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      Joe Cole a shock contender for England Under-21s job with Aidy Boothroyd on chopping block

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      JOE COLE is a surprise contender to become England Under-21 boss.Current coach Aidy Boothroyd is set for the axe following the disastrous European Championship campaign.
      Joe Cole is rated as a possibility to succeed Aidy Boothroyd, with Frank Lampard and Mark Warburton also mentionedCredit: Jamie McPhilimey – The Sun
      Aidy Boothroyd is tipped for the sack after England Under-21s’ group exit in the European ChampionshipCredit: Getty
      England’s colts finished bottom of their group and  Boothroyd then further damaged his chances of staying on by describing the role as an “utterly impossible job”.
      Former Chelsea and England midfielder Cole, 39, obtained his Uefa A licence a year ago and is passionate about making a move into management.
      He is also passionate about our national team.
      Since retiring as a player, Cole has worked as a coach in the academy of his old club.
      He has also been to England’s HQ at St George’s Park to study training sessions and give talks to youth players.
      Cole’s old Chelsea team-mate Frank Lampard and current QPR boss Mark Warburton have also been touted as possible successors to Boothroyd.
      Warburton has since played down the speculation and it is believed that Lampard, who has just become a dad again, plans to enjoy a “long holiday” before considering a return to management.
      England’s Under-17 coach  Justin Cochrane is another in the frame.
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      Cole works as a pundit for BT Sport but sees coaching as his long-term ambition.
      The U-21s thought they had done enough to scrape through as goals from Ebere Eze and Curtis Jones put them 2-0 up against Croatia.
      But in the first minute of stoppage time, Croatia left-back Domagoj Bradaric unleashed a rocket from outside the area that eliminated England.
      Watch Harry Maguire search for John Stones after Man Utd star spared partner’s blushes with England winner More

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      Karren Brady: Like other sufferers, I cannot believe social networks are unable to take measures to identify abusers

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      ABUSE from the crowd, chanted or shouted, is bad enough but on social media, it is worse. It rankles for longer.I have experience of both, and on the street, too, but in cold print even if it comes from some weirdo with nothing better to do, it also tends to stick.
      Karren Brady has galled on social media giants to do more to stop racismCredit: PR Handout – Free to use
      Mark Zuckerberg has attracted criticism for not doing enough to stop online abuseCredit: The Mega Agency
      For a black man, racial abuse does more. It stains.
      Like other sufferers, I cannot believe Facebook, Instagram, ­Twitter and other social networks are unable to take measures to identify culprits or delete their filth.
      Speak up Nick Clegg, a two-faced politician who graduated to many-faced vice-president of global affairs for Facebook.
      Neither Clegg nor his employer, Mark Zuckerberg, hold out much hope of netting obscenity before it is published.
      And if they act with urgency it will be because, Clegg points out: “Advertisers don’t want their brands and products displayed next to extreme or hateful content — a point that many made explicitly last summer during a high-profile boycott by a number of household-name brands.”
      So there we have it. Never mind the targets of racial abuse, vulnerable and very angry, it’s big advertisers like Disney that really matter.
      But let’s get back to the former Deputy Prime Minister mentioning a boycott last summer.
      It was run by StopHateForProfit for the whole of July and it was estimated it cost Facebook and Instagram, also owned by Zuckerberg, about £23million.
      This is a fiddling sum compared with damages of about £500m ordered by an Illinois court for ‘photo tagging’, a jazzed-up phrase for using facial recognition software.
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      Thierry Henry has called for social media to do more to stop racists

      Even so, such losses are no more than damage on a car bumper to Zuckerberg whose companies earned over £50bn in the last year.
      Hate speech is no more than a troublesome ailment to the social networks.
      But not to us, and I can only assume that lawyers in many countries are assessing whether damages could be won for victims.
      It could be a short-cut to these networks taking significant action.
      Black and ethnic minority footballers are easy targets and so far are victims without serious redress.
      Football is at the apex of victimisation because it is incomparably popular in this country.
      Everybody knows Manchester United and I’d guess a huge number know Marcus Rashford’s name.
      He has been racially abused and says: “I’m a black man and I live every day proud I am.”
      Thierry Henry takes a different tack. He no longer uses social media.
      Arsenal launched a campaign  StopOnlineAbuse to add to ‘Black Lives Matter’ and others aligned with kicking out racism.
      Hnery has quit Twitter until it become a ‘safer place’
      Yet I can’t help thinking they are diffusing the message and prompting insane rage in people of limited conscience.
      Henry’s reaction seems the most effective, for the time being. Companies who claim they are doing everything in their power to prevent racist abuse just aren’t.
      If Zuckerberg, Clegg and their peers spent as much time and money editing out foul abuse as they do in chasing more users, then the debasing of their output would soon be under control.
      Theorists say that improved equality education at school and beyond would eradicate abuse.
      Certainly it would help but we all know that murder and rape is wrong and yet human nature has a disturbed side and racial hatred should be added to the list.
      Social media action is vital but weeding out culprits, big fines and jail must have a part to play.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Thierry Henry breaks silence after quitting Twitter as he tells Good Morning Britain ‘I will be back on it when it’s safer’ More

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      Knife-wielding burglars who raided Dele Alli’s house still on the run

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      BURGLARS who raided the house of footie ace Dele Alli are still on the run almost a year later.Scotland Yard admitted no one had been nicked for the knife raid during which the star was punched in the face.
      The burglars who raided Dele Alli’s home are still at largeCredit: Getty
      It said: “No arrests have been made and enquires are ongoing.”
      It is the latest in a string of blows for the 24-year-old England and Spurs midfielder.
      Dele has been dumped by girlfriend Ruby Mae, also 24, and has suffered a disappointing season.
      Model Ruby Mae was at the home when it was raided and the couple have since split upCredit: Reuters

      Ruby, a lingerie model, was with him in Barnet, North London, when two knife-wielding thugs snatched jewellery and watches worth £350,000 on May 17 last year.
      A source said last night: “This is more bad news for Dele.
      “The past year’s been awful for him.”
      Police investigated the raid at Dele Alli’s home last yearCredit: Paul Edwards – The Sun
      Dele Alli has split from model girlfriend Ruby Mae ‘because he spent too long playing Fortnite’
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      Alexander-Arnold, Dier and Abraham could be big-name casualties of Southgate’s Euro 2020 squad but Pickford set for No1

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      IT sounds as if Gareth Southgate actually enjoys the mental torture of picking a 23-man squad for a major tournament.The tough decisions, the horrible rejection phone calls, trying to ensure a perfect balance for every conceivable eventuality.
      Trent Alexander-Arnold looks set to miss out on an England spot for the EurosCredit: PA
      Tammy Abraham is another at risk of being left out by Gareth SouthgateCredit: Getty
      The England boss looks certain to leave out regular squad members such as Trent Alexander-Arnold, Eric Dier and Tammy Abraham.
      Then he must choose one of Reece James and Kieran Trippier.
      If Jordan Henderson is fit then there is a likely choice between Jude Bellingham and James Ward-Prowse.
      And probably another call to make between Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho.
      But when he was asked about suggestions that Uefa may allow bosses to name larger squads for the Euros, due to Covid concerns, Southgate said he was against the idea.
      Wednesday’s 2-1 World Cup qualifying victory over Poland was England’s last match before Southgate names his Euros squad.
      And the likelihood is he will only be naming a 23-man party with another group of players on standby in case of positive Covid tests.
      Judging by Southgate’s words and actions, as well as conversations with those close to the England boss, there are plenty of significant pointers towards his Euro plans…
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      Eric Dier is another regular who will struggle to make the 23-man squadCredit: Rex

      Jordan Pickford, not Nick Pope, will be England’s No 1 at the tournament.

      Southgate’s Plan A is a 4-2-3-1 with two holding midfielders — Declan Rice and Jordan Henderson or Kalvin Phillips, depending on the Liverpool skipper’s fitness.

      He will pick only eight defenders in his squad, with Kyle Walker and Luke Shaw certain to be included, as they can both operate in a back three if and when England shift to a 3-4-3.

      Southgate had decided before these three qualifiers that a flat back four would be his go-to formation for the summer.
      He said: “We’ve normally got so many good attacking options — ideally you want to get attacking players on the pitch and that’s harder with a back three.
      “But there is that balance of making sure that we are not open at the back.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      “Heading into the World Cup in Russia we were very clear we were going to be 3-5-2 and were very clear we were going to pick the players to fit that system.
      “We’re more fluid and adaptable now. We have some exciting wide players and players who can come in off the line and play as an attacking No 8 or No 10.
      “Some of them are still learning how to win, needing experiences like the Poland game. But we’ve got to find a way of getting them into the squad.”
      Southgate was heartened by the return to form of John Stones at Manchester City and felt that pairing him with Manchester United’s Harry Maguire, behind two defensive midfielders, would give England the right balance.
      It does not seem that Stones’ horrible error, which gifted Poland an equaliser, has spooked him in returning to a back three and wing-backs for England’s tournament opener against Croatia.
      Southgate partially blamed the pass from keeper Nick Pope for Stones’ error, indicating that Pickford’s superior distribution will earn him the nod over the Burnley player.
      And Southgate says he will pick only eight defenders in his squad — a further suggestion that a flat back four is his preference.
      England boast the most-valuable squad of all Euro 2020 nations
      Asked whether he needed to name more than eight defenders, he said: “I don’t actually think we do.
      For example, in Russia we played Kyle Walker in a back three. Luke Shaw has played in a back three for Man United. Ben Chilwell has as well.
      “It’s not essential to have more than eight and the more defenders we take, the less we have in other areas.
      “We’ve got to have enough to cover ourselves in case of problems during the tournament but we also have to get that balance right.”
      Southgate was glowing about West Ham man Rice and Leeds defender Phillips — two men who have never played Champions League football but who are firmly in his plans.
      Rice, man of the match against Poland and Albania, is a nailed-on starter at the Euros, while Phillips could well feature if Henderson — England’s one current injury doubt for the tournament — fails to recover from groin surgery.
      Southgate said: “Declan has been a very important player since game one. We’re really pleased that we’ve found Kalvin as well in that area of the pitch.

      “The top teams have those players who can break the game up but can use the ball well and those two are in that category.
      “Very often when we’ve been without Henderson, we’ve looked short of that type of player.
      “Declan’s tactical maturity has been outstanding. His reading of danger, the number of times where he’s come across at the right moment, intercepted play, come away with the ball and then used it well.
      “We know  he’s not had those big matches, those latter stages of big cups, European ties, so a lot of his development has been with us.”
      Of course, Henderson may not be fit and there could be more  injuries, which end up making Southgate’s squad selection easier.
      But as far as the England  manager is concerned, where would be the fun in that?
      Watch Harry Maguire search for John Stones after Man Utd star spared partner’s blushes with England winner More

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      Jadon Sancho and Jack Grealish face missing out on England’s Euro 2020 squad with Jesse Lingard impressing Southgate

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      JESSE LINGARD is emerging as a wildcard selection for Gareth Southgate’s 23-man Euros squad.The midfielder, a stalwart of England’s run to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals, has come from nowhere to be a serious contender again.
      Jesse Lingard is a popular, gregarious figure within the England campCredit: Getty
      Sancho and Grealish could be in danger of losing their placesCredit: Marc Aspland – The Times
      His outstanding form on loan at West Ham had earned the Manchester United outcast a shock call-up to Southgate’s squad for the World Cup qualifiers — and Lingard played in all three.
      When naming that party, Southgate admitted Lingard, 28, had been ‘lucky’ to be included, because of injuries to Jack Grealish, Jadon Sancho, James Maddison and Harvey Barnes.
      But it is believed that Southgate has been so impressed by Lingard’s form, as well as his huge popularity within the squad, that he is trying to figure out who to omit to find room for him.
      That could mean the axe for Sancho or Grealish — both would be huge calls.
      Three Lions boss Southgate revealed he is already telling his players whether or not they are likely to make his Euros squad — two months before the final decisions are confirmed.
      He said: “I’ve spoken to quite a few so that they know exactly where they sit.
      “You’ve got to manage expectations about what they might need to do between now and the end of the season.
      “And, of course, everybody is so close. It’s not something anybody sees outside the camp, but when you’ve got players training at the right level every day, encouraging each other through those sessions, socially getting on well.
      Lingard, 28 was a Southgate favourite during the 2018 World CupCredit: EPA
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      “It’s not all about that social part, but the part where you accept being on the bench, accept playing your part and not playing the number of minutes.
      “That is critical and was important to us getting nine points.”
      Southgate claimed England’s 2-1 win over Poland was a boost for team spirit.
      He said: “We often talk about team spirit and going out for meals, or nights out. But spirit is grown by winning important matches together.”

      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Martin Keown says that Phil Foden should be ahead of Jesse Lingard for England More

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      Harry Kane set to STAY at Tottenham with club refusing to sell him to Prem rival and wanting £175m from foreign clubs

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      HARRY KANE is set to stay at Tottenham this summer with the club refusing to let him join another Premier League team.And unless the big guns in Spain are able to come up with the £175million that would be needed to get the England captain out, Kane, 27, accepts he will be a Spurs player next season.
      Kane, 28, will be denied a move this summerCredit: Getty
      Kane realises he might have to quit his boyhood club to win football’s biggest prizes — but he is loyal to Tottenham, he loves the club and is not currently willing to force his way out.
      The star striker has three years to run on the bumper contract he signed in June 2018 and hopes the club will match his ambitions in that time.
      But SunSport understands Spurs are ready to dig their heels in and make it almost impossible for him to get away before then if Kane did make the first move.
      Chairman Daniel Levy will not do business with any Premier League club — blowing a hole in the hopes of either of the Manchester giants luring him away.
      And with a value in excess of £175m, Continental clubs — who have been financially ravaged by Covid — will be unable to afford him.
      Real Madrid are the most likely club to try to make a move and Kane would not rule out a switch there but the fee is currently unachievable.
      Spurs will not be bullied into letting their biggest star leave just because his head may be turned by other options elsewhere.
      Despite unrivalled service to Tottenham throughout his career, he will not be granted a transfer away without a fight.
      Spurs have had a disappointing seasonCredit: Getty
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      Levy is already regarded as one of the most difficult to deal with when it comes to agreeing deals on selling players.
      European giants like Barcelona and Real Madrid have been interested in the past but their own financial problems make them unlikely to come to the table with any  genuine offer.
      Spurs also know that with players such as Erling Haaland, 20, and 22-year-old Kylian Mbappe available, they offer better long-term value for big money than Kane who will be 28 by the start of next season.
      Kane, who has 27 goals this campaign, is set to finish as Tottenham’s top scorer for the seventh season running and needs another 52 to beat Jimmy Greaves’ club record of 266.
      His 160 Prem goals put him ninth on the division’s all-time scorers — exactly 100 behind Alan Shearer’s leading mark.

      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Rio Ferdinand says Man City should go for Erling Haaland over Harry Kane as he’s younger and cheaper More

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      How England should line up at Euro 2020 as SunSport reporters pick their XIs and squads

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      ENGLAND boss Gareth Southgate has some big decisions ahead as he picks his 23-man squad for the European Championships.And the decisions won’t get any easier as the 50-year-old then has to pick a starting XI and favoured formation for the tournament opener against Croatia on June 13.
      Gareth Southgate is set to make, and break, player’s dreams for the EurosCredit: AFP
      Here, four of SunSport’s esteemed reporters give their squads and starting XI for the Euros.
      DAVE KIDD

      THERE are some tough decisions to make – especially at right-back and in wide areas, where England have a wealth of talent.
      Reece James, Jadon Sancho and Jesse Lingard may all make Southgate’s squad and Kalvin Phillips certainly will, but they all miss out on my 23.
      And Trent Alexander-Arnold’s absence has certainly caused ire on Merseyside but he is now relying on injuries to make the squad.
      The starting line-up is slightly easier, going with Southgate’s preferred 4-2-3-1 – although Kyle Walker and Jack Grealish will be pressing hard for starts.
      SQUAD: Pickford, Pope, D Henderson, Walker, Trippier, Maguire, Stones, Mings, Coady, Chilwell, Shaw, Rice, J Henderson, Bellingham, Ward-Prowse, Mount, Foden, Grealish, Saka, Sterling, Rashford, Kane, Greenwood.
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      CHARLIE WYETT

      SOUTHGATE should revert to a back three with wing-backs for Euro2020. And I would still start Trent Alexander-Arnold.
      My formation would be different if Jordan Henderson was definitely going to be fit and ready but this seems unlikely.
      But the current central midfield is not experienced enough to give protection to the defence so I would have three at the back and use Alexander-Arnold’s attacking ability along with Ben Chilwell’s.
      We keep talking about playing to our attacking strengths. But like Portugal in 2016, we have to concentrate on not conceding first and the rest should follow.
      Up front, Phil Foden gets in ahead of Marcus Rashford.
      Jude Bellingham should scrape into Southgate’s squad of 23 as he offers something different.
      I don’t think Jordan Henderson will be 100 per cent fit and on too many occasions – although not the last World Cup – England have taken injured players.
      Jack Grealish, Jadon Sancho and Eric Dier, because of his versatility, all squeeze in. No place for James Maddison, Bukayo Saka, Kieran Trippier or Reece James.
      SQUAD: Pickford, Pope, Henderson, Alexander-Arnold, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Dier, Mings, Chilwell, Shaw, Mount, Rice, Ward-Prowse, Bellingham, Sancho, Foden, Grealish, Kane, Sterling, Rashford, Calvert-Lewin, Ings.
      MARTIN LIPTON

      IF England are going to win, they need to utilise their best assets – attacking.
      The more forward options, the better. No places for Walker, Coady, Phillips or Shaw in my squad, with Trippier the cover full-back allowing me to go with the youth and exciting potential of Saka and Bellingham.
      Toughest cut is Shaw – ironic as he went to the 2014 World Cup as a teenager instead of Ashley Cole. But Saka is too good to omit.
      I need to get Grealish’s creativity into the side and am backing Mount and Foden to work back alongside Rice when required. 
      SQUAD: Pickford, Pope, Henderson; Alexander-Arnold, James, Stones, Maguire, Mings, Chilwell, Trippier, Rice, Henderson, Mount, Bellingham, Foden, Saka, Ward-Prowse, Kane, Rashford, Sterling, Sancho, Calvert-Lewin, Grealish.
      MARK IRWIN

      SOUTHGATE will be tempted to revert to a back three after seeing this week how easily a back four can be damaged by one defensive lapse.
      But picking an extra central defender limits the team’s attacking options and sends out negative signals to the opposition.
      Pickford definitely returns in goal because of his superior distribution and Stones stays at centre-half despite his propensity to occasionally switch off.
      I was tempted to omit Jordan Henderson as there is no guarantee he will be completely match fit in June following his long lay-off.
      But there is a real lack of midfield leadership without the Liverpool captain and even if he isn’t ready to start at the Euros his big match experience will be crucial to the squad.
      Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood haven’t done enough in recent months to warrant a place in my squad although you could argue that having Foden, Grealish, Mount and Maddison ahead of Ward-Prowse or Winks is a bit too gung-ho.
      SQUAD: Pickford, Pope, Henderson, Trippier, James, Walker, Maguire, Stones, Keane, Chilwell, Shaw, Rice, Phillips, Henderson, Bellingham, Mount, Foden, Grealish, Maddison, Kane, Sterling, Rashford, Calvert-Lewin.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Watch Harry Maguire search for John Stones after Man Utd star spared partner’s blushes with England winner More

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      Sir Alex Ferguson claims Wayne Rooney couldn’t handle his booze & he was powerless to stop the striker having affairs

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      SIR Alex Ferguson claims former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney could not handle his booze.And the retired manager, 79, told pal Alastair Campbell he was powerless to stop the player from having affairs.
      Wayne Rooney couldn’t handle his booze, Alex Ferguson saysCredit: Scott Hornby – The Sun
      Fergie also said that he couldn’t stop Rooney from having affairsCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Sir Alex met former Labour spin-doctor Alastair in 2010 — days after it was revealed married Rooney slept with a £1,000-a-night prostitute.
      Alastair wrote in newly released diaries: “We chatted about Rooney. He sounded a bit down about him. The papers had been full of Rooney and prostitutes. I said, ‘What are you going to do about him?’
      He replied, ‘What can I do? He is also the last guy who should take a drink’.”
      Alastair, 63, also revealed Sir Alex feared an exodus of United stars over Rooney’s alleged attitude.
      He writes: “According to Alex, Rooney was p***ing off the other players by trying to take control.” 
      Rooney, 35, now Derby County boss, has been asked to comment.
      ‘He is the last guy who should take a drink,’ Fergie is said to have told Alastair CampbellCredit: Xposure
      The retired manager, 79, spoke to pal Alastair Campbell about Rooney in 2010Credit: Getty – Contributor
      ‘According to Alex, Rooney was p***ing off the other players,’ Labour spin-doctor Campbell saidCredit: Scott Hornby – The Sun

      Meanwhile, Rooney has hit out at the EFL’s decision to play a Good Friday programme less than 48 hours after internationals.
      The Derby boss says it would have been ‘sensible’ to play the games on Saturday as the Premier League have done.
      Rooney had two internationals involved in squads last night, Poland’s Kamil Jozwiak and Scotland keeper David Marshall.
      Ex-England striker Roo said: “My only issue is the scheduling of the Friday games after Wednesday’s internationals.
      “It’s interesting that none of the Premier League teams are playing on Good Friday.
      “We have a duty of care to our players.
      “It leaves us in a really difficult position when it comes to playing anyone who was also involved with their countries on Wednesday.
      “It would be unfair to play them. Playing on Saturday would’ve been the sensible thing to do but that’s not the case.”
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      Wayne Rooney knocked out as he and ex-United pal Phil Bardsley go toe-to-toe in home boxing fight
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