Former boxer Tyson Fury has announced that he will bring aspects of boxing into Soccer Aid as he joins forces with former footballer Wayne Rooney to manage the England team in the charity match.
However, the 36-year-old confirmed he would not be stepping onto the pitch alongside his co-manager in the game against the Soccer Aid World XI. He admitted to having “two left feet,” calling them “never my best asset.”
Discussing preparations for the match, Fury told the PA news agency: “I might introduce some boxing elements to the footballers and see if we can toughen them up a bit and improve their fitness.”
“Some of these guys are getting older, so I’ll whip them back into shape with body sparring, heavy bag drills, and pad work—I have plenty of ideas,” he added.
The former heavyweight world champion, and half-brother of reality TV star Tommy Fury, expressed his determination to secure a win in the match, which supports Unicef. He emphasized, “I’m here to push these lads to victory.”
Joining Fury and Rooney as England co-managers are former Tottenham Hotspur and Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp and Line Of Duty star Vicky McClure.
The England squad features personalities like Paddy McGuinness, former Manchester United player Gary Neville, singer Tom Grennan, reality TV star Sam Thompson, former Olympian Sam Quek, Dragons’ Den entrepreneur Steven Bartlett, Olympian Sir Mo Farah, and ex-One Direction star Louis Tomlinson.
Their opponents in the Soccer Aid World XI will include Gladiators star “Diamond” Livi Sheldon and former Juventus and Italy footballer Leonardo Bonucci.
Fury stated, “My role is to instill a winning mentality and ensure the team performs under pressure in front of a massive audience for a great cause.”
Since its inception in 2006—co-founded by Unicef UK ambassador Robbie Williams—the event has raised over £106 million for charity.
The match is set for June 15 at Old Trafford, Manchester, with tickets currently avai
lable for purchase.
