Wayne Rooney not taking Macclesfield job
Wayne Rooney will not be taking over as Macclesfield manager after an ambitious approach by the non-league club, the PA news agency understands.
The former Manchester United and England star has been subject of interest from the National League North side as Robbie Savage edges towards taking the Forest Green post.
Macclesfield this week made an approach to Rooney's agent Paul Stretford but, after careful consideration, the 39-year-old is not going to be making himself available for the job.
United's all-time top scorer managed Derby, DC United and Birmingham after hanging up his boots, before taking charge of Plymouth for the first half of last season.
Rooney is understood to be focused on media opportunities for the foreseeable future and Macclesfield were not considered the right move at the moment, despite admiration for the work being done there.
The phoenix club were founded in October 2020 after Macclesfield Town were wound up, with chairman Robert Smethurst overseeing the side's rise through the leagues.
The Silkmen started life in the North West Counties Football League Premier Division in 2021/22 and last season were promoted as Northern Premier League Premier Division champions under boss Savage.
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The Sun
12 minutes ago
- The Sun
Emma Raducanu reveals she is studying ‘completely different' course as Wimbledon star hints at future career
EMMA RADUCANU wants to create another masterpiece at Wimbledon. At the most challenging time of her season, Raducanu will try to relax this fortnight by going for long walks 'to destress'. 2 2 And in her spare time at Wimbledon, she is reading books on art history as part of an online course. French 19th century painter Claude Monet, a master of the Impressionist era, is someone whose work she is starting to appreciate more. The world No.38 said: 'I'm just doing a course, I have a year to do it and it's good. It gives me something different to do. 'A lot of my subjects at school growing up were so quantitative – maths and economics. 'To do art history is completely different. You have to challenge your brain and ways of thinking that it wasn't used to. 'It's quite challenging. I actually quite like it. I have to learn so many broader topics. 'You have to pick apart and analyse every single thing in the painting. It's interesting. It's really fascinating. 'I have a greater appreciation for Monet and the Impressionist era. I didn't really take as much notice of that era of painting before. Now, I can appreciate what they're able to do. 'It's art history, and there's a section on the Renaissance and there's a section on sculptures and architecture as well. But I'm not at that part yet.' It is four years since Raducanu made history by winning the 2021 US Open as a qualifier for which she banked £1.8million. British world No719 qualifies for Wimbledon but is BANNED from claiming £66,000 prize money It has been a difficult year for the British tennis superstar, who has had mixed results on the court and some troublesome issues off it. Her coach Nick Cavaday, a long-term friend from her childhood, quit her set-up due to health reasons after the Australian Open in January. Then Raducanu was approached by a stalker that had followed her to Dubai, an episode that saw her burst into tears. And only last week she was crying again in public, this time at Eastbourne after receiving 'some pretty bad news'. Yet in spite of the trials and tribulations she has encountered, Raducanu approaches her fourth Wimbledon determined to smile throughout and live in the moment. Raducanu said: 'I want to really embody just having a good time and feel joy. 'I've recently realised that what we do is for such a short amount of time and it'll go before we know it. 'I was actually listening to Ana Ivanovic say the same thing. She said she wished she had enjoyed it more. 'Sometimes I want to go into the future and think: 'Oh, my god, am I going to regret not enjoying this moment?' 'I'm 22 now. So I'm kind of like living for that person, to not have any regrets to look back on. 'I want to bring joy to what I do and enjoy this time, because it's going to go by really fast.' Stepping on Wimbledon grass on Monday against British teenager Mimi Xu brings with it enormous pressure and expectation. But Raducanu, one of the most scrutinised female athletes on the planet, is relishing the return to the biggest stage. The Kent star said: 'It's a big occasion every year. Something that brings a lot of excitement, it brings a lot of buzz. 'And that buzz of winning at Wimbledon, honestly not much beats it. So I'm really looking forward to it. 'At the same time, you do feel a bit of pressure. You do feel a bit nervous but in a good way. 'If you're able to channel that and use it to focus yourself in the matches, then it's helpful, because sometimes if you're too loose, too relaxed, you're not as locked in on the court.' Wimbledon Ticket Options There are a range of ways to get into Wimbledon as one of the only major sporting events in the world that offer sought-after tickets on the day of the event... The Queue As one of the only major sporting events that allows guests to purchase tickets on the day of the event, demand is high. Each day a large queue forms of people wanting either a Grounds or Show Court ticket - with many even arriving the night before and camping to guarantee a place. Upon arrival, visitors are issued a Queue Card, which is numbered and dated and should be kept until a ticket has been purchased. While there is a limited number of entries, it is possible to remain in the queue and wait for people already inside to leave, with those tickets then becoming available. It is also possible to check the status of the queue on the Wimbledon website. This year, organisers are asking potential queuers to download the Wimbledon app and create a myWimbledon account. Show Tickets If you get to the front of the queue, then there are a limited number of tickets available for purchase for Centre Court and Courts 1, 2 and 3. Note that Centre Court tickets are available for the first 10 days of the tournament, the final four days were already pre-sold. Prices vary depending on the Court, seat and day of the event and will increase the further into the tournament you visit. For example, Centre Court rows A-T cost £105 on Day 1 and £315 on Day 14 (men's final). Grounds Pass A Grounds Pass costs £30 and allows visitors to watch matches on Courts 3-18 on unreserved seats, though there will also be a queue to get into Court 3. Ticket Resale From 3pm each day, tickets may become available from people who have left Wimbledon and made their seat available. A Grounds Pass is needed to join the virtual queue on the Wimbledon App. Tickets cost £15 for Centre Court or £10 for Courts 1/2. Hospitality There are a range of hospitality packages still available on the Wimbledon website. Hospitality packages offer guaranteed premium seating to major matches as well as fine dining experiences, complimentary drinks, a shuttle and concierge service. Hospitality packages can also be purchased via Seat Unique. Secondary Markets Sites such as StubHub offer tickets for the main courts for specific days and times. *Please note that StubHub and similar secondary ticket resale sites may list tickets above face value.* Cavaday will not be courtside but Mark Petchey – a respected TV analyst – will be in the stands, orchestrating her training plans and giving out orders. Raducanu axed Vladimir Platenik as coach after one match in Miami after it was revealed the Slovakian had previously branded the prospect of working with her as 'coaching suicide' in an interview. Working with people who knew her before she became mega famous is something she values. Trust is an important element when it comes to whom she lets into her inner circle having been burned in the past. Raducanu said: 'You're not going to feel so comfortable all the time. 'To have those moments where you maybe open up and you're honest and you show a bit of vulnerability, you kind of only want to do that with people you're close to and can trust. 'You don't want to do the same or go into the same detail, if it's someone you don't fully trust. 'Sometimes also maybe your behaviour isn't perfect, so for them to kind of know that it's not personal. 'You're just kind of carrying a certain amount, and you just need to let certain things out. It's very helpful to know they're not going to take it personally. 'In the past, I couldn't speak out really, because I didn't want what I said to kind of be shared and spoken and gossiped about. 'Because you know how Chinese whispers go. It's just exaggerated and things are twisted.'
The Guardian
25 minutes ago
- The Guardian
An oral history of England's Euro 2022 triumph: ‘It was an out-of-body experience'
On 31 July 2022 the Lionesses made history, Chloe Kelly's goal in extra time earning a 2-1 win over Germany to secure a first major title at Euro 2022. The home Euros had swung the nation behind the team and women's football has not looked back. What did the day of the final look like? Ahead of the Lionesses beginning their title defence, this is the inside story of English women's football's greatest day. Waking up on the morning of the final, there was an eerie air of calm and confidence in the England camp. Lucy Bronze, right-back: We stayed at The Lodge, at Tottenham's training ground. It was the only night we moved hotels. The blinds were automatic and they opened on the hour, every hour, from one o'clock in the morning. So everyone came to breakfast with bags under their eyes and we were like: 'Oh my God.' It wasn't a great start. Fran Kirby was furious. She was so tired because she hadn't had a good night's sleep. I distinctly remember that. Leah Williamson, captain and defender: The blinds broke, opening and closing all night, and I'm thinking: 'If we lose today it's going to be because of the blinds.' And we were at Spurs, The Lodge, I had some feelings about that. Jorge Bronze, Lucy's brother: We drove down the night before and stayed in Twickenham. I have a big soccer-mom-style van, so it was me, my wife, our at the time three-year-old and one-year-old, and my mum and dad. My one-year-old, Alzira, took her first steps. That was quite an exciting start. You're already nervous but then you've had this fairly big child milestone in amongst it. Alex Greenwood, defender: If you'd have come into our camp in the morning, you'd have thought it was a day off. It was so relaxed, so chilled, you would not think we were about to play a Euro final. I've never felt a more confident team. I've never been around that before. It was quite special. Even when I went down to breakfast and I looked around the room, I was thinking: 'We're going to win today.' I could feel it. Not in an arrogant way at all, just in a really confident way. Robyn Cowen, BBC commentator: Waking up, I didn't feel nervous, I felt really calm actually. I'd done a lot of work, so I felt prepared, which is not always the case, especially after becoming a parent, trying to find that time to do all the prep, but I felt calm and confident. Chloe Kelly, forward: I sent my family a message that said: 'Let's enjoy this special day, we don't know how many of these moments we'll get to spend together,' and I really remember messaging them saying: 'Imagine we have another Bobby Zamora moment, but it's me.' Wembley Way was flooded with fans arriving at a sold-out Wembley, a record crowd for a European Championship final of 87,192. Williamson: I was very, very emotional, I got a text from [former Arsenal and England player] Kelly Smith, we were driving to Wembley and the helicopter was following us. It was all very exciting. I'd been very excited for every game but I was nervous for the final. When Kelly sent me, that was what set me off. Deborah Dilworth, head of women's football at the Football Supporters' Association: It was the most magical day. Getting to the Wembley steps and feeling the atmosphere, wow. Not that anybody worried that there'd be the same situation as the year before [when fans without tickets forced their way into the men's Euros final] but it was so starkly different to feel the atmosphere, a beautiful buzz, as you went up to the stadium. There was just so much vibrancy and colour. It was like a bubbling excitement, not tension. Cowen: Around 1pm I arrived. I was in a Winnebago with our team, [BBC presenter] Gabby Logan, mystic Fara Williams [who had correctly predicted England's semi-final scoreline], Alex Scott, Ian Wright, Kelly Somers and then Rachel Brown-Finnis and a lot of the people who were looking after us, and it was weirdly calm. Rachel was your typical footballer – very superstitious. One of her superstitions was we would always have a pizza before the game, she had one before the Spain quarter-final, so she wanted one again. Lucy Bronze: I don't remember much until the warm-up. I can't even remember travelling to the game. I think, when we sat on the bus, we were just kind of with each other. Jorge Bronze: We took the family and friends bus that was put on for us, an old-school doubledecker, and it was a ridiculously hot day. It had no air-con and we were stuck in traffic for hours on the way in. There was the option of going to a little pre-party but my stomach can't take the nerves on a day like that so we were in the stadium while it was empty, before 4pm, right behind the dugouts. We're all in with all the other friends and family. You always know who's friends and families because they're wearing shirts that are too tight, because they're wearing one of their daughter's actual worn shirts and we're not as fit as the players. Akua Opong, a volunteer with the Team London Ambassadors programme: I spent much of the Euros at either King's Cross or Piccadilly, helping fans with information to make their way across London to matches, but had an event clash as I was also volunteering at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. After finishing the shift I raced to find a television. I watched the final with a friend and it was chaotic. Everywhere was packed. We went from place to place looking for somewhere to watch it. We eventually ended up watching it in a Weatherspoon's. Sophie Downey, writer and co-founder of Girls on the Ball: It was 10 years to the day that we'd been at Wembley for Team GB against Brazil, where Steph Houghton scored to beat Brazil in front of 75,000 people at the Olympics. That was one of the real first catalysts for the growth of the game, the moment England woke up to the sport a little bit, and the game that triggered Girls on the Ball, so to be there 10 years later was incredible. The difference was stark. There was such a buzz around the place. Just before the 5pm kick-off, news that the Germany forward Alex Popp had injured herself during the warm-up only furthered belief. Lucy Bronze: Sat in the changing room, the big talking point was that Popp wasn't playing. [Head coach] Sarina [Wiegman] came in and said: 'Popp's not even in the starting XI.' A huge part of our gameplan was how to stop her, but we were a bit like: 'OK, it doesn't really change much, we still have to play against good players.' That gave us a boost, though, knowing that one of the best players in the tournament wasn't playing. Downey: It was England v Germany and anything could happen, but when we got the news that Popp was injured I had a feeling that maybe, maybe this might be England's time. Dilworth: As the players came out for the anthem, I just thought, whatever happens, this is an iconic moment in women's football and I hope the players enjoy it, but equally, the fans were massive in that tournament and deserve that moment just as much as the players. I thought: 'This is it, this is ours, we're going to win.' The hope and tension at kick-off were palpable. Cowen: Usually at Wembley, television commentators get a great view. For some reason, because it was a tournament, the broadcasters were shuffled around a bit and we were in a radio seat with a really bad view. That was my first 'oh no' moment. This was a bit too low. We were also right in front of [BBC Radio] 5 Live, and because I'm very small, I have to stand up for 98% of games, but if I stood up here 5 Live couldn't see. So I spent most of the match in a sort of half-squat position. In the first half, Germany were aggrieved that they were not awarded a penalty for handball in 25th minute when the ball appeared to strike Williamson's raised arm. Williamson: I remember Rachel Daly shouting at me: 'What's the VAR check for?' I knew that it was going to be a close call. I still stand by the rules, it hit me on the top part of my arm, above my sleeve. Genuinely, after that, there's only a couple of thoughts I remember, mainly that my c ousin was pregnant and I really hoped we wouldn't go to penalties as I didn't know if she was going to make it through that. Lina Magull's 79th‑minute equaliser cancelled out Ella Toone's second-half chip over Merle Frohms and forced the final into extra time. Jorge Bronze: I didn't even feel nervous, because we were still on the right trajectory. We were pretty in control throughout I felt, like there was going to be a moment and it was coming. I had no fear of penalties coming. I was calm, which as a family member is not usually my experience. Normally I am sort of close to a mild heart attack watching Lucy play. But not at that final. Rachel O'Sullivan, co-founder of Girls on the Ball and a photographer at Wembley: I was sitting next to a German photographer. I don't speak German, she didn't speak English, but we were both living the opposite emotions. Every time Germany came forward, I was super stressed, and she was super excited, and vice versa. Even without really speaking, we knew what each of us were going through. Cowen: When it went to extra time, I was thinking: 'OK, I know what's going to happen here.' I started to draw out a penalty shootout grid. I've kept that page as a memento. I did feel that penalties was where it was headed; it was Germany, it would have been so 'England' and there had not been a shootout in the tournament. In the 110th minute, England won a corner and Chloe Kelly urged the crowd to make more noise. Kelly: Using the home crowd for our advantage, I always do that if I can; gee up the fans a bit, and I tried in that moment to really get the crowd up and going. With penalties looming, Kelly pounced, turning in from close range and pandemonium ensued. Khiara Keating, watching with her family from the stands,now a member of the Euro 2025 squad: I could have cried. I was speechless. I looked at my mum and was like: 'Has that actually just happened?' Then the whole stadium erupted and I thought: 'Wow, we're actually going to do it!' Kelly: My job is to be there for the drop-downs and to help get the keeper to stay in her goal, and as it dropped to me, I just thought: 'Get this in!' Then I was just absolutely buzzing. Jorge Bronze: Lucy would claim an assist for Chloe's goal. I think there was at least enough nudging around the box that Lucy's presence caused some havoc for Chloe to then stick it in. We all basically started crying at that point. Dilworth: I hugged my dad and I was close to tears. I was just tingly at the fact we were moments away, it was a stunned feeling, of thinking about what this moment was in history for women. The greater meaning was bigger than the game. O'Sullivan: For these games, as a photographer, you never know which end to sit in is going to be the best end to be at to get the key goal. I was at the wrong end for the Chloe Kelly goal, but it didn't matter. I was able to get much more of the crowd and much more the reaction. It was one of those games where it felt like things worked out the way they were supposed to work out. Cowen: After Chloe Kelly scored, I was certain Germany weren't coming back. It was just a masterclass by England to keep the ball in the corner. Players like Jill Scott in particular were absolutely brilliant and she had that iconic swearing moment [Her outburst went viral. Greenwood: I love how we kept the ball in the corner, I loved those bits of the game the most. After the goal, we were so good. Lucy Bronze: I was like: 'Yeah, we're England. We can see this game out. No problem at all.' I've not watched the game back, [but] I remember Chloe shouted at me at one point because she got a yellow card for taking her shirt off. Bear in mind, I played the whole game and she hadn't, and she was like: 'You're going to have to waste time on the throw-in and get a yellow card because I can't.' I was like: 'You got a yellow card because you scored and I'm going to be the idiot getting a yellow card for wasting time?' I didn't in the end, but I remember her saying: 'You need to waste time for the team. I can't do it.' The final whistle and trophy lift prompted an outpouring of emotion as well as reflection how far women's football had come. Williamson: Seeing everybody's faces, I felt like I was on that pitch for ever. I've watched the game back every year but it's an out-of-body experience. All we kept saying to each other was: 'We did it.' That was the emotion. It was a thing to be done, and we did it. Jorge Bronze: The tournament felt like the first time in my experience where support for the women felt much more sincere, rather than: 'Oh, aren't the girls doing well?' There was a clear narrative shift, where actually winning the tournament became really important to everybody. That felt like a moment in history. Meanwhile, my son, Freddie, sat with his iPad, headphones on, totally uninterested. He'd done well, it was a hot day, and my poor wife, Charis, had Alzira in a sling, roasting – not ideal. I remember then the prospect of being back on that sodding bus for another hour, but moods were elevated at that point. Cowen: I'm really proud that it's my voice on the commentary of it but, because I was so focused on getting it right, I did slightly miss out on the 'going berserk', because it was more of a relief that I hadn't said anything mad. At the end, I turned to throw to Rachel [Brown-Finnis] for some words and she was just crying. It was a lovely moment, because she, like all the ex-Lionesses, is so supportive and I'm in awe of them; how none of them are bitter that they didn't have these advantages, the pay players get nowadays, in their time. Instead they're just so humble and just so proud to have played for England, so I was so pleased for her, in particular. Downey: I was just a wreck. I was sitting next to a journalist from the men's game who I think had come in thinking it was just an average day at the office but by the end, as I was sobbing into my hands next to him, he went: 'Enjoy this moment, they don't happen very often,' and he really understood the gravity of it and how much it meant to those of us who have been plugging away in the game for a very long time. Then you have to then go and work, which I found really hard and odd. I had to put the game face on again to do the quotes piece for the Guardian. So I went and sat in Sarina's press conference and that was absolutely crazy because the players came in, Mary Earps got up on the desk and danced and the players were all singing. Very, very special memories. Greenwood: The moment the final whistle went, it was like an out-of-body experience. When I recall that game, I think about nothing but the final whistle and that pure relief. I don't know whether I ran forwards, backwards, maybe I went to Leah first. I have no idea. All I know is it was one of the best moments of my entire life. The stadium sounded incredible. Celebrations on the night spilled into Trafalgar Square the following day. Kelly: It was nice to spend time with every family, it was such a special night. The girls created special memories. To do it on home soil was incredible, having all my family in the stands. All my brothers, my sister, my little nephews, my nan, my mum and dad, my now husband Scott, were all there. Cowen: Back in the Winnebago, it was total euphoria. Fara Williams had somehow managed to procure a bottle of prosecco from somewhere, and she popped the cork inside a very small Winnebago, which probably wasn't the safest thing. We put on music and danced around for a little bit, before going for some food and a bit to drink, but I had a child at home. In hindsight, I shouldn't have gone home so early, but even in the moment, I thought: 'I want to go home to see my family.' And then, for my sins, I do love a KFC, I only treat myself to one when it's a really good game and I thought: 'Robyn, you deserve it,' so I had chicken and chips around midnight. Jorge Bronze: We went into the hotel and waited for the players to arrive and there were crowds of people at the hotel. We stayed there until about 1am. Georgia Stanway got some Maccies [McDonald's] in, because you're not allowed to eat shit during the tournament, so the first thing was like: 'get some Maccies'. So, I've got some great photos of Luce sat with a trophy and Freddie stealing some chips, wearing the medal. I put them [his children Freddie and Alzira] in their car seats to go back to the hotel and they both fell asleep instantly. Opong: When you get to experience certain moments in life, take it. If you can go, go. They're once-in-a-lifetime experiences, so I just had to be at the parade in Trafalgar Square. I can't put it into words. I remember leaving the parade thinking: 'I don't even know what I've just witnessed.' Every single one of those women who won the Euros have given so much back to communities. They showed what you can achieve with teamwork and cohesion. They're such a special unit. England start their defence of the European Championship against France on Saturday, 5 July.
Daily Mail
28 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Man United 'are handed MAJOR boost' in Bryan Mbeumo pursuit as Brentford star 'makes decision on his future' with both Red Devils and Tottenham chasing his signature
Manchester United have been handed a major boost in their pursuit of Bryan Mbeumo after the Brentford man reportedly made his mind up on his future. The forward has been one of United's most sought-after targets this summer, with two bids already rejected as Ruben Amorim looks to recruit reinforcements to his struggling attack. Tottenham, though, now managed by former Brentford boss Thomas Frank, has made their desire over a potential move known, leaving the player himself with a dilemma. Now, though, according to The Athletic, Mbeumo has made his mind up in terms of his future - and he has told Tottenham that he will only leave Brentford to move to Old Trafford. More to follow.
