Steven Gerrard and Co show off England's Marks and Spencer World Cup suits ahead of summer trip to Brazil

England players including captain Steven Gerrard, Chelsea's Ashley Cole and Southampton midfielder Adam Lallana have swapped their garish boots for shiny shoes to model the Three Lions' official World Cup suits.

Designed by high street retailer Marks and Spencer, the suits which will be worn by Roy Hodgson and his players are grey and come with special features including an embroidered World Cup winners star on the inside envelope pocket, the England crest on the Autograph label and a red, white and blue sleeve and pocket lining.

In an exclusive photoshoot with men's magazine GQ,12 candidates for this summer's trip to Brazil showed off England's new look, which can be bought for £199 from stores throughout the country.

Scroll down for video of the boys in their football kits

+16

Dressed to impress: England players (from left to right) Andros Townsend, Adam Lallana, Jermain Defoe, Leighton Baines, Steven Gerrard, Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard, Chris Smalling, Michael Carrick, Gary Cahill, John Ruddy and Rickie Lambert show off the Three Lions' Marks and Spencer suits for this summer's World Cup

+16

Looking good: Three Lions stars (from left to right) Leighton Baines, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Ashley Cole will all be hoping to wear their new suits in Brazil

+16

Made to measure: Every member of Roy Hodgson's squad will have a Marks and Spencer Autograph suit fitted to his exact measurements

+16

Suited and booted: England's players will swap their boots for black Gibson shoes when wearing their suits on World Cup duty

+16

Three Lions: England players (from left to right) Danny Welbeck, Steven Gerrad, Phil Jones, Adam Johnson, Glen Johnson, Gary Cahill, Chris Smalling, Gareth Barry, Ashley Young, James Milner, Stewart Downing and Theo Walcott pose with a trio of lions

+16

Travelling party: Roy Hodgson (front row, centre) poses with his first England tournament squad ahead of the 2012 European Championships in Poland and Ukraine

Along with Gerrard, Leighton Baines and Gary Cahill, each of whom look certain to make Hodgson's 23-man squad, a number of other players whose places appear less secure also took part in the shoot.
Chelsea defender Cole is included, despite fears over his lack of playing time under Jose Mourinho this season and the emergence of Southampton left-back Luke Shaw. Cole has impressed in his recent performances for the Blues, with many tipping the 33-year-old to earn a place because of his vast experience at the highest level.
Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy, whose side are on the brink of Premier League relegation, faces serious competition from West Brom's Ben Foster and Celtic's Fraser Forster for a place on the plane alongside Joe Hart, while Jermain Defoe's move to Toronto FC has put his spot in jeopardy.
Saints striker Rickie Lambert has netted 11 Premier League goals for Mauricio Pochettino's side this season, although some pundits believe West Ham forward Andy Carroll would be a better target man should Hodgson require a plan B in South America.  

more videos

+16

Last time out: Fabio Capello's England squad also wore grey Marks and Spencer suits for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa

+16

Bad omen? England players (from left to right) Theo Walcott, Emile Heskey, Matthew Upson, Steven Gerrard, Michael Carrick, Joleon Lescott, David James, Rob Green, Jermain Defoe, Gareth Barry, Stewart Downing and Shaun Wright-Phillips wore a grey suit at the 2010 World Cup

+16

Champions: England's World Cup winning squad of 1966, including manager Sir Alf Ramsey (far right) pose for the cameras wearing their official suits

+16

Happy memories: England's 1966 World Cup winning squad had their official suits for the tournament designed by Burton Menswear

Other players featured who are not yet guaranteed to make Hodgson's squad include Manchester United pair Chris Smalling and Michael Carrick, who both failed to hit top form under former manager David Moyes.
Andros Townsend, who was ruled of this summer's showpiece tournament on Thursday due to ankle surgery, is also pictured.
Marks & Spencer were the provider of England’s suits for the World Cup in South Africa four years ago as Fabio Capello’s side crashed out to Germany at the last-16 stage.

+16

On their way: Sven-Goran Eriksson (back row, left) prepares to board a plane with his England squad to a training camp in Dubai ahead of the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea

+16

All smiles: England manager Bobby Robson (front row, far right) poses with his squad at an FA reception the night before flying to the 1986 World Cup in Mexico

+16

Designer gear: Fashion designer Paul Smith (front row, centre) poses with England's World Cup 1998 squad, who are wearing his specially-made suits

+16

Baggy trousers: England's squad for the 1990 World Cup prepare to board their plane at Luton airport before flying to Italy for the showpiece event

+16

Personal service: A tailor (left) helps fit England players (from left to right) Alf Ramsey, Laurie Scott, Eddie Baily, Bill Nicholson and Ted Ditchburn with new suits in 1950

The new suits will be made to measure for every player in the squad with Hodgson set to name his 23-man group on May 12, the day after the Premier League season finishes.
‘We are delighted with what has been created for the team and staff to wear,’ Club England managing director Adrian Bevington said.
‘With qualification secured to the World Cup, one of the most exciting parts of planning for the tournament is always the team suit and this has been no exception.
‘The FA and Marks and Spencer have enjoyed a great relationship over six years, and that will continue next summer in Brazil.’

 

Read More

Steven Gerrard's unlucky slip as Liverpool lose to Chelsea an open goal for cruel web jokers as gags at captain's expense go viral

Steven Gerrard: England captain, leader of Liverpool and one of the greatest players ever to grace the Premier League (if not THE greatest), but cruel pranksters have been quick to pounce on his unfortunate slip which gifted Demba Ba Chelsea's opening goal at Anfield.
In an extensive series of spoofs, gags, tweets and photo trickery, the mishap in first-half injury time during Liverpool's 2-0 loss to Jose Mourinho's side that has blown the title race wide open has made the 33-year-old hero the butt of the jokes.
Gerrard's boots have been depicted as banana skins while in other memes he's been given a Chelsea strip and superimposed on US rapper Eminem's body.
The England captain's impassioned speech a fortnight ago after his side their win over other title rivals Man City has also been seized upon, especially the line 'We don't let this slip’.
Here are just some of the gags going round at Gerrard's expense...

Banana split: Skins with laces are harshly referred to as the England captain's new shoes

Yellow fever: Bart Simpson's TV is given a makeover as Gerrard shows his anguish after the goal

Safety first: A caution wet floor sign with a slipping red man is given a key alteration

 

Shady moment: One prankster quotes rapper Eminem's song Lose Yourself from the movie 8 Mile

You can't have it: While Jose Mourinho kept the ball from Liverpool, the win could take the trophy from them

Gone fishin': The Premier League trophy is Mouinho's bait as Gerrard crawls in chase after falling

Covering the ground: Gerrard's unfortunate moment is singled out in this 'heat map'

Case for the defence: See above for workhorse Gerrard's REAL heat map from the Chelsea match

Look-alikes? This Vine sees a similarity between Martin Skrtel's bald head and Gerrard's mishap

 

Can Gerrard fill the one remaining space in his trophy cabinet?

Read More

Louis van Gaal will be appointed Manchester United manager next week

Louis van Gaal will be confirmed as Manchester United's new manager next week.

It is expected to be announced that the Dutchman is replacing David Moyes after United's final home game of the season against Hull.

Van Gaal, 62, will take over in the summer once he has finished Holland's campaign at the World Cup finals in Brazil.

+9

New boss: Louis Van Gaal will be appointed as Manchester United manager next week

Giggs: We'll play my way because my way is the United way

+9

Undecided: Ryan Giggs and the Class of '92's role next season is not yet known

 

Maverick, master or madman... who is Louis van Gaal?

It is not yet known how many of the Class of '92 will remain at Old Trafford working under Van Gaal.

Ryan Giggs is the current caretaker boss working alongside coaches Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Phil Neville.

They have taken charge at United after Moyes and the majority of his backroom team were let go last week.

Van Gaal is determined to bring his own team with him, including current Holland assistant coach Patrick Kluivert.

+9

Own team: Current Holland assistant Patrick Kluivert could come to Old Trafford with Van Gaal

+9

Investment: Van Gaal will be given money to spend after United failed to qualify for the Champions League

+9

Incoming: Physio Jos Van Dijk

+9

Keeping tabs: Video analyst Max Reckers

+9

Controversy? Van Gaal wants goalkeeping coach Frans Hoek to join but Chris Woods has performed well

He may also bring in goalkeeping coach Frans Hoek, physio Jos van Dijk and video analyst Max Reckers.

He will be given massive funds to beef up United's squad this season after their failure to qualify for the Champions League.

United are confident he will have the necessary time to sign players despite his involvement with the Dutch side this summer.

Van Gaal will be taking his first steps into English football, although he has major experience with Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

Watch United target Marco Reus score Beckham-style freekick

+9

Target: Borussia Dortmund forward Marco Reus is being eyed by Van Gaal as part of his new look United 

United target Toni Kroos' best Bundesliga goals

+9

Wanted: Bayern midfielder Toni Kroos has been on United's wishlist for some time

Jurgen Klopp takes off like Michael Jordan celebrating Reus goal

Read More

: Petra Stunt's husband James takes FIVE car entourage to pick up some art work.... but even billionaires can't escape the parking attendants

Billionaire businessman James Stunt's £1million calvalcade of cars has been spotted for a second time this week, parked outside another prestigious art gallery in the capital.
The 28-year-old, who is married to Petra - the daughter of Formula One billionaire Bernie Ecclestone - was yesterday seen picking up an array of art work at Christie's Art Gallery in London's Old Brompton Road.
But it seems Mr Stunt's vast wealth and fortune does not make him exempt from the eagle eye of parking attendants.
A traffic warden patrolling the exclusive South Kensington streets close to the prestigious art house, was not intimidated by the five-strong cavalry of Rolls Royce, Range Rovers and a Lamborghini.

+13

Billionaire businessman James Stunt and his cavalcade of super cars was spotted out in London again this week, yesterday parked in Old Brompton Road in South Kensington

+13

The 28-year-old, who is married to Petra, the daughter of Formula One billionaire Bernie Ecclestone, parked his Lamborghini super car and fleet of Rolls Royces and Range Rovers, outside Christie's Art Gallery

+13

Mr Stunt's vast wealth and fortune did not intimidate a conscientious traffic warden patrolling the area

+13

The warden appeared to take down the details of the fleet of cars before a note resembling a parking ticket was placed on the windscreen of Mr Stunt's £350,000 Lamborghini which bears his personalised number plate 'S7UNT'

+13

+13

The art collector (left) was spotted instructing his security team to load various works of art into his waiting convoy of cars (right)

The conscientious warden did not hesitate in the face of the imposing brigade of cars and security staff, appearing to treat Mr Stunt as any other motorist on his patch.
He appeared to take down the fleet's details before a piece of paper resembling a parking ticket was placed on the front window of the Lamborghini super car, which is worth £350,000 and was driven away from the gallery by Mr Stunt himself.
Mr Stunt was accompanied by his team of security staff, as he appeared to be adding to his already extensive art collection.
Members of his team were spotted carrying paintings from the art gallery, loading them into the waiting fleet of super cars.

 

Just four days earlier, Mr Stunt was spotted in almost identical circumstances, as his convoy pulled up at the Daniel Hunt Fine Art Gallery on Sloane Street in neighbouring Chelsea.
Mr Stunt is well known for his art collection, and recently he attempted to purchase a self-portrait by Baroque painter Anthony Van Dyck for his Los Angeles home.
But the sale of the painting fell through when art campaigners mounted opposition to the work being shipped out of the UK.
The successful campaign raised more than £10million to save the portrait for the nation, and the work, which dates back to 1640, has been offered to the National Portrait Gallery after Mr Stunt agreed to withdraw.

+13

Watched by Mr Stunt's security team, the traffic warden goes about his day's work, refusing to treat the billionaire any differently to other motorists on his patch

+13

+13

One of Mr Stunt's strapping security team was seen carrying a series of paintings from the art gallery, loading the pieces into Range Rovers

+13

Mr Stunt is well known for his art collection, and recently he attempted to purchase a self-portrait by Baroque painter Anthony Van Dyck for his Los Angeles home. But the sale of the painting fell through when art campaigners mounted opposition to the work being shipped out of the UK

+13

Mr Stunt has been married to Petra, 25, since 2011 and the couple have a daughter, Lavinia. He has an estimated wealth of £5.5billion

Mr Stunt has been married to Petra, 25, since 2011 and the couple have a daughter, Lavinia. He has an estimated wealth of £5.5billion.
His father-in-law Bernie Ecclestone is currently on trial in Germany accused of bribery, which he denies.
The Formula One billionaire, reportedly said this week, that Mr Stunt's extravagant antics are way over the top.
The motor-racing tycoon said: 'When I saw James a few weeks ago, I told him quite upfront: "You are a flash b*****d."
'I said to him: "Why are you driving around in that bloody car?" He was proud to tell me it's the only one in the world, there isn't another one.

'It's beautiful, but I said: "What do you want this car for in London?" He said it's very comfortable. But I said: "For Christ's sake! Where are you going in it?" '

‘James has got another car following him with so-called bodyguards, but nobody’s going to kill him,’ 83-year-old Mr Ecclestone added.

‘I told him: “If any one wanted to kill you, which they don’t, those guys that are driving in that car ain’t going to help.”

‘I think he got this from America. Everyone who wants to be known there has to have a bodyguard.’

+13

+13

Mr Stunt's father-in-law Formula One billionaire Bernie Ecclestone (pictured left with his daughter) this week criticised Mr Stunt's extravagant lifestyle

Read More