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    I walked out on Arsenal in a row over £50 – everyone thinks I left because of team-mate, I need to put record straight

    MARTIN Keown has revealed he left Arsenal over a £50 contract pay rise.The Arsenal legend appeared on the Rest Is Football podcast with Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer.Martin Keown revealed he quit the Gunners over a £50 pay riseKeown would return to Arsenal form a formidable defence with Tony AdamsHe was on there promoting his new book, On The Edge before the conversation talked about his early years with the Gunners.Keown, now 58, joined the North London giants as a schoolboy in the 1980s.However, he left the club in 1986 following a bitter row over wages, not because of Tony Adams.He would return in 1993 in a £2million deal from Everton, but his exit as a youngster is a moment that still stings for the no-nonsense centre back.,Read more football newsKeown explained: “Don Howe had been the manager and he advised me not to sign the previous contract.”I was basically being offered £250 first year and £300 in the second. Don said ‘if you get into the first team Martin, this £300 won’t be £300, it’s going to be way more. So just sign for the year’. So I did [initially only sign a year-long deal].”I played 21 games in the first team and they offered me £300-a-week the next season, and it was like ‘hold on, Don’s now left the club, no one seems to recognise me in the building.'”We played against Gary [Lineker’s] Everton right at the end of that season and I was told I was one of the two best young central defenders in the country along with Tony Adams. I referred to that when we were at the negotiating table a few months later.Most read in Football”I said ‘I’m not looking for a fortune, just give me £100-per-week extra, not £50’ and they said ‘no way, can’t do it’. So it all became a point of principle. The day I met [new manager] George [Graham], it was really surreal, George was tapping his watch.”I trained with Thierry Henry and he ruined my Arsenal career and it took me two years to go back over to the first team When Keown and Graham had a meeting and his contract wasn’t discussed, that infuriated the legendary defender further more.He continued: “I’m off, I don’t know [where] but I’m not staying here, because you’re not showing the respect I deserve.”I literally jumped off the mountain at that point because I climbed a mountain to get in that first team, it was that difficult to get in.”Keown joined Aston Villa, but wasn’t happy with his decision.“I went on holiday, woke up and thought ‘what have I done?!’ All I ever wanted to do was to get in the Arsenal team,” he recalled.Arsenal player ratings vs NewcastleARSENAL fell to defeat to Newcastle in a fresh blow to their title ambitions.The Magpies won 1-0 thanks to a fine header from Alexander Isak.Here, SunSport’s Jordan Davies rates the players…DAVID RAYA – 6/10Great early distribution to go long over the Newcastle press but nothing he could do with Isak’s pin-point header.Was barely troubled in the second half but was forced to watch a lacklustre Arsenal dawdle to another defeat.THOMAS PARTEY – 7Looks really comfortable in that role, even if it is only temporary, but obviously lacks an attacking threat of a full-back which hindered Saka slightly.Moved back into midfield on the hour mark with Arsenal chasing the game.WILLIAM SALIBA – 7A welcome presence back in the defensive line following suspension. Covered his defensive partner well and kept his cool amid Arsenal’s frustration.GABRIEL – 5Lost Isak in the box for Newcastle’s opener and nearly handed the hosts another chance with a sloppy pass out.Normally a rock, this was one of those rare jittery displays we thought were a thing of the past.JURRIEN TIMBER – 6Looked good in attack but arguably should have closed down Gordon’s cross before the hosts took the lead and struggled to contain the England winger in the first half.MIKEL MERINO – 5Unfortunate not to get on the score sheet against his former club from close range after a scramble from a corner.But as a whole, he currently looks lost in his position, unsure of when to go and when to sit deep, meaning Newcastle were able to prize Arsenal’s midfield open.Feels like we are not seeing the best of him just yet.DECLAN RICE – 6On set-piece duty, his delivery was unusually poor, failing to beat the first man on numerous occasions and struggled to impose himself in open play too, even if he came close with a deflected effort in the second half before fluffing a great headed chance in injury time.If he is going to be the anchor of this team and dictate play, he has got to be a lot better.LEANDRO TROSSARD – 5Pretty anonymous other than a few surging runs. Another player that looks lost in a floating No.10 role behind the main striker.The Belgian is at his best cutting in and using his blistering pace. He can do neither through the middle against a compact opposition set-up.BUKAYO SAKA – 6Looked to be getting the better of Toon right-back Hall early on but his game faded after that, along with his team’s.GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 7Showed glimpses of being back to his buzzing best, taking on defenders and stretching the game for Arsenal, but only lasted an hour before being taken off.KAI HAVERTZ – 6Never got a sniff, but got to put that down to a complete lack of service from Arsenal’s wide players. He was desperate to attack a decent cross that never really came.SUBS:ETHAN NWANERI (MERINO, 61) – 6Given a nice welcome to Tyneside with a crunching tackle from Willock seconds after coming on.Found some nice pockets of space and look sharp as he blazed one over from range, but was always a big ask for him to be Arsenal’s saviour.OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO (MARTINELLI, 61) – 5Thrown on to bring tempo and control. Brought neither from an inverted left-back position.BEN WHITE (TIMBER, 71) – 6Had only completed half a session to prepare for this one having picked up a knock against Liverpool last weekend, so was a surprise to even see him at all.GABRIEL JESUS (TROSSARD) – 5Tasked with creating something special from out wide, but there is a reason the Brazilian is only a bit-part player nowadays.JORGINHO (PARTEY, 86) – N/AClick here to read more on Arsenal.Keown would return to Highbury, where he would make 422 appearances across all competitions until his departure in 2004.He was part of the famous back four that included Adams, Steve Bould, Lee Dixon and Nigel Winterburn that would serve both Graham and Arsene Wenger well.Keown won three Premier League titles, including the ‘Invincibles’ season in 2003/04, three FA Cups and the European Cup Winners’ Cup. More

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    Inside Steven Gerrard’s £15.2m-a-year life in Saudi Arabia with luxury mansion as Liverpool legend ‘facing sack’

    THE Gerrards’ “dream life” is under threat.Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard is reportedly facing the sack from Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq, after just 16 months.Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard’s Saudi dream could be overGerrard is under a lot of pressure after a shock loss with Al-EttifaqThe Gerrards live an incredible life in nearby BahrainFans and pundits are calling for him to resign following a shock exit from the King Cup.It’s a gig that has made Gerrard, 44, one of the highest paid managers in the world – earning a whopping £15.2million-per-year.That epic salary has allowed him, wife Alex and their kids to live an exclusive life in the Middle East.Rather than live in strict Saudi Arabia, they reside in the more Westernised Bahrain.read more football newsThey rent a £10,000-per-month home on a private estate in the Hamala Village.While Wag Alex, 42, enjoys her time at the Bahrain World Trade Center in Manama, where she gets her shopping fix at the various designer outlets.SunSport looks at how the family is living their best life as expats.Amazing mansionGerrard is one of the highest paid managers in world football, which allows him and his family to enjoy an incredible lifestyle.Most read in FootballWhen he joined Al-Ettifaq, the club gave him a stunning villa in Dammam to stay in.I played with Frank Lampard at Chelsea and we never lost.. but I’d still rather line up alongside Steven Gerrard’Occasionally he uses it, but he also rents a mansion in the Hamala area of Bahrain for £10,000-per-month.Many expats have complained about the strict rules regarding alcohol in Saudi Arabia.So plenty opt for a live across the border in Bahrain, which is an hour’s drive for Gerrard who goes back and forth to the Gulf nation.The Gerrards property features six large bedrooms, a swimming pool, tennis court and games room. It’s in a compound behind a high gate, so their privacy is respected.Steven and Alex often share images of their family house on social media – beaming in photos and looking the picture of health.Neighbours include members of the Bahraini Royal family.The Gerrards have made the more Westernised Bahrain their homeHamala boasts incredible mansions with lots of open space in private compoundsThe Gerrards are believed to be £10k-per-month for their homeWag Alex Gerrard has called her existence in Bahrain as a ‘Dream life’Shopping & SchoolingBack in Liverpool, Alex was a regular at the designer boutiques and the model has always been seen as one of the more stylish Wags around.She has been able to keep up with fashion trends thanks to Bahrain’s lavish malls, while her social life hasn’t dwindled – dining at some of the world’s top restaurants.One of Alex’s favourite spots is the Manama’s World Trade Centre.There, she shops at boutiques including Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Versace.The Avenues, a stylish waterfront shopping centre, is also another place Alex is fond of and offers high-street brands like H&M and Adidas.Steven and Alex’s three youngest kids are enrolled at Bahrain’s most exclusive English language school.It features in the world’s top 100 schools and costs a whopping £11,000-per-year.The Moda Mall boasts designer boutiques that Alex Gerrard lovesThere are a number of malls in Bahrain that offer high street favouritesGerrard’s three youngest children attend one of the world’s best schoolsCredit: Instagramread more sport featuresMembers onlyThe exclusiveness doesn’t end there for the Gerrards.For Alex, there’s plenty of pampering to be had at the many spas and salons on offer in Bahrain, often found in the luxurious hotels.As part of Gerrard’s contract with Al-Ettifaq, the former England star was given free membership to the country’s two most exclusive health clubs found at the five star Four Seasons and Ritz Carlton hotels.Membership for the Ritz-Carlton health club would usually cost around £5,000.Gerrard and his family have also been spotted enjoying the open-air bar in the incredible resort, watching Liverpool games.The family also enjoy spending time at the exclusive expart Bahrain Rugby Club.Many Brits, an estimated 4,000, go there to grab a pint and watch Premier League matches at the big sports bar.The venue also boasts pristine sports pitches.Founded in 1935, a pint costs just £4.50 as opposed to £13 in the rest of Manama.Bahrain boasts first class spas where Alex Gerrard can keep up with beauty regimenCredit: InstagramExpensive date nights at amazing restaurants are a regular occurrence for Steven and Alex in BahrainThe exclusive Bahrain Rugby Club is where a host of expats visit, including the GerrardsCredit: bahrainrfcGerrard has been seen enjoying the Bahrain Rugby Club’s sports barSteven Gerrard will be reluctant to leave Bahrain now after living his best lifeWhen it comes to dining out, Steven and Alex have been seen enjoying steak restaurant Cut at the Four Seasons.READ MORE SUN STORIESRun by Michelin-star Austrian chef Wolfgang Puck, prime slices of beef can cost up to £200.With all that’s on offer, the Gerrards would be gutted if it came to an end now. 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    When football and Halloween collide, from Napoli’s seasonal kit to Barcelona’s scary masks and a sexy Wag as Catwoman

    HALLOWEEN is here, and even football gets into the festivities.The American tradition has seeped into European culture, with footballers and clubs getting into the spooky spirit.Napoli have got into the spirit of Halloween with creepy limited edition kitsNapoli’s ex-star Dries Mertens promotes their spider web shirt from 2022And it’s not just the players and teams, it’s their Wags too who enjoy dressing up.SunSport looks at when football and Halloween collide. Be prepared to be spooked!Napoli’s seasonal shirtIn 2022, Emporio Armani embraced Halloween with a seasonal footy shirt for the Italian giants.Read more football newsThat kickstarted a trend for the club, who at that point wore an all-black shirt with spiders on it.Last season, their traditional blue shirt featured a load of bats flying up on the bottom of the jersey.As modelled above by Victor Osimhen, it gives you quite the fright. Barcelona’s creepy masksIn 2015, the Catalans got into hot water when they took their Halloween celebrations too far.Most read in FootballSeveral donned creepy masks, including of Shrek and Frankenstein, before gatecrashing a Getafe player’s post-match interview wearing them.Football teams that controversially changed their badgeGetafe captain Pedro Leon was miffed and told Marca that they saw the trick as disrespectful.However, Andres Iniesta reportedly called to apologise on behalf of the club, and all was forgiven.Barcelona’s stars gave Getafe players quite the fright post-matchJack Grealish and Sasha Atwood do GreaseJack and his very own ‘Sandy’ dressed up as characters from Grease in Halloween, back in 2022.Grealish perfected the look which included a slicked-back black quiff and a leather jacket slung over his shoulder.The winger even shaved off his beard to get as close to Danny Zucko as he could.Girlfriend Sasha pulled out all the stops too as she dressed up as Sandy, who was played by the late Olivia Newton-John.The model wore her blonde hair in curls and paired her black outfit and leather jacket with red heels.Jack Grealish and Sasha Attwood enjoyed dressing up for Halloween as Danny and Sandy from GreashGrealish and Attwood’s costumes were on point for the occasionChantelle Heskey is CatwomanIn 2014, footballer’s Wag Chantelle – wife of England legend Emile Heskey – hosted her own Halloween Ball at Alderley Edge’s Festival Hall in Cheshire.The do was done in order to raise money for charity, and was attended by dozens of footballers and their Wags.Tanya Bardsley dressed as slasher villain Freddy Krueger, but it was the host who stole the show.She looked incredibly glam as Catwoman, paying homage to Halle Berry.Glam Chantelle Heskey dressed up as a Catwoman for a Charity Halloween Ball at The Festival hall in Alderley EdgeChantelle loves playing dress up for Halloweenread more sport featuresScary TigresMexican football is mad, and their players and fans are passionate people.So when it comes to Halloween, of course they’re going to get into the spirit.Tigres were playing a game against Toluca on Halloween night, which prompted the players to take action.Before posing for a pre-match photo, they put on masks ranging from Batman to a frightening clown, and a werewolf.Amusingly, not all the players were on board with the idea – with some appearing quite bemused by the whole situation.Not every Tigres player was on board with the player’s scary mask ideaWitching hourBenevento Calcio are a Serie C club with a badge befitting of Halloween.On the club’s crest, front and centre, is a witch riding a broom.It references the legend of the witches of Benevento, a city it has been said witches met at during the 13th century.Thus the club is also nicknamed ‘Stregoni’ and ‘Streghe’ – which translates to sorcerers and witches.Benevento Calcio’s crest features a witch on a broomstickAccording to folklore, witches used to meet in the city of Benevento in the 13th centuryValencia’s batLike Benevento Calcio, LaLiga giants Valencia have also embraced Halloween culture within their badge.A huge bat features on top of the club’s crest, which incidentally also appears on the city’s coat of arms.READ MORE SUN STORIESThis is because bats occupied Valencia well before people did, according to historians.Valence was also built upon a swamp, where mosquitos are prevalent. What do bats feast upon? You guessed it. How gruesome.Valencia have embraced bats because they inhabited the city before humans More

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    Inside Ruben Amorim’s inner circle, from his £4m backroom staff to well-connected wife, as he closes in on Man Utd job

    RUBEN AMORIM is closing in on the Manchester United job.The 39-year-old Portuguese manager is now planning his backroom staff – with three trusted coaches set to join him in swapping Sporting Lisbon for Old Trafford.Ruben Amorim is closing in on the manager job at Man UtdThat includes his trusted assistant manager Carlos Fernandes, assistant coach Adelio Candido, and goalkeeper coach Jorge Vital.So important are they that Manchester United are understood to be coughing up £4.1m in compensation so they can join Amorim in England.Amorim has made no secret of his biggest mentor in the game – Jose Mourinho.While wife Maria Joao Diogo is related to former PSG sporting director Antero Henrique, who famously brokered deals for Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.Read more Man Utd newsSunSport looks at Amorim’s inner circle and closest confidantes.Carlos FernandesFernandes has been a constant by Amorim’s side, all the way throughout his management career.The 29-year-old didn’t play pro, but began coaching when he was just a teenager.Carlos Fernandes has been with Amorim every step of the way in his coaching careerFernandes shows off the Portuguese league titleHe came through Benfica’s ranks, and was an assistant at the tender age of 18 when Amorim was playing for their first team.Most read in FootballWhen Amorim took on the Casa Pia job, Fernandes joined him.Then, the pair went to Braga B, Braga, and Sporting Lisbon for the past four years.’Ruben Amorim feels like Erik ten Hag all over again – Man Utd missed out on the perfect coach who’s done it already’ says Paul Scholes “My number two is Carlos Fernandes, he’s been my right-hand man right from day one. He’ll be a much better coach than me,” Amorim said of Fernandes in the past.”I often say if I become Bobby Robson, then he’ll be my Jose Mourinho! But there’s plenty of time, we’ve signed a 15-year deal!”Adelio CandidoIncredibly, Candido is even younger than Fernandes.The 28-year-old assistant coach is tipped to follow Amorim and Fernandes to Manchester.Assistant coach Adelio Candido is also expected to join Amorim at Man UtdCandido poses next to Jose Mourinho with the Sporting coaching staffLike Fernandes, he’s followed a similar career trajectory as a loyal stooge to Amorim.Candido was already a youth coach with Casa Pia, when they all crossed paths.A role with Braga soon followed, then he jumped to Sporting where he’s been for the past four years.Again, he didn’t have a playing career at the top level.Jorge VitalBringing the age up is 63-year-old Vital, a goalkeeping coach who did play pro.In the 1980s and 1990s, the shotstopper starred for clubs including Sporting and Gil Vicente in a career that spanned two decades.Jorge Vital, second from the left, is a highly rated goalkeeping coachAt 63, Vital brings up the ages of Amorim’s favourite coaching staffHe is now passing on his expertise to a younger generation, with distribution a huge focus of his training.Vital and Amorim met at Braga, and he was soon taken to Sporting.His appointment could spell the end of current goalkeeper coach Jelle ten Rouwelaar, who only joined United in July.read more sport featuresJose MourinhoThe Special One is somewhat of a mentor for Amorim.He had an internship at Mourinho’s High Performance Football Coaching course.In 2018, just before he took the Casa Pia job, Amorim was an intern on Jose Mourinho’s coaching courseAmorim and Mourinho have since become firm friends in the gameAnd he has previously cited the Fenerbahce manager as his “reference point” in coaching.He has played down any comparisons between the pair, saying of his idol: “Mourinho is one of a kind. There won’t be another Mourinho. Mourinho is unique.”Mourinho has already given his backing publicly to United’s potential appointment in the past.When Amorim was linked with the West Ham job back in May, Mourinho revealed: “It’s also a question I shouldn’t answer, but what can I tell you? I like him [Amorim] as a person, I like him as a coach.”I think he has the conditions to be able to coach in any league and he has the conditions to be able to coach in any club.”But he’s in a good league and he’s in a big club.”The decision is his and it will be up to the clubs that want him or not, to convince him with more or less arguments.”What is clear from my side is that I like the person and I like the coach.”Maria Joao DiogoAmorim is married to Maria, and the pair share one son together.Maria has built her own business in interior design with an academic degree in telecommunications engineering.The couple got married in 2013 in front of 160 guests at a beautiful ceremony at the Palácio de S. Marcos church in Coimbra.Players like Nuno Gomes, Miguel Vítor, Hugo Viana, Luís Filipe and Quim were all present. As was Maria’s brother, Antero Henrique.Antero was famously the former Sporting Director at PSG – and was a Man Utd target – before the Red Devils switched their attention to Dan Ashworth.He was responsible for the most expensive transfer ever – bringing Neymar to the Ligue 1 giants in a record-breaking £198million from Barcelona.READ MORE SUN STORIESAntero also managed to convince Kylian Mbappe to snub Real Madrid, when he moved from Monaco.While Dani Alves, who was fielding several offers from Premier League clubs, was persuaded that his future belonged in the French capital in 2017.
    Her brother Antero Henrique worked as a sporting directer at PSG for club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi More

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    Inside the curse of 2019 Ajax world-beaters who stunned Real Madrid from Ten Hag’s Man Utd horror show to transfer flops

    THEY were the best Ajax team since Louis van Gaal’s mid 90s outfit that landed a Champions League title.That team featured the de Boer twins Ronald and Frank, Patrick Kluivert, Marc Overmars, Clarence Seedorf and Edgar Davids at the heart of midfield and more.Ajax’s class of 2019 won admirers in 2019 for their football in EuropeCredit: AFP or licensorsFrenkie de Jong and Donny van de Beek were two stars of that young Ajax teamErik ten Hag was their manager and tipped to become a coaching greatCredit: GettyBut the spirit of those incredible talents seemed to resonate through the likes of Frenkie de Jong, Matthijs de Ligt, Donny van de Beek, Hakimn Ziyech, and Andre Onana.Led by up-and-coming manager Erik ten Hag, they played some of the best football in Europe during the 2018-19 season.Domestically, they went double Dutch – winning both the league and cup.While in the Champions League, they earned plenty of admirers for destroying Real Madrid 4-1 at the Bernabeu in the Round of 16 and beating Juventus in Turin in the quarter-finals.Read more football news Their journey ended in the semis, after losing on away goals to Tottenham.As is almost always the case, Europe’s top dogs cherry-picked Ajax’s best talent – paying huge fees.De Jong went to Barcelona for £65million, de Ligt to Juventus for £75million, and manager ten Hag was hired to bring his flair to an ailing Man Utd team.However, as that team disbanded the worst was to come for those promising youngsters, and their boss.Most read in FootballSo, where did all go wrong?The kids’Something seriously wrong!’ Ex-Prem ref reacts to huge Man Utd call which saw Erik Ten Hag sackedForget the old saying, ‘You won’t win anything with kids.’ This Ajax team did, and they swept most teams before them.Steadied by Daley Blind at the back, who struggled in the Premier League with Man Utd, they had a youthful vibrance about them.De Ligt, the recipient of the 2018 Golden Boy trophy given to the best player under 21, was the first-ever defender to ever win the award.De Jong had plenty of swagger, controlling possession in the midfield and driving the tempo of the side.Astonishing stats from December to February of that campaign showed that De Jong had completed 354 of his 390 passes, while making 53 ball recoveries.That prompted former Dutch international Rafael van der Vaart to call De Jong the best player in Europe with the ball at his feet.Cameroon goalie Onana – who came through the Ajax academy – was also excelling himself between the sticks as a carbon copy of Edwin van der Sar with his handling and distribution praised.In Donny van der Beek they had a playmaker who starred in the No10 role and was drawing comparisons with Dennis Bergkamp.Moroccan Hakim Ziyech also provided a threat on the wing, in what was a breakthrough season that saw him score 22 goals in all competitions.Alongside Dusan Tadic, goals were flying in everywhere – testament to that was the 119 goals in 34 league games, and the four that shook the Bernabeu in that famous Champions League massacre.Frenkie de Jong opitimized that Ajax team – playing with plenty of swaggerCredit: Getty – ContributorHakim Ziyech was a huge goal threat from the wingCredit: Getty – ContributorPlaymaker Donny van de Beek drew comparisons to Dutch legend Dennis BergkampCredit: Getty – Contributorread more sport featuresThe managerThey were led by the emerging ten Hag, who grew up on a diet of a Johan Cruyff’s Ajax and Barcelona teams and studied Pep Guardiola, who he worked alongside at Bayern Munich.He once revealing of his Spanish mentor: “Every day I get to work with him, I look forward to it. He inspires me.”On the wall of his modest office at the club’s De Toekomst training ground ten Hag hung photos of past greats Cruyff, van Gaal, and Rinus Michels.An ode to history that would act as a basis for his own thoughts.The club would play a free-flowing 4-2-3-1 formation – it wasn’t total football but it was an organised chaos.His approach to training was player mentality focused. Ten Hag would note down how each individual responds to minor errors, losing the ball or committing a foul.Then, he would pick a team based on the mentality of his team and the opponent they were facing.It was the manager who decided to address the balance of youth and experience by bringing in Blind and Tadic. A masterstroke, if ever there was one.Ajax manager Erik ten Hag led Ajax to plenty of success during his tenureFresh faced ten Hag’s methods focused around team mentalityWhat happened nextIn 2019, that Ajax team mostly disbanded. A combination of lofty ambitions, and Europe’s top clubs descending upon the Dutch giants like vultures to a dead carcass, saw its two best youngsters de Ligt and de Jong depart for pastures new.De Ligt would move to Juventus for £75million, with legendary Marcelo Lippi lauding his ability and comparing him to Franco Baresi, Paolo Maldini, and Alessandro Nesta.He would struggle to adapt to Italian football, and came under fire for lapses of concentration and occasional errors.Playing a zonal marking system under Maurizio Sarri also didn’t suit his attribute of being a man-marker.Three seasons later, he was sold to Bayern Munich for another huge fee – around £56million.Again, he struggled. Injuries didn’t help, as well as a strained relationship with Thomas Tuchel who reportedly didn’t like the way he played the ball out of defence slowly.Two years later, the jury is out whether the £42.7million Man Utd have spent on him will help rediscover his and his club’s fortunes. It hasn’t been perfect so far.De Jong’s transfer to Barcelona came at a time when the club were heading for financial ruin.Matthijs de Ligt is now at Man Utd after unsuccessful stints at Juventus and Bayern MunichCredit: EPAFrenkie de Jong has reiterated his desire to stay at Barcelona for nowCredit: GettyIn fits and spurts he’s shown his qualities, but not in the way the club’s fans have hoped.While it may be unfair to call him a flop, the club have certainly seen him as surplus to requirements in the past.To ease their economic concerns, de Jong was offered to Man Utd in 2022. The deal reportedly fell through due to personal terms, but his situation has seemingly changed under new manager Hansi Flick and he is happier.Van de Beek suffered the biggest career collapse of them all, but is credibly rebuilding himself at Girona.He was bombed out of Old Trafford in 2024 for £500,000 to the Spanish club, after unsuccessful loans at Everton and Eintracht Frankfurt.United’s £40million investment went down the pan there, with the midfielder scoring just twice in 62 games. Even ten Hag couldn’t get a tune out of him.Ziyech, who left in 2020 for Chelsea for £37million, also couldn’t rediscover his goalscoring touch that made him so feared in Amsterdam.His bad luck continued after the Blues submitted the wrong documents on transfer deadline day in 2023, blocking a loan deal to PSG.A move to Al Nassr to link up with Cristiano Ronaldo collapsed, when the Saudi Arabian giants withdrew their contract offer after a reported failed medical, which he later denied.He’s now with Galatasaray, after finally leaving in the summer but seems to be a shadow of the player he once was.Donny van de Beek seems to have rediscovered his love for playing at GironaCredit: GettyHakim Ziyech has landed at Galatasaray after failed moves to PSG and Al NassrCredit: GettyWhat next for ten Hag after he was sacked by Man Utd?Following a nine-month ban from the game for a doping scandal, Onana restored faith in his abilities by starring at Inter Milan and guiding them to the 2023 Champions League final.United paid £47.2million for him, and although he struggled last season, there are signs of improvement.READ MORE SUN STORIESAs for ten Hag, he has now been pushed from the Man Utd hot seat – sacked after two seasons that brought a League Cup and FA Cup, but just an eighth-placed finish in the Premier League last season and a worst-ever start to this term.You better believe it, the curse of Ajax’s 2019 world beaters is very real. 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    Five things Ruben Amorim must fix at Man Utd from giving flops a tactical identity to getting best out of £51m man

    RUBEN AMORIM looks set to be the manager appointed as the new boss of Manchester United following the sacking of Erik ten Hag.The Sporting CP head coach will inherit a squad that sits 14th in the Premier League and 21st in the Europa League table.Ruben Amorim is set to inherit a talented but massively underperforming squadCredit: GettyErik ten Hag left his position at Man Utd with the team in 14th in the Premier LeagueCredit: GettyHowever, that is not to say he will come into a total mess at Old Trafford, with a talented squad with a number of bright young talents set to be at his disposal.The summer’s transfers under new bosses Ineos also appear to fit like a glove for Amorim’s style of play.The addition of a new defensive midfielder in Manuel Ugarte and two centre-backs in Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro have bolstered particularly weak areas of the squad from last season.But problems have persisted over the summer, and Amorim, 39, will need to have a checklist of items on his agenda if he takes up the Red Devils mantle – as his idol Jose Mourinho once did.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLMaking a clear tactical identityA common criticism of United under Ten Hag was a lack of clear identity and patterns of play.Ten Hag said he wanted his side to be the best transitional team in the world. And to his credit, United did often look devastating when moving the ball from back to front quickly.Amorim’s 3-4-3 shape could be the key to unlocking United’s potentialBut there’s an argument to be had that this made them a one-trick pony, and far too often they would appear to have no pattern of play outside of long balls into the channels that would give way to chaos.Amorim favours a shorter style of play, with his 3-4-3 formation seeing Sporting attempt the fewest long passes and most short passes in the Primeira Liga so far this season.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSMeanwhile, in the Premier League, United rank 10th for long passes and fifth for short passes.The Old Trafford faithful are desperate to simply see a distinct pattern of play, since for the best part of three years, they seem to have lacked one on a consistent basis.Rúben Amorim talks about the future of Viktor Gyökeres at Sporting Make them tough to beatAnother major criticism of the Ten Hag era came with how easy the team were to play through and beat.This was a particularly apparent flaw last season, with only Sheffield United giving up more shots against their goal than Man Utd.The Red Devils have improved this time around and rank sixth among their peers in that metric.However, the non-penalty Expected Goals metric for shots faced puts them down in 13th, showing that they give up a lot of high-quality chances.Man Utd have been far too leaky in major gamesCredit: GettyIt has led to Andre Onana being forced into action to stop high-quality chances and prevent score deficits from being far worseCredit: APHarrowing 3-0 defeats against Liverpool and Tottenham this season made that obvious.Ten Hag’s United teams were no strangers to a comeback, but many games that should have been out of sight were lost due to a lack of concentration or clear defensive structure.Amorim has a stunning record at Sporting, with 161 wins, 33 draws and 33 losses to his name.In his last 15 defeats, Amorim’s team have only lost by more than one goal twice – with just one in the last ten being by two – while United lost games by three or more goals 24 times in Ten Hag’s reign.Getting the best out of UgarteUgarte is a star that Amorim knows well, with the defensive midfielder starring under him in Portugal before moving to Paris Saint-Germain for big money in 2023.The Uruguay international struggled to get a foothold in Paris before moving to United this summer in a deal worth £42million up front that could rise to £51m.Ugarte has shown glimpses of his talents already at United, with his role in the midweek draw at Fenerbahce seeing him win the ball back before setting the team away for a counter-attack which they scored from.Manuel Ugarte has had a mixed start to life at Old TraffordCredit: GettyHe excelled under Amorim at Sporting Lisbon and could be key for him at UnitedCredit: GettyHowever, he desperately struggled in the defeat to Spurs, albeit he was not the only star at fault in a lifeless display after captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off.Ugarte also does not seem the most technically proficient on the ball, which is exactly why a likely shift to a 3-4-3 under Amorim could hold the keys to unlocking the midfielder. Allowing Ugarte to be a ball-winning specialist who can then recycle the ball to team-mates with a better eye for a pass – such as Lisandro Martinez or Leny Yoro stepping out from the back line – should help to maximise his ball economy.Get the best finishers in scoring positionsQuite rightly, a fair portion of the blame for United’s slow start to the season has come down to the lack of quality finishing in the final third.Indeed, United have the single worst xG differential of any club in England, with the players expected to have scored at least 6.6 more goals if they were finishing at an average level.They also have the most big chances missed out of anyone in the division with 22.However, one way Amorim can actually solve this issue is by getting the squad’s most clinical forwards, Rasmus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford, into those scoring positions more.Amorim must find a way to give United’s best finishers, Rasmus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford, more scoring chancesCredit: GettyUnited have missed the most big chances of any team in the league this season, but many have fallen to Diogo Dalot or Alejandro Garnacho who are not clinicalCredit: AlamyUsing the West Ham game as an example, Alejandro Garnacho, Fernandes and Diogo Dalot were all guilty of missing huge chances in the first half, while Hojlund and Rashford were only afforded difficult half chances to score.Garnacho, a clearly talented but rough-around-the-edges star, has five missed big chances this season, while Fernandes has four – a number equal with Joshua Zirkzee, who arrived with a reputation more as a facilitator rather than killer in front of goal.Rashford’s credentials in scoring 30 goals only two seasons ago prove him to be a top finisher when in form, while Hojlund had a conversion rate of 27 per cent in the league last season.A dynamic front three involving the pair with support from another forward and aggressive wing-backs could go a long way to solving the team’s performance issues in front of goal, without breaking the bank by going for the likes of Viktor Gyokeres.Continue to champion youth progressionTen Hag championed the introduction of youth talents into the first-team, which has yielded three of the club’s brightest prodigies in the current team in Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo and Amad Diallo.At Sporting, Amorim has also favoured this approach, with many stars being sold for huge profits under his watch before a new talent was unearthed and promoted from within.Matheus Nunes, Nuno Mendes, Joao Palhinha, Pedro Porro, Chermiti and Ugarte are among the stars to play under him before being sold for big money.For Sporting, that is simply the way of doing business, but United normally do not face the same pressure to sell their big talents to rivals. And it is why they have a proud record of having an academy player in every one of their matchday squads for more than 86 years.This would hand Amorim the tools to cultivate a plan with the youth prospects in the club’s academy and develop them to be ready for the first-team.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Under-18s are excelling once again this season, with Chido Obi-Martin looking like a real talent after he was poached from Arsenal, while the likes of Harry Amass are on the cusp of earning minutes in the first-team.Amorim’s own philosophy should align with United’s vision, so this should be an easy one for the former midfielder to implement.Ten Hag championed youth progression at United, bringing through two of the team’s biggest starsCredit: GettyAmorim will need to continue to trust in Carrington’s youth development programme like he has at SportingCredit: EPA More

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    Inside Man Utd manager target Ruben Amorim’s life from internship with Jose Mourinho to wife’s impressive footie network

    RUBEN AMORIM has emerged as the frontrunner to be Erik ten Hag’s permanent successor at Manchester United. The Sporting CP boss has a strong coaching resume at the age of just 39.Ruben Amorim has been linked to the Man Utd job to replace Erik ten HagCredit: GettyThe 39-year-old is one of Europe’s brightest coachesCredit: AFPTaking over the role in 2020 following a short spell as Braga manager, his short career has already become summarised by breaking records.At Braga, he became the first manager to beat Benfica – where he had played for nine years as a player – for 65 years, and then at Sporting, he won the club’s first league title in 19 years.He added the Taca da Liga (Portuguese League Cup) in the same season to score a double, before following up with a repeat victory of the trophy in the season after and eventually landing a second league title last season.His exploits on the field with his 3-4-3 system championing youth progression have seen him highlighted as one of Europe’s brightest tactical coaches and linked with some of the biggest jobs in world football.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLMan Utd are the latest club to come calling after interest from Liverpool, Manchester City and West Ham, and look set to land the Portuguese tactician.Amorim’s rise has inevitably drawn comparisons with one of his Old Trafford predecessors, Jose Mourinho.Special One 2.0?However, there is likely a good reason for that.After suffering a career-ending ACL injury at the age of 32, Amorim attended a coaching course at the Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon with lectures led by Mourinho alongside seven-time Primeira Liga winner Antonio Veloso.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSDubbed the Special One 2.0, Amorim also had an internship at Man Utd under Mourinho in 2018, and has previously cited the Special One as his “reference point” in coaching.He has played down any comparisons between the pair, saying of his idol: “Mourinho is one of a kind. There won’t be another Mourinho. Mourinho is unique.”Erik Ten Hag SACKED by Man United – here are the SIX candidates to replace himBut Amorim has already become unique in his own way, with his move to Sporting seeing him become the then third-most expensive managerial appointment ever in a deal worth £8.3million (€10m).His first job in coaching at third division team Casa Pia saw him guide the team to promotion despite being handed a six-point deduction and Amorim being briefly suspended from management because he did not have the proper coaching badges.Although, he does seem to have the same kind of temperament as Mourinho, with Amorim being dubbed “a master trash-talker” who tries to play mind games with his opponents. Where have we seen that before?Speaking to the Daily Mail, Portuguese football expert Tom Kundert said of his demeanour: “He’s very open in press conferences, happy to respond to all questions – even the stupid ones – with an informative answer.”And he also retains a remarkably jovial demeanour, even when the pressure is on. “He’s one of these coaches who fosters a superb spirit among the whole squad, and that is no doubt the fruit of his communicative approach.”In five years as a coach, I cannot remember him ever criticising any of his players in public and I cannot recall one news story of an unhappy player. Amorim had an internship at Man Utd under Jose MourinhoCredit: Twitter @Mourinho_XtraHe has called the Special One a ‘reference point’ for his own coachingCredit: Getty”When things do go wrong for Sporting, which has not happened much under Amorim, he shifts all the focus on himself.”He will say things like, ‘We lost because Sporting have a coach who is still inexperienced and is learning the trade and who got it wrong today’. “Overall, he has a very affable personality and generally does a great job at swerving any controversies or spats with rival managers.”Another way he is unique is with a fan account on social media dedicated as a countdown page to Amorim’s next press conference.Amorim has remained in touch with the former Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Tottenham boss, even though their relationship has evolved to a more equal standing now.Then-Roma boss Mourinho messaged Amorim after Sporting knocked Arsenal out of the Europa League in 2023 to say: “The old and the new Mourinho are still in the competition.”Married lifeAmorim married Maria Joao Diogo in 2013Credit: FacebookShe has her own interior design businessCredit: Instagram @doistons_designinterioresWork does not stop behind the scenes for Amorim.He is a father of two and is married to Maria João Diogo, who have one son together. Maria has built her own business in interior design with an academic degree in telecommunications engineering.The couple got married in 2013 in front of 160 guests at a beautiful ceremony at the Palácio de S. Marcos church in Coimbra.Players like Nuno Gomes, Miguel Vítor, Hugo Viana, Luís Filipe and Quim were all present. As was Maria’s brother, Antero Henrique.Antero was famously the former Sporting Director at PSG – and was a Man Utd target – before the Red Devils switched their attention to Dan Ashworth.He was responsible for the most expensive transfer ever – bringing Neymar to the Ligue 1 giants in a record-breaking £198million from Barcelona.Antero also managed to convince Kylian Mbappe to snub Real Madrid, when he moved from Monaco.While Dani Alves, who was fielding several offers from Premier League clubs, was persuaded that his future belonged in the French capital in 2017.Before his tenure at PSG, Antero modernised Porto’s academy and introduced handball and basketball to the organisation.READ MORE SUN STORIESA club museum and TV channel were also insisted upon by the ambitious football director.Another sister of Maria, Ines Diogo, is married to one of Amorim’s former team-mates in Luís Filipe.Her brother Antero Henrique was once the Sporting Director at PSGCredit: AFP More

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    Meet Barcelona’s beautiful Wags ahead of El Clasico, from a Ukrainian pop star to a German social media influencer

    BARCELONA travel to the Bernabeu on Saturday for El Clasico top of LaLiga.The Catalans have been in blistering form in the league, and are three points clear of their rivals.Barcelona youngster Fermin Lopez’s girlfriend, Berta GallardoMarina Luczenko is the wife of Barcelona shotstopper Wojciech SzczesnyAna Pelayo is another Barcelona Wag who will be watching El Clasico closelySuperstar striker Robert Lewandowski has spearheaded their title challenge – scoring 12 times in the opening 10 games.Hansi Flick’s side boast an array of talented stars who will want to impress after a disappointing Champions League result against Bayern Munich.And cheering them on will be their beautiful wives and girlfriends.From a Ukrainian singer to a German social media influencer, meet the players’ amazing Wags.Read more football newsAnna LewandowskaPolish stunner Anna, 36, is a former karate champion – who repped her country in competitions around the world.In recent years, the brunette – married to goal ace Robert Lewandowski – has moved into the world of health and fitness and has her own nutritional brand, Foods by Ann.She introduced the hot-shot striker to a different diet – and has been credited with improving his fitness in recent years.Anna is believed to be one of the world’s richest Wags.Most read in FootballAnna Lewandowska is one of the most famous Wags in European footballRobert Lewandowski poses for a New Year’s snap with the health and fitness expertNatalia BelloliNatalia, 25, is one of the most popular Wags from Brazil, with over 450,000 followers.Top ten Premier League managers’ WagsShe uses her Instagram as a personal blog to show off her life with Barcelona’s Raphinha.And a lot of snaps feature their adorable son, Gael.Natalia is also a total fashionista, and dresses in designers like Dolce & Gabbana and Louis Vuitton.Natalia Belloli has over 450k followers on InstagramGorgeous Natalia often shows off her amazing bikini body to her followersNatalia poses for a snap with husband RaphinhaBerta GallardoSpanish model and influencer Berta, 22, and Barça midfielder Fermin Lopez went public with their romance this summer.However, rumours of their relationship began a year earlier before they confirmed they were a couple.Berta was spotted on the pitch planting a kiss on Lopez after Spain won Euro 2024.The fashion queen is a slow burner on Insta, with just 74,000 followers. Expect that to grow when her beau fulfils his potential and becomes a superstar footballer.Berta Gallardo is a fashion model who went public with her romance with Fermin Lopez in the summerBerta Gallardo has over 74,000 followers on Instagramread more sport featuresLaura Abla SchmittTikToker Laura is a favourite with her 260,000 followers, while her content has generated over 24million views.The Berlin-born beauty, 26, will have to put her own allegiances aside in support of Dani Olmo, who plies his trade at RB Leipzig.She went public with their romance on New Year’s Day, with an Instagram snap of them walking side-by-side.Although, German newspaper Bild reported the pair got together some six months before that.Laura Abla Schmitt has a huge TikTok following of over 260,000The German social media influencer is in a romance with Dani OlmoMikky Kiemeney De JongDutch fashion designer Mikky, 26, is the longtime partner of Man Utd target Frenkie de Jong.She was a hockey player of some repute when she met the former Ajax star.Today, she’s a social media influencer with over 1.5million followers on Instagram.And Mikky also has her own self-named fashion brand that sells leisure wear.Back in May, the pair secretly got married in front of close friends and family.Frenkie De Jong’s Wag Mikky Kiemeney is a fashion designerMikky and Frenkie de Jong got secretly married in the summerMarina Luczenko-SzczesnaMarina, 35, is the wife of new Barcelona goalkeeper, Wojciech Szczesny.The celebrity couple married in 2016, after the former Arsenal star proposed at her birthday party.The brunette was born in the Ukraine, but moved to Poland at the age of two where she became a pop star.Marina has worked with British singer and X Factor winner James Arthur in the past.Marina Luczenko is a pop star who worked with X Factor winner James ArthurMarina Luczenko and Wojciech Szczesny got married in 2016Ana PelayoSpain midfielder Gavi has made news on and off the pitch.He returned after a long injury lay off to first team action, with much fanfare.READ MORE SUN STORIESThen after coming on as sub in the 5-1 win over Sevilla, he was spotted getting a kiss from gorgeous Ana.The 21-year-old student is a pal of his sister, Aurora. She is also close to Luis Enrique’s daughter, Sira.Brunette beauty is the private Wag of the returning youngster GaviGavi met Ana through his sister Aurora who is a close friend More