Latest news with #ex-ManchesterUnited
Edinburgh Live
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Rio Ferdinand's life now with luxury move abroad, famous wife and 'health scare'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Rio Ferdinand has hung up his hat as a pundit on TNT Sports after the Champions League final, closing a chapter of ten years with the broadcaster. Despite being offered a fresh contract months ago, the ex-Manchester United and England star chose not to renew, earlier announcing it was a "difficult" decision to leave. In his farewell note reported by Wales Online, Ferdinand extended his thanks for the chance to talk football over the last decade, tipping his hat to the behind-the-scenes crew essential for their triumphs. "I want to acknowledge the tremendous support from the team behind the scenes whose hard work often goes unseen but has been essential to our success. To everyone at TNT Sports, we have a brilliant end to the season to look forward to on Saturday and for now all focus will be on what I think could go down as one of the great European finals," Ferdinand remarked. READ MORE - David Tennant's wife reacts to Billie Piper's Doctor Who 'bombshell' READ MORE - The Aldi 33p 'shot' that could help 'obliterate' bad cholesterol from your body He added, "The network continues to thrive with more rights than ever. I know I look forward to following its progress and the exciting future that lies ahead." Ferdinand also took a moment to thank his family and New Era, his management firm, for their steadfast support as he travelled across Europe to follow top-tier players and matches, reports the Manchester Evening News. The 46 year old's decision comes after months of speculation about his potential departure from the broadcaster at the end of the season, with rumours hinting at a move abroad with his wife, Kate. Initial whispers suggested that Ferdinand, who has played for United, West Ham, Leeds, and QPR, might be eyeing opportunities in the United States ahead of the 2026 World Cup. However, later reports indicated that he and his wife, a former The Only Way is Essex star, were contemplating a move to Dubai, where they first crossed paths through mutual friends nearly ten years ago. Earlier this year, it was reported that the couple had started looking into properties and schools in Dubai, having decided that the time was right for them and their family to make the move. Ferdinand and his wife share two children, and Kate also plays the role of stepmother to his three children from his previous marriage to Rebecca Ellison, who sadly passed away from cancer in 2015. While Ferdinand has not publicly announced his next career move, it is thought that a potential relocation to the United Arab Emirates would involve regular travel between the UAE and the UK to meet work commitments. Kate is the founder of the online platform Blended. This news follows a health scare that forced him to miss out on covering key European football matches. Ferdinand was poised to cover Arsenal's Champions League match against PSG and lend his expert insights for United's Europa League semi-final with Athletic Bilbao but was instead hospitalised due to a crippling virus. Speaking candidly on 'Rio Ferdinand Presents', he recounted the harrowing experience that left him in fear for his life, battling severe migraines, vertigo, and extreme vomiting. "I had a mad virus," shared Ferdinand. "I thought lights were out at some point, I thought it was gonna happen. I thought I was minutes away from lights out, seriously." In narrating the terrible incident, he explained, "I was in my house, I was in my bed like this [pained expression] and I couldn't even open my eyes. Then, the headache I had... I don't get migraines or nothing else so I don't know what they're like. I thought my head was in a vice and my eyes were going to pop out. "Then, I was being sick, projectile vomiting in the toilet, I got back to bed and I was having vertigo," he added, "I was holding onto the sheets, I didn't know where I was. It was crazy." The situation took an alarming turn as medical professionals considered a brain scan, following Ferdinand's earlier offer of an ambulance to expedite his journey to the hospital. "I had to go to hospital and the doctor even said to me, 'Do you want an ambulance?' So that's when I knew," he disclosed. "He went, 'We're going to get your brain scanned'. I thought it was a virus or a flu or something so when he mentioned brain scan and the ambulance, the panic was nuts. "I went to hospital and I was in there for a few days. I couldn't even enjoy the hospital food. The soup and the ice cream normally does wonders."
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Ryan Reynolds put on spot by Landon Donovan as he scoffs at Wrexham 'miracle'
Wrexham have secured three successive promotions since being bought by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, but former Premier League star Landon Donovan has questioned their success Former Premier League star Landon Donovan has thrown down the gauntlet to Ryan Reynolds after casting doubt on Wrexham's fairytale rise. Since being taken over by the Deadpool actor and his fellow screen star Rob McElhenney in February 2021, the Welsh club have achieved an impressive three consecutive promotions. The Red Dragons are now gearing up for their first season back in the second tier after a 43-year absence. The Hollywood duo have been lauded for their impact on Wrexham's fortunes, with their ambitions now set on reaching the Premier League. However, ex-Everton midfielder Donovan has questioned the narrative of the team's ascent depicted in the Welcome to Wrexham documentary. Appearing on the Unfiltered Soccer podcast, which he presents alongside US legend Tim Howard, Donovan suggested that the owners' success was largely due to significant financial investment. He also put Reynolds and McElhenney on the spot about whether they're prepared to dig deeper into their pockets to help Wrexham's push for the top flight. "If you watch the show, you think it's some miracle, but it's not a miracle," Donovan said. "It's an amazing story, but they have also spent at the top of every one of the leagues they've been in. "The question now is whether they can do it in the Championship. My first thought was no, but I did see a report last week that they were willing to offer a player £50,000 a week. "They clearly have the money to do it, but are they going to take the risk? It's a big risk now, and you could lose £30m or £40m and not get promoted. It's going to be interesting to watch." However, Howard was more upbeat about Wrexham's chances of making the challenging leap to the top. Despite acknowledging the substantial investment in the team, the ex-Manchester United goalkeeper highlighted that splashing out money doesn't always equate to success. Howard said: "They say the hardest jump in all of the promotions is from the Championship to the Premier League, because there is just more money in that league. "Money makes the world go round when it comes to football or sports, and they [Wrexham] are pumping a tonne of money into that team. They're just better and if they continue to do that, I think they could possibly do it [be promoted]. "It's mind-blowing if you think about it because this could have easily gone the other way. It could have easily gone really bad because they spent a tonne of money on the wrong players and didn't get this success." He added: "The Premier League is filled with all sorts of crazy stories and I hope they are able to do it." Several current Premier League stars have been rumoured for a potential switch to Wrexham following their promotion. These include Fulham's Tom Cairney and the West Ham United pair of Danny Ings and Aaron Cresswell. Sign up to our newsletter! Wrexham is the Game is great new way to get top-class coverage Wrexham AFC is the arguably the fastest-growing club in the world at the moment thanks to a certain Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The Dragons have achieved two consecutive promotions and are cheered on by crowds from not only North Wales but also from all over the globe, thanks to the success of the Disney+ documentary 'Welcome to Wrexham'. But does it have a dedicated, quality source of information piped through to your inbox each week, free of ads but packed with informed opinion, analysis and even a little bit of fun each week? That's where Wrexham is the Game steps in... Available every Wednesday, it provides all the insights you need to be a top red. And for a limited time, a subscription to 'Wrexham is the Game' will cost fans just £15 for the first year.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'I was idolised by Inter's ultras – they smashed fan's nose when he touched me'
The ultras in Italian football are some of the most unique supporters in the game, as one ex-Inter Milan star can attest to after his shocking first-hand experience Italy is known for romance, but a punch in the face was the Inter Milan ultras' way of expressing their love for Paul Ince. Fortunately for the ex-Manchester United and Liverpool star, he was not the one left tasting iron. In 1995, Ince departed Old Trafford and moved to the San Siro, where he shared a dressing room with the likes of Roberto Carlos, Ivan Zamorano, Nicola Berti and many others. It didn't take long for Ince to establish himself in Serie A. He dominated the midfield while wearing the No. 8 shirt of the Nerazzurri, and their iconic fan base took him in as one of their own - quite literally on one occasion. Like their most extreme supporters, who light up the stands with flares as their drums and megaphones radiate chaos around stadiums in Europe, Ince will be willing Inter on in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain. Italian clubs have their own unique way of showing their love for players, as Ince found out during his time in the capital. Yet, the endearment they paid to him had unfortunate and painful ramifications for one poor ultra. In an exclusive interview with Mirror Football, while speaking on behalf of bet365, Ince recalled a time he joined the ultras in the stands. As a reminiscing smile stretched across his face, Ince said: "I'll tell you a story, alright? "I got sent off against someone, unlike me. I missed a couple of games. We were playing against some team, I think it was Sampdoria or someone like that. I said to my best mate, who played for Inter, 'I'm going to spend a game upstairs with the ultras.' Watch our full Champions League final interview with Paul Ince and Claude Makelele here "I spoke to the ultras and this bossman came down with two of his sidekicks and took me all the way up to where all the ultras are. Some geezer went to grab me to say, 'Ah, Paul Ince.' "The ultra turned around and smashed him straight in the nose. This poor geezer's nose was like that (mimicking a nose that has been flattened). I thought, 'Wow.' They were like, 'Don't touch Paul Ince, nobody touches Paul Ince.'" Seeing a man take a huge hook to the nose would normally be anybody's cue to leave the area, but the blue and black lions den that is the Internazionale ultras is no normal place. Ince continued to follow the head ultra, while other fans in the area cleared a path and maybe avoided looking at the Englishman. While that supporter was left tasting their own blood, the ex-England international was hooked on the adrenaline rush of being with the fanbase - and nearly 30 years later, there's only one thing Ince wants to do. He added: "They took me right to the front, right up to the nets and they were singing and chanting, it was the best atmosphere ever. To this day, I want to do it again, I'd love to do it again. I did not get many red cards in the Premier League. But in Italy, it was different. Players were rolling over, feigning injuries. "I got sent off about three times, which was very rare for me. I was a strong tackler, but in Italy, I got sent off a lot. I think the fans loved me because of that. The fans were devastated when I left. The fans still love me and still idolise me, so it was great.' He would go on to leave Inter and return to Liverpool after two seasons, in a move that broke the hearts of the Italian giants and their ultras. Family reasons is what drove Ince back to England. Despite his exit, he is still admired by fans at the club to this day, so it's hard to imagine he'd struggle to secure another invite from the ultras.
IOL News
5 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
SA's Melissa Reddy among seven reporters laid off in Sky Sports News shake-up
Melissa Reddy one of seven axed by Sky Sports South African football journalist Melissa Reddy has reportedly been axed by Sky Sports news after joining the broadcaster in 2022. Photo: @MelissaReddy_ on X South African reporter Melissa Reddy is reportedly among seven reporters who have been axed by Sky Sports News in a major shake up by the broadcaster. According to UK tabloid The Sun, Reddy and six others learned of the decision from an internal memo sent out on Tuesday. Reddy has been a senior football reporter at Sky Sports since 2022, and covered the biggest news in the Premier League in that time. She was also heavily involved in reporting news about Liverpool – a club she supports – and both Manchester clubs. Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, and ex-Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag are among the many football personalities she interviewed during her time with the broadcaster.
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Mary Earps sparks row with bombshell England retirement just five weeks before Euros leaving Sarina Wiegman furious
MARY EARPS announced her shock retirement from international football with immediate effect. And it means the goalkeeper will not line up between the sticks as England aim to retain the Euros this summer - leaving boss Sarina Wiegman seething. 7 Mary Earps announced her shock international retirement Credit: Getty 7 Sarina Wiegman was furious with the timing of the decision Credit: Reuters The ex-Manchester United star was crowned a two-time Fifa Women's Best Goalkeeper and even Hampton was picked in READ MORE IN FOOTBALL However, just five weeks out from the tournament and the day after the team met for their training camp at St George's Park, 53-cap ace Earps dropped the major bombshell news of her quitting. She said: "I have taken the difficult decision to retire internationally. It has been the greatest honour and privilege of my life, to wear this badge, represent my country and play alongside such an incredible group of players. "I've spent a long time making this decision and it's not one I've made lightly. "For me, ultimately this is the right time for me to step aside and give the younger generation an opportunity to thrive. Most read in Football CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS "Winning the Euros in 2022 was the best day of my life, and I'm rooting for the girls to do it again this summer." But the shock announcement so close to the Euros left Mary Earps wins SPOTY as Lioness makes history after England World Cup final run, The Lionesses face France, the Netherlands and Wales in Group D. Now, though, Hampton looks set to be the unchallenged No1. A curtly Wiegman said: "I had hoped that Mary would play an important role within the squad this summer, so of course I am disappointed. "Mary has been clear on her reasons why she has made the decision and it is something we need to accept." 7 Earps played a key role as England won Euro 2022 at Wembley Credit: PA 7 She famously led the celebrations by crashing the press conference Credit: Getty 7 Earps saved a penalty in the 2023 World Cup final defeat to Spain Credit: PA 7 The goalkeeper was named 2023 BBC Sport Personality of the Year Credit: PA 7 Hannah Hampton trained with England at St George's Park on Monday Credit: Reuters
