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      Alan Brazil: I’ve seen booze wreck many friends’ lives… I like a drink but know when enough is enough

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      ALAN BRAZIL has a glass of bubbly in hand – as he ­discusses all the football friends he’s known down the years who’ve been destroyed by the demon drink.
      The bar we are in was supposedly closed during the day due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

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      Alan Brazil has opened up about alcohol in football – while enjoying a glass of bubbly

      But it opened up for larger-than-life Brazil to do our interview.
      The Scotsman, 62, takes a long, drawn-out sip from his glass and tells me: “I was with Ray Parlour in the car park of the old talkSPORT offices a few years ago.
      “We came out waiting for the electric gate to open and I said, ‘S**t Ray, that’s Kenny Sansom’.
      “The poor guy was a mess, wearing a stained old trench coat, scraggly beard.

      “He looked like a guy begging who had slept rough. We were both absolutely stunned.
      “I wanted to give him some money but Ray said, ‘No you can’t, he’ll go straight to buy booze,’ so we phoned the Professional Footballers’ Association and they sent a car for him.”
      Sansom won 86 caps for England and played in two World Cups – but here he was homeless and blacking out after booze-fuelled nights.
      Brazil added: “He had to learn to walk and talk after being beaten up in Exeter.

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      Alan Brazil’s book comes out on sale on October 29

      “But I was really pleased to hear Kenny had come out of hospital recently and the last I heard he was doing much better.”
      It is no secret that Brazil has a reputation for burning the candle at both ends.
      Over the years, people have assumed the former Scotland striker has a drink problem himself.
      The talkSPORT host addresses the elephant in the room, as he pops the second bottle into the ice bucket.
      He said: “I love a drink but I know when enough is enough.
      “People say a lot to me, ‘Take care of yourself more, you’ve got to slow down, why do you go out so much?’
      “But that’s the way I am. I’ve lost so many good friends in football and I just feel you’re only here for a visit so enjoy yourself.”

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      Brazil reveals his shock after seeing Kenny Sansom down on his luckCredit: Rex Features

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      Brazil cited West Brom legend Cyrille Regis as an example of never knowing when your time is upCredit: PA:Press Association
      He cites West Brom icon Cyrille Regis as a classic example of never knowing when your time may be up.
      Brazil said: “Cyrille was looking chiselled like a boxer in the summer of 2018 at a charity golf event.
      “I said ‘Cyrille, you look fantastic’ and he said to me ‘You want to stop going out so much and you could have a body like me!’
      “Then a few months later he was gone. Heart attack. Bang. Dead. I’ve lost so many people like that.”
      Brazil watched many close friends battle with demons while coming to terms with life after the final whistle.
      The former striker has huge admiration for Gunners favourite, Paul Merson, 52, who turned his life around after being powerless to drink.
      But he questions why the ex-England star survived the axe amid Sky Sports’ recent sacking of Matt Le Tissier, Charlie Nicholas and Phil Thompson from Soccer Saturday.
      He said: “What happened with Soccer ­Saturday is a disgrace. They had a year to run on their contracts.
      “I’m a big Merson fan. I love him to bits and he is brilliant on the radio – but Merse survives?
      “Is that because they’re scared he might go back to his demons and get involved with drugs and booze again?
      “Merse has got to be on his guard all the time.
      “He’s a lovely guy and was a hell of a player – but he can’t go back to those days. It seems strange, what were Sky scared about?”

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      Brazil opened up about Merson’s drinking before the ex-Arsenal star turned his life aroundCredit: Hulton Archive – Getty
      The talkSPORT legend has graced the breakfast show for 20 years now.
      Looking back on his time, having to talk on air about the death of his close pal Ray Wilkins in 2018 was by far one of the hardest moments.
      Brazil met the former England captain in the late 70s when he was at Ipswich and Wilkins played for Chelsea – and the duo hit it off on talkSPORT.
      Wilkins had ongoing struggles with alcoholism, before passing away from a heart attack aged 61.
      Brazil recalls in his new book: “Everyone in football loved the guy and was devastated at his passing.
      “And when his son spoke about his depression and alcoholism at the funeral, it was like he was speaking about someone I’d never met.”
      Brazil starred alongside his Scottish heroes Kenny Dalglish, Alan Hansen and Graeme Souness at the 1982 World Cup in Spain.
      And Ipswich fans will remember the curly-haired forward of the early 80s, who hit 80 goals and helped the club to 1981 Uefa Cup glory.

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      Alan Brazil is a former Scotland international who played at the 1982 World CupCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Tottenham and Manchester United fans are less likely to remember, as persistent back injuries plagued the latter stages of the striker’s career and forced him to cut it short at 27.
      Brazil found retirement a bitter pill to swallow at first – and at times he was even left skint – but he never let it break his spirit.
      Even when sacked from talkSPORT in 2004 for missing a show after a boozy night at Cheltenham races, he opened a bottle of bubbly and hit the slopes in the French Alps with his wife Jill and their three daughters.
      He said: “My poor wife went ballistic. It was my own fault. But I had a brilliant break. I came back, rolled my sleeves up and got on with it.”
      Brazil continues to man the talkSPORT airwaves at breakfast on Thursday and Friday for a staggering 1.5million weekly listeners.
      He shows no signs of slowing despite bouts of pneumonia and bronchitis.
      In 2014 he almost DIED in a routine op to remove a growth on his throat.
      He said: “I woke up and I asked the nurses, ‘How did it go?’
      “They said ‘Sorry, we didn’t complete it because you stopped breathing. The doctor aborted the operation’.”
      His response to being so close to death? Brazil laughs: “I shrugged my shoulders and thought, ‘I’m only here for a visit’, I’ll have another beer!”
      *Only Here for a Visit: A Life Lived to the Full – from Sporting Glories to Wild Stories by Alan Brazil is out on October 29 (£20.00). Available from all good book stores.
      Coming tomorrow – I wrestled naked with a Frenchman who I thought was having an affair with my wife.

      Laura Woods pays tribute to Alan Brazil as she hosts first talkSPORT breakfast show More

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      Pochettino still prime candidate to replace Solskjaer at Man Utd AND Guardiola at Man City – he’ll wait for his chance

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      HE has been waiting for almost a year now, Mauricio Pochettino.
      The middle of November will mark the anniversary of the Argentine’s sacking by Tottenham.

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      Mauricio Pochettino remains the No1 candidate to take charge at either Manchester club nearly a year after his Spurs exitCredit: Reuters

      And 12 months of inactivity is a long time for such a workaholic, football-obsessive.
      We are not quite into Alan Curbishley territory yet, where he becomes an 11-2 shot for every Premier League vacancy, without ever taking another managerial job.
      For now, Pochettino remains the king across the water for every major club contemplating a change in the dugout.

      A 48-year-old, who has never lifted a major trophy as a manager, yet whose work in establishing  Tottenham as Champions League regulars, marks him out as a rarity.

      A boss capable of turning good players into greats and transforming a club without massive spending.
      Pochettino is playing it cute,  keeping his head down at his family homes in north London and  Barcelona, shunning TV punditry and saying little on the record.
      And with the restrictions of behind-closed-doors football, it is impossible for Pochettino to join the old vulture culture of out-of-work bosses turning up at a match where a manager appears to be a dead man walking.
      So he waits. That’s what he does. Tick follows tock follows tick follows tock. With perhaps the occasional scan of Rightmove to check out high-end properties in the Manchester commuter belt.

      Because after the collapse of  the Saudi takeover of Newcastle, which was certainly of interest to Pochettino, Manchester is still his most likely destination.
      Pochettino has been a future United boss for years now, ever since he and his assistant Jesus Perez had a long Mayfair lunch with Sir Alex Ferguson during the dying days of Louis van Gaal’s  tenure in 2016.
      Whenever Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign has veered wildly from a long unbeaten streak into a severe slump, Pochettino has been regarded as the heir apparent.
      Yet the intrigue comes from City where Pep Guardiola is increasingly tired and tetchy, in the final year of his  contract, with many believing his appetite for the job is waning.
      Both Manchester clubs finished last season with European defeats which failed to lift their overall campaigns above mediocrity.
      And all three Premier League matches played in Manchester this term have ended in heavy and humiliating home defeats.
      Now, United do not want to sack Solskjaer  — the Glazers’ man, Ed Woodward, is almost painfully keen for the Norwegian to succeed, despite his lack of previous top-level credentials and his failure to reach a cup final or challenge for the title.
      And City’s management team, all personal chums of Guardiola, certainly don’t want to see the back of their man.

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      Pochettino has long been tipped to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Old TraffordCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Even though four successive failed Champions League campaigns would have threatened the future of any other manager at an elite club.
      Whenever Guardiola does leave — and that will always be the Catalan’s own choice — Pochettino is clearly a prime candidate.
      Having made such a  promising start at such a grand club as Arsenal, Guardiola’s No 2 Mikel Arteta is unlikely to jump ship.
      While it would be costly and difficult to pursue him or any other manager in  top-level employment.
      Hiring Pochettino, meanwhile, comes without strife or  compensation. His spell of gardening leave expired in June. The lawns are spruce, the roses pruned.
      As Pochettino has stated, in a rare interview since his Spurs exit, choosing the right job is never easy.
      When the call comes, how to  evaluate whether the time is right, whether a better opportunity may  be on the horizon, whether a club  is genuinely willing to offer you enough power and resources to succeed.
      Even if City and United both continue to struggle, it is highly  unlikely Guardiola and Solskjaer will vacate the stage at the same time.

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      Guardiola has been linked with a City exit next summer and Poch would surely love to take charge at the EtihadCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Yet surreptitious calls, via agents  or intermediaries, would doubtless  be made by United if City had a managerial vacancy or vice versa.
      If City came calling, Pochettino would be tempted. Who wouldn’t when resources are so vast and  talent so rich?
      Winning the Champions League remains an unconquered frontier for City, too.
      But the challenge said to excite Pochettino most is the idea of restoring United to the glories of his old lunching partner Ferguson.
      The chance to rebuild a great club, not just fine-tune a team,  with a proper modern managerial structure. Perhaps hiring his old chum Paul Mitchell — lately of Spurs and RB Leipzig and now at Monaco — as a proper director of football.
      A couple of the right signings, rather than big-name showbiz recruits, and the nurturing of young talent, through the hard graft and dedication he advocates, and United could prove Pochettino’s dream job.
      It sure beats a final mow of  the lawn before winter sets in and perhaps a call to catch up with old Curbs, before Countdown starts.
      But until the call comes,  Pochettino will keep schtum and wait. That’s what he does.

      Agbonlahor says Man Utd should sack ‘soft’ Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and replace him with ex-Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino More

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      West Ham eye Said Benrahma transfer but Brentford want £25m fee for in-form forward

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      WEST HAM are closing in on a deal with Brentford to sign Said Benrahma.
      Hammers boss David Moyes wants to strengthen his attack before the domestic transfer window closes on Friday.

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      West Ham are close to agreeing a deal for Brentford winger Said Benrahma

      Brentford are open to selling Benrahma, 25, who scored 17 goals in the Championship last season.
      But the Bees hope to hold out for a fee of £25million for the Algerian winger.
      This comes after West Ham had a £13m bid for Joshua King rejected.
      Bournemouth now hope Everton will make a late move for the Norway international.

      The Cherries are fuming that Moyes’ side have held talks with King, 28, without agreeing a fee for him.
      The Hammers could yet increase their offer, with Bournemouth wanting closer to £17m.

      The Cherries are also anticipating interest from Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton before Friday’s cut-off for trades between Premier League and EFL clubs.

      King remains determined to leave the south coast after Bournemouth’s relegation to the Championship.
      The former Manchester United kid has hit 48 Premier League goals since moving to the Vitality in 2015.

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      England ace Jordan Henderson screams at top of his voice as Belgium fume over soft penalty

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      JORDAN HENDERSON laughed off claims he went down too easily as he turned Wembley into the Theatre of Screams.
       The Liverpool skipper yelled at the top of his voice as he was pulled back by Thomas Meunier. That was enough to convince German ref Tobias Stieler to award England a soft 39th-minute penalty to start the comeback.

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      Jordan Henderson was brought down by Thomas Meunier for England’s penalty

      Jordan Henderson responds to claims he went down easily, as Thomas Meunier suggested at the full-time whistle.What do you think? Penalty or no penalty?📺 Watch the reaction on Sky Sports Football📲 Follow online here: https://t.co/VOLnESNJS0 pic.twitter.com/S3aOpJM0OY
      — Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) October 11, 2020

      Henderson said: “I got in front of my man and I felt he pulled me back on my shoulder. So it was a penalty — would you agree?”
      A day earlier, Henderson called on England to be more ‘horrible’ and Belgium boss Roberto Martinez certainly did not agree with his assessment of the penalty. He said: “It would have been a different game with VAR.
      “The modern game has gone a  different way in refereeing and when there is no VAR we didn’t get the luck we needed with the decisions.”
      Borussia Dortmund full-back  Meunier went to Henderson at full-time to take him to task over the ­incident.

      He even mocked the Anfield star’s fall, dropping to his knees in comical fashion.  
      Marcus Rashford scored the spot-kick to cancel out Romelu Lukaku’s earlier penalty.
      Mason Mount’s winner on 64 minutes, as his deflected shot looped in for his  first Wembley goal,  put England top of Nations League Group A2.

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      Marcus Rashford converted the resulting penalty to make it 1-1

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      Mason Mount’s deflected effort completed the comeback

      The Chelsea star said:  “They’re the No 1 team in the world and we were hanging in there at times.

      “My goal is a special achievement. I found a bit of space in the box and I only had one thing on my mind.
      “It took a big deflection but it doesn’t matter. I’ll take that all day.”

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      Bournemouth want Joshua King transfer bid from Everton after snubbing £13m West Ham offer

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      BOURNEMOUTH hope that Everton will make a late move for Joshua King — after rejecting West Ham’s £13million bid.
      The Cherries are fuming that David Moyes’ side have held talks with King, 28, without agreeing a fee for the Norwegian ace.

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      Bournemouth want Everton to bid for Joshua KingCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      West Ham could yet increase their offer, with Bournemouth holding out for closer to £17m even though King is into the last year of his contract.
      The Cherries are also anticipating interest from Everton, who are keen to bolster their forward line before Friday’s cut-off for trades between Premier League and EFL clubs.
      King remains determined to leave the South Coast after Bournemouth’s relegation to the Championship.

      The former Manchester United youngster has scored 48 Premier League goals since joining Bournemouth from Blackburn in a bargain £1m deal in 2015.
      King has been the subject of previous top-flight interest in recent transfer windows.
      His old club United failed in their attempts to re-sign him back in January with the Cherries rejecting a bid late in that window. 
      And King issued a come-and-get-me plea to the Red Devils in September.

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      How the PL’s best transfer XI for this summer could look

      Premier League new boys West Brom are also in the mix and held talks with Bournemouth regarding a potential transfer to the Midlands.
      The move comes after Baggies boss Slaven Bilic pleaded with his board to solve his striker crisis.
      The Croatian failed to land Huddersfield’s Karlan Grant and saw Hal Robson-Kanu have surgery on a broken arm earlier this month.

      West Brom in talks with Bournemouth over £10m Josh King transfer after Bilic pleads with board to solve striker crisis More

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      Millwall chief issues stark warning on devastating damage to communities if clubs go under

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      MILLWALL chief Steve Kavanagh believes the impact on communities will be devastating if EFL clubs go to the wall.
      The Lions bigwig has called on the Government to act swiftly to save Covid-crippled clubs from going bust.

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      Millwall chief executive Steve Kavanagh has highlighted the community work done by football clubsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      His stark warning is that, if they do, many communities across the country could be ravaged by emotional and economic depression for years.
      Speaking to SunSport as part of the Save Our Clubs drive highlighting the work clubs do on and off the field, Kavanagh said: “We’re not just talking about our national sport, the community work done by clubs in this country is vital. It has been for years.
      “Boris Johnson came  to The Den to see it first hand when he was Mayor of London and was highly impressed.
      “And when you take into consideration lockdown and what clubs, including Millwall, did to support their local communities, society and the vulnerable who were scared and did not have food . . . the work that went on was incredible.

      “We sheltered the homeless, we delivered more than 5,000 free dinners to children and care packages to the vulnerable and needy.
      “We didn’t just deliver food packages, with them we  delivered cooking lessons to ensure people could sustain themselves with good food, not just ready meals.
      “We also stored PPE for the NHS, while other clubs allowed stadiums to be used as testing centres.
      “Despite having absolutely no income, Millwall, through our chairman John Berylson, pledged £300,000 to our community trust during this period when we were on our knees.

      “Our community work is valued at more than £10million to Lewisham and the local area. And that is replicated all over the country.
      “If clubs are lost, that will be lost — and that would result in real damage to society.
      “And that’s before you get into job losses in and around football clubs.
      “The Government has to start recognising what football actually does — and not just continue taking from it all the time.
      “It needs to understand what we do for communities outside of actually playing, which is extremely important in itself for wellbeing. And it needs to help.”
      Millwall, who have spent more than £100,000 reconfiguring The Den to make it safe to host matches, have been hit hard by the ban on fans attending matches.
      American Berylson is having to pump in £1m a MONTH to keep them afloat.
      And Kavanagh admitted: “Unfortunately, we have had to make some staff redundant. It’s been really, really sad.
      “But I’m having to try to run a business which is haemorrhaging money and have no idea when its income streams will be returning.”
      The PM plus Culture, Media and Sports Secretary Oliver Dowden have announced rescue packages for the arts — but not our national sport.
      Kavanagh added: “The Government is not treating football fairly and in line with other entertainment businesses.
      “I can’t believe we haven’t lost more clubs in the EFL. That’s a testament to the club owners and chairmen.

      “They’re all putting their hands in their pockets to keep clubs and their community assets alive by feeding the vulnerable and schoolkids, sheltering the homeless and helping the NHS.
      “What worries me is I don’t know where the breaking points for these owners and chairmen are. Even with John.
      “I don’t want to over- dramatise that but when does he say enough is enough? I hope to God I never find out.”

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      Steve Kavanagh, right, is worried that entire areas could be hung out to dryCredit: PA:Empics Sport

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