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    England star starts in new position as Southgate makes tactical tweak for crunch Scotland clash

    KIERAN TRIPPIER is starting for England against Scotland – however he is in a new position.The Three Lions face Scotland in a revival of their epic rivalry at Hampden Park tonight.
    Kieran Trippier is set to start at left-back for EnglandCredit: Getty
    Manager Gareth Southgate is believed to have made a change to his defensive line.
    Trippier, 32, has been named in the starting eleven he will be playing at left-back.
    This means that goalscorer against Ukraine Kyle Walker will keep his spot at right back.
    However, it does mean that Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell could drop to the bench.
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    It is thought that the decision has been made to counter-act Scotland’s Aaron Hickey, who will be up against Trippier.
    Hickey likes to cut inside from the wing, which would suit the right-footed Newcastle defender.
    Trippier is more accustomed to playing on the other side of the backline having played the role for his whole career.
    The match against Scotland follows England’s 1-1 draw against Ukraine in a Euro 2024 qualifier on Saturday evening.
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    There are also a number of other England stars who will be hoping to start the game.
    Phil Foden, Marcus Rashford, Levi Colwill, and Eddie Nketiah will all be aiming to get some minutes.

    Eberechi Eze and Conor Gallagher could also feature as Southgate shuffles his pack.
    Southgate is expecting a tough match as he said: “It’s another really good test.
    “Another hostile environment, against a team that are playing really well.
    “You know, they’re in great form, full of confidence so it’s another important learning step for us.” More

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    England in danger of falling back into ‘boring Gareth’ territory if Southgate leaves out lightning rod Foden vs Scotland

    IF England do not defeat their oldest enemy at Hampden Park, we are in danger of drifting back into ‘Boring, boring Gareth’ territory.After seven years as Three Lions boss, Gareth Southgate says he “understands the never-ending cycle” which comes with a job they used to consider impossible.
    Gareth Southgate backed his decision to stand by Henderson in his pre-match press conferenceCredit: Getty
    But faces pressure to bring Foden into the midfieldCredit: PA
    Since Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Ukraine, there has been a renewed clamour for Phil Foden to start in a central role in place of Jordan Henderson.
    But before tonight’s clash with Scotland, though, Southgate was having none of it.
    Foden says he prefers to operate in central midfield but Southgate, damningly, asked why Pep Guardiola rarely plays him there for Manchester City.
    And he suggested Foden could only do so against weaker opposition because he is not strong enough out of possession.
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    And Scotland are no weak opponents these days.
    Steve Clarke’s men have a 100 per cent record in their Euro 2024 qualifying group and they are up for planting a proper Glasgow kiss on Southgate’s side.
    The Three Lions could do with a win here to silence a seething mass of unusually-confident Scots — and to avoid a serious change in mood from the English public towards Southgate.
    But Southgate is never one to play to the galleries when it comes to team selections.
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    He insisted that 33-year-old Henderson — who has opted for semi-retirement in the Saudi Pro League — produced his most energetic England performance ever against Ukraine in Wroclaw.
    The message was clear — Southgate is in no mood to ditch the former Liverpool captain.
    It is the issue of Foden which has again become a lightning rod for those who believe Southgate — England’s most successful manager since Sir Alf Ramsey — is terminally cautious.
    It seems, though, that the manager will continue to regard the City player as a second-string wideman rather than a first-choice playmaker.
    Asked if Foden can play in a midfield three in England’s biggest matches, Southgate said: “He doesn’t play there for his club. So presumably there is a reason for that. It depends on the level of the game, really. In the middle of the park, everyone wants to talk about players with the ball but there is a lot of detail without the ball.
    “And in the Ukraine game, you are playing opponents who are so clever with their passing and movement that you have to be spot-on with pressing angles, your responsibilities and if you don’t, you don’t get the flow of the game.
    “You’d have to speak to Pep, who is the best coach in the world, who plays him from wide.
    “He’s always got the freedom to drift if we play him wide, though, and that’s important.”
    Foden believes central midfield is his best position, though?
    “But he doesn’t play there!” Southgate replied
    Has he discussed it with Pep then?
    “Yes, yes,” said Southgate and then left a very pregnant pause before adding: “We are very happy with Phil. He’s played in the Euros, came on in the semi-final of the Euros and had a big impact.
    “He’s played at a World Cup, he’s only 23, he’s got amazing experiences.
    “He is still progressing and learning but he is a super player.
    “We’ve got a lot of really good young players, so it’s not been straightforward.
    “He has been with us from a young age and was in the team that won the Under-17 World Cup but he’s battling against Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford and all of the other players we have in that area of the pitch and at his club, with an incredibly high level of players.”
    Southgate still regards Henderson, Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice as his first-choice midfield three — and that may not change before next summer’s Euros finals.
    With Henderson’s controversial move to Al-Ettifaq making him an unpopular selection for footballing and ethical reasons, Southgate used his running stats in Poland on Saturday to champion the veteran’s cause
    Southgate said: “We have got good contacts at his club, so we have been monitoring his level.
    “The physical outputs have been mixed because the climate has been different for different games but he was in good physical condition.
    “All of his data, he was hitting what he should have done. And his outputs on Saturday were the highest he has had at an England game.
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    “In terms of the job he was doing, he had to cover a lot of space.
    “Our midfield wasn’t as tight as we might have been and Hendo and Dec covered a lot of ground and closed a lot of spaces up. It was absolutely critical to us getting a result.” More

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    Gareth Southgate reveals key England star has tried to retire TWICE only to be talked out of it by the boss

    KYLE WALKER has tried to quit international football TWICE under Gareth Southgate.The Manchester City defender wanted to retire after both Euro 2020 and Qatar 2022 but England boss Southgate persuaded the right-back to stay on both occasions.
    Manchester City star Kyle Walker thought about retiring twice from EnglandCredit: Getty
    England boss Gareth Southgate talked Walker out of international retirementCredit: Getty
    After Walker, 33, scored his first goal in 77 internationals in the 1-1 draw with Ukraine on Saturday, Southgate revealed: “All credit to him and I’ve talked him out of retirement twice.
    “Out of international football. After the Euros and after the World Cup.
    “He loves being here and he’s wanted to keep going and now he’s thinking about how many caps he can get. He’s critical to us.
    “If we’re talking about world class players in their position in our team then he’s probably one of them.”
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    Asked to confirm Southgate’s revelations that he wanted to quit, Walker said: “Yes. In a moment, at the time, me and Gareth spoke.
    “The likes of Trent [Alexander-Arnold], Tripps [Kieran Trippier] and Reece James were coming through. You think your days are numbered.
    “And to sacrifice how many holidays and summers that I’ve sacrificed…
    “I’ve been doing this since I was 19 when I joined the senior team. I’m 33 now.
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    “Me and Gareth have a good relationship off the field, we do speak and I feel that I can still bring something to the team. So why stop?”
    Walker delivered a strong performance in the qualifier in the Polish city of Wroclaw and is a certain starter for Southgate despite his many options at right-back.
    The England team arrived in Glasgow late Saturday night for the friendly against Scotland.
    Southgate is likely to make a number of changes and that could include giving a first cap to Chelsea defender Levi Colwill at some stage during the match at Hampden Park.
    England’s previous trip to Glasgow was a 2-2 draw in a World Cup qualifier in 2017. More

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    Ukraine 1 England 1: Kyle Walker comes to the rescue after Zinchenko’s opener but Three Lions lose 100% Euro 2024 record

    KYLE WALKER’S maiden international goal, in his 77th England appearance, kept Gareth Southgate’s side on course for next summer’s Euros. A stunning assist from skipper Harry Kane allowed the outstanding Manchester City full-back to equalise just before half-time after Oleksandr Zinchenko had fired Ukraine into a shock lead. 
    Kyle Walker rescued a draw for England against UkraineCredit: AP
    Oleksandr Zinchenko fired Ukraine into the leadCredit: Getty
    Zinchenko celebrates netting the openerCredit: Reuters
    Walker netted an equaliser before half timeCredit: PA
    The goal was Walker’s first ever for EnglandCredit: Getty
    But this was England’s most disappointing performance since the World Cup group-stage draw with the United States, as they gave up their 100 per cent record in this qualifying campaign. 
    Despite a host of in-form attacking players, Southgate’s team lacked their usual fluency and failed to create enough clear-cut chances despite dominating possession at the Tarczynski Arena in the Polish city of Ukraine. 
    A passionate crowd of displaced Ukrainian fans, exiled from their war-torn homeland, roared on Sergiy Rebrov’s side, who defended stoutly and were threatening on the counter-attack. 
    England will now have to wait until next month’s Wembley clash with Italy, at the earliest, before they clinch qualification for the finals in Germany. 
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    The Three Lions now face an in-form Scotland in a Hampden Park ‘friendly’ on Tuesday and Steve Clarke’s Tartan Army will have little to fear on the basis of this sloppy display.
    Southgate could call on a clutch of players inspired by summer moves – Kane, Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and Maddison. 
    But his most controversial selection was that of Jordan Henderson, whose switch to Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq has caused a storm with LGBT fans, while also casting doubt on his international future in footballing terms. 
    Ukraine’s players were draped in their national flag for the anthems and there was a feverish atmosphere before kick-off among the thousands of Ukrainian fans living here in Poland.
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    Jordan Henderson started for England in midfieldCredit: Reuters
    Jude Bellingham started the game with confidenceCredit: Getty
    England were utterly dominant early on – with Bellingham full of confidence and invention – but they were unable to carve out a decent scoring opportunity.
    Bukayo Saka appeared to be inhibited by an early knock and Ukraine, having defended assuredly, began to grow as an attacking force. 
    There were a few shaky moments for the English defence before Ukraine seized the lead on 26 minutes.
    Their right-back Yukhym Konoplia surged down the right past Ben Chilwell and cut back for Zinchenko to drill home – England’s midfield having failed to pick up the Arsenal man’s run and Jordan Pickford diving the wrong way. 
    England were provoked into a renewed sense of urgency but Henderson skied a shot and Southgate’s side were beginning to show frustration – Maddison booked for a foul on Illia Zabarnyi. 
    Bellingham carved open the Ukraine defence with a diagonal pass but Maddison failed to capitalise with a poor first touch. 
    The place was rocking and England appeared to be wilting. They needed something out of the ordinary to equalise – and that’s what they produced.  
    Kane had dropped so deep he was standing next to his central defenders, to the side of the centre circle, when he conjured a visionary diagonal pass all of 40 yards towards Walker.
    Harry Kane set up Walker’s goalCredit: Reuters
    Walker finally netted for England on his 77th capCredit: Reuters

    The City defender chested down, rifled past Georgiy Bushchan and survived a VAR check for offside to break his duck after 12 years as an international footballer. 
    After the break Maguire headed on to the roof of the net from a Walker cross and a Henderson centre had Bushchan sprawling.
    But a sloppy Bellingham pass afforded Ukraine a half-chance but Georgiy Sudakov screwed his shot well wide. 
    England had been struggling for fluency, on a difficult playing surface, but they clicked into gear when Maddison fed Kane, who held it up and slipped a pass to Saka, the Arsenal man leathering a shot which Bushchan tipped on to the bar.
    Saka exchanged passes with Maddison, wriggled past a defender but had a shot blocked. 
    Midway through the second half, Southgate introduced Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden in place of Bellingham and Maddison, neither of whom had truly sparked. 
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    Rashford had an angled drive pushed out by Bushchan, who then saved a close-range effort from a lunging Maguire. 
    Walker capped a fine personal display with a couple of excellent late challenges to dispossess Mykhailo Mudryk as Ukraine broke menacingly.
    Gareth Southgate must not prepare his team to face ScotlandCredit: Getty More

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    England have finally ‘earned respect’ of European rivals and are ‘blessed’ to have Kane & Bellingham for Euro 2024 push

    THEY do not hope to win major trophies at Bayern Munich and Real Madrid — they absolutely expect it.And the fact that England’s two finest footballers, Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, are now experiencing that supreme winning mentality at two of Europe’s biggest clubs is good news for Gareth Southgate.
    Harry Kane has made an incredible start to life at Bayern MunichCredit: GETTY
    Jude Bellingham has made a rip-roaring start to life at Real MadridCredit: GETTY
    Kane and Bellingham will be pivotal for England’s Euro 2024 hopesCredit: Getty
    Bellingham, 20, has made a lightning start to Bernabeu life — leading LaLiga’s scoring charts with five goals in four games and winning Player of the Month at the first time of asking in Spain’s top flight.
    Three Lions skipper Kane is so impressed with the ex-Borussia Dortmund star’s storming progress in the Spanish capital that he is concerned his international team-mate could be a rival for the European Golden Boot this season.
    Kane has netted three league goals in as many appearances for Bayern ahead of tonight’s Euros qualifier against Ukraine in Poland, as England close in on securing a place at next summer’s finals.
    And Kane, 30, said: “I’ve seen Jude’s great start in LaLiga. He’s managed to score a few goals so he’s competing with me for the most goals this season!
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    “It is too early for me to mention the European Golden Boot to him yet.
    “But if we get to March and he is still up there with me, I might have a few words.
    “It’s great to see. He’s an extremely good player, a great person, very mature for his age so it’s great to see him doing well.
    “We haven’t spoken about the German league too much.
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    “He asked me how I’m getting on with the language because he found it difficult.
    “But we want as many of our England players as possible to be playing at the highest level.
    “Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are two of the biggest clubs in the world without question.
    “We’ve got great players who have played in big moments and big occasions in our squad — not just for the national team but for their clubs.
    “Me and Jude being at these clubs will only add to that. I think it adds another level of confidence to the team, knowing that we’re all playing in those types of games.”
    After failing to win a single trophy at Tottenham, Kane is now grappling with the expectation of winning every week at Bayern. He said: “It’s definitely a different pressure compared to what I felt at Spurs.
    “Of course, we wanted to win things at Spurs but if you went a couple of games without winning then it wasn’t a disaster.“The feeling at Bayern is that you have to win every game.
    “We won the first two league games 4-0 and 3-1 and there was still talk about not being too happy with the way we played.
    Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham are two of England’s brightest stars and and lighting up the world stageCredit: Getty
    “That’s part and parcel of being at one of the biggest clubs in the world.
    “But we’ve had a good start and I am enjoying feeling those different emotions and that’s part of the reason that I wanted to go.
    “And we start the Champions League campaign when we get back, which Bayern expect to win — or have a good chance of winning. So you’re going into those games with maybe a different feeling to what I’ve had in the past.
    “I believe playing for Bayern will make me a better player.
    “Whether I win things or not, the decision came down to putting me in those situations.
    “With Bayern Munich, sometimes we expect them to win because they have won the league for the last 11 years.
    “But in my short period there is still a lot of pressure to win these trophies. We have not won the German Cup for a few years.
    “And we have not won the Champions League for a few years so there is definitely a lot to gain and a lot of pressure to take.
    “Just the experiences of having title runs and cup runs and a Champions League run will only add — hopefully — to handling pressure in certain situations.
    “If we are going to win anything with England, we are going to have to deal with that.
    Harry Kane admits the recent success of Gareth Southgate’s troops has added pressureCredit: REUTERS
    “Me, being captain, I want to put myself in that position as much as possible. I set my standards as high as they can possibly go.”
    With Bellingham having previously lit up the Bundesliga with Dortmund and Kane now banging in the goals at Bayern, Kane now believes there is a renewed respect for English football in Germany and across Europe.
    He said: “I’m not too sure about whether they fear us.
    “I think in recent games and in the last Euros, the way we performed . . . I think we’ve earned the respect of Germany, 100 per cent.
    “I think we’ve earned the respect of a lot of nations around the world. Individually, with me and Jude having played in Germany, but I think our biggest strength is as a collective.
    “And when other countries look at us, that’s our biggest positive.”
    Kane’s fellow Three Lions stalwart Jordan Henderson, 33, faces the prospect of protests from England’s LGBTQ+ fans tonight.
    That follows his controversial move from Liverpool to Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is illegal. And Kane said: “I think every England fan is entitled to their opinions.
    “The majority of the England fans will be behind the team and, once the game starts, will be fully behind everyone. Jordan is a good friend of mine and a great person.
    “He has a job to do — as we all have — and that’s where his focus will be.”
    Jordan Henderson will face protests from England’s LGBTQ+ fans tonightCredit: GETTY
    Meanwhile, Southgate was quick to pile praise on Bellingham ahead of the Ukraine clash.
    Southgate said: “He has a huge maturity. He has a good emotional intelligence.
    “He has had to go into a dressing room and an interesting dynamic where some world-class players are there and he is there to ultimately take their place.
    “But knowing him, he will have approached them off the pitch with huge respect and will have gone into the training sessions and the games ready to compete and show what a good player he is.
    “He found that balance brilliantly when he first joined us and I have no doubt that is what has happened while he has been there.
    “He has had to show a slightly different side because he has played a little higher with them losing Benzema and his game is suited to forward running and arriving in the box and the nice thing from our point of view is that he is scoring more goals, which is great.”
    Bellingham is certain to start in midfield tonight along with Jordan Henderson and Declan Rice as he looks to continue his red-hot form.
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    Southgate added: “I’m not completely surprised because of the personality he has and the calmness he has, coupled with the competitiveness, you never know how it is going to go because you don’t know how the team is going to play and whether the role you get at the start is going to suit you.
    “For us, we are blessed. We have got several very very good players so it is exciting.” More

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    Newcastle star could make shock international allegiance switch U-turn as England target winger after Scotland injury KO

    ENGLAND could target Elliot Anderson for a shock international U-turn after injury ruled the Newcastle winger out for Scotland.The Tynesider appeared to have finally settled his allegiance by accepting a senior Scottish call-up last week.
    Elliot Anderson’s international future could again be up for debateCredit: PA
    The Newcastle local lad has played for Scotland U21s and England U19sCredit: Rex
    But he’s had to pull out of Friday’s Euro 2024 qualifier away to Cyprus and a friendly against England at Hampden Park next Tuesday.
    Now The Telegraph reckon the Three Lions might go on the prowl for him again.
    Anderson, 20, played for Scotland’s junior sides until switching for one game with England U19s in 2021.
    But he returned to the Scottish ranks at U21 level in March last year.
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    That move seemed to have been cemented when Steve Clarke rewarded his rapid rise at Newcastle by promoting him to the senior Scotland squad.
    And Clarke appeared sure Anderson was content with his choice.
    The former Chelsea defender and ex-Reading manager said: “He had a little think about choosing between Scotland and England.
    “Elliot has been through the under-age groups with Scotland, he is one we have had an eye on.
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    “We had some good discussions with the boy and his family and he has chosen to come with us, which is good for us now and certainly good for us in the future.”
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    Born in Whitley Bay, Anderson qualifies for Scotland through a grandparent. 
    The former Bristol Rovers loanee signed a new long-term contract with Newcastle in September 2022.
    Toon chief Eddie Howe said at the time: “We are all delighted with Elliot’s development.
    “He is a natural talent, but he also has an excellent work ethic and always wants to learn.” More

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    Nine candidates who could replace Gareth Southgate as England boss from Pep Guardiola to Sarina Wiegman

    ENGLAND are already thinking ahead in case manager Gareth Southgate leaves after Euro 2024.Southgate’s contract runs out next year and his future will largely depend on the Three Lions’ performance in the European championship in Germany.
    England manager Gareth Southgate’s contract runs out after Euro 2024Credit: Getty
    If the 53-year-old departs then the FA will be no short of quality options to replace him in the dugout.
    Pep Guardiola has been earmarked as the association’s top pick to take over and push England to glory, just like he did with Manchester City and Barcelona.
    Guardiola’s contract with City expires just a year after Southgate’s and the Spanish tactician is bang in the mix for the job.
    The 52-year-old would be a priority but there are other quality options, one of which would pose as a history-making appointment.
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    SunSport take you through the NINE managers that could replace Gareth Southgate as England boss:
    Pep Guardiola
    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is the FA’s “dream” pick for the top job.
    And England chiefs will ty to lure Guardiola if Gareth Southgate leaves after Euro 2024.
    The ex-Bayern Munich boss has previously opened the door to the Three Lions as he admitted he would be keen on crossing over to international football.
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    A move to his native Spain would be quite unlikely after his public support of Catalan independence.
    Sarina Wiegman
    FA chief executive Mark Bullingham confirmed he wouldn’t rule out England women’s manager Sarina Wiegman as the men’s next head coach.
    Wiegman led the Lionesses to European Cup glory in 2022 and then took them to this year’s World Cup Final where they lost to Spain.
    The Dutch tactician is the only manager – male or female – to lead two different teams to a World Cup Final, having also finished as a runner-up with the Netherlands to the USA in 2019.
    Thus, the 53-year-old could indeed become the first ever woman to manage a men’s national team next year, although her contract with the Lionesses expires in 2025.
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    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is England’s “dream” pick to replace SouthgateCredit: PA
    Eddie Howe
    Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has long been touted as a future England boss.
    It all started during Howe’s time at Bournemouth when he led the Cherries to Premier League promotion in 2015.
    The 45-year-old has since been turning heads at St James’ Park as he led the Magpies to a top-four finish last season and a subsequent return to the Champions League.
    England women’s boss Sarina Wiegman wouldn’t be ruled out for the men’s job by the FACredit: Getty
    Graham Potter 
    Graham Potter has been out of a job ever since his controversial dismissal by Chelsea last season.
    However, Potter is still highly-rated after his stunning three-year stint at Brighton.
    In fact, FA technical director John McDermott met colleagues to discuss potential successors prior to the 2022 World Cup and the 48-year-old was mentioned.
    Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has long been touted as a future England managerCredit: Alamy
    Lee Carsley
    England Under-21 manager Lee Carsley couldn’t be ruled out for the top job as current England manager Southgate was appointed while he was also in charge of the Young Lions in 2016.
    Carsley led the youth team to a stunning Euro 2023 triumph this summer that saw them winning every game and conceding no goals.
    Steve Cooper
    Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper has enjoyed tremendous success and love at the City Ground after leading the club back to the Premier League following a 23-year absence from the top flight.
    But Cooper is no stranger to the England set-up as a former manager of the Under-16s and Under-17s.
    The 43-year-old was a massive success as he won the Under-17 World Cup in 2017 and made it to the final of the Euros the same year.
    Roma boss Jose Mourinho almost took over as England manager in 2007Credit: Getty
    Jose Mourinho
    Roma boss Jose Mourinho used to be many elite clubs’ dream pick to sit in their dugout.
    But Mourinho’s star has started to fade and there are not many top teams chasing the Special One’s signature.
    However, England have always been keen on the Portuguese tactician and could come back for him after almost signing him in 2007 only for his wife to change his mind at the eleventh hour.
    The two-time Champions League winner knows all about English football having previously worked for Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham.
    Al-Ettifaq manager Steven Gerrard would be in contention for the England jobCredit: Getty
    Steven Gerrard 
    England could go back to some of their biggest legends to take over the hotseat, such as Al-Ettifaq manager Steven Gerrard.
    Gerrard is currently in Saudi Arabia making big bucks, but such a challenge could convince him to turn his back on all that easy money and move back to elite competition.
    The 43-year-old experienced immense success at Rangers and an impressive first year at Aston Villa – so much so, that many consider the Liverpool legend as Jurgen Klopp’s natural successor.
    Wayne Rooney
    Another legend that knows all about the demands of being England boss is former record goalscorer Wayne Rooney.
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    Rooney showed signs of promise during his time in charge of Derby, despite the crisis that had engulfed the club.
    The Manchester United legend has also shone bright in the MLS as DC United boss as he was also picked to manage the competition’s All Stars to face Arsenal this summer. More

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    Meet the American wonderkids who could end up playing for ENGLAND as FA eye top world talent for young Lions set-up

    SCOUTS and analysts are scouring the world to secure top talent for England’s youth teams.And two players who both live in the United States could be in action for the Three Lions’ Under-19s and Under-17s tonight.
    American Noel Buck (right) could make his England U19 debut this eveningCredit: Getty
    Christian McFarlane qualifies for the US but is in England’s U17 squadCredit: Getty
    It would have been unthinkable a few years ago for the States to have produced top talent which would have interested the Football Association.
    Yet their recruitment and retention department have been hard at work.
    And hoping for his international debut for England’s U19s against Germany in Spain this evening is midfielder Noel Buck.
    Born and bred in Arlington, Massachusetts, Buck plays for home MLS club New England Revolution and has made 24 first-team appearances.
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    His dad Steven holds both American and British passports and last year Buck was called up by the US men’s national team to attend a development camp.
    But he has accepted the FA call-up and could also feature for England against Switzerland on Saturday, alongside Jude Bellingham’s younger brother Jobe.
    Similarly, defender Christian McFarlane of New York City could play for England’s U17s tonight against Portugal in Spain.
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    McFarlane, 16, was born in Essex but moved to the USA, aged three.
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    At just 14 years and seven months, McFarlane signed his first pro contract with New York City and in doing so, became the third youngest player in MLS history to sign a deal.
    He has already played for the United States U16s but has accepted England’s invitation and could play against Morocco on Saturday and hosts Spain next Tuesday.
    Of course, both players could still end up with the United States.
    That is shown by the fact Norwich keeper Angus Gunn could pick up another senior cap for Scotland next Tuesday despite his 12 appearances for England’s U21s.
    Gunn, whose dad Bryan played six times for Scotland, swapped countries after believing his chances with England were limited and has already made four senior appearances.
    FANS IN POLE POSITION
    ENGLAND will take almost 3,500 fans to Wroclaw for their Euro qualifier against Ukraine on Saturday.
    The 45,000-seat stadium was a venue for Euro 2012.
    The city considers itself as the ‘Venice of Poland’ owing to its canals and fans may want to know Wroclaw is pronounced ‘vrot-swaaf’.
    JURGEN GETS IT HWANG
    SOUTH KOREA boss Jurgen Klinsmann was at Stamford Bridge on Saturday in the hope of watching Nottingham Forest’s Hwang Ui-jo.
    The striker had been an unused sub in Forest’s last three games and the former Spurs frontman was hoping to see him play.
    Sadly for him, Hwang was in Norwich having signed just seconds before the transfer window shut the night before.
    DRAW’S NOT MUCH KOP
    THE biggest clubs in Europe were all in Monaco last week.
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    Teams sent chief execs, sporting directors, ambassadors or just their club secretaries for the Champions League, Europa League and Europa League Conference draws.
    Maybe it was because they are only in the Europa League but Liverpool did not send anyone. More