Latest news with #ex-ThreeLions
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Rio Ferdinand QUITTING TNT Sports after 10 years as Man Utd icon releases emotional statement about ‘difficult decision'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RIO Ferdinand has announced he is quitting his pundit role with TNT Sports. Former Manchester United and England defender Ferdinand, 46, has been one of the faces of the channel since joining its predecessor BT Sport in 2015. 4 Rio Ferdinand has announced he's quitting TNT Sports after ten years 4 Ferdinand has become a popular pundit since ending his playing career in 2015 Ferdinand has acted as both a pundit and co-commentator for domestic and European football, including last week's Europa League Final between United and Spurs in Bilbao. But the ex-Three Lions skipper will step away from the TNT microphone after Saturday's Champions League Final between Inter Milan and PSG in Munich. Ferdinand explained in a lengthy social media post: 'After 10 incredible years. I have made the difficult decision to step away from TNT Sports after the Champions League final. 'Since retiring from football it has been a privilege talking about the game I love for a decade for sports fans watching on BT Sports and TNT Sports. '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. 'The network continues to thrive with more rights than ever, and I look forward to following its progress and the exciting future that lies ahead. 'Lastly, I would like to thank my family and my management company New Era for their ongoing support. Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plus in-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford 'They have supported me to travel all over the Europe following the best players and watching the best matches. For a football fan like me, it's been a dream come true. 'As I turn the page to the next chapter. I carry with me countless memories. Rio Ferdinand calls out Roy Keane and Gary Neville's takes on Man Utd vs Man City 'I'm excited about what the future holds, spending more time with my family, focusing on Rio Ferdinand Presents and my other business interests. 'I hope to stay connected with all of you in different capacities. Thank you once again for everything.' Sources at TNT suggested Ferdinand could return to the channel in the future, whether on a guest or permanent basis and that it was entirely his decision. The moves allows Ferdinand to concentrate on his own online channels, which have become increasingly popular. 4 Ferdinand was hospitalised after a health scare at the start of the month Ferdinand was recently off work after suffering from a health scare, forcing him to miss Arsenal's Champions League semi-final second leg clash against Paris Saint-Germain. He was hospitalised with a serious virus, which he later called a "crazy illness" that left him vomiting. Ferdinand can now juggle his time better between family life and work commitments, including his management company New Era. He is married to wife Kate, who he shares two biological children with. The couple also raise three kids from Ferdinand's first marriage to late partner Rebecca, who tragically died from cancer in 2015. 4 Ferdinand is married to former Towie star Kate THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.
Daily Mail
27-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
From pole to dole: How Lewis Hamilton joined Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs and Jamie Carragher to become the latest British sports star to flop in the cut-throat culinary world as his restaurant chain goes bust
Formula 1 legend Sir Lewis Hamilton has become the latest sports star to have his fingers burnt when venturing into the food and drink trade. The seven-time world champion, 40, has been forced to shut down some of his vegan burger restaurants, it was revealed this week. Hamilton launched the move into '100 per cent plant-based meals' alongside film star Leonardo DiCaprio back in 2019 - but they are now closing their London branches after suffering annual losses of almost £8million. He is in esteemed company, however, alongside other sporting high performers who have invested in restaurants only to face difficulties. Thee include Manchester United legends Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs, as well as ex-Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher. Yet others appear to have been more successful with their hospitality brands still up and running - including those linked with ex-Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid and Wales star Gareth Bale and former Germany international striker Lukas Podolski. There was also an attempt in the mid-Nineties to make a success a themed restaurant in central London called Football Football, with a celebrity-packed launch - only for tragedy to hit on the eve of the Euro 96 final at Wembley. The closures now announced by Sir Lewis's Neat Burgers firm include not only their branches in the UK capital but also one shop in New York. The firm said in a statement: 'We are concentrating our efforts on our best performing restaurants — we believe that sometimes taking a step back is necessary to make a bigger leap forward'. Ex-Premier League stars Gary Neville (left) and Ryan Giggs (right) backed a venture called Cafe Football - pictured at Westfield shopping centre in Stratford, east London, in November 2013 Neville, now a regular Sky Sports pundit alongside ex-Three Lions teammate Carragher, has explored ventures in hotels and restaurants to property and digital marketing - helping net him millions of pounds. But new details emerged last November about how he had to close the doors on a fifth restaurant with £1million debts. The closure of The Man Behind The Curtain, a Michelin-starred venue in Leeds, was not the first time Neville has seen a restaurant founder. That outlet, originally launched in 2014, was run by Masterchef star Michael O'Hare, with Neville owning 50 per cent. The restaurant was awarded a Michelin star in October 2015, as well as three AA Rosettes in 2016 and attracted investment from Neville. After opening, it gained a reputation for modern but unique dishes including olives wrapped in edible cellophane, salt and vinegar ox cheek, and chocolate pudding and pork rinds. But it closed its doors at the end of 2023 and O'Hare has since opened a new restaurant in the city called Psycho Sandbar. Companies House documents recently showed how Neville's company Relentless Leisure was owed £366,848. The accounts for 2023 were overdue, but those for 2022 reported a profit of £187,000 and reserves of £105,938, the Sun reported. Neville and his former Manchester United colleague Giggs had previously invested in a Manchester venue called The Rabbit in the Moon before it closed in 2017. The Class of 92 duo had teamed up with O'Hare again after making him the creative director of GG Hospitality in 2016 - with the statd aim of running a modern Asian restaurant in Manchester, but it shut its doors after a year. The menu boasted options including fried calf brains, crispy rabbit ears and an octopus hot dog, while located on the top two floors of Urbis, a six-storey building on the city's Exchange Square. It was dubbed by one food critic as the 'most bonkers restaurant' they had ever reviewed. But the space-themed restaurant closed in 2018 after GG Hospitality reported significant losses to shareholders. GG Hospitality also struggled to make ends meet in 2019, having to close two of its Neville-backed Cafe Football sites after six years. The venue was initially based in a huge space in the Westfield shopping centre at Stratford in east London. Customers at its Westfield shopping centre venue in Stratford, east London, that opened in 2013 were offered a selection of 'Fans' Favourites' - ranging from pie, mash and liquor to chilli with steamed rice and soured cream. Following its early success, Neville and Giggs then decided to open a second venue in Manchester - but that closed in March 2019. The two venues were both shut that year after GG Hospitality decided to shift its focus into the company's hotel businesses. At the time, Neville admitted: 'They were decisions made by me while Ryan has been coaching - but we all learn, don't we?' A third venue is still open in Singapore, but it is operating through a different company. A smaller version of Cafe Football has opened inside Neville's Hotel Football, which overlooks Manchester United's stadium, Old Trafford. Yet a restaurant inside Neville's Stock Exchange Hotel in Manchester closed just four months after opening its doors, having earlier replaced celebrity chef Tom Kerridge's Bull and Bear restaurant. The Stock Market Grill released a statement last July saying it had decided to 'close the doors to Stock Market Grill' with immediate effect. The restaurant was not run by Neville but by the people owning hotel's cocktail bar, Sterling. It was revealed just last month how a restaurant owned by ex-Wales and United star Giggs in Worsley, Greater Manchester, closed with immediate effect after amassing six-figure debts. George's Dining Room and Bar was opened by the former Reds star and two old schoolmates back in 2014, but shut at the end of January. Customers had been left confused by the abrupt closure as they arrived at the restaurant only to be met by a sign on the door which stated it was shut 'due to unforeseen circumstances'. The company set up by Giggs and his school friends, Kelvin Gregory and Bernie Taylor, was liquidated. Customers had initially been told George's would be closed for an entire weekend, but texts that had earlier been sent to staff when the restaurant shut contradicted this. In the messages, staff were told that management 'regret to announce that with a heavy heart we have no alternative but to close George's effective immediately'. The firm went on to say: 'This is due to the obvious reduction in trade and business against the huge increases in costs of operating the business and the ongoing cost of living crisis.' When opening the venue back in 2014, Giggs told media: 'We've known each other for 30 years and we always said it would be great to do something like this together. 'We're all local lads and have lived in this area all our lives so we wanted to do something in Worsley and we think we've got a really different offering for the area.' The launch event for the restaurant was attended by a host of Giggs' former Manchester United teammates including Neville, Bryan Robson and Nicky Butt. Elsewhere, former Liverpool centre-back Carragher was reportedly left £100,000 out of pocket after the closures in 2013 of two Liverpool bars and restaurants in which he had involvement. The Cafe Sport England business, co-owned by the Flanagan Group, went into voluntary liquidation, the Liverpool Echo reported. While Carragher did not want to comment, the group's managing director Paul Flanagan was quoted at the time as saying: 'All our staff were paid and all our suppliers are still trading with us. Unfortunately it didn't work. It's horrible. We did everything we could.' Another former Liverpool player to take a hit in the restaurant trade was ex-England striker Emile Heskey, who co-founded a celebrity bar and restaurant in Alderley Edge, Cheshire, that was wound up by the courts with £163,000 debts in 2023. Documents lodged at Companies House showed that a winding-up order was served on May 30 that year, spelling the end for the venue Parea that had opened in 2018. It was closed earlier in 2023 after a local catering company applied to have the company wound up over unpaid debts, having previously been a regular haunt of footballers and TV stars including those appearing on Real Housewives Of Cheshire. Co-owner James Golden told the Manchester Evening News: 'We closed the bar as our lease was up for renewal and the village had gone very quiet. We have recently launched in Liverpool and are opening in Spinningfields shortly.' Meanwhile, former Premier League winner and ex-England international Danny Drinkwater had to close his restaurant after the business was unable to agree a successful lease renewal. The ex-midfielder, who won the title with Leicester City in 2016 before later joining Chelsea, owned a 70 per cent stake in the restaurant Firefly Manchester. He posted a statement on Instagram saying: 'It's with a heavy heart that Firefly Manchester will close its doors at One New Bailey after unsuccessful lease renewal negotiations with the landlord. 'We have explored various alternatives and potential relocation options but unfortunately, none were viable within the given timeframe. 'We would like to express our deepest gratitude to our dedicated staff and loyal customers for their unwavering support over the years and for making Firefly such a prominent part of the Manchester nightlife scene.' The former Premier League winner wrote on Instagram about Firefly's end He previously opened the Manchester eatery FoodWell in 2018, but the restaurant went bust in 2022 after amassing £2million in debts. Drinkwater has said: 'Was great whilst it lasted. Thanks, everyone.' Other sporting stars have seen their hospitality outlets keep going, however. Bale, whose five Champions League titles with Real Madrid are a record for a British footballer, owns Elevens Bar and Grill in his native Cardiff, the Welsh capital. The venue claims on its website of 'offering the best sports viewing experience in Cardiff city centre; boasting 20 4K HD TV's and complete surround sound for that stadium atmosphere'. The outlet opened in May 2017, as a partnership between Bale and Brains Brewery, before going independent four years later. A message from Bale that remains on the Elevens website states: 'In a few short years we managed to create something special and unique with Brains: a premium sports bar and grill in the heart of Cardiff. 'We really enjoyed working with them, but it's time to look ahead, and it's exciting to be taking Elevens forward as an independent venue.' Meanwhile, Germany's 2014 World Cup-winning forward Podolski - a former London rival of Bale's, when playing for Arsenal - has achieved success back in his homeland as a restaurant entrepreneur. Podolski, 39, now playing for Polish club Górnik Zabrze, is said to be to worth £177.5million after building a business empire aside from football. That includes a chain of kebab shops and an ice cream brand in his native Germany. Podolski first launched his dessert brand Ice Cream United in 2017, two years after leaving Arsenal. The company was founded in Cologne, the home of Podolski's first professional club. A year later, his first Mangal Doner kebab shop opened in the city and now consists of about 30 branches across Germany. Podolski told German magazine 11 Freunde: 'Other folks head to the golfing course after training, and just hang around there all-day long. 'I sell ice cream, Kebab and clothing, have fun and everyone can take something home. 'I back this project 100 per cent, and will help where I can help. I want to continue developing this project. I always put my foot to the floor.' And speaking to the Mail last May, the attacker said: 'I started this business six years ago and we want to make it big. I'm not living to just train, sleep and watch Netflix. 'These days, nobody wants to work. Everyone dreams of becoming a social media star or a YouTuber. That's why more and more bakeries are closing. Nobody wants to get up in the morning and do the dirty work.' Two more former Gunners Brian Marwood and Lee Dixon were among the diners at mid-Nineties enterprise Football Football, a sporting memorabilia-displaying restaurant on central London's Haymarket near Piccadilly Circus. Customers were greeted by a hologram of then-England head coach Terry Venables, at the venue which is now the home of a cabaret club. The Football Football project was led by ex-Fulham and Queens Park Rangers player Bobby Keetch while also being backed by the the Professional Footballers' Association and brewing firm Allied Domecq. The restaurant had a celebrity-studded launch ahead of England hosting Euro 96, hosted by England, with guests including 1966 World Cup winners Sir Geoff Hurst, Martin Peters and Gordon Banks. Also there were Manchester United and Northern Ireland hero George Best and comedians Frank Skinner and David Baddiel, then riding high with their TV show Fantasy Football. Keetch died aged 54, after suffering a stroke, on June 29 1996 - the day before that summer's European Championship final at Wembley in which Germany beat the Czech Republic, having knocked England out in the semi-finals. And his family later said they struggled to attract enough football stars turning up out of choice. Announcing the outlet's closure in December 1998, Allied Domecq said it 'no longer complements our long-term vision'. Keetch's nephew Karl Thomas, who worked for the restaurant, was quoted at the time as saying: 'We thought we would have soccer stars in every week. 'But we had to pay for personal appearances, which wasn't the idea at the start at all. 'Allied Domecq felt we didn't fit into their portfolio. But they never gave us as much support as I would have liked.' Even the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Rafael Nadal have experienced setbacks, away from their sporting arenas, when stepping into the restaurant world. Last month the Madrid-based Italian eatery Toto, backed by the football and tennis icons, abruptly closed down after just three years. But more successful in Spain has been ex-Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and Republic of Ireland full-back Stephen Carr who has been involved with a chain of bars, restaurants and nightclubs in Marbella. He previously said: 'From day one when we opened La Sala it has been excellent and it has just got better and better. 'Now we've opened another in San Pedro and hopefully the success will continue. 'You know the formula is working when clients are waiting up to four weeks for a reservation and we are being visited by the likes of Sir Alan Sugar, Eva Longoria and Jamie Oliver.' He told Spurs' official website in 2022: 'Coaching never entered my mind. Instead, I moved to Spain straight away because I'm involved in restaurants and a beach club over there. 'I thought I'd go there, it'd be a different experience. I had the freedom that I could do that. 'The hospitality industry is obviously different to football in that you're not going in with a group of lads to train, you're training on your own, but I never thought of it like that. 'I saw it as, "Your time's up, you need to go, move on to whatever next you're going to do in your life".' With news emerging this week of the Sir Lewis-backed Neat Burgers branches closing, the ownership firm said: 'We have no further comment at this time, other than to confirm that the business has taken the difficult decision to close its UK restaurants.' About 150 members of staff are expected to lose their jobs. Sir Lewis became vegan back in 2017 and has since pushed for 'healthier' food options for consumers. He has said: 'I believe we need a healthier high street option that tastes amazing and offers something exciting to those who want to be meat-free every now and again.'
Daily Mirror
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Trent Alexander-Arnold told 'ship has sailed' as Liverpool star warned - 'Everyone knows'
Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid this summer with the full-back's contract nearing its end and no agreement between player and club yet in sight Trent Alexander-Arnold's move from Liverpool to Real Madrid is "done", according to former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson. The ex-Tottenham Hotspur shot-stopper also claimed that the Anfield hierarchy are fully aware that an agreement to take the Reds' full-back to Madrid as a free agent this summer is all but complete. Alexander-Arnold's contract with Liverpool is set to expire at the end of the season and an agreement over a new deal is yet to be reached. It's widely understood that Los Blancos are intent on bringing Liverpool's vice-captain to La Liga. However, last Sunday saw the 26-year-old's name back in the headlines after he scored the winning goal against Leicester City to move Arne Slot's team a step closer to being confirmed as Premier League champions. Alexander-Arnold's wild celebrations in front of the travelling Kop sparked chatter that the supposed wantaway star was actually having second thoughts over his mooted move to the Spanish capital. Yet speaking to Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, Robinson, 43, explained that the deal has been agreed since January and there is now no way back for Alexander-Arnold, or Liverpool. He also warned the defender that if he were to U-turn, it would leave lots of people upset. 'No, there's no chance,' the ex-Three Lions star said. 'It's kite-flying journalism, there's absolutely no chance. "We heard Mo Salah was going to sign, that came out, then we heard that Virgil van Dijk was going to sign, and that came out. 'With Trent, there's not been a dicky bird. He's gone, it's done, and I told you that in January. He'd upset a lot of people in Madrid if that was the case, there have been handshakes and agreements in place. "It would be one of the biggest U-turns I've ever seen. There's no way Trent is coming back, that ship has sailed and everyone at Liverpool knows it.' Journalist Fabrizio Romano has also claimed that, while Liverpool have not given up hope that Alexander-Arnold could still sign a new contract to stay with the club, it appears that any effort from the Reds may be in vain. The reporter has insisted that there has been no changes in the situation and declared that, despite any recent celebrations indicating otherwise, Alexander-Arnold is expected to sign on the dotted line for Madrid come the summer. Liverpool can clinch their 20th top-flight league title with a draw against Spurs on Sunday. The Reds' second Premier League title in five years would also represent Alexander-Arnold's ninth major honour with the club since he made his first-team debut in 2016.
Metro
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Metro
Jamie Vardy makes decision on Leicester exit after relegation 's*** show'
Jamie Vardy has fuelled speculation that he will leave Leicester City byblasting himself, teammates and the club following their relegation from the Premier League. Leicester lost 1-0 at the King Power to Liverpool on Sunday, a result that leaves the Reds on the verge of becoming champions and condemns the Foxes to relegation. It's been a dismal campaign for the club whose form got even worse after Manchester United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy was appointed to replace Steve Cooper in November. The future of the manager and his squad is now up in the air, with reports claiming that nearly every player will be up for sale in the summer. Among those who could depart is Vardy, who joined Leicester in 2012 and famously fired them to the Premier League title in 2016 and the FA Cup in 2021. Only two players have made more appearances and scored more goals for the Foxes than the former England striker, finding the back of the net 198 times in 487 games. And with seven goals, he is Leicester's top scorer in the Premier League this season, despite turning 38 in January. Addressing supporters on Monday, a furious Vardy posted on Instagram: 'At this point I don't even know what to say. No words I have can ever express my feelings of anger and sadness with the way this season has gone. There are no excuses. 'Collectively, as players and as a club, we failed. There is simply no hiding, and I refuse to entertain any suggestion of doing so. 'Having been at this club for so long, we've experienced so many highs and successes – and this season has been nothing but miserable and for me personally, a total embarrassment. 'It hurts, and I know you're feeling it too. To the fans: I'm sorry. Sorry we haven't performed and sorry we end the 2025 season with such a s**t show.' With his contract up in the summer, many have wondered whether this is Vardy's last season at the King Power, but The Sun report that he is yet to decide on his future. It is said the decision will also depend on what Van Nistelrooy or his potential replacement thinks but the veteran striker has decided one thing: If he leaves, he will not join another English club. There is interest in Vardy, who also played for Stocksbridge Park Steels, Halifax Town and Fleetwood Town, from MLS teams in the USA. Speaking on his podcast, Man Utd legend Gary Neville backs this thinking from Vardy, saying the ex-Three Lions star has three options: 'He either stays at Leicester for next season, goes abroad, or completely goes [retires]. 'I can't see Jamie Vardy playing for anyone else in the Championship and I don't see him being signed by another Premier League club. Appearances: 338 Goals: 143 Assists: 47 Penalties: 27 Hat-tricks: 3 Trophies: Premier League champion 2015/16, Player of the Season 2015/16, Golden Boot 2019/20, 4x Player of the Month 'If his body feels right he should continue. He's obviously lost a yard of pace, but I think there are opportunities now that exist in America or in other parts of the world where you can go and play, you can enjoy yourself. More Trending 'I think [he should] stay at Leicester. Why not? Do they not need Jamie Vardy in the Championship? 'They're going to have a lot more of the ball, they're going to dominate the games. He knows how to work in the box in short spaces – he's got better at that. 'There may be a position for him for 25-35 games next season, get maybe 10-15 goals. 'He still could be someone [who is] important for them.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Man Utd star's son, 3, 'splits his entire head open' playing with brother MORE: Marcus Rashford can fire Aston Villa to victory against Manchester City in Champions League qualification showdown MORE: Football fans think Aaron Ramsey curse has struck again after Pope's death
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Steven Gerrard's former manager claims Liverpool legend 'made mistake' in coaching career
Former England manager Fabio Capello has claimed that Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard "made a mistake" during the early years of his career in the dugout by taking roles as the head coach at major clubs. Following on from a one-year stint in charge of the Reds' Under-18s between 2017-18, the Anfield legend took his first managerial post with Scottish giants Rangers. The Kop hero enjoyed success at Ibrox, delivering the club's first Premiership title in 10 years in 2021 as his side went unbeaten in the league. However, a move south of the border later that year proved an unsuccessful undertaking for Gerrard, as he lasted less than 12 months at Aston Villa. After his struggles at Villa Park, the ex-Three Lions captain moved to Saudi Arabia to take charge of Al-Ettifaq in 2023, before parting company with the club in January. READ MORE: Trent Alexander-Arnold fires five-word Liverpool warning to PSG as Darwin Nunez sends message READ MORE: Liverpool receives Newcastle boost as Anthony Gordon appeal decision made Now, ex-national team boss Capello has admitted that he feels his former player made a mistake in not staying for longer with Liverpool's academy in a coaching capacity. Speaking to Flashscore, the Italian felt that the Reds icon would have benefited from working with youngsters for longer before taking a high-profile managerial job. He explained: "When you start to play, when you finish playing, you have to do something different, you have to prepare something different. You can manage that one team immediately, one team in the first division. (Andrea) Pirlo managed Juventus, Lampard managed Chelsea. "When I finished playing, for the first five years, I worked with the academy," Capello continued, as he referred to his own experience during the infancy of his own coaching career at AC Milan. "When you work with the academy, you understand what you have to do, when you speak to the players, when you speak with the youngsters. "It's, for me, it's a university. A university where you can understand what you have to do because when you finish playing at the top level like Lampard and Gerrard, you can enter immediately into another job. You have to understand." Either way, he believes that Gerrard has what it takes to go on to carve out sustained success in the dugout, adding: "I believe the players, they have to do something before to be a manager. "I noticed these two fantastic players, two of the best players I managed, and I am sure that in the future they will also be very good head coaches in important clubs. Because they understand the mistake they made at the start." Meanwhile, addressing his departure from Al-Ettifaq, Gerrard said: "I want to express my gratitude to the club, the players, the fans, and everyone involved for the opportunity and the support during my time here. "From the first day I was warmly welcomed and I have enjoyed the chance to work in a new country with a different culture. So overall I have learnt a lot and it's been a positive experience personally and for my family as well. But football is unpredictable and sometimes things don't go the way we want.'
