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      Top ten managers who never played football – including FOUR former Chelsea bosses

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      JOSE MOURINHO ‘sacked’ himself as a player – but he’s not the only top manager who couldn’t hack it on the pitch.”Don’t do as I play, do as I say” might be the motto of the ten we’ve selected – after they defied their inability or poor luck as footballers to make it big as bosses.
      Jose Mourinho and Andre Villas-Boas have had eye-popping careers as managers but might cover their eyes when it comes to their playing daysCredit: EPA
      Four of them managed Chelsea and two of them Liverpool.
      And one’s become the youngest Bundesliga manager in history.
      The one thing they seem to have in common is making an early commitment to coaching.
      Here are the tales of the managers who, rather than has-beens, are a bunch of never-was’s.
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      Gerard Houllier
      The Frenchman was not known to have had any professional career.
      However, he played for seven years at amateur club Le Touquet, where he would get his first managerial job between 1973 and 1976.
      He would then guide amateur club Noeux-les-Mines to the second tier before moving to Lens.
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      A successful spell there would see him take over at PSG before he became his national team boss but failed to guide them to the World Cup.
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      Later, he would guide Liverpool to two League Cups, an FA Cup and a Uefa Cup before being replaced by Rafa Benitez.
      Two Ligue 1 titles with Lyon would follow before he finished his career with an unsuccessful spell at Aston Villa.
      Arrigo Sacchi
      “I didn’t know that to be a jockey, you have to have been a horse,” was Sacchi’s response when asked about managing with no playing experience.
      One of the greatest bosses of all time, Sacchi earned his money as a shoe salesman while managing his local club because he wasn’t good enough to play for them.
      Italian legend Arrigo Sacchi jockeyed for position before becoming an iconic manager for clubs and countryCredit: Getty
      And indeed he galloped to glory as a manager.
      Having started at Fusignano aged 27 in 1973, he reached the big time with Parma in 1987, later bossing AC Milan twice, Italy, Atletico Madrid and finally with Parma again.
      He guided the Azzurri to the 1994 World Cup final, also winning Serie A in his first full year at Milan.
      Jose Mourinho
      The Special One’s first brutal tactical decision was to end his own playing carer.
      Deciding he lacked the pace and power to thrive as a striker, Mourinho quit the lower-league Portugal game to coach at a school and then for hometown club Vitória de Setúbal.
      But while captaining his last team, Comércio e Indústria, he put football in perspective by saving the life of a team-mate trapped in a burning car.
      Mourinho, whose dad won a single cap for Portugal, sprang to prominence with coaching/translator roles under English managerial legend Bobby Robson.
      He launched his own life in the hot-seat at Benfica and Uniao de Leiria before fame struck at Porto from 2002-4, with two Portuguese titles plus Champions League glory.
      Since then he’s won silverware aplenty at Chelsea twice, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Manchester United, before completing the clean sweep of European trophies with current club Roma.
      Carlos Alberto Parreira
      The three-time Brazil manager bossed five different nations at the World Cup – despite not having a shred of a playing career.
      The 1994 World Cup winner even launched his career aged 24, bossing Ghana in 1967.
      Apart from four spells in charge of home-country giants Fluminense, he was also entrusted by Kuwait, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, plus South Africa when they hosted the 2010 World Cup.
      Parreira only managed twice in Europe, with Valencia and then taking Fenerbahçe to the Turkish crown.
      Avram Grant
      Even in this list of managerial early-starters, the Israeli deserves special mention.
      Grant coached the youth team of home-town club Hapoel Petah Tikva at the age of 18.
      He finally landed the top job there 14 years later, winning the Toto Cup twice.
      Roman Abramovich’s pal Avram Grant only lasted a season at ChelseaCredit: Getty
      Grant most notably bossed Maccabi Tel Aviv and Israel before his friend Roman Abramovich made him Chelsea boss in 2007.
      But runners-up spot in both the Prem and Champions League failed to save him from the axe at the end of his first season.
      After that, he bossed Portsmouth, West Ham and Partizan Belgrade, followed by Ghana and, since, December 2022, Zambia.
      Andre Villas Boas
      Never quite the Special One II, but the Portuguese was given his first off-the-field job aged SIXTEEN by then-Porto chief Bobby Robson.
      AVB, already fluent in English, found himself chatting to Robson as they lived in the same apartment block.
      And the Newcastle legend appointed him to Porto’s observation department.
      Robson then helped Villas-Boas storm through his qualifications, getting the C licence in Scotland at 17, the B a year later and the top-level a licence aged 19.
      Two years later he took the obvious career choice of becoming… technical director for the British Virgin Islands.
      But AVB then became Mourinho’s assistant at Porto, Chelsea and Inter before himself bossing Academica and Porto, with whom he won the treble of top-flight title, Portugal Cup and Europa league in 2010-11.
      But he failed to win silverware in a year apiece at Chelsea and Tottenham.
      AVB went on to lift the Russian crown with Zenit but was then trophyless with Shanghai SIPG and Marseille.
      Brendan Rodgers
      The Northern Irishman is different from many on this list – as his promising playing career was ended by a genetic knee condition aged 20.
      The ex-schoolboy international defender began with local team Ballymena United before starring for Reading reserves until quitting as a pro in 1993.
      Enjury forced Brendan Rodgers to quit playing aged 20Credit: Rex
      Unusually, he stayed on as a Royals’ youth coach while playing for non-League clubs Newport IOW, Witney Town and Newbury and working at John Lewis.
      Mourinho then lured him to coach Chelsea’s Academy before he impressed in charge of Watford, Reading and Swansea with stylish, tactically-astute football.
      He missed out on honours during three years bossing Liverpool, but won the League and Cup double in successive season for Celtic, earning a Prem return with Leicester in 2019.
      He steered he Foxes to historic FA Cup glory two years later.
      But where might he be now if he hadn’t had to stop playing so early?
      Maurizio Sarri
      The Italian’s purely-amateur playing career had its “if only” moments – even after he had failed trials with Torino and Fiorentina.
      The centre-back was a one-club man with local team Figline until injuries led to his retirement aged 30.
      His nearly moment came at 19 when a move to Montevarchi was only foiled by Figline demanding a massive compensation fee.
      Sarri also rejected a move to Pontedera.
      And since turning to coaching in 1990 he’s managed TWENTY-ONE clubs.
      Guiding the 17th of those teams, Empoli, to Serie B runners-up spot in 2014, helped transform his progress.
      He moved on to Napoli, Chelsea (where he won the Europa League), Juventus (Serie A winners) and now Lazio.
      Julian Nagelsmann
      Like Rodgers, the German’s hopes of a decent playing career were wrecked by injury before he really got started.
      He captained 1860 Munich’s youth team and made it into the reserve-team squad, only to suffer knee problems.
      Julian Nagelsmann has had an extraordinary rise in management despite, just like Brendan Rodgers, quitting playing aged 20Credit: EPA
      Similar misfortune after switching to Thomas Tuchel’s Augsburg, so he stopped playing aged 20, becoming a scout and studying sports science.
      Spells in youth coaching at 1860 Munich and 1899 Hoffenheim followed.
      And in 2016, aged 28, Hoffenheim made him the youngest manager in Bundesliga history and he somehow kept them up
      After bossing RB Leipzig from 2019 to 2021, he’s now gunning for his second successive Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich.
      Ron Noades
      The late Londoner was completely devoid of a playing or coachign background, instead entering football through investment as a businessman.
      He was involved in the ownership of FOUR clubs in turn- starting with non-league Southall.
      He then became part of Wimbledon’s early rise up the lower divisions as chairman – famously appointing Dave Bassett as boss.
      Moving to a similar position at Selhurst Park, he oversaw arguably Crystal Palace’s brightest ever spell.
      They won promotion to the top flight in 1989, reached the FA Cup final the following year and came third at the highest level in 1991.
      But he sparked a furore that year with comments about the racial mix of the Eagles’ team, with key men Ian Wright, Mark Bright and Andy Gray departing in the fall-out.
      Palace went topsy-turvy after that – none more so than when Noades sold his interest to Mark Goldberg and also became CARETAKER-MANAGER, albeit failing to save them from the drop.
      Terry Venables came in as his successor and Noades left the club – ending up as chairman and then manager of Brentford.
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      He won promotion to the third tier in his first term.
      But one of the more controversial careers in chairmanship/management ended in 2000, when he sold his majority shareholding to fans’ group Bees United and quit both roles. More

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      I grew up watching English football but it’s my World Cup with Messi that’ll make me a Chelsea star, says Enzo Fernandez

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      IN the space of two months, Enzo Fernandez has been cheered through the streets of Buenos Aires and booed off at Stamford Bridge.In between, the Argentina midfielder became the most expensive signing in English football history with a £106million transfer deadline-day move to Chelsea.
      Enzo Fernandez and Lionel Messi won the World Cup with Argentina in DecemberCredit: Getty
      Fernandez completed a huge £106million move to Chelsea last monthCredit: Rex
      And the 22-year-old only turned professional barely three years ago.
      Behind the hype, money, tattoos, YouTube clips and the World Cup winners’ medal, Fernandez is a naive, deeply religious boy with so much to learn as he grapples with stardom and living up to expectations.
      He said: “A lot has happened in a very, very short time and I still feel like I’m in a period of apprenticeship, like a learning period — it’s still a learning curve.
      “I’m totally aware I’ve come to a massive institution. To a massive club in Chelsea.
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      “It’s all gone very quickly. It’s just three years, my professional career.
      “From my time at Defensa, through to River Plate, I’ve learned something at every stage of my career, and also Benfica as well.
      “Then to win the World Cup — it’s a dream, isn’t it?
      “But you never lose that desire to learn and improve and that’s what has always signified my style and my play.
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      “It’s in my training, wanting to learn, wanting to improve and wanting to be better as a footballer and as a man.”
      Fernandez is learning the hard way, with Chelsea heading into Sunday’s traditionally frenetic London derby at Spurs on a dreadful run by their standards.
      Two wins in 14 games and just one goal in their last five matches… hardly the best return on an investment of about £286m in the last transfer window alone.
      It is probably not what Chelsea’s record signing was expecting either and a comedown after the delirium that greeted Argentina’s Qatar 2022 triumph where he was Young Player of the Tournament.
      But Fernandez knows all about the ups and downs of English football after watching lots of it as a kid.
      He said: “It would be me and my dad in bed with a bottle of Mate, the herbal tea, watching the Premier League on TV, just me and my dad.
      “I always used to get up early, I know exactly the times — Sunday mornings we used to tune in for the Premier League.
      “It is four hours’ difference in the winter, three hours in the summer.
      “So we knew exactly. Sunday mornings, we’d get up, watch the TV — teams like Chelsea and Manchester United.
      “I was aware of all the Argentinians playing here then like Kun Aguero, Carlos Tevez, and Higuain, who was at Chelsea.
      “I’ve always loved watching football and so have all my family. There were lots of heroes here in the Premier League.”
      Arguably the greatest Argentine player ever, Lionel Messi, will probably never experience English football’s rough charm.
      But Fernandez will bring to Stamford Bridge the experience of a transformative month when he went from squad hopeful to mainstay of a World Cup-winning team alongside a true great in Argentina’s legendary captain.
      Fernandez said: “What can I take from that time with him?
      “Energy from that squad, that dressing room and from all my Argentinian team-mates because it was a special dressing room. You can imagine it was lively.
      “Also positivity, desire and a real will to win — those are the ideas that were really prevalent in that dressing room. But also keeping humble, as that’s a thing about Messi, keeping humble.
      “He’s one of those leaders who is really positive all the time, both in the example he sets in his style of play but also on a human level in the dressing room.
      Fernandez has called on Chelsea fans to place their trust in the playersCredit: Getty
      “I felt very conscious he was with me all the way, giving me a lot of moral support.
      “It was a dream, my biggest dream ever really, to play with Messi and to be in a team with Messi.
      “I know I’m still young and I need to keep learning.
      “But at some point in the future, maybe tomorrow, or in the future, I want to really demonstrate that I’m a leader both in the group off the field and on the field as well.
      “It’s all about coming back to that point of doing my best for the team. I want to help take this club forward and help my team-mates.”
      Millions greeted Fernandez and the Argentina team on their homecoming with a third World Cup — but now it is back to the nitty gritty.
      But where it was Messi a few weeks back, Fernandez now shares a dressing room with less imperious players.
      He added: “There was a huge celebration but now it is just a case of changing the chip in your head as that is all you are doing.
      “You never lose that professionalism, that desire, that strength to compete, that desire to win stuff on all fronts and in all competitions.
      “Every competition I’ve gone into, I have always considered myself to be really professional. My attitude has not changed.
      “And however fantastic it was to win the World Cup, you still have those ideals of doing your best, helping your team-mates and trying to compete with everything you have got.”
      Fernandez has implored the Chelsea fans to put their faith in the players as they attempt to climb out of a dreadful run of form.
      He added: “My message to the fans is never forget that we are representing you.
      “We are there for you. We are representing you as a group of supporters.
      “Trust us. Trust the players, trust the backroom staff, trust the manager because we are all moving in the same direction. We have a lot of new faces here and it is a restructuring of the club and the playing staff.
      “I would encourage them to be patient.
      “We know we are representing them and we are giving everything for them.
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      “We are trying to win games, starting on Sunday. Then we can start to turn things around.”
      CHELSEA (likely): Kepa, Badiashile, Silva, Chalobah, James, Fernandez, Kovacic, Chilwell, Sterling, Havertz, Mudryk. More

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      How John Motson became the voice of football after a muddy afternoon at Hereford changed his life forever

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      BRITISH football lost its voice yesterday when legendary commentator John Motson died aged 77.For half a century, “Motty” and his sheepskin coat brought the beautiful game to life with his infectious enthusiasm, unmatchable statistics and iconic tones.
      British football lost its voice yesterday when legendary commentator John Motson died aged 77Credit: PA
      Motson takes the mic at Old Trafford in his first season of 1971/72
      And in his final season for the BBC at Arsenal in 2021Credit: Getty
      The former BBC broadcaster was behind the microphone for more than 2,000 games, including 29 FA Cup Finals, and covering ten World Cups and ten Euros.
      Last night tributes poured in from across the world to the commentator Piers Morgan hailed as the G.O.A.T — greatest of all time.
      Match of the Day host Gary Lineker called him “brilliant” and “the voice of football in this country for generations”. Ex-England star Alan Shearer wrote: “RIP Motty. An incredible career. The voice.”
      Prince William added: “Very sad to hear about the passing of John Motson — a legend whose voice was football. My thoughts are with his family and friends.”
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      Motson’s success was down to preparation as much as perspiration in that heavy jacket, with wife Anne helping him collate information on players and games.
      They did not use a computer — preferring instead to draw on their own archive of press clippings, and Motson’s laser focus for detail produced many memorable moments.
      Before his first FA Cup Final in 1977, he walked up the Wembley steps to where the trophy would be collected and counted 39.
      Then, when Man United’s winning captain Martin Buchan strode up, Motson delivered a killer reference to John Buchan’s classic novel. He said to the millions at home: “How appropriate that a man called Buchan should be the first to climb the 39 steps to the Royal Box.”
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      However he may never have been there at all if not for a muddy FA Cup Third Round replay at non-league Hereford United against mighty Newcastle in 1972.
      When Ronnie Radford hit a late 30-yard screamer to equalise, an excitable Motson screamed into the mic: “Oh, what a goal! What a goal! Radford the scorer, Ronnie Radford, and the crowd, the crowd are invading the pitch and it will take some time to clear the field.”
      Having captured the moment so perfectly, Motson would no longer be a junior commentator.
      He later said: “I was on trial at Match of the Day for a year and I got given this game, and then Ronnie changed everything.
      “He changed his life, my life, the history of the FA Cup with a goal that came out of nowhere.”
      Born in Salford, Motson moved around the country as his Methodist minister dad William went from post to post.
      His first taste of football came in London aged seven when he watched Chelsea play at Charlton Athletic, near where he then lived.
      He was instantly hooked and became a Chelsea fan, although he later pretended to support Barnet to avoid accusations of bias. 
      Motson’s first job was on a local paper in Barnet, North London, in 1963, before moving to the Sheffield Morning Telegraph four years later.
      On reading his work, one cruel editor suggested he try broadcasting instead. He joined the BBC in 1968 — but it was not until Radford’s rocket that his own career took off. It landed him a three-year contract, covering a range of sports.
      In 1974 he co-commentated with heavyweight legend Muhammad Ali on a Joe Bugner fight in London. He tried to hand the mic to Ali only to discover he had vanished.
      Motson recalled: “He was in the ring trying to box Bugner.”
      Reporting on Wimbledon tennis in 1981 he landed an impromptu interview with actor Jack Nicholson. When Motson got a message in his ear from the studio demanding the tennis latest, Jack said in his scary Shining voice: “Just give ’em the score, Johnnnyy.” 
      But it is football for which Motson will be forever remembered. 
      A huge factor in his success was Anne, who he married in 1976. She kept a log detailing all his games.
      Motson said: “My research is based mainly on my wife’s wonderful record book which she keeps dutifully and diligently every day of the season with all the teams, matches, appearances, goalscorers, newspaper cuttings, you name it.”
      However Motson was not immune to the odd blunder. He once said: “Brazil — they’re so good it’s like they’re running round the pitch playing with themselves.” 
      In the 1990s his rival Barry Davies got two FA Cup Finals so the perfectionist felt he had to raise his game. Motson, awarded an OBE in 2001, said: “You felt that if you dropped a clanger you might be out of work. I would have sleepless nights sweating on getting it right. 
      “There were recriminations if something went wrong, naked fury.”
      Getting his MBE with wife Anne who helped him collate information on players and gamesCredit: PA:Press Association
      John in the hot seat during the 1986 World Cup finals in MexicoCredit: Getty
      It started at a muddy FA Cup Third Round replay at non-league Hereford United against mighty Newcastle in 1972Credit: PA
      The affable Motson also had to face occasional bouts of rage from angry managers. Then-Man United boss Alex Ferguson, who had been a good pal, snarled at him in 1995: “You’ve no right to ask me that question, John. You’re out of order.” 
      All he did was ask if Roy Keane would be punished for being sent off for the third time in 14 games.
      His toughest career moment was in 1989 commenting at the FA Cup semi between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool at Hillsborough. His son Fred said the disaster, where 96 fans were killed, “was really something that weighed on him”.
       Motson’s last day at the BBC came at Crystal Palace’s 2-0 home win against West Brom in 2018. Palace’s then-boss Roy Hodgson presented him with a framed copy of the programmes from his first and last matches. 
      He then joined TalkSport radio soon after and was awarded a Bafta that year to mark his contribution to broadcasting. 
      He and his wife, who lived in a village near Milton Keynes, both had major health scares.
      First Anne beat breast cancer and then ten years later in 2014 her husband was diagnosed with bowel cancer. Motson said: “I knew what courage she showed in the operation. I thought to myself, ‘Come on, keep yourself together and don’t make too much fuss.’ 
      “I was trying to be nearly as brave as she was.” 
      His family said yesterday: “It is with great sadness that we announce that John Motson OBE died peacefully in his sleep today.” 
      Huge rounds of applause are sure to ring out at grounds around the country tomorrow. As the BBC’s director-general Tim Davie said: “John had the right words, at the right time, for all the big moments.” 
      grant.rollings@thesun.co.uk
      ‘HE SET STANDARD’By NICK PARKER
      FELLOW commentators and pundits paid tribute to Motty yesterday.
      Sky’s Martin Tyler said: “John was the standard-setter for us all. 
      “We basically all looked up to him — his diligence, his dedication, his knowledge. He was a very serious broadcaster but he was a real fun guy to be around.”
      Clive Tyldesley said: “As a teenager I just wanted to be John Motson. Nobody else.” BT Sport’s Darren Fletcher posted: “An iconic commentator with his own distinctive and brilliant style.
      “The soundtrack to my youth watching football #RIPMotty.”
      BT Sport and ESPN commentator Ian Darke said: “Probably the most famous football commentator of them all. Meticulously researched and retaining boyish enthusiasm and love of the game over half a century of the biggest games — he set the gold standard.”
      Ex-Blackburn forward and pundit Chris Sutton said: “He was a legendary figure in the commentary box and will be sorely missed. 
      “Thoughts and prayers go out to his family.”

      Classic lines of icon
      ONE of Motty’s most famous quotes was a joke, not a gaffe.
      Commentating on a Tottenham game he said: “For those of you watching in black and white, Spurs are in the all-yellow strip”.
      It was a nod to Ted Lowe’s snooker line: “For those of you watching in black and white, the pink is next to the green.”
      Some of his other lines include: 
      “Villa . . . and still Ricky Villa! What a fantastic run! He’s scored!” — on the Argentine’s mazy winner for Spurs in the 1981 FA Cup Final replay.
      The ‘crazy gang’ of Wimbledon got the Motto treatment as they beat the stars of Liverpool in the 1988 FA Cup finalCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      “And there it is, the Crazy Gang have beaten the Culture Club!” — when no-hopers Wimbledon beat the stars of Liverpool in the 1988 FA Cup Final.
      “It’s there by David Platt. England have done it in the last minute of extra-time. England are through to the quarter-finals of the World Cup and Bobby Robson is ecstatic!” — late drama at the Italia 90 World Cup.
      “Oh dear, oh dear me . . . here is a moment that almost brings tears to his eyes” — on Paul Gascoigne after his booking against West Germany would rule him out of the final at Italia 90.
      Paul Gascoigne was hailed by Motson after his famous volleyed goal against Scotland at Euro 1996Credit: PA:Press Association
      “Here’s Gascoigne . . oh brilliant, oh yes!” — Gazza’s famous volley against Scotland in Euro 96.
      “Ohhh, this is getting better and better and better. One, two, three for Michael Owen!” — Owen gets his hat-trick in England’s 5-1 win over Germany in Munich 2001.
      David Beckham sends England to the 2002 World CupCredit: Allsport – Getty
      “Beckham . . . Yes! He’s done it!” — David Beckham’s brilliant last-gasp free-kick against Greece at Old Trafford in 2001 sends England to the 2002 World Cup.
      “Hold the cups and glasses at home . . . you can smash them now!” Beckham’s penalty beats Argentina at the 2002 World Cup in Japan, broadcast at breakfast time in the UK.
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      “Gerrard! He’s done it! Oh Steven Gerrard!” — injury-time thunderbolt for Liverpool against West Ham in the 2006 FA Cup Final.
      “And the referee has gone across now with his hand in his pocket. He’s been told about it. He’s off, it’s red, it’s Zidane! You can’t excuse that   —   Zidane’s career ends in disgrace!” — Zinedine Zidane’s sending-off for France after a headbutt in the 2006 World Cup Final against Italy. More

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      Bukayo Saka ‘tells Arsenal he wants to STAY with England star closing in on staggering £200k-a-week contract’

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      BUKAYO SAKA has allegedly agreed to stay at Arsenal.And he is now closing in on a bumper new contract worth £200,000-a-week.
      Bukaya Saka has reportedly agreed terms on a bumper new Arsenal dealCredit: Alamy
      The Gunners winger was in brilliant form for England during the World Cup in Qatar.
      Saka, 21, was named in L’Equipe’s team of the tournament – with the French newspaper a notoriously harsh critic.
      Since returning from the Middle East he has continued to shine for table-topping Arsenal despite entering the final 18 months of his deal.
      Saka has scored five goals since heading back to North London, with his latest helping his team to beat Aston Villa 4-2 last weekend.
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      Now supporters have been dealt a huge boost ahead of the trip to Leicester on Saturday after a fresh report claimed he has agreed to commit his future to the club.
      The Athletic states he has reached “an agreement in principle over a new long-term contract”.
      However, the deal is still not officially signed and “may take some time to finalise”.
      But it adds that it is “now in place and will come as a huge boost to the club”.
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      The Daily Mail has also reported that Saka has “told Arsenal he wants to stay”.
      And they claim that his new package will earn him over £10m annually. More

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      World Cup’s sexiest fan Ivana Knoll drapes herself across police cars in busty see-through dress outside Parliament

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      THE World Cup’s hottest fan Ivana Knoll has been turning heads on the streets of London.The Croatian superfan shot to fame in Qatar and ever popularity is still on the rise.
      Ivana Knoll caught the eye on the streets on WestminsterCredit: Splash
      She posed in front of Big Ben and an iconic London busCredit: Splash
      She also took a cheeky snap on top of a police car
      The model also posed next to a telephone boxCredit: Splash
      Ivana wore a short skirt and huge heelsCredit: Splash
      The outfit allowed her to show off her long legsCredit: Splash
      Ivana turned heads outside Parliament
      She even caught the attention of on-duty police officers
      Since the tournament finished she has mingled with the likes of Drake and Jamie Foxx and partied in the United States.
      And now she has come over to sample life in London by posing around the streets of Westminster
      Donning a skimpy outfit and heels, Ivana embraced her surroundings by walking into a typically British telephone box.
      She showed off her long legs with one snap in front of Big Ben and an iconic red bus.
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      Ivana caught the attention of passers by, including police officers working outside Parliament.
      The former Miss Croatia strutted about in high heels and even pole danced on a lampost.
      She recently confessed that she is a passionate dancer with pole dancing and belly dancing her forte.
      Ivana occasionally shows off her moves on social media, much to the excitement of her 3.6million Instagram followers.
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      The model appears to be enjoying herself in London and took in Arsenal vs Manchester City last week, being gifted a shirt with her name on the back by the Gunners.
      She then went out in London, before attending the Baftas after-party on Sunday. More

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      From the Crazy Gang to Gazza’s tears, the seven most iconic moments of John Motson’s career as BBC legend passes away

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      FOOTBALL has lost its most iconic voice after John Motson passed away, aged 77.Fans across the country are mourning the legendary BBC commentator, who hung up his mic – and famous sheepskin coat – five years ago.
      BBC commentary legend John Motson has passed away, aged 77Credit: PA:Press Association
      During his distinguished 48-year career, Motty covered ten World Cups, ten European Championships, 29 FA Cup finals and more than 200 England games.
      But there are some moments that stand out more than others and will NEVER be forgotten.
      Here are SunSport’s favourite memories from the ‘Voice of Football’…
      You can’t fault his appetite for the game
      The famous sheepskin John Motson wore at Adams Park became synonymous with the BBC legend
      It was an image that became synonymous with Motty.
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      And was always a running joke when the weather mimicked arctic conditions.
      In December 1980, Motty reported live from Adams Park before Wycombe Wanderers entertained Peterborough United.
      Battling the elements, he delivered his message with aplomb and the sheepskin became a regular fixture.
      His commentating was something quite poetic
      John Motson delivered the famous line, “The Crazy Gang have beaten the Culture Club” when Wimbledon beat LiverpoolCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Motty tapped into popular culture too.
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      One of the biggest Cup Final shocks of all time came when Wimbledon beat Liverpool 1-0 thanks to a Lawrie Sanchez goal in 1988.
      Cue scenes of hysteria and disbelief at the final whistle and a distraught looking Kenny Dalglish as The Reds missed out on doing the double.
      “The Crazy Gang have beaten the Culture Club,” he delivered when the ref called time.
      And it is a line that has gone down in history.
      And he loved it when England did well
      The favourite game John Motson ever commentated on was England’s 5-1 drubbing of GermanyCredit: PA:Press Association
      When Michael Owen scored his third goal, John Motson was particularly vocalCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Motty confessed that his favourite match he ever commentated on was England’s 5-1 drubbing of Germany in Munich.
      You could really tell too, because he took so much delight in Michael Owen grabbing a hat-trick at the Olympiastadion during the 2002 World Cup qualifiers.
      He bellowed: “Ohhh, this is getting better and better and better. One, two, three for Michael Owen!”
      But arguably his most famous commentary line came when he first started out
      Ronnie Radford’s goal for Hereford United defined John Motson’s careerCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      It was the goal that changed Motty’s life, he admitted.
      Effectively, he was on trial at the BBC and he confessed that he “hadn’t pulled up too many trees at that point.”
      “What a goal, what a goal,” Motson screamed as Ronnie Radford hit a screamer for Hereford United in their famous FA Cup shock against Newcastle.
      “Radford the scorer. Ronnie Radford.” Motty then became a permanent voice.
      Don’t mention Brian Clough though
      John Motson loved interviewing Brian Clough
      Brian Clough was prickly with John Motson in a awkward interview in 1979
      In 1979, the legendary Nottingham Forest manager gave Motty a particularly prickly interview.
      Cloughy wasn’t happy about the BBC over-analysing the beautiful game, so he let rip on the journalist.
      “I think what you do to referees is nothing short of criminal,” Cloughy told him in no uncertain terms.
      Despite that, Clough and Motty always had fun jousting over the years and Motty always said he was his favourite manager to interview.
      Gazza’s tears at Italia 90
      Paul Gascoigne’s tears were best described by John Motson during England’s semi final game against Germany at Italia 90Credit: Getty – Contributor
      TURIN – JULY 4: Paul Gascoigne of England bursts into tears after losing the FIFA World Cup Finals 1990 Semi-Final match between West Germany and England played at the Stadio Delle Alpi, in Turin, Italy on July 4, 1990. The match ended in a 1-1 draw after extra-time, with West Germany winning 4-3 in the […]Credit: Getty – Contributor
      When Paul Gascoigne launched into a mistimed tackle and earned a booking that would rule him out of a possible World Cup Final appearance, we were shot to pieces.
      Gazza soon got emotional on the pitch, and his Spurs colleague Gary Lineker gestured to manager Bryan Robson to keep an eye on him.
      “Oh dear. Oh dear me,” Motty reasoned with the nation. “He’s going to be out of the final, if England get there.”
      “Here is a moment that almost brings tears to his eyes.”
      Finally, he wasn’t afraid to call it how it was
      John Motson was scathing of Zinedine Zidane in the 2006 World Cup FinalCredit: AFP
      John Motson will be sorely missedCredit: Getty – Contributor
      When Zinedine Zidane got sent off against Italy at the 2006 World Cup the world was stunned by what they’d seen.
      The world’s greatest player threw a headbutt towards Italian defender Marco Materazzi who collapsed to the ground.
      “And the referee has gone across now with his hand in his pocket,” Motty told us as we awaited the official’s decision.
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      “He’s been told about it. He’s off, it’s red, it’s Zidane! You can’t excuse that, Zidane’s career ends in disgrace!”
      Motty, you’ll be missed. More

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      Man Utd takeover by Qataris will be great for club as Sheikh is ‘very good person’ – reveals Barcelona boss Xavi

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      XAVI believes a Qatar takeover will be good for Manchester United.The Barcelona coach played for Qatar side Al Sadd between 2015-19 and went on to coach them from 2019-21.
      Barcelona and Spain legend Xavi warmed up for Thursday’s Europa League second leg at Old Trafford by praising United bidder Sheikh JassimCredit: EPA
      Man Utd would flourish if Sheikh Jassim took over, Xavi suggests
      He was also an ambassador for the recent World Cup and knows United bidder Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani.
      Ahead of Barca’s Europa League match against United he said the club-owning Glazers would do well to accept his bid.
      Xavi said: “I have a good relationship with the Sheikh and I think he would do a good job.
      “I think he is a very good person with serious responsibilities.”
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      Sheikh Jassim is up against Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS group to take control of the club after the Glazer’s put it up for sale for around £6billion.
      In a statement last week Sheikh Jassim made his intentions clear to buy the club out right and make it number one again.
      His statement said: “The bid plans to return the club to its former glories both on and off the pitch, and – above all – will seek to place the fans at the heart of Manchester United Football club once more.
      “The bid will be completely debt free via Sheikh Jassim’s Nine Two Foundation, which will look to invest in the football teams, the training centre, the stadium and wider infrastructure, the fan experience and the communities the club supports.
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      “The vision of the bid is for Manchester United Football Club to be renowned for footballing excellence, and regarded as the greatest football club in the world.”
      Xavi also believes that the Sheikh would be buying a club on the up again under Erik Ten Hag’s management.
      He said: “Manchester United are one of the best teams in Europe at the minute, showing their quality and competitiveness through great results.
      “They’re the best United I’ve seen in the last few years, with a great coach, and great players who show a lot of personality and passion.”
      To beat them tonight Barcelona will have to try and keep Marcus Rashford quiet.
      He scored in the 2-2 first leg of this tie, which has a place in the last 16 of the competitions as the reward.
      After his double at the weekend against Leicester he now has 16 in his last 17 games since returning from the World Cup and 24 in all for the season.
      Centre-back Joules Kounde had a tough time handling him in the first leg and Ten Hag was furious that he had not been sent off when coming into contact with the England international as he broke away in the second-half.
      But Kounde said: “I think it was 50-50. There is contact but I think it’s very light.
      Read More on The Sun
      “I think it’s very light and the referee decided to not give me a red card, so I don’t feel lucky. I feel it’s part of the decision of the referee.
      “It’s true that I think I could have been sent off because it was 50-50 but the referee made the decision and obviously I’m very happy.” More

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      Arsenal loanee Folarin Balogun urged to QUIT England and switch international allegiance to become ‘poster boy’

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      ARSENAL prodigy Folarin Balogun has been told to snub England and instead become America’s new poster boy.The 21-year-old is the joint-leading scorer in Ligue 1 alongside PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe and Lille’s Jonathan David with 14 goals for loan club Stade de Reims.
      Folarin Balogun is eligible to play for England, USA and NigeriaCredit: AFP
      The Gunners could be ready to cash in on the hotshot, who only has 18 months left on his contract, this summer after his exploits surprised many at the club.
      However, at international level, the USA is ready and waiting to convince him to switch his allegiance.
      Balogun was born in New York, America, to Nigerian parents and raised in England and is eligible to represent all three nations at international level. 
      He has represented the States four times for their Under-18s, but he has also been capped by the Three Lions at youth level and has seven goals in 13 appearances for the U21s.
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      But with a host of young talents such as Christian Pulisic, Timothy Weah and Yunus Musah, USA legend Eric Wynalda says that the forward can be the man to fire his country to glory.
      And he is adamant that the US Soccer Federation should be promising him all-sorts of endorsements and incentives to get him to turn his back on England.
      Speaking to The Action Network’s Wondergoal Podcast, Wynalda, who scored 34 goals in 107 caps, said: “If we get Folarin Balogun him we solve a lot of problems. 
      “I’m impressed with everything about him. The power that he has, the timing of his runs.
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      “We have to appeal to his ego which is the reality of this. We should let him know that he will be a star.
      “An absolute star at a World Cup, in his own country as he was born in New York.”
      Wynalda added: “We need to lock him in with some sponsors too. 
      “He will be a star with us. He won’t necessarily be a star with England.
      “It will come down to how important it is for him to be in the spotlight. That’s the only chance we’ve got to get him.” 
      “Everything from the Mastercards, the Budweisers, the Coca-Cola’s, the big ones that will be sponsors of this World Cup. They have to figure out how to fit him into the budget.” More