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      I was Jude Bellingham’s teacher back in Birmingham… he taught me more than I taught him

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM’S old teacher reckons the new Real Madrid star “taught me more than I taught him”. The England star has officially joined Los Blancos from Borussia Dortmund in a deal worth £115million to become the most expensive British player of all time.
      Jude Bellingham with his academy manager Michael Dodds (right)
      Jude Bellingham has joined Real MadridCredit: Getty
      His rise to becoming one of the most sought-after players in Europe began at Birmingham, where he made his debut aged just 16.
      Micheal Dodds was academy manager at the Blues and helped nurture Bellingham from when he first arrived at St Andrew’s as a seven-year-old until he left for Germany ten years later.
      He remembers when the midfielder joined Birmingham and “bounced around like Tigger”.
      Dodds explained to The Times: “One thing with Jude I learnt very quickly is that he was so emotionally intelligent, you couldn’t fluff things up and you couldn’t skirt around things.
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      “If it was a difficult conversation, he wanted to have it because he wanted clarity and he wanted the information.
      “I was always saying to the staff that whatever you say to him has to be authentic because he will read you like a book.
      “He could tell if an adult was lying to him.
      “He would openly tell me when my session was poor. He always wanted every session and every game to be better and better and better.
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      “I took it as feedback that I hadn’t challenged him appropriately.
      “I did an interview for a German magazine and they said that Jude sees me as his mentor. I said it’s funny because I see him as my mentor.
      “He taught me more than I taught him in terms of not allowing the arrogance of the coach’s title to blind what you are trying to do.
      “There was a period where he didn’t talk to me. I used to have underloaded-overloaded training sessions and I would always put Jude on the underloaded team.
      “There was one session where I purposefully tried to push his buttons a bit.
      His mentality was: I want to play, forget my age, give me a chance and I will show you I can play. Jude Bellingham’s teacher, Micheal Dodds
      “He would ask for a foul and I would play on. After that session, he said to his parents, ‘I don’t like Doddsy. I don’t want to go back to the football club.’
      “Mum [Denise] and dad [Mark] deserve a huge amount of credit and they said, ‘No, no. You’re fine.’ He actually didn’t talk to me for two months. So we had to have a clear-the-air moment around that.”
      Bellingham excelled in Birmingham’s youth-teams and demanded to play at a higher level as he was not feeling challenged in the academy.
      Dodds said: “He came down to the office looking for me and I thought he was going to beat me up.
      “He was fuming. He said, ‘I need to have a chat with you.’
      “He’d got sick and tired of hearing, ‘Be patient, Jude. You are 16. Be patient.’
      “His mentality was: I want to play, forget my age, give me a chance and I will show you I can play.
      “The club wanted to protect him a bit because he had just left school. He wanted to play every minute of every game.
      “He unloaded his frustrations on me and said they were using his age as an excuse not to play him. I remember saying to him, ‘Relax.’
      “‘No, I am sick and tired of hearing that. I don’t want to hear that. Judge me on my ability and performances.’”
      Mark Williams was the caretaker at Bellingham’s primary school and used to have to fetch footballs for him that got stuck on the roof.
      He would ask for a foul and I would play on. After that session, he said to his parents, ‘I don’t like Doddsy. I don’t want to go back to the football club.’Jude Bellingham’s teacher, Micheal Dodds
      He told The Independant: “It seemed to be a daily occurrence. Every day the ladders were out. I kept them on standby because of that reason.
      “He was a very pleasant lad. He always asked you to get the ball down nicely.
      “You could tell then he was quite a good little footballer and he was destined to be.”
      Bellingham’s year two teacher Suzanne Shackleton added: “He was just really a lovely lad. Really genuine. Really personable. Extremely courteous and polite.
      Read more on The Sun
      “He was really dedicated to everything he did, not just his sport and football. Across all areas of the curriculum he was well-motivated and tried hard with everything he did.”
      A neighbour in Stourbridge where he grew up also recalled that Bellingham and his younger brother Jobe, who is also a wonderkid, used to be constantly playing football together and with their father. More

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      Arsenal renew interest in Moises Caicedo as they target stunning double transfer swoop for Brighton star and Declan Rice

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      ARSENAL have renewed their interest in signing Moises Caicedo from Brighton, according to reports.Mikel Arteta attempted to sign the midfielder in January, but the Seagulls refused to let him leave mid-season.
      Arsenal want to sign CaicedoCredit: Getty
      Roberto De Zerbi has since revealed that he will be allowed to move on this summer if the price is right.
      And according to The Times, Arsenal are preparing another bid.
      The Gunners are reportedly willing to match Brighton’s £80million asking price, but they are yet to launch a formal offer.
      Caicedo is understood to be eager to join Arsenal as he wants to play Champions League football.
      READ MORE ON ARSENAL
      But for now, Arteta is focused on bringing Declan Rice to the Emirates Stadium.
      Arsenal are close to reaching an agreement with West Ham for the defensive midfielder.
      The proposed offer would see Rice become one of the most expensive English players of all time.
      Should both midfielders join the club, Thomas Partey could be allowed to leave.
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      Two Italian clubs have already expressed an interest in signing the 30-year-old, who has made 99 appearances since joining Arsenal in 2020.
      Granit Xhaka is also set to depart, with Bayer Leverkusen close to completing a deal.
      The Gunners are working on a deal to sign RiceCredit: Getty More

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      Man Utd in mega transfer boost as Real Madrid ‘won’t sign Kane OR Mbappe after opting for Stoke flop’

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      REAL MADRID are not pursuing Harry Kane or Kylian Mbappe in a boost to Manchester United, reports in Spain say. The Spanish giants have lost star striker Karim Benzema, who recently signed for Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia.
      Harry Kane during England’s training sessionCredit: Reuters
      And Tottenham’s Kane and Mbappe of PSG were to two linked as Benzema’s replacement.
      But according to Spanish sports radio Cope, Real Madrid are instead looking to sign Joselu.
      The forward spent two seasons with Stoke – from 2015-2017 – but he scored just four in 27 matches.
      From there he signed for Newcastle after a loan move with Deportivo and managed seven goals in 57 games at St James Park.
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      But Joselu really reinvented himself back in Spain with Alaves and now Espanyol.
      He scored 17 in 38 last season which has caught the attention of Real Madrid.
      Once the Spaniard has been added to the squad, along with Jude Bellingham, Carlo Ancelotti’s men are set to close for business as far as the summer transfer window is concerned.
      That is despite rumours of Kane looking to leave Spurs, with the likes of United and Bayern Munich linked.
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      Cope and Real Madrid TV presenter Melchor Ruiz tweeted: “Real Madrid is not going to make any offer this summer to Kylian Mbappe because it knows that Kylian wants to complete his remaining year at PSG.
      “And they are not going to sign Harry Kane either.
      “RM only intends to sign, in addition to Fran Garcia, Brahim Diaz and Jude Bellingham, Joselu.”
      PSG may well look to sell Mbappe this summer after the French superstar decided not to renew his contract, which expires a year from now.
      In a statement to AFP, the striker revealed he informed the Ligue 1  champions of his decision LAST YEAR.
      A statement from Mbappe, 24, read: “I have NEVER discussed any contract renewal with PSG.
      “The board has been informed since July 15th, 2022 of my decision not to extend beyond 2024 — and the letter sent was only meant to confirm what I already told them.”
      It is still believed to be highly likely that Real Madrid will come back in for Mbappe next summer, when he is set to be available for free.
      However, Los Blancos’ apparent withdrawal from this year’s bidding process gives the Red Devils a window of opportunity to sign the striker.
      Read more on The Sun
      A move to Man Utd was reportedly proposed by PSG’s owners in January, when he was said to have told them the Red Devils project was of interest.
      And should Sheikh Jassim’s Man Utd takeover bid prove successful, PSG’s Qatari owners will likely be very happy to sell to a club owned by their fellow countrymen rather than Real Madrid.
      Joselu is linked with a shock move to Real MadridCredit: EPA
      Kylian Mbappe is set to leave PSGCredit: AP More

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      Huddersfield ‘set to announce new one-year deal for Neil Warnock, 74, after veteran boss’ Championship great escape’

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      NEIL WARNOCK is set to sign a new one-year deal with Huddersfield, reports suggest.According to The Mail, the Terriers wish to reward Warnock by offering him fresh terms that will see him staying at John Smith’s Stadium beyond his 75th birthday.
      Neil Warnock put together a “great escape” and saved Huddersfield from relegationCredit: Getty
      Huddersfield will reward Warnock with a new one-year dealCredit: Alamy
      The experienced tactician is expected to put pen to paper on Wednesday when he heads to Yorkshire from his home in Cornwall.
      Huddersfield fans have been urging club chiefs to keep Warnock in the dugout after saving the team from relegation.
      The Sheffield-born head coach came out of retirement in February when the West Yorkshire giants looked destined for League One.
      However, Warnock orchestrated a stunning turnaround and secured Championship football with a game to spare.
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      The ex-Crystal Palace boss looked set to go back to retirement after his work was done.
      However, he had a change of heart after talking to new owner Kevin Nagle.
      This also comes after the appointment of Huddersfield’s new chief executive Jake Edwards.
      Warnock is undergoing his second stint at the club, having first managed them between 1993 and 1995.
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      The English gaffer has since taken over a raft of different clubs, such as Queens Park Rangers, Sheffield United and Leeds.
      It looked like he was set to roll credits on a 41-year career as manager in 2021 when he left Middlesbrough.
      But he came back and extended his record of matches managed to 1,619.
      He has also won eight promotions throughout his career, which poses as another record. More

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      Ex-Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ‘targeted for managerial return in Championship after 19-MONTH exile’

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      OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER is being targeted by a Championship club 19 months after his dismissal from Manchester United, reports suggest.Solskjaer was sacked by United in 2021 following a disastrous campaign that saw the team finishing sixth and has since been a free agent.
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is being targeted by a Championship club ahead of the summer transfer windowCredit: AFP
      Manchester United legend Solskjaer is facing competition from other candidatesCredit: Getty
      According to The Mail, the Norwegian tactician may get the chance to return to action.
      The club in question want to seal a permanent appointment this week as they target an immediate return to the Premier League after their relegation to the Championship.
      Solskjaer initially replaced Jose Mourinho on an interim basis in 2018 but won over Man Utd fans, just like he did as a player.
      The club legend started led the Red Devils to second place in the 2020-2021 season, which is their joint best finish since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.
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      And that record seems to have drawn Leicester’s owners to him.
      The club are newly relegated, but did enjoy a lot of their success, including their 2016 title triumph, by playing the kind of counter-attacking football favoured by Solskjaer.
      However, the 50-year-old will be facing competition for the Foxes job as the club’s hierarchy is also considering other options.
      The East Midlanders initially prioritised Graham Potter, who is still a free agent after his dismissal from Chelsea.
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      However, Potter is not keen to work in the Championship and is holding out for a potential return to the Premier League.
      Therefore, Leicester are also eyeing Scott Parker, who previously won promotion with Fulham and Bournemouth.
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      Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola’s assistant Enzo Maresca has also been touted.
      Dean Smith, who replaced Brendan Rodgers until the end of the season, is still talking to the club about a full-time agreement even though he failed to save the team from relegation.
      Steven Gerrard was previously linked but is now holding talks with Saudi club Al-Ettifaq. More

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      Ruben Neves’ agent desperately trying to flog him with ambitious swap deal as he looks to entice Arsenal into transfer

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      JORGE MENDES is getting desperate in his attempts to offload Ruben Neves.Midfielder Neves, 26, is keen to depart Wolves this summer with aspirations of playing in the Champions League next season.
      Jorge Mendes is getting desperate in his attempts to offload Ruben NevesCredit: Getty
      Wolves are also believed to be interested in cashing in on the Portuguese international with his current contract expiring in June 2024.
      Barcelona appeared a likely destination, however Mendes’ ambitious plan to execute a switch between Neves and Catalan star Ansu Fati – another of his clients – has hit stumbling blocks.
      Despite being unwanted at Barca by boss Xavi, Fati, 20, has no interest in swapping Spain for the Midlands.
      Barca are not in a financial position to fork out an estimated £25m to bring Neves to the Nou Camp without the option of a player exchange.
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      Tensions between Fati and Mendes are at breaking point, while Neves is also getting frustrated that his future is no closer to being resolved.
      SunSport understands that Mendes is using Barca’s weak interest in Neves to ramp up attention from previous potential suitors Arsenal and Newcastle.
      The Premier League duo at one point had considered a move for Neves, but have since moved on to other targets.
      The Gunners are hoping to complete a £90m plus add-ons deal for West Ham midfielder Declan Rice, while Brighton’s Moises Caicedo is also up for grabs.
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      The Toon are not expected to spend big this window, with Neves understood not to be a part of Eddie Howe’s plans to add quality to the squad.
      SunSport have also been told that Neves would not favour a big-money leap to Saudi Arabia, still wanting to prove himself amongst Europe’s elite in his peak years.
      Neves joined Wolves in 2017 under former coach Nuno Espirito Santo – now a manager in Saudi – making over 250 appearances since.
      SunSport have also been told Ruben Neves would not favour a big-money leap to SaudiCredit: Getty More

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      Kylian Mbappe declares ‘interest’ in Man Utd as PSG ‘look to push through huge transfer but BLACKLIST major club’

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      KYLIAN MBAPPE has declared an interest in joining Man Utd, according to reports from Spain.It comes following the news that the French superstar will NOT renew his PSG contract.
      Kylian Mbappe during a France training sessionCredit: AFP
      In a statement to AFP, Mbappe revealed he informed the Ligue 1  champions of his decision to leave LAST YEAR.
      His deal – believed to be worth over £500million – runs through to 2024 and has an optional extension clause to 2025.
      But with Mbappe ready to run down his deal, PSG will not allow him to leave for free and will instead look to sell him.
      According to El Pais, should United be taken over by Qatari investors, it could pave the way for a stunning transfer.
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      A move to Man Utd had been proposed by PSG’s owners, who are also from Qatar, in January.
      And though Mbappe did not make a decision, Parisian sources told the Spanish paper that he stated that the project was of interest to him.
      Reports in the Middle East on Tuesday claimed Sheikh Jassim has won the race to take charge at Old Trafford.
      Qatari Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani has been vying with Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos to buy United from the Glazer family.
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      Ineos had been the front-runners to purchase a 60 per cent stake in United, which would have seen the Glazer family stay on in a reduced role.
      But according to paper Al-Watan, owned by Sheikh Jassim’s dad, the Qatari bid for Man United has been successful.
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      They add that following “successful” talks – an announcement of Sheikh Jassim’s takeover will arrive “soon”.
      It was only last summer that United target Mbappe walked away from a move to Real Madrid in favour of extending his PSG deal.
      But it has now been revealed the World Cup winner never considered committing his future any further.
      A statement from Mbappe, 24, read: “I have NEVER discussed any contract renewal with PSG.
      “The board has been informed since July 15th, 2022 of my decision not to extend beyond 2024 — and the letter sent was only meant to confirm what I already told them.”
      Mbappe was later forced to deny rumours that he had agreed a deal to finally move to Madrid.
      And Spanish sports program Carrusel Deportivo report that PSG want to sell the player to anyone BUT Real Madrid.
      Read more on The Sun
      Although Sky Sports in Germany say Bayern Munich are ruled out of the race as the deal is just too expensive.
      Kylian Mbappe looks set to leave PSGCredit: EPA More

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      Ange Postecoglou’s first Tottenham season simulated on Football Manager, from transfers to final position

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      ANGE POSTECOGLOU’S debut season as Tottenham manager has been simulated on Football Manager.Postecoglou signed a four-year deal with Spurs and will link up with his new players on July 1 after the Premier League giants paid Celtic £5million in compensation.
      Football Manager has simulated Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou’s first season
      Postecoglou signs Porto star Mehdi Taremi during the January transfer window
      Tottenham star Harry Kane stays but Postecoglou gets sackedCredit: Getty
      There is high confidence within north London after the Australian tactician’s arrival, following a successful campaign with the Hoops as he won the Treble in Scotland.
      However, it doesn’t come up roses on Football Manager as the 57-year-old only lasts one term at Tottenham in the video game.
      The season kicks off on the right foot with Harry Kane staying on despite his contract running out next year with Manchester United, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich keeping tabs.
      However, Postecoglou and Kane can’t help Spurs finish in the top four or end their trophyless hoodoo, which extends to 16 years.
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      Manchester City retain the Premier League title with Chelsea making quite the comeback by finishing runners-up under new manager Mauricio Pochettino.
      Postecoglou finishes sixth with 17 wins and only eight losses in 38 matches, while his players score 49 goals and concede just 31.
      As for signings, Postecoglou turns Pedro Porro’s loan deal into a permanent move by splashing £36.5m to Sporting Lisbon.
      Dejan Kulusevski also completes a permanent transfer from Juventus and is joined by Inter Milan duo Milan Skriniar as well as Stefan de Vrij, who arrive as free agents.
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      Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simon replaces Tottenham captain Hugo Lloris between the sticks after a £64m deal.
      January also gets busy for Postecoglou as he reunites with Celtic right-back Alistair Johnston.
      The Aussie also splashes the cash for Porto star Mehdi Taremi, who arrives for a fee of £38.5m rising to £46m.
      Facundo Farias follows from Colon for £5.75m as does Sivert Mannsverk from Molde for £3.6m.
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      ‘Football Manager 2022/23 gameplay of Tottenham’s season
      Postecoglou also sells Harry Winks to Bournemouth for £2.5m, Joe Rodon to Crystal Palace for £1m and surprisingly enough Ben Davies to Al Gharafa for a whopping £7.5m.
      Son Heung-min becomes his top Premier League scorer with 15 goals, with Kane coming up second after 12 goals.
      The ex-Australia manager, though, gets sacked a few days after the end of the season and is replaced by AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli. More