Sport Features

IT’S not just the players that are style icons.Over the years, we’ve seen plenty of managers getting it right on the touchline by ditching tracksuits and sportswear for smart casual.
Managers like Robert Mancini have cut a stylish figure on the touchline during Euro 2020Credit: Reuters
And the Euros have provided us with plenty of different looks – from designer suits to trainer and cargo pant combos.
But which coach is the best dressed at Euro 2020?
GARETH SOUTHGATE
At the 2018 World Cup, the England boss sported an M&S waistcoat that flew off the shelves.
However, in the run-up to the Euros he’s had a suit and polo shirt combo that’s divided some.
Against Scotland, Southgate acclimatised to the rainy weather by wearing a rain mac.
But it was against Croatia he looked most dapper – wearing a £680 Percival suit and polka dot tie for our opener.
Style rating: GOAL
Gareth Southgate has worn polo shirts during the EurosCredit: Getty
Southgate looked good in his rain mac against ScotlandCredit: AP
Against Croatia, Southgate looked dapper in a £680 Percival suitCredit: AFP
LUIS ENRIQUE
Marathon runner Luis Enrique looks great in anything – due to a svelte figure maintained by his insane fitness regime.
And the Spain boss has gone with a smart-but-comfortable look while barking instructions from the touchline.
The ex-Barcelona boss favours a cargo pant with a shirt tucked in. For footwear, it’s Adidas trainers all the way.
While against Croatia in the last-16 tie, he swapped the cargo pants for jeans.
Style rating: GOAL
Cargo pants are all the rage for Spain boss Luis EnriqueCredit: Rex
Enrique’s wore Adidas trainers as he patrolled the touchlineCredit: Getty
Enrique sported jeans rolled-up at the bottom in Spain’s last-16 tieCredit: EPA
DIDIER DESCHAMPS
For ex-Chelsea midfielder Deschamps, blue is definitely the colour.
The France manager prefers to wear an Oxford blue shirt underneath a cobalt blue suit.
Although it’s loyal to his team’s colours, we have to say as well cut as the suit is it’s just a little dull.
Style rating: MISS
Didier Deschamps’ blue on blue is a little dullCredit: Getty
Deschamps is, at least, loyal to his country’s coloursCredit: AFP
JOACHIM LOW
German boss Low has sported a couple of different looks at the Euros.
Against France, the grey drawstring trousers and navy t-shirt showed he’s not afraid to be contemporary in his style. And kudos for wearing Stan Smith’s too.
What will have in store when Germany face England?
Style rating: GOAL
Joachim Low’s drawstring trousers and Stan Smith’s showed the German can cut a stylish figureCredit: Getty
Often, Low wears a button down shirt open at the topCredit: Getty
STEFAN TARKOVIC
Slovakia crashed out of the Euros in spectacular fashion with a 5-0 thrashing to Spain.
Perhaps, the players couldn’t take boss Stefan Tarkovic’s tie, waistcoat and £45 Pepe Jeans trainers.
Oh, he wore jeans too. Doesn’t work, does it?
Style rating: MISS
Slovakia boss Stefan Tarkovic paired a dodgy looking tie with a waistcoat, jeans and Pepe Jeans trainersCredit: Getty
The strange look didn’t inspire his Slovakia team to performCredit: AFP
ROBERTO MANCINI
If there’s any manager that screams class, it’s Italy’s Roberto Mancini.
The health conscious non-drinker, 56, cuts a dashing figure on the sidelines as he orchestrates his team from the dugout.

And he wears THAT Giorgio Armani suit so well – it makes you forget the haters who originally compared it to a chef’s jacket.
Scott Parker most certainly would be proud.
Style rating: GOAL

Unsurprisingly, it’s Italian manager Roberto Mancini who has been championed for his lookCredit: Reuters
Giorgio Armani designed the Italians suits for the EurosCredit: Getty
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TONIGHT, England and Germany’s stars will do battle in what promises to be an epic last-16 tie at the Euros.But before they were men, they were just boys dreaming of football stardom.
Before they were men, kids like Raheem Sterling dreamed of playing in a England v Germany game
From giant goalie Manuel Neuer to legendary defender Mats Hummels, they all were kids once hoping to make a splash at a major tournament.
And our Three Lions heroes were no different either! Here’s what England and Germany stars looked like when they children.
MANUEL NEUER
With a confident swagger and a touch of arrogance, Neuer is one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
But as a kid, butter wouldn’t melt…
You can still see the resemblance with his cheeky grin and big wide blue eyes.
Butter wouldn’t melt in a young Manuel Neuer’s mouthCredit: Instagram @manuelneuer
Neuer is Germany’s No1Credit: EPA
JORDAN PICKFORD
From one No1 to another. Pickford looks equally as cute as Neuer does in his baby photo.
Toddler Jordan sported a curly blonde mop in this amazing throwback snap.
In fact, you could say there’s a resemblance between the two keepers – long lost brothers?
Toddler Pickford sported curly blonde locksCredit: Instagram @jpickford1
Pickford will be between the sticks for the Three LionsCredit: Getty
THOMAS MUELLER
German goal threat Mueller was a boyhood Bayern Munich fan, judging by this photo.
But the fact the forward is also wearing goalkeeper gloves suggests he might not have discovered his best position upfront until late.
Still, he was student of the game even then reading up all the stories in a footy manual.
Thomas Mueller was a boyhood Bayern Munich fanCredit: Instagram @esmuellert
Mueller will provide Germany’s goal threatCredit: AFP
JACK GREALISH
England’s poster-boy for this year’s Euros, Grealish grew up in Birmingham.
And he’s always been as a cute as a button, wearing his boyhood Aston Villa shirt with pride as a five-year-old.
However, his hair wasn’t the flowing locks we’re used to seeing, and he preferred a more closed crop cut.
Five-year-old Jack Grealish grew up in BirminghamCredit: Twitter @JackGrealish
Grealish now sports flowing locksCredit: Getty
KAI HAVERTZ
It wasn’t that long ago that Chelsea’s Havertz, 22, was still a boy.
He began his youth career with Bayer Leverkusen, who he can be seen playing for.
Even then Kai is seen running with the ball and looking up for a killer pass.
Kai Havertz developed his game at Bayer Leverkusen as a boyCredit: Instagram @kaihavertz29
Havertz, left, is still only 22 but a German regularCredit: AP
RAHEEM STERLING
Before he became a superstar at Manchester City, and before that Liverpool, the London-born winger was another hopeful at QPR.
In 2010, he moved to the Reds from the Hoops for a fee of just £500,000.
At 15, we saw Sterling showing off his talent on Sky Sports show Soccer AM for their infamous Skill School segment.
Raheem Sterling appeared on Sky Sports show Soccer AM for their infamous Skill School segment
Sterling hasn’t changed one bit from his young photoCredit: AP

MATS HUMMELS
As a kid, Hummels was treated to ski holidays.
And he certainly looks like he’s enjoying himself on the slopes, as he’s spotted running on the snow.
Hummels looks far different to the 6ft 3in centre half that’s dominated the German backline for years.
Mats Hummels hits the slopes as a kidCredit: Instagram @aussenrist15
Hummels cuts a different figure now – standing at 6ft 3inCredit: Getty
HARRY MAGUIRE
Another towering defender, but on our side, Maguire grew up in Sheffield.
In this photo, he’s believed to be about five – sporting a trendy bucket cap to shield him from the sun.
That prominent ‘slabhead’ was there as a youngster.
Sheffield-born Maguire sports a trendy bucket hat
Maguire will be charged with keeping the Germans at bayCredit: Getty
TONI KROOS
He’s hardly changed at all.
In fairness, a teen Kroos doesn’t look too different to the Rolls-Royce of a midfielder we see today.
Standing proudly next to his mum and dad in his local team’s strip, he looks ready to be a footballer.
Toni Kroos, second from the left, looks every inch a footballer in this throwback snap with his parentsCredit: Instagram @toni.kr8s
Kroos is a Rolls-Royce of a midfielder todayCredit: AFP
HARRY KANE
It’s no secret now that Three Lions captain Kane was an Arsenal fan growing up.

The England striker even trained with their U8 team as a youngster before switching allegiances to Spurs.
He even dyed his hair red – he loved the Gunners so much.
For Spurs fans, though, all his forgiven. And if he’s the match-winner against Germany, he will be painting the town the red.
England and Tottenham star Kane was infamously an Arsenal fan growing up
Kane will looking to gun down the GermansCredit: Getty
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IN 2018, Alexander Isak went on a discovery mission.The 21-year-old Sweden star, who has shone at Euro 2020, travelled to Eritrea in East Africa.
Sweden star Alexander Isak has starred for his country at Euro 2020Credit: Getty
Isak visited Eritrea, where his parents fled because of a long civil warCredit: Instagram @alex_isak
Against Slovakia at the Euros Isak was awarded man-of-the-matchCredit: Getty
Alexander Isak in action with Poland’s Jan BednarekCredit: Reuters
There, he took in his surroundings, visited a football school and tried to get a better understanding of his roots.
Years earlier, his mum and dad left war-torn Eritrea in search of a better life.
They emigrated to Solna, a suburb outside of Stockholm, where Isak was born.
It was there where the forward, who has been compared to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, was moulded into the promising youngster he is today – with Arsenal reportedly readying a £60million bid for the talent.
BACK TO ERITREA
Three years ago, Isak was invited to Eritrea by Ambassador Zemede Tekle, the Commissioner of Culture and Sports of the country.
He had been back briefly as a young kid, but not since his epic rise in the game.
Although he grew up as a Swede, the 6ft 4in striker has always been loyal to his Eritrean culture.
During his stay, he took in a grass-root projects in Asmara before watching a game between aspiring footballers at a local stadium.
Isak was impressed with what he saw, and it reminded him of his own upbringing.
Isak was born and bred a Swede, but is steeped in Eritrean cultureCredit: Getty – Contributor
Ambassador Zemede Tekle, the Commissioner of Culture and Sports of Eritrea, poses with Izak during his visit to the countryCredit: Instagram @alex_isak
“I like that the kids are training and building their future,” he revealed.
“I did the same when I was young; we were many kids on the same pitch. This is an interesting project and it’s nice to see where the kids develop and be guided.”
MOULDED IN SWEDEN
In the 1980s, his father Teame, a teacher, wanted a brighter future for his prospective family.
Eritrea was embroiled in a long civil war that was fought between competing organisations for the country’s liberation.
Teame and his wife decided it was time to leave their country behind, and they were welcomed to Sweden with open arms.
Alexander was born in 1999 in Solna, where he ended up training with local team AIK aged six.
There he encountered coach Nahom Ghidey, who also came from an Eritrean background.
Eritrea endured a long civil war that was fought between competing organisations for the country’s liberationCredit: EPA
Nahom Ghidey was Isak’s favourite coach and they shared a special bond over their Eritrean origin
“We had a special bond, because we are both of Eritrean origin,” Ghidey said.
“Eritreans are proud, strong and patriotic people, and that background was influential. His father, Teame, is a teacher and Alexander has always received a lot of love and support from his family.”
BREAKTHROUGH AT AIK
At the tender age of 16-year-old Isak made his breakthrough with AIK – making his debut in 2016 in a Swedish Cup tie.
He would score in his 15-minute cameo, and later would become the youngest scorer for AIK in league history at the age of 16 years and 199 days by netting against Östersunds FK in a 2-0 win.
On his 17th birthday, a double against AIK’s arch-rivals Djurgårdens IF saw former team-mate Chinedu Obasi pay him the ultimate compliment, albeit with some pressure put on his young shoulders.
“(He’s) Sweden’s new Zlatan Ibrahimović”, Obasi declared in an appraisal that alerted Europe’s top clubs.
It was only expected that Isak would move on for a bigger challenge.
Isak celebrates scoring for AIK aged 16 years and 199 daysCredit: Getty
Isak has been compared to Sweden legend Zlatan IbrahimovicCredit: EPA
WELCOME TO DORTMUND
In 2017, Isak was signed by Borussia Dortmund – a club renowned for rearing the stars of tomorrow.
The transfer was said to have cost around £8million – a record fee received by an Allsvenskan club.
Before he joined the Bundesliga giants, it was reported that he turned down Real Madrid.
“I had some offers on the table but thought Dortmund was the right place for me to develop as a young player,” he explained.
“I want to make the next step, get some playing time and hopefully help the team.”
But Isak found it difficult to settle in North Rhine-Westphalia in his two years at the club, who went through four managers during his time there.
In 2017 Isak moved to Borussia Dortmund and it was supposed to be the making of himCredit: Getty – Contributor
However, he failed to impress coaches including Thomas TuchelCredit: Getty
Thomas Tuchel, Peter Bosz, Peter Stoger and Lucien Favre all favoured other strikers and Isak found himself further down the pecking order, before he was demoted to the reserves playing against fourth tier opposition.
He needed a change.
REVITALISED IN NETHERLANDS
In early 2019, desperate for first team football, Isak was loaned out to Dutch side Willem II.
It was in the Netherlands where he found his swagger again.
He helped the club reach the Dutch cup final for the first time since 2005 by scoring the equaliser and then the winning penalty against AZ Alkmaar in the semi-finals of the KNVB Cup.
And he broke some records along the way. He became the first player ever to score three penalties in an Eredivisie match, in a 3–2 win against Fortuna Sittard.
Then, he became the first foreign-born player in the Eredivisie to score 12 goals in his first 12 league games.
In a loan spell with Dutch side Willem II Isak rediscovered his formCredit: Getty
Isak became the first foreign-born player in the Eredivisie to score 12 goals in his first 12 league gamesCredit: Getty
LALIGA STAR
Real Sociedad took a punt on Isak after Dortmund made him surplus to requirements ahead of the 2019-20 season.
A transfer fee of £9million was enough to twist the Germans’ arm, and he signed a five-year deal worth a reported £19,000-a-week at the Estadio de Anoeta.
It’s in LaLiga where he has continued to impress. In his first season, he earned the plaudits for scoring twice and creating another in a 3-1 win over Real Madrid in a Copa del Rey quarter-final.
Three days after that coming-of-age performance, he scored a winner in the in the Basque derby against Athletic Bilbao – earning the adulation of the fans.
More joy would follow – collecting his first piece of silverware in his debut campaign, again at the expense of Athletic Bilbao, who Sociedad beat in the Copa del Rey final 1-0.

Isak celebrates winning the Copa del ReyCredit: Instagram @alex_isak
Isak, currently playing his football with Real Sociedad, has been linked with a move to ArsenalCredit: Getty

Last season, Isak was more prolific with 17 LaLiga goals to his name, as the finishing aspect to his game has developed.
There was another record broken too. In a 4-0 win over Deportivo Alaves, Isak became the first Swedish player to score a La Liga hat-trick since Henry “Garvis” Carlsson did the same for Atletico Madrid in 1949.
Should Isak make the move to the Premier League, expect this brilliant youngster to break even more records. More

IT was a performance where Bukayo Saka came of age on the biggest stage.Arsenal fans will tell you how impressed they’ve been with the 19-year-old since he’s broke into the Gunners team in 2018, not just with his all-action displays but also his maturity.
Bukayo Saka delivered a coming-of-age performance at the Euros against Czech RepublicCredit: Reuters
After the game Saka clutches his man-of-the-match trophy for his performance against Czech RepublicCredit: Getty
Arsenal star Saka was born in West London and rose through the ranks with the Gunners from the age of seven
Against Czech Republic in the Euros, the talented winger produced a man-of-the-match display that’ll surely give manager Gareth Southgate a selection headache ahead of the Three Lions’ last-16 tie next Tuesday.
Saka was born and raised in Ealing, West London, where he was taught the importance of being grounded and humble by his Nigerian immigrant parents.
It’s a trait that has served the teenager well as he rapidly ascended through the Arsenal ranks, with coaches comparing him to Cristiano Ronaldo.
He attended Greenford High School, where he juggled football with his education.
And the now-poster boy for New Balance blitzed through his studies – leaving with four A*s and three As in his GCSE’s.
‘ADDS TO HAPPINESS’
The name ‘Bukayo’ originates from the Yoruba tribe who are found in southern Nigeria.
Ironically, it translates to ‘adds to happiness’, which is exactly what Saka has done for Arsenal and England fans since he exploded on the scene.
It all began for the forward at the Premier League giants’ Hale End academy at the age of seven before signing for the club at nine.
His father, a Newcastle fan who loved Alan Shearer, took Bukayo to his first match when he was eight at St James’ Park, and he simply fell in love with the game.
Saka’s rise has seen him become a poster boy for New Balance
Arsenal nurtured Saka’s talent as he rose through the ranksCredit: Getty
As he progressed through the ranks in North London, he struck up a relationship with his idol Freddie Ljungberg while they worked together in the U15s.
There was talk of him pursuing his career elsewhere, with the likes of Spurs and Chelsea hoping to lure the youngster away from Arsenal.
But they stood no chance of taking him away from his first love.
“I had invitations from Spurs, Chelsea, Fulham and Watford but the only choice was Arsenal,” explained Saka.
“I enjoyed the way that they played so the choice was easy for me.”
Saka was compared to Portuguese superstar Ronaldo by coaches and was clearly a talent set for the top.
But he remained hard-working with the advice of his father ringing in his ears, and never got carried away with his success.
“He’s a massive inspiration for me,” Saka has said of his dad in the past.
“From when I was young, he always kept me grounded, kept me humble.”
MODEL STUDENT
Saka’s former teachers at Greenford High School paint a picture of a modest and exemplary pupil who was full of talent.
Saka’s former teachers, including Mark Harvey (to his right) and Dipesh Patel (next to Harvey) spoke of Saka’s modesty
At Greenford High School Saka’s signed England and Arsenal shirts hang on a hallway
“He was quite a role model student to be honest with you,” PE teacher Mark Harvey revealed to talkSPORT.
“He was a model student and academically sound across the board. He was very, very good at PE, a naturally talented sportsman.
“No matter what sport he played he’d always be very good at it. He had quite a small social group of friends, a close knit group of boys who are all still close now.
“But he was really pleasant student who was perceived well by his staff.
“Every single day you saw Bukayo, you saw he was active in some way shape or form.”
Saka’s former football coach at Greenford High School, Dipesh Patel has spoken of pride at his student’s rapid rise.
“We are all so proud of him,” he told Goal.
“We always knew he was amazing. But we obviously couldn’t have expected him to have had the last year-and-a-half that he has had, breaking into the Arsenal team, being such a massive player for them and then getting into the England squad.
“It’s just incredible the rise he has had.”
Appearing for England at the Euros has made Saka’s school proudCredit: Getty
Bukayo Saka at Greenford High School: always ready to learn, so respectful towards staff and peers, wonderful family and top grades. Such a proud night! #bbcfootball #LearningToSucceed— Greenford High School (@ghsofficial) June 22, 2021

Modest Saka shows off his darts skills during a media day at St George’s ParkCredit: Reuters
Saka starred in Patel’s school football team – helping them win the Borough Cup final.
Patel revealed how he was awe-struck by his ability at a young age.
“The first time I saw him it was just ‘wow’,” said Patel.
“He was very special. In his first year we lost in the Borough Cup final, but the next year we won it all.
“We won the Ealing Borough competition, the league, the cup and then we won the County Cup.
“For our school that was a first and maybe a last. It was incredible. It just had such a positive impact on our school and Bukayo was key to that.
“He just gave us that extra edge with his quality, especially in some of the tighter moments. But It wasn’t all about him. He was always such a massive team player.”
HAILED BY A LEGEND
If it wasn’t his teachers, it was Arsenal legends who were touting Saka for the top.
Not only did he have Ljungberg championing his cause, he also impressed Thierry Henry, who briefly spent time as an academy coach with the Gunners.
“You could see that he wanted to run at people,” Henry said.
“He always wanted the ball and he was brave on the ball.

In 2018, Saka broke into the Arsenal first teamCredit: AFP
France and Arsenal legend Thierry Henry was awe-struck by Saka’s abilityCredit: PA:Empics Sport
By 2019 Saka had become an Arsenal regular and firm fans’ favouriteCredit: Reuters
Saka shows off the FA Cup trophy he won with Arsenal in 2020Credit: Getty
“It was too early to tell [how good he would be], but when I saw him breaking into the first team after I’d left, I was like wow. It’s amazing.
“I always liked the attitude of the kid and the commitment. What I like about him is that he cares about his club and he will do whatever to make sure that the team wins. You have to respect that.”
Saka made his competitive debut for the club in 2018 in the Europa League against Vorskla Poltava – coming on as a 68th minute substitute for Aaron Ramsey.
In January, 2019 a Premier League debut came against Fulham in a 4-1 win – appearing off the bench in the 83rd minute.
His introduction made history as Saka became the first player born in 2001 to play in a Premier League match.
ACCOLADES KEEP COMING
In what has just been a tough season for his club, Saka has shone bright.
It was no wonder the Arsenal faithful voted him as their Player of the Season – winning a unanimous 51 per cent of the vote.
With seven goals and 10 assists in his 46 appearances, he carried his club at times.

The accolades keep coming for Saka, who shows off his London Football Awards Young Player of the Year AwardCredit: Arsenal Football Club
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has praised Saka’s intelligenceCredit: Getty
Gareth Southgate now has a selection headache after Saka’s star-turn against the CzechsCredit: Getty
Boss Mikel Arteta has repeatedly praised Saka for his performances, especially his “intelligence” that makes him unique on the pitch.
“We talk about physicality, we talk about spirit, we talk about technique. But the brain is the one that makes all the decisions,” Arteta told Sky Sports.

“‘B’ makes a lot of good decisions because he is such an intelligent player who can read situations. After that, of course, he has the ability to execute them the right way and that’s obviously a big quality.”
It’s a quality that England gaffer Gareth Southgate recognises, who has already given Saka five starts for his country.
Amazingly, he’s won the Man of the Match award three times.
The question will remain all week; will he earn another in the last-16 clash? Well, he hasn’t harmed his chances so far. More