Jose Mourinho will manage the England team alongside Sam Allardyce with Claudio Ranieri taking charge of the Rest of The World for this year’s 10th anniversary of Soccer Aid.
The two star-studded squads will once again go head to head in what promises to be another electrifying match on Sunday 5th June, broadcast live on ITV from Manchester United’s legendary Old Trafford Stadium, all in aid of UNICEF, the world’s leading children’s organisation.
Jose Mourinho says: “I want to be the first one to win the Soccer Aid trophy for both teams, England and the Rest of the World. Sam and I will make a very good partnership and it will be a great feeling for Claudio to finally lose a match! I hope the organisers can help me now with an English passport!!”
Claudio Ranieri adds: “Soccer Aid is a fantastic event, raising money for an amazing children’s charity in Unicef. For Soccer Aid’s 10th anniversary, it is a great honour that Robbie Williams has asked me to manage the Rest of the World XI and I’m looking forward to helping them defend their title!”
Joining Jose Mourinho and Sam Allardyce will be assistant manager and Unicef UK Ambassador Robbie Williams, with Bradley Walsh, once again on hand as the morale boosting coach. England’s celebrities this year are One Direction's Louis Tomlinson, pop star Olly Murs, TV and Heart FM presenter Mark Wright, pop star and presenter Marvin Humes; comedian Paddy McGuinness, Jonathan Wilkes, GMB’s Ben Shephard, comedians Jack Whitehall and John Bishop with TV and Heart FM presenter Jamie Theakston in goal.
Claudio Ranieri’s Rest of the World team includes; Unicef UK Ambassador and Captain Michael Sheen, Michelin-starred Chef Gordon Ramsay, pop star and presenter Nicky Byrne plus Kiss FM and ITV’s Bang on the Money presenter Rickie Haywood-Williams.
The tenth anniversary match promises to be bigger, better and bolder than ever before, as the world’s biggest stars from sport, music, television and film play in a jaw-dropping game to raise money and vital support for Unicef’s work for children in danger.
Soccer Aid is the brainchild of Robbie Williams and Jonathan Wilkes and 100% of all public donations will go towards supporting the vital work of Unicef. The money raised through profits from ticket sales will add to the incredible £17 million that has already been raised for Unicef to help provide children life-saving food, vaccines and clean water, as well as protecting them from violence, exploitation and abuse.
The biennial live event will be hosted by Soccer Aid veteran Dermot O'Leary with Sky Sports News presenter Kirsty Gallacher once again pitch side to report on all the action as it happens.
This will be the sixth Soccer Aid event, with previous matches held at Wembley in 2008 and at Old Trafford in 2006, 2010, 2012 and 2014 raising over £17 million in total for Unicef.
Soccer Aid’s Social Media campaign can be followed on Facebook at ‘Soccer Aid’ and @SoccerAid on Twitter and Instagram, also using the hashtag #SoccerAid
Tickets now on sale for Soccer Aid 2016, call 0845 456 2016 or visit manutd.com/socceraid.
Booking fee applies. Calls charged at 0.75p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge.
Go to www.unicef.org.uk/socceraid to find out more.
