I was England legend’s teacher – I knew footballer would be a star when he took to pitch at 11 & now he’ll bring it home
AN ENGLAND legend’s teacher said he knew the footballer would be a star from the age of 11-years-old – and he’s bringing it home tonight.
The Manchester United youngster was brought to Germany as a back-up for Gareth Southgate but has since emerged as the Three Lions’ key kid in the Euros 2024.
Kobbie Mainoo made has become a star member of the team since his first competitive start in England v Slovakia.
Now, his high school PE teacher, Ryan Maindment, has hailed the player for showing skills “miles ahead” of his peers from an early age.
Mr Maidment, an assistant head at St James’ RC High School in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport, told the DailyMail he taught the footie star from Year Seven.
“He was a great personality and a really nice boy,” he said.
“It was evident that he was a really good footballer and was with Manchester United at the time.”
Mr Maidment recalled how Mainoo, a “well mannered…cheeky chappie”, threw himself into all football clashes and every sport available.
“He was a big part of the football team . He was big for his age group,” he continued.
“When it came to football, in lessons or for the school team, you could see his mind working like you can see now.
“He was miles ahead in terms of his vision on the pitch, he knew where he was on the pitch in relation to the space around him and where the ball was.”
The impressed teacher praised his former student for having “the vision to run the game” and “creativity” on the pitch – which landed him “two or three steps ahead”.
He described one match during which Mainoo’s “power and prowess” saw him blast the ball into the net from 30yards.
In a video previously shared by Manchester United’s club, Mainoo said: “I think I was a pretty good student. I did OK in school and got my grades and what not.
“I was just (like) any other student, but I played football after school.”
England ratings vs Holland
ENGLAND stormed into the final against Spain thanks to Ollie Watkins' last-minute strike in the 2-1 win over Holland.
It was a brilliant team performance, but how did each player rate?
SunSport’s Tom Barclay ran the rule over Southgate’s boys, and here’s how he rated them.
Jordan Pickford: 7
Bigger goalkeepers may have got a stronger hand to Xavi Simons’ early stunner – though that was being hypercritical. Solid stop to deny Virgil van Dijk after the hour.
Kyle Walker: 7
Looked re-energised after some lumbering displays and bombed on at times in the first half, despite his role on the right of a back three. Last-ditch tackle on Cody Gakpo was spot on.
John Stones: 7
Strong in possession. He looks to have benefited from regular game-time after rarely featuring for Manchester City in the last few months.
Marc Guehi: 6
Came back into the side after suspension ruled him out of the Switzerland game. Had an unenviable task of making the big man Wout Weghorst after the break.
Bukayo Saka: 7
Razor-sharp in the first half, winning tackles, making runs and dribbling the ball proficiently. Less of an impact after the break, had a goal ruled out for offside and was booked.
Declan Rice: 6
Lost possession for Simons’ thunderous opener but grew into the game, mopping up where necessary. Poor pass when Kane was open midway through the second half.
Kobbie Mainoo: 8
Was England’s youngest-ever player to play in a major-tournament semi-final, aged 19years 82 days, and had a stormer in the first half. Great bursts forward, vital tackles, and his interplay with Foden was a joy.
Kieran Trippier: 6
We all know by now that he is playing out of position, so again he was limited going forward and reliable defensively. Subbed at half-time for the more natural Shaw.
Phil Foden: 7
The first 45 minutes was by far and away his best half of the tournament. Thought he’d scored when his shot was cleared off the line by Denzel Dumfries, and cracked the post with a cracker. But was then surprisingly subbed.
Jude Bellingham: 5
Back at the ground where he made his name but struggled to make much of an impact on his old stomping ground. Fortunate it was not he that was subbed.
Harry Kane: 6
Won and dispatched the penalty to go joint top-scorer in the tournament with three goals. Had looked more mobile initially but still tired badly after the break and was taken off.
SUBS
Luke Shaw (for Kieran Trippier, half-time): 6
Looked assured for a man who has been out for so long.
Ollie Watkins (for Harry Kane, 81): 9 and STAR MAN
Surprisingly given the nod over Ivan Toney as striker sub as Southgate looked for more pace in behind. Brilliant finish into the corner to win the game – you could not ask more from him.
Cole Palmer (for Phil Foden, 81): 7
Had his big chance in the final minutes but shanked it horribly wide – but then fed Watkins for his wonderful winner.
Gareth Southgate: 8
His switch to a back three against Switzerland helped dig out the win there, and here it had his team finally playing some great football in the first half. The team went into their shells again as the game wore on and you feared the worst – but you have to say his decision to bring on Ollie Watkins was a masterstroke.
Mainoo transferred to Ashton on Mersey High School in Sale, after a year.
The school offers the education element of the club’s Schoolboy Scholarship programme.
United’s Head of Academy, Nick Cox, explained how it was unusual for the programme to take on a player as young as Mainoo.
He said: “Around that age, we had a hunch, to the best of our ability, that he was definitely going to go on to be a youth-team player and a young pro.”
Family support
KOBBIE MAINOO shared a picture of his beaming mum after helping fire England into the Euro 2024 final.
The Manchester United youngster was brought to Germany as a back-up for Gareth Southgate but has emerged as the Three Lions’ key kid this summer.
At just 19 years and 82 days old, Mainoo became the youngest player to play in a semi-final of a major tournament for the Three Lions.
And the Red Devils ace did not fold under pressure as he was the driving force in midfield that saw England beat Holland 2-1.
To share his excitement at reaching his first-ever major international final, Mainoo posted a heartfelt carousel on Instagram of his family proudly watching him from the stands at BVB Stadion in Dortmund on Wednesday night.
Mainoo only made his full England debut against Belgium at Wembley back in March but instantly looked right at home.
A bit like Adam Wharton, Mainoo was seemingly selected in England’s 26-man squad to mainly learn what it is like to feature in a major tournament, and then perhaps make a few appearances off the bench.
He was effectively Southgate’s third-choice to partner Declan Rice in midfield but after getting his chance has become a key player and started the semi-final.
Mainoo’s first Premier League start was just eight months ago and the season saw him bag an FA Cup winners’ medal at the age of 19 in which he was the man of the match in the final against Man City.
For him to win Euro 2024 a couple of months later would be extraordinary.
When is the Euro 2024 final?
- The Euro 2024 final will take place on Sunday, July 14.
- Kick-off will be at 8pm BST.
- The Olympiastadion Berlin will host.
What TV channel will the Euro 2024 final be on and can it be live streamed FREE?
The Euro 2024 final will be broadcast live on BOTH BBC One and ITV1.
All of the games at the European Championships have been aired on either BBC or ITV during the tournament.
You will be able to live stream the final for FREE on either BBC iPlayer or ITVX.
Alternatively, you can keep up to date with all the action by following SunSport’s live blog.