WORLD CUP LOWDOWN

SO, WHO’S THE BOSS?

STEVE COOPER, a proud Welshman, has come a long way since taking charge of his very first England match three years ago tomorrow — a 1-0 defeat to Wales with the Under 16s. The 37-year-old joined the FA in 2014 after earning his UEFA Pro Licence. His coaching career had started with Wrexham’s youth team in 2006 before he joined Liverpool two years later and went on to become their academy manager in 2011. Cooper is the son of retired referee Keith Cooper and had a modest career in Wales with The New Saints, Rhyl and Bangor City among his former clubs.

HIS DAD MUST BE PROUD OF HIM THEN...

HE certainly enjoyed our back page headline last week. Cooper Snr told don’t worry. It’s the best photo ever.’ Phil Foden liked it too as he re-tweeted the back page twice on social media.

BUT WHY WERE PLAYERS’ SHIRTS ON BACKWARDS?

ENGLAND’S U17s followed the lead of some of our U20s who also won their age-group World Cup in June and turned their shirts around so name and number were on display for the trophy ceremony. Nothing wrong with a bit of self-promotion — especially if you’re a World Cup winner!

WHAT ABOUT THOSE WHITE VESTS?

THEY are the same as those used in the Premier League. The vests monitor heart rate and collect performance data, such as distance covered and top speed. Though usually black, the Young Lions’ vests were white to match their shirts.

SO, WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE WORLD CHAMPIONS?

ENGLAND’S heroes will arrive home on a commercial flight at Heathrow this afternoon. The majority will then take taxis home. An agent close to the squad said some would be welcomed home by friends and family inside the terminal. Our World Cup winners will now move up into the U18 age group. There are no tournaments at U18 level so they will be playing friendlies for the next year. They will have their next crack at a tournament at the Under 19 European Championship in 2019. The next World Cup comes at Under 20 level.