F40, because I had three things on my bedroom wall: Bart Simpson, Pamela Anderson and the Ferrari F40.
      “I looked for a year and found a few low mileage cars, but they were all in bad condition.
      “I eventually found one that was completely original with more miles on it. The thing to look out for on an F40 is the roof – if you can see the weave, it’s the original paint.”
      Model wife
      Last year, Button and Ward said their ‘I do’s’ in a glitzy ceremony in California.
      They finally got to walk down the aisle after two weddings were postponed, once due to Covid and another time when Brittny fell pregnant.
      The nuptials were held at the exclusive Kempa Villa in Palm Desert.
      Guests included Hollywood actress Renee Zellwegger and Brit racing driver Chris Buncombe.
      The pair got together in 2016, a year after Button split from first wife, model Jessica Michibata.
      They have two kids together – a boy called Hendrix and girl they named Lenny.
      Jenson and Brittny met in LA through mutual pals, but she confessed she had no clue who he was.
      “I had no idea what he did for a living or even what Formula 1 was; I think it was kind of refreshing, the fact I had no idea who he was made it different for him,” she added. “He could just be himself and not have to worry.”
      Button is married to stunning model Brittny WardCredit: Instagram
      Ward has posed for Playboy magazineCredit: Girls On Swim
      Button and Ward married last year in Palm Dessert
      Button has spoken about his pride in Ward’s interior design career
      Brittny was once an Octagon girl in the UFC, before starring in Playboy magazine in 2015 as Miss January in a 10-page spread.
      She then set up a swimwear brand called Girls on Swim.
      Read More on The Sun
      But most recently, she has been focused on interior design and architecture.
      Speaking about her new chapter, he said: “So proud of my wife @brittnybutton, her architecture and interior design career is still in it’s infancy but you wouldn’t think so looking at the quality of her work. Absolutely beautiful design and as she says it’s all about the fine details!” More

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      in Soccer

      I’m a former Premier League star – now I own a luxury hotel where guests experience one of nature’s most amazing sights

      by

      WHEN Hermann Hreidarsson thought about a retirement plan, there was only one thing he wanted to do.The former Portsmouth FA Cup winner and Iceland legend, now 49, wanted to break into hotels.
      Ex-Premier League ace Hermann Hreidarsson set up the Stracta Hotel in 2014Credit: www.stractahotels.is
      The stunning retreat in Iceland boasts views of the famous Northern Lights
      For his first foray, he teamed up with ex-Chelsea star Eidur Gudjohnsen to launch a hostel in Reykjavik in 2011.
      Then in 2014, the same year he hung up his boots after a stint at Fylkir in his homeland, came a bigger project.
      He launched the four-star Stracta Hotel, some 60 miles from the capital as a retreat for those looking for a place to relax and enjoy nature’s beauty.
      Nearly 10 years later, it is still going strong and is seemingly the perfect spot to witness the Northern Lights, with punters rating it four of five on TripAdvisor.
      Read more football news
      Accommodation
      Hreidarsson was born in the remote Vestmannaey Islands, so his sense of adventure for the great outdoors knows no bounds.
      He and his father plan on building even more hotels in Iceland’s most scenic regions for guests to explore the country’s vast natural sights in the future.
      But it’s the Stracta Hotel that is currently drawing all the plaudits.
      It boasts a total of 148 rooms, including standard double/twin rooms and superior double/twin rooms.
      Most read in Football
      They also have studio rooms with their own kitchenette, two bedroom apartments with cooking facilities and a private hot tub, as well as deluxe suites that also come with their own private jacuzzis.
      Rooms start at around £127-per-night and can be as much as £500-per-night for the superior accommodations.
      On site, there are plenty of relaxing spa options as you would expect from a winter destination.
      Wander into the hotel gardens and you will discover the hotel saunas and communal hot tubs.
      On the ground floor, you’ll discover the reception desk imprinted with a reminder you are “Next Door to Nature”.
      A bar, as well as the Bistro restaurant which offers lunch and dinner is also conveniently close by.
      You can chow down on burgers costing around £20 or a hearty steak of the day that will set you back about £42.
      Ice cream, chocolate brownies, and traditional Icelandic skyr cake are also available for roughly £12 for dessert.
      Three-course meals are prepared at the Gardur restaurant, which are a reasonable £50-per-head and can feature lamb fillet.
      Rooms at the Stracta Hotel start at around £127-per-nightCredit: www.stractahotels.is
      In the gardens you will find saunasCredit: www.stractahotels.is
      The Stracta Hotel has plenty of dining spaceCredit: www.stractahotels.is
      Punters can enjoy excellent food at the Stracta HotelCredit: www.stractahotels.is
      Visitors can enjoy some gym time at the Stracta HotelCredit: www.stractahotels.is
      Guests are greeted at reception with a sign ‘Next Door to Nature’
      READ MORE SPORT FEATURES
      But, although you can be well fed and rested, there’s just so much more to do and see.
      Looking for adventure
      The Stracta is perfectly placed to see the world’s greatest wonders.
      There’s the incredible Eyjafjallajökull ice cap, which you’ll get perfect views of..
      While it may be the volcano that no one can pronounce properly, it’s famous for bringing Europe to a standstill when it erupted in 2010 – sending ash cloud hurtling across the continent.
      In terms of activities, the hotels provides plenty to keep the most active happy.
      You can visit the man-made Caves of Hella, which are said to date back over a thousand years – with some believing they came before the settlement of the Nordic Vikings.
      The phenomenon that is the Northern Lights, which are best seen between the winter months of September- April, can also be seen from the gardens while relaxing in a hot tub.
      For those wanting to channel their inner Sir Ranulph Fiennes, there are glacier and ice cave tours to venture on, as well as buggy/ATV trips across the black sand beaches and over the sand dunes of south Iceland.
      Visiting the Caves of Hella is a must
      Activities including kayaking are available
      Nature’s beauty is close by to the Stracta Hotel
      Guests will be captivated by the sights, including the Skógafoss waterfall
      The Northern Lights are best seen between September to April
      Kayak tours are operated from nearby Stokkseyri, some 24 miles away which offer spectacular surroundings.
      Horseback riding is available, while helicopter tours are also a must.
      Football legend
      Before he became a hotelier, Hreidarsson starred in the Premier League for Crystal Palace, Wimbledon, Ipswich Town, Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth.
      The defender, who earned 89 international caps, played for 15 seasons in English football and managed 332 Premier League appearances.
      It was at Portsmouth where he became a cult hero in their 2006 FA Cup run.
      In recent years, Hreidarsson has turned to coaching. He teamed up with former team-mate David James as his assistant at Indian Premier League side Kerala Blasters in 2018.

      Hermann Hreidarsson became a cult hero for Portsmouth in their 2006 FA Cup runCredit: PA:Press Association
      Hreidarsson lifts the FA CupCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Then he joined up with another ex-team-mate Sol Campbell at Southend, but was relieved from his duties at the end of the 2019/20 season after the side’s relegation from League One.
      Since 2021, Hreidarsson has been head coach of top-tier side IBV Vestmannaeyjar. More