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England 1 Greece 2: Lee Carsley’s bold tactic badly backfires as howler gifts visitors first ever win over Three Lions

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England 1 Greece 2: Lee Carsley's bold tactic badly backfires as howler gifts visitors first ever win over Three Lions

APPLY the handbrake, throw on the shackles, make England boring again. 

Because here was a night to remember why Gareth Southgate used to pick balanced teams. And how he led the Three Lions to two major finals. 

England were shell shocked by Greece

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England were shell shocked by GreeceCredit: Getty
Vangelis Pavlidis opened the scoring at Wembley in the 49th minute

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Vangelis Pavlidis opened the scoring at Wembley in the 49th minuteCredit: Getty
Jordan Pickford conceded for the first time since the Euro final

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Jordan Pickford conceded for the first time since the Euro finalCredit: Getty
Jude Bellingham equalised for England in the 87th minute

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Jude Bellingham equalised for England in the 87th minuteCredit: Getty
Man of the Match Pavlidis then scored the winner in the 94th minute

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Man of the Match Pavlidis then scored the winner in the 94th minuteCredit: Reuters

Because this was a tactical omnishambles from interim chief Lee Carsley – who may have gambled himself out of a job with a bizarre team selection and an embarrassing defeat, the first time England have ever lost to Greece.   

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Carsley started with NO recognised centre forwards, then ended up with what Mike Bassett referred to as four-four-f***ing-two.

A flawed attempt at trying to crowbar all of England’s attacking midfield talent into the same team ended in misery. 

If this is ‘Carsball’, it looked suspiciously like a car crash. 

This was the sort of line up the public urged Southgate to play during the Euros, and for some time before that. It didn’t work.

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And against better teams than the Greeks, ranked 48th in the world, it will work even less well.

Even after Jude Bellingham’s 87th-minute equaliser, England were beaten by Vangelis Pavlidis completing his double to snatch the winner in injury time. 

England will now struggle to win promotion from the second tier  of the Nations League, given that the Greeks are top with a 100 per cent record.

Pavlidis paid tribute to former Premier League star George Baldock at Wembley

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Pavlidis paid tribute to former Premier League star George Baldock at WembleyCredit: Reuters
Greece stars held up a shirt of Baldock before the match

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Greece stars held up a shirt of Baldock before the matchCredit: AFP
But Bellingham couldn't believe his eyes after England were pegged back again at the death

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But Bellingham couldn’t believe his eyes after England were pegged back again at the deathCredit: Getty

More importantly for the long term, the FA’s plan to promote former Under-21 boss Carlsey as permanent manager may have been holed beneath the waterline.

It was not just that England lost, it was that they lost with such an unconventional line-up, as the Greeks ensured the interim boss came acropolis in spectacular style.

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Carsley played Bellingham and Phil Foden as a pair of false nines, in a starting line-up which included two flying wingers and Cole Palmer playing too deep in central midfield, alongside a horribly exposed Declan Rice

The former Republic of Ireland player abandoned this experiment after an hour and soon had two authentic centre forwards on the field in Dominic Solanke and Ollie Watkins. That didn’t work either.

The scoreline could have looked far worse, given that Greece had THREE efforts ruled out for offside as Jordan Pickford suffered a personal horror show and Carsley’s side appeared hopelessly naive. 

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England and Greece stars in emotional minute’s silence to pay tribute to George Baldock after tragic death at 31

With Wembley sold out on a school night, Carsley decided to give the public what they’ve wanted for some time. 

Got a load of exciting attacking midfielders? Well why not play the whole lot of them. 

Indeed, given that John Stones, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Rico Lewis all often double up in the centre of the park for their clubs, you could argue that Carsley had selected nine midfield players. 

It promised to be entertainingly chaotic and right from the off, it was. 

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Bellingham swivelled and shot from 20 yards, Odysseas Vlachodimos tipping over and after the Real Madrid man was hacked down, Palmer curled a free-kick onto the roof of the net.

Pickford wasn't up to his best throwing the ball straight to Greece for their THIRD disallowed goal

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Pickford wasn’t up to his best throwing the ball straight to Greece for their THIRD disallowed goalCredit: Rex
Pickford showed plenty of frustration as he faced 12 shots by full-time

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Pickford showed plenty of frustration as he faced 12 shots by full-timeCredit: Rex

The damning stats that underline England horror show

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Greece are the lowest ranked side to beat England in a competitive match in 19 years.

The away side were the lowest ranked side to ever beat England on home soil.

It was the first time Greece had never beaten England in their history.

Greece had never scored a goal at Wembley before tonight (the famous 2-2 with Becks free kick was at Old Trafford)

Vangelis Pavlidis’ strikes were his first since June 2022 vs Cyprus.

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Jude Bellingham’s 87th-minute equaliser was England’s first shot on  target since the third  minute (also Bellingham).

Yet at the other end, England were defending with legs akimbo – and they were not helped by Pickford looking as if he had clown music playing in his head. 

After Pavlidis curled a shot wide with England completely exposed, Pickford and Stones were involved in a horrible mix-up and the keeper passed straight to Greek skipper Anastasios Bakasetas, whose lob was spectacularly cleared off the line by Levi Colwill.

Yet from the resulting corner, Pickford completely missed a punch, allowing West Ham’s Konastantinos Mavropanos to head into the net – only for a linesman’s flag to save England

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Next, Stones made an excellent block to deny Bakesatas and people were beginning to understand why boring old Southgate used to pick balanced teams. 

Bellingham was impressive, though and when he cut back for Palmer, England’s Player of the Year put his foot through the ball from eight yards out and skied a chance he would rarely have missed in a Chelsea shirt. 

Anthony Gordon sent a free header over before Bukayo Saka ended the half with a booking for tripping Giorgios Masouras to stop a Greek break. 

It had been a madcap, and somehow goalless first half. 

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But within five minute of the restart, England were behind.

Konstantinos Koulierakis ploughed straight through the heart of Carsley’s team before Vangelis Pavlidis, surrounded by three defenders, was able to stab past Pickford. 

Saka was forced off through injury and replaced by Noni Madueke and soon Rice was booked for clattering Manolis Siopis before the resulting free-kick caused more mayhem. 

Lee Carsley's free following forward plan with NO No.9 horribly backfired

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Lee Carsley’s free following forward plan with NO No.9 horribly backfired
Bukayo Saka came off moments after Greece's opener

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Bukayo Saka came off moments after Greece’s openerCredit: Rex

Pavlidis had another effort ruled for offside before the false nine idea was chucked away on the hour mark, Watkins arriving in place of Gordon before Solanke came on for the hapless Foden, who never carries his Manchester City form into England duty.

The Greeks thought they had it sown up when Pavlidis tucked home a low centre from Tzolis after a dozy pass from Pickford – but VAR ruled out the effort for offside. 

It was huge let off for Carsley before Solanke cut back and the ball ran for Bellingham to ram home from 20 yards.

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Even then England subsided, Lewis at the centre of a mass defensive cock-up which allowed Pavlidis to drill into the far corner.  

It was a scene which summed up the whole night — England shambling and humiliated.

In the technical area, Carsley fell to his haunches in despair. Surely the FA can’t appoint him after this.

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Sky Sports commentator says ‘it’s a world record they will want to forget’ after England seal historic win over Pakistan

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Sky Sports commentator says 'it's a world record they will want to forget' after England seal historic win over Pakistan

ENGLAND sealed a world-record victory over Pakistan in their first Test of the series.

The hosts became the first side to lose a match in Asia after scoring over 500 in the first innings in Multan.

England have beaten Pakistan in the first Test of the series

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England have beaten Pakistan in the first Test of the seriesCredit: AP
Harry Brook and Joe Root were sensational with the bat

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Harry Brook and Joe Root were sensational with the batCredit: AFP
Root became England's leading run scorer with his 262

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Root became England’s leading run scorer with his 262Credit: EPA

Scoring over 500 runs in a first innings has been managed 102 times in the 735 matches that have been played in the subcontinent.

But England‘s rousing comeback meant that Pakistan were the first to taste defeat despite the strong opening.

Pakistan looked to be in a strong position after posting 556 all out thanks to centuries from Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood and Salman Ali Agha.

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However, England managed to dwarf the innings in their response despite the absence of the injured captain Ben Stokes.

Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett scored a respectable 78 and 84 but Joe Root and Harry Brook put on the main show.

Root, 33, hit a personal best of 262 to become England’s leading run-scorer of all time.

The batter now stands on 12,472 Test runs as he surpassed Sir Alastair Cook and is also now the fifth most prolific scorer in cricket history.

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He is now just behind Rahul Dravid, Jacques Kallis, Ricky Ponting and India legend Sachin Tendulkar.

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Brook, however, managed to upstage the record breaker as he smashed an incredible 317 off 332 balls.

The 25-year-old became just the sixth Englishman to score a triple century.

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England’s incredible innings

Here is England’s scorecard for their huge innings against Pakistan…

Zak Crawley – 78, 85b, 13 4s, 0 6s, 91.76S/R

Ollie Pope – 0, 2b, 0 4s, 0 6s, 0.0S/R

Joe Root – 262, 375b, 17 4s, 0 6s, 69.87S/R

Ben Duckett – 84, 75b, 11 4s, 0 6s, 112.0S/R

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Harry Brook – 317, 322b, 29 4s, 3 6s, 98.45S/R

Jamie Smith (Wk) – 31, 24b, 2 4s, 1 6s, 129.17S/R

Chris Woakes* – 17, 16b, 1 4s, 0 6s, 106.25S/R

Gus Atkinson – 2, 2b, 0 4s, 0 6s, 100S/R

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Brydon Carse* – 9, 6b, 0 4s, 1 6s, 150S/R

Extras – 23

Total – 823/7 from 150 overs

  • b = Balls, S/R = Strike rate, * = Not out
Harry Brook scored an incredible 317

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Harry Brook scored an incredible 317Credit: Getty
He made the score off only 322 balls

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He made the score off only 322 ballsCredit: Getty
Ollie Pope was on the only English batter who failed to score

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Ollie Pope was on the only English batter who failed to scoreCredit: Reuters

Brook also became the first Englishman to score over 20,000 international runs across all three formats.

The pair combined for a partnership of 454, which is the team’s best ever and the fourth-highest wicket stand in the history of cricket.

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Stand-in captain Ollie Pope will be majorly disappointed that he failed to trouble the scorers as he was out for a two-ball duck.

In total, England scored 823/7 before declaring on day 4 of the Test match with a lead of 267.

The innings are England’s third highest scoring in their history, only behind the 849 against the West Indies in 1930 and a 903/7d against Australia in 1938.

Pakistan returned to the crease with the aim of trying to get themselves into a lead or at least bat long enough to earn a draw.

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But it was the turn of the English bowling attack to prove themselves.

Chris Woakes laid down a marker early on as his peach of a delivery dismissed Abdullah Shafique with the first ball of the innings.

Brydon Carse then impressed with the ball as he took the scalps of Saim Ayub and Muhammad Rizwan.

Gus Atkinson also helped himself to two wickets, but it was the spinning maestro Jack Jeach who was the pick of the bowlers.

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Leach took the remaining four wickets, including an incredible caught and bowled off Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Abrar Ahmed did not bat in the second innings as he was absent with an injury.

Pakistan were, in turn, dismissed for a total of just 220 by the morning of day 5, which gave England a win by an innings and 47 runs.

As the final wicket tumbled, the Sky Sports commentator insisted that Pakistan will be wanting to forget this match in a hurry.

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They said: “It’s all over, Pakistan lose this.

“And it is a world record in a win and a world record that Pakistan will want to forget.

“Scoring 550 plus to suffer a innings defeat for the first time ever in Test cricket.”

The second Test begins at Multan from next Tuesday with the final Test scheduled for Rawalpindi from October 24.

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Pakistan captain Shan Masood hailed England after the result and claimed that his side should take inspiration from them.

He told Sky Sports: “Like I said, 220 in the third innings, depending on what kind of lead you have, can also be a good score.

“The trick for us is that we should learn from England as well, they found out ways to get those 20 wickets. You can’t win Test matches without taking 20 wickets.

“As a team, we have that second innings of batting to improve but we must also take 20 wickets.”

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England bowler Carse was also full of praise for his team-mates as he waxed lyrical over the performance.

He added: “Awesome. The last five days have been a great experience and to top it off with a win, the lads are buzzing. Great result.

“All the guys: Rooty, Brooky, all the seamers, they all put in a massive effort and it feels very rewarding now.

“Credit to the guys in that group and the coaching staff, it’s felt as relaxing as it can be in there.

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“It’s obviously been a challenge mentally having to come back each session but I’m thoroughly enjoyed it. A great experience.”

Chris Woakes took a wicket with the first ball of Pakistan's second innings

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Chris Woakes took a wicket with the first ball of Pakistan’s second inningsCredit: AFP
Jack Leach took four wickets to wrap up the Pakistan batting order

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Jack Leach took four wickets to wrap up the Pakistan batting orderCredit: AP

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Mark McCall expecting tight derby between Saracens and Harlequins

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Mark McCall expecting tight derby between Saracens and Harlequins

McCall said new-look Sarries had room for improvement despite seeing off Exeter to remain the only unbeaten side in the division.

“The last performance we were more consistent throughout than we have been in the first couple of games,” he said.

“We’re happy with the energy, spirt and fight in the team. It’s a good sign and a good characteristic to have in a new team, but there is plenty to improve in our rugby.

“When you have got some new folk at your club and trying to establish partnerships and new relationships, the longer they are together the better.”

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Samoan flanker Theo McFarland is not available after concussion at Exeter but Maro Itoje should start after training with England this week.

Tom Parton and Sam Spink remain a few weeks away but McCall said there was a chance Ollie Hartley could be back well before Christmas as his recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury was ahead of schedule.

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Bolivia move to stadium 2,000 FEET higher in bizarre bid to qualify for World Cup 2026

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Bolivia move to stadium 2,000 FEET higher in bizarre bid to qualify for World Cup 2026

BOLIVIA have moved to a stadium 2,000 FEET higher in altitude in a bid to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

The South American nation have always been difficult to beat at home due to their ground in La Paz being 11,940 feet above sea level.

Bolivia have moved to the Villa Ingenio stadium to help their World Cup qualification

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Bolivia have moved to the Villa Ingenio stadium to help their World Cup qualificationCredit: instagram @club_always_ready_oficial
They beat Colombia on Thursday in their first home game since the ground switch

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They beat Colombia on Thursday in their first home game since the ground switchCredit: AFP

But three defeats in five games in World Cup qualifying left them in dire need of a result.

They sat second bottom of the 10-team table – prompting a major decision by the Bolivian FA.

In September, they decided to switch their final five home matches to the Villa Ingenio stadium in El Alto.

This is 13,615 feet above sea level – nearly 2,000 feet higher than their usual venue in La Paz.

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They also appointed a new manager, Oscar Villegas, following the sacking of Antonio Carlos Zago in July after a disappointing Copa America.

And it seems to have worked.

After a 2-1 win away at Chile, they then beat Colombia 1-0 in El Alto on Thursday to move up to sixth in the table – the final automatic qualification spot for the World Cup.

They have not qualified for a World Cup since the US last hosted it 30 years ago.

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Following the decision to switch grounds, new head coach Villegas revealed it “is going to help us a lot”.

He said: “Soccer is made of details. It does not mean that with this [changing stadiums] we are going to win.

Everton fans say ‘I feel sick just looking at it’ as new video of Bramley Moore Dock stadium go viral

“We are trying to take care of details that can allow us to be more effective.

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“In El Alto, we are going to try to be as intense as possible and to let them know that they are on a new pitch where we have been unbeatable.

“The psychological and emotional aspect also plays a role, it is something that is going to help us a lot.”

Bolivia‘s final four home games are against Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile and Brazil.

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England have to be courageous at times – Carsley

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England have to be courageous at times - Carsley



England interim manager Lee Carsley says the Three Lions “have to be courageous at times” after his attacking line-up failed to impress in a 2-1 defeat by Greece.



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Kevin Bowring: Former Wales coach dies aged 70

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Kevin Bowring: Former Wales coach dies aged 70

Bowring was born in Neath and was a product of the Neath Grammar School.

He played a few games for the Neath senior side in the back row alongside his boyhood idol Dai Morris, the former Wales flanker.

Bowring spent nine years with London Welsh where he appeared in 268 games, captaining the club for three seasons and representing the Barbarians on three occasions.

A teacher by profession, Bowring hung up his boots at 32 when he took up a job at Clifton College.

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His first taste of coaching had come as a 20-year-old when he worked with the Briton Ferry RFC youth squad.

Bowring became involved with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) set-up where he worked his way through the ranks, coaching the Sevens, under-21s and Wales B sides.

After initially being caretaker coach as Wales beat Fiji in November 1995, Bowring took permanent control and was in charge for 28 more games.

He was tasked with trying to help Wales cope with the move to professionalism and also integrating returning rugby league players back into the union set-up.

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Bowring was seen as seen as one of the great thinkers of the early professional game and he wanted his national side to play in the traditional expansive way associated with Welsh rugby.

His reign as Wales coach ended after he resigned following a heavy 51-0 defeat by France in the 1998 Five Nations at Wembley.

After working as a lecture in Cardiff Met university, Bowring was appointed to his RFU role.

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer REJECTS national team job as he waits for return to management three years after Man Utd sacking

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer REJECTS national team job as he waits for return to management three years after Man Utd sacking

OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER has reportedly rejected the chance to return to management.

The Norweigian has been out of work since being sacked by Manchester United in 2021.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has turned down a chance to manage a national team

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has turned down a chance to manage a national teamCredit: AFP
Solskjaer has been out of work since leaving Man United

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Solskjaer has been out of work since leaving Man UnitedCredit: Getty

Solskjaer, 51, earned the full time job at Old Trafford after a stint as interim manager in 2018.

However, despite a promising start, he was axed after two and a half seasons.

Solskjaer has now been offered the chance to take over the Denmark national team.

Tipsbladet reported that he was approached over the vacant role following Kasper Hjulmand’s exit.

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However, it is believed that Solskjaer rejected the chance to have an interview with the Danish FA.

Had he accepted the position, then he would have had the opportunity to coach current Red Devils Rasmus Hojlund and Christian Eriksen.

The report claims that it is because he is already in “negotiations with a major club” over the head coach role.

Solskjaer has recently admitted that he would accept a role back at Old Trafford if the opportunity arose.

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He told media: “If the family [United] asks, I would say yes every day of the week.

“It feels wrong to talk about jobs that other people have now, but I would say yes, of course.”

How would Southgate and Tuchel transform Man Utd flops and who is best for job?

The Red Devils currently have Erik ten Hag in the dugout, although he faces an uncertain future.

The Dutchman has come under pressure from fans and the Old Trafford hierarchy due to the terrible start to the season.

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Ten Hag was the full-time replacement for Solskjaer after Ralf Rangnick‘s interim spell ended in the summer after the 2020/21 season.

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