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      Man City star Rodri opens door to astonishing Real Madrid transfer just weeks after club’s Ballon d’Or snub

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      MANCHESTER CITY star Rodri has opened the door to a potential move to Real Madrid.It comes just weeks after the midfielder won the Ballon d’Or, leading Real Madrid to boycott the event.Rodri has opened the door to a switch to Real MadridCredit: GettyLos Blancos’s star Vinicius Jr was tipped to win the award and the snub led Real president Florentino Perez to turn down the invite.But Rodri still admires the club and said it would be difficult to ignore the Spanish giants if they came knocking.He told Spanish podcast El Larguero: “When Real Madrid call you, the best club in history and the most successful… it makes you proud and you always have to listen.“It’s obvious. You always have to pay attention.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLRodri, 28, also has no qualms about joining Real despite his affiliation to fierce rivals Atletico Madrid, having come through the club’s youth system.He recently stated he was not bothered about Real Madrid’s claim that Vinicius deserved to win the Ballon d’Or.Rodri said: “All the Spanish clubs would have to congratulate me and they haven’t.“I care about my family and my club. They must have their reasons, I wouldn’t have done it that way and there’s no point in going over it.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBallon d’Or 2024 results1: Rodri, Man City and Spain2: Vinicius Jr, Real Madrid and Brazil3: Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid and England4: Dani Carvajal, Real Madrid and Spain5: Erling Haaland, Man City and Norway6: Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid and France7: Lautaro Martinz, Inter Milan and Argentina8: Lamine Yamal, Barcelona and Spain9: Toni Kroos, Real Madrid and Germany10: Harry Kane, Bayern Munich and England11: Phil Foden, Man City and England12: Florian Wirtz, Bayer Leverkusen and Germany13: Dani Olmo, Barcelona and Spain14: Ademola Lookman, Atalanta and Nigeria15: Nico Williams, Athletic Bilbao and Spain16: Granit Xhaka, Bayer Leverkusen and Switzerland17: Federico Valverde, Real Madrid and Uruguay18: Emi Martinez, Aston Villa and Argentina19: Martin Odegaard, Arsenal and Norway20: Hakan Calhanoglu, Inter Milan and Turkey21: Bukayo Saka, Arsenal and England22: Antonio Rudiger, Real Madrid and Germany23: Ruben Dias, Man City and Portugal24: William Saliba, Arsenal and France25: Cole Palmer, Chelsea and England26: Declan Rice, Arsenal and England27: Vitinha, PSG and Portugal28: Alejandro Grimaldo, Bayer Leverkusen and Spain29: Mats Hummels, Roma and Germany30: Artem Dovbyk, Roma and Ukraine“The mistake is giving so much attention to a club that hasn’t decided to participate.”Rodri is also hopeful he will be back from his ACL injury before the end of the season.Erling Haaland does pull ups on cliff edge and runs with wolves as Man City ace stars in insane Beats by Dre advert He said: “The seasons are getting longer and this one has the Club World Cup.“It is good to have a challenge and I have it in my head to return this season — we’ll see when.” More

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      in Boxing

      Boxing legend Carl Froch makes bizarre claim Neil Armstrong’s moon landing was HOAX and gravity ‘has never been proven’

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      EX-BOXER Carl Froch has stunningly claimed the moon landing was a HOAX in a bizarre conspiracy theory-filled interview.Conspiracy theorists have long debated the legitimacy of NASA’s Apollo 11 mission, in which Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first men to set foot on the moon in 1969.Man landed on the moon in 1969 thanks to the Apollo 11 missionCredit: ALAMYConspiracy theorists, however, have doubted the legitimacy of the landing – despite there being a further six successful missionsCredit: REXAnd former champion Carl Froch has revealed he’s among the moon landing doubtersCredit: GETTYAnd outspoken former WBC super-middleweight champ Froch is among the doubters, telling The Action Network: “Interestingly, we haven’t been to the moon since and we can’t get there.”Neil Armstrong was asked by somebody to place his hand on the Holy Bible and Neil Armstrong is a deeply religious man.”He was asked to place his hand on the Bible and to swear on the Holy Bible that he went and stepped foot on the moon.”He wouldn’t do it.READ MORE ON BOXING”And the guy said I will give you $5,000 in cash to a charity of your choice to place your hand on the Bible and tell us that you walked on the moon, and he wouldn’t do it.”Now, for $5,000 to your charity… you would just do it. “He’s religious, place your hand on the Bible, swear to God, and say you’ve been to the moon.”Neil Armstrong wouldn’t do it and you can find the video online.”Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSCarl Froch has wrongly claimed there have been no additional moon landingsCredit: REXFroch’s adamance that the historic event was a hoax is based on his belief there haven’t been any other missions to the moon – despite there being a further SIX trips to Earth’s sole satellite.He continued: “That’s one thing, not to mention the fact we haven’t been since.”The equipment they used to get up there was as powerful as a Zedec Spectrum to get up there, which probably wasn’t that powerful.”It was a computer when I was a kid. We can’t get there now, and I think everything we’ve been told about the moon landing (is made up).”Buzz Aldrin told a little girl that we’ve not been to the moon, and she said, ‘If we have been to the moon, why haven’t we been back?’”Buzz then said, ‘That’s not a question for a little girl (to ask). We didn’t go there because we can’t get there.'”Then people said Buzz was losing the plot but maybe he was losing the plot because he couldn’t live with a f***ing lie.”When you look at all of the evidence, all the footage, and the fact that they lost all of the telemetric data that tells you that they went to the moon then I would say that we did not go to the moon.”Man did not walk on the moon, that was a big f***ing lie. “NASA are funded by $63m per day and they tell us a lot of stories and a lot of things about black holes and distant galaxies.”Every picture we’ve seen of Planet Earth is a CGI image.”So, when I can see an image of the world in its entirety, I’ll start believing in Heliocentrism – Helio being the sun, centric being in the middle. I used to believe in the geocentric model.”Despite the overwhelming evidence, Carl Froch is convinced the moon landing was fakeCredit: GETTYEvolution doubtsThe universally accepted theory of evolution is something ‘The Cobra’ also has his doubts about, despite a litany of evidence proving Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace’s hypothesis to be true.”Evolution is a theory; the Big Bang is a theory,” he defiantly said. And the heliocentric model has never been proven.”There are three big things there and all three of them take you away from God.”So, if you read the Bible, the Book of Genesis, and believe in God then you can’t believe in the Big Bang because that’s a scientific theory that we came from a big explosion.”But if you believe in God, then you believe that God made the Earth and created the world. “If you believe in evolution, then you can’t believe in God or that God made Adam and Eve.”Carl Froch also isn’t a believer in the theory of evolutionCredit: GETTYGravity gripeFroch also questions the legitimacy of Sir Isaac Newton’s theory of gravity, despite it being proven trillions of times over the last 387 years.He said: “It’s difficult to believe the mainstream narrative which is the spinning globe theory. I’m very spiritual.”I’m not saying the Earth is flat, but I don’t believe we live on a spinning ball covered in water because if I get a ball and spin it around covered in water then all of the water flies off it.”How does water stick to Earth? “They say it’s gravity and holds everything to the Earth, so gravity has to be real but it’s a theory and has never been proven.”READ MORE SUN STORIES”I don’t believe a lot of the stuff I’m told about the heliocentric model, the sun being in the middle and we orbit around the sun.”The Big Bang theory, which is a theory, and also the theory of evolution that we came from apes.”Carl Froch is also a doubter of Sir Isaac Newton’s theory of gravityCredit: NATIONAL TRUST IMAGES More

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      Inside Plymouth Argyle’s 46,000-seater World Cup stadium plans as Wayne Rooney’s side battle relegation to third tier

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      PLYMOUTH ARGYLE are battling relegation from the Championship under former England captain Wayne Rooney’s management.And the Pilgrims’ home form has been crucial in keeping their heads above water – with Rooney’s men currently sitting 18th in the Championship and a point ahead of the bottom three.Plymouth Argyle once had ambitious plans for a stunning 46,000-seater stadiumCredit: Rotolok/JLLIt would have hosted four World Cup matchesCredit: Rotolok/JLLArgyle have lost just one home game so far this season at their 17,000-seater stadium.But in a parallel universe, Home Park could have looked very different.That’s because Plymouth once had ambitious plans for the 2018 World Cup, and was chosen by the FA as one of the host cities.However, England’s failed bid to host the World Cup that year – with the tournament instead being handed to Russia – ultimately saw the plans fall flat.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHad England won the bidding, Home Park, where Plymouth have played since 1893, would have been set to become a stunning 46,000-seater arena.This would have been surrounded by a £150million project of shops, cinemas, restaurants, a hotel and an ice rink.State-of-the-art tramlines, as well as a new pier and stunning Drake’s Island would attract the super-rich.The city’s rejuvenation would also see it playing host to other major sporting events such as the America’s Cup – sailing’s own version of the World Cup.Most read in FootballThe ambitious project would have created 3,700 jobs and £292m in investment for the city.Argyle would have hosted four World Cup matches, along with training camps around the region and “Fan Fests” on the Hoe and at Stonehouse Creek costing over £15m over 31 days.There was widespread support for the bid from locals, while politicians jetted to South Africa to try and promote Plymouth’s campaign.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHowever, the light of ambition became shrouded in the darkness of the ashes that nearly became Plymouth Argyle.The Plymouth Herald revealed the city council itself lost £700,000 in the failed bid.Every Premier League stadium ranked by the number of pubs nearby with one boasting over 130 local boozersPlymouth City Council alone spent £147,000 with another £250,000 being underwritten by Argyle.The Devon outfit owed £17m due to the project, sending the club into administration in 2011.James Brent’s Akkeron Group eventually agreed a deal with administrators to buy the club, with former chairman Peter Risdale leaving the club when the deal was completed.Argyle sold Home Park back to the city council for £1.6m and agreed to pay £135,000 a year in rent.READ MORE SUN STORIESIf this project had not been torpedoed by Fifa, Plymouth may well have been among the first names when considering who might host games for Euro 2028.However, the tournament – which will be across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland after Northern Ireland pulled out – will not feature any trips to the West Country. More

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      Premier League clubs rebel against Man City and agree new financial rules in huge win for Richard Masters

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      PREMIER LEAGUE clubs have voted in favour of new financial rules – in a huge win for embattled chief exec Richard Masters.Manchester City had led the charge against the tweaks to the Associated Party Transaction rules.Man City failed to convince the other clubs to vote against the rule changesCredit: GettyThe decision is a huge win for league chief Richard MastersCredit: GettyCity had warned the other 19 top-flight clubs that the changes – backed by an independent KC – remained unlawful.But at this morning’s meeting of the shareholder clubs at a central London hotel, the measures were passed by 16 votes to four.League bosses propelled the matter to the top of the agenda in a sign of their confidence.And in a surprise twist, Chelsea, who had been thought to be in City’s corner, backed Masters and spoke up – alongside Manchester United – in support of the “need for rules”.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt is understood that Aston Villa, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest joined City in voting “no”.But the scale of the support for the Prem board, which significantly exceeded expectations, is a huge victory for Masters.League chiefs tabled the new regulations after an Arbitration Tribunal of three senior former judges found aspects of the rules, introduced in February despite fierce opposition led by City, were “unlawful”.Senior commercial expert Daniel Jowell KC advised the revised rules met the demands of the Arbitration Panel and commercial law.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSIn a statement, a Prem spokesperson said: “At a Premier League Shareholders’ meeting today, clubs approved changes to the League’s Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules.“The amendments to the rules address the findings of an Arbitration Tribunal following a legal challenge by Manchester City to the APT system earlier this year. Moment Pep Guardiola launches furious F-word rant at ‘unacceptable’ Phil Foden captured in Man City documentary“The Premier League has conducted a detailed consultation with clubs – informed by multiple opinions from expert, independent Leading Counsel – to draft rule changes that address amendments required to the system. “This relates to integrating the assessment of Shareholder loans, the removal of some of the amendments made to APT rules earlier this year and changes to the process by which relevant information from the League’s ‘databank’ is shared with a club’s advisors.”The spokesman added: “The purpose of the APT rules is to ensure clubs are not able to benefit from commercial deals or reductions in costs that are not at Fair Market Value (FMV) by virtue of relationships with Associated Parties.“These rules were introduced to provide a robust mechanism to safeguard the financial stability, integrity and competitive balance of the League.” More

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      in Boxing

      Jake Paul and Mike Tyson’s boxing bans CONFIRMED after YouTuber beat heavyweight legend in Netflix showdown

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      JAKE PAUL and Mike Tyson have had medical boxing bans CONFIRMED following their fight on Netflix. YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul defeated heavyweight great Tyson over eight rounds in Texas. Jake Paul beat Mike Tyson over eight roundsCredit: ReutersAnd despite little action taking place, both have received customary suspensions from Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. According to MMA Junkie, they have each been issued a 24 day ban – which equates to three days of rest per round fought. Katie Taylor, 38, defeated Amanda Serrano, 36, in a thrilling rematch to repeat her 2022 victory. And they have been hit with 45-day suspensions after their classic. READ MORE IN BOXINGTyson, 58, returned for his first professional bout in 20 YEARS and over 100 MILLION tuned in on Netflix to watch. It caused the site to CRASH while £16.3m was made through ticket sales alone as 72,000 packed into the AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Paul has improved to 11-1 and the 27-year-old has teased sensationally fighting Mexican legend Canelo Alvarez, 34, next year. His business partner Nakisa Bidarian told Ariel Helwani: “Jake Paul doesn’t need Canelo from a fan perspective nor from a belt perspective because they are not going to fight for the belts Canelo holds.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”Canelo certainly doesn’t need Jake Paul to make money either.”For me, it has to be more than that. It has to be a desire to once again have the world stop and pay attention to this beautiful sport of boxing.”Have the world look at it and say ‘Wow! Boxing is back’… the hurdle is not money.”Logan Paul tipped to sensationally fight his own brother Jake in bid to ‘teach him a lesson’ in never-before-seen bout More

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      Joshua Zirkzee ‘would gladly go back to Italy’ after Man Utd struggles just months after transfer with Juventus keen

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      JOSHUA ZIRKZEE is open to moving back to Italy after a nightmare four months at Manchester United, according to reports.The Dutchman’s agents have supposedly offered him to Juventus ahead of the January transfer window.Joshua Zirkzee is keen on a move back to Serie A just months after joining Man UtdCredit: GettyZirkzee, 23, joined the Red Devils in a deal worth £36.5million in the summer. But newspaper La Stampa claim he is already looking for a way out after struggling to adapt to the Premier League.Zirkzee’s representatives have been in contact with Juventus as their manager is Thiago Motta.The boss got the best out of him last season at Bologna, with him scoring 12 goals.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLZirkzee’s time at Man Utd started positively, scoring the winner just 26 minutes into his debut against Fulham on the first day of the season.But the player has since struggled and it remains his only goal in 17 appearances.SunSport exclusively revealed that sacked manager Erik ten Hag did not want to sign him and he was a stone overweight when he rocked up at his new club.It took him a while to shift the unwanted timber and his former boss was unhappy about his fitness.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSZirkzee was an Ineos buy as they identified the deal as good value for money.But just months into his five-year contract, they could now let him go to potentially free up space to sign Sporting Lisbon star Viktor Gyokeres at the end of the season.Ruben Amorim takes charge of first Man Utd training sessionNew manager Ruben Amorim is reportedly keen on bringing the Swedish goal machine with him to Old Trafford.But the transfer will not come cheap as the Portuguese giants are set to demand around £80m for the man with 23 goals in 18 games this term.Three Sporting stars Amorim could swoop for after joining Man UtdRUBEN AMORIM has ruled out poaching any of his Sporting Lisbon players in the January transfer window.But the Portuguese side’s chiefs expect Amorim will come calling in the summer – with his cheque book wide open.Here’s are three Sporting starts United could swoop for… but they won’t come cheap:VIKTOR GYOKERESAge: 26Position: StrikerCost: £84millionSwede has shone since joining Sporting last summer from Coventry — catching the eye of all Europe’s top clubs.Hit 43 goals in 50 games last season and boasts 18 strikes already this term.GONCALO INACIOAge: 23Position: DefenderCost: £50millionBall-playing centre-back was handed his debut by Amorim and has since become a key figure in Sporting’s recent title successes.Can also slot in at left-back if required and has 12 caps for Portugal.MORTEN HJULMANDAge: 25Position: MidfieldCost: £40millionDane is one of the top holding midfielders in Portugal — and made skipper by Amorim.He could be the man to replace Casemiro. More

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      Inside Arsenal legend Edu’s bombshell move from title contenders to madhouse under eccentric and impatient owner

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      EDU has swapped a Premier League penthouse for a multi-club madhouse.As Arsenal welcome Nottingham Forest this weekend, the Gunners are still trying to pick up the pieces from the shock departure of their Sporting Director for an expanded role under City Ground owner Evangelos Marinakis.Edu Gaspar is preparing for his new multi-club role after quitting ArsenalCredit: GettyEdu will oversee the stable of clubs owned by Nottingham Forest chief Evangelos MarinakisCredit: PAIt has come at a time when the title-chasing North Londoners are at their most stable, consistent and successful on and off the pitch since the glory days of Edu’s own Invincibles side under Arsene Wenger.A dream job, some would argue.In comparison, Forest have been leaving a trail of undesirable box office drama behind them for many years now, from VAR squabbles to cigar-spitting accusations, under their eccentric owner Marinakis who is eyeing world domination via his Manchester City-inspired multi-club model.So, why would Edu risk tainting an impressive dossier of work at Arsenal for an unspecified triple-your-money role with Grecian grouch Marinakis – a man currently at the centre of a blackmail conspiracy in his home country?READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe simple answer is: power. Edu is an ambitious Brazilian who quietly eyed a bigger role at the Emirates, and discretely looked elsewhere when it was clear that was unlikely.Despite several Brazil stars currently in Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta’s squad, Edu’s expertise and knowledge of the country and English football was not solely relied upon with Arteta having a large say in all recruitment dealings.Under Marinakis, however, he is expected to have greater say as a powerful and extremely well-paid executive over the general running of an empire which so far consists of Forest, Olympiacos and Portuguese side Rio Ave.Marinakis has also eyed up Serie A’s Monza and is reportedly in talks to add Rio de Janieiro-based Vasco da Gama to his growing portfolio.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe latter is believed to have been with Edu in mind – a man who has great connections in Brazil from his time as a director of football at Corinthians and general coordinator of the national team before joining Arsenal in July 2019.But Edu will also be aware that Marinakis is prone to pulling the trigger if expectations are not met.Edu’s exit is a huge loss for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal will feel very different without him, says SunSport’s Jack RosserArsenal and Edu resignation statement in fullEdu Gaspar has today resigned from his position as our Sporting Director.Edu, our former player and Invincible, re-joined us in the role of Technical Director in July 2019. He progressed through the club and was promoted to Sporting Director in November 2022, where he oversaw men’s, women’s and academy football.   We thank Edu for the part he has played in our renewed football strategy and driving the club forward with the values of Arsenal in his heart. Edu said: “This was an incredibly hard decision to make.”Arsenal has given me the opportunity to work with so many amazing people and the chance to be a part of something so special in the club’s history. It has been a special journey and I thank Stan, Josh, Tim and Lord Harris for the support they’ve given me.  “I’ve loved working with so many great colleagues across our men’s, women’s and academy teams, especially Mikel, who has become a great friend. “Now it is time to pursue a different challenge. Arsenal will always remain in my heart. I wish the club and its supporters only good things and all the very best.”Our Co-Chair, Josh Kroenke, added: “We respect Edu’s decision and thank him for his immense contribution and dedication to drive the club forward.  “Everyone at the club wishes him well. We are all so fond of him and the positive energy he brings to everything and everyone.  “Change and evolution is a part of our club.  We remain focused on our strategy and winning major trophies. Our succession plan will reflect this continued ambition.”Marinakis’ erratic trial and error process for this role began with Spaniard Antonio Cordon in June 2023 after his past success with Villarreal and Real Betis.Cordon was initially the Olympiacos Sporting Director before Marinakis promoted him to also cover Forest and Rio Ave six months later. Cordon left the role in July 2024.In the middle of all this, Portuguese Sporting Director Pedro Alves was given the Olympiacos gig in December 2023, but lasted just two months.One of Edu’s great strengths is his ability to control communications from top to bottom, something Arsenal chiefs are understood to be aware of replacing sooner rather than later.But Edu knows he will be dealing with quite the character in Marinakis, one who has been known to smash TVs in director’s boxes in anger at the City Ground, and played his part in the club being fined £750k last term for green-lighting a tweet that accused referee Stuart Atwell of bias.Edu’s 35 signings rankedEDU oversaw the arrival of 35 players during his time at the club.Some worked out better than others.Here, SunSport ranks them from worst to best…35. Nicolas Pepe (£72m)34. Willian (Free)33. David Luiz (£8m)32. Runar Alex Runarsson (£2m)31. Mat Ryan (Loan)30. Fabio Vieira (£34m)29. Neto (Loan)28. Marquinhos (£3m)27. Nuno Tavares (£8m)26. Matt Turner (£5m)25. Cedric Soares (Free)24. Albert Sambi Lokonga (£17m)23. Pablo Mari (£5m)22. Dani Ceballos (Loan)21. Raheem Sterling (Loan)20. Jakub Kiwior (£17m)19. Jorginho (£12m)18. Riccardo Calafiori (£42m)17. Kieran Tierney (£25m)16. Takehiro Tomiyasu (£20m)15. Mikel Merino (£28m)14. Aaron Ramsdale (£24m)13. Oleksandr Zinchenko (£30m)12. Gabriel Jesus (£45m)11. Kai Havertz (£65m)10. Jurrien Timber (£38m)9. Gabriel Martinelli (£6m)8. David Raya (£27m)7. Leandro Trossard (£20m)6. Thomas Partey (£45m)5. Ben White (£50m)4. Gabriel Magalhaes (£27m)3. Declan Rice (£105m)2. William Saliba (£27m)1. Martin Odegaard (£30m)Click here to read more Arsenal stories.He then was hit with a five-game ban last month for spitting at the feet of an official, his defence being that it is due to smoking two to three cigars a day.And this week, Olympiacos were forced to come out in defence of Marinakis and board members, claiming they were being “blackmailed” with allegations of financing “sports violence”.The influence of the City Football Group on Marinakis cannot be understated.Under Abu Dhabi United Group owner Sheikh Mansour, a 13-strong collection of teams across five continents includes City, Melbourne City, New York City, Mumbai City, Girona and Shenzhen Peng City.This is Marinakis’ blueprint, one that is expected to be overseen and run by Edu – an opportunity of global expansion that was not seen as a priority at Arsenal.But for every City Group, there is Chelsea’s topsy-turvy and messy growth under Todd Boehly’s own multi-club vision, one that feels constantly on the verge of a crisis.READ MORE SUN STORIESOn his six-month gardening leave before beginning his Marinakis adventure, Edu will watch Arsenal vs Forest from home this weekend.A penny for his thoughts, whatever the score.How Edu made Arsenal great againBy Jack RosserEDU GASPAR has been on a mission to ‘Make Arsenal Great Again’ ever since returning to the club he played for 2019.After a few wobbles early on – signing Nicolas Pepe will never reflect well – the Brazilian has, alongside Mikel Arteta, been crucial in the club’s transformation.Arteta was brought in as the new manager within months of Edu’s return to North London and the former midfielder stuck by the boss when the pressure was on two years into the job.Instead of making the knee-jerk decision to change manager again, the former Brazil international, joined forces with Arteta to institute a huge change of culture at The Emirates.Overpaid toxic influences such as Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were purged from the dressing room and Arsenal set about adding strong characters.Edu finally got the club competing in the transfer market again, with Martin Odegaard an outstanding capture for the club. In landing Declan Rice ahead of Manchester City last year Arsenal showed they couple compete for and sign some of Europe’s biggest talents once more.Arsenal have become one of the most attractive clubs in the Premier League and one of the most efficient in the market.While there have been big deals for the likes of Rice and Calafiori, there have been smart ones too – picking out value where others have lost hope.Kai Havertz appeared as a surprising signing after a dreadful season at Chelsea. But after Edu gave the German space and support to rebuild his confidence he has developed into a fine asset for Arteta.Edu does not only have a tight relationship with Arteta – who many fans will be glad signed a new deal before the sporting director’s departure – but the players too, always ready and waiting to check in, keep them going.London Colney and The Emirates will feel a very different place for all of them without Edu. More

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      in Soccer

      Gareth Southgate’s England sidekick Steve Holland ‘to take first ever manager’s job at World Cup final hosts’

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      FORMER England assistant boss Steve Holland has reportedly landed his first managerial job.The coach spent eight years with the Three Lions as Gareth Southgate’s right hand man.Steve Holland was England assistant boss under Steve HollandCredit: AlamyHe is now set for his first official managerial roleCredit: GettyHe has been out of work since leaving alongside Southgate in the summer but is now set to be appointed manager of Japanese side Yokohama F.Marinos, according to The Athletic.It will be Holland’s first official managerial role, having been an assistant for the last 16 years.Prior to that he had a stint at Crewe where his role as first-team coach saw him act as a de facto manager.He then had a brief spell at Stoke before spending four years at Chelsea where he worked under Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte and Rafa Benitez.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHolland, 54, will be tasked with getting Yokohama back up the table, with the club dropping from their second-paced finish last season to ninth this term.Previous boss Harry Kewell was sacked in July after winning just 13 out of 33 games in charge.That was unacceptable for a club who have won the J1 League five times – most recently in 2022.They are also minority-owned by City Football Group, with Nissan the majority shareholder, and play at the 2002 World Cup final stadium.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnge Postecoglou had a spell at Yokohama and led the club to the league title in 2019 before moving to Celtic.Meanwhile Southgate is still out of work after leaving England though was linked with the Manchester United job before Ruben Amorim took charge. Gary Neville tells Gareth Southgate ‘it’s illegal’ again as he repeats fierce criticism of ex-England manager’s tactics More