England Boss Southgate Dismisses ‘Disrespectful’ Man Utd Links

Football - International Friendly - England Training - St George's Park, Burton upon Trent, Britain - March 22, 2024 England manager Gareth Southgate during training. (Reuters)
Football - International Friendly - England Training - St George's Park, Burton upon Trent, Britain - March 22, 2024 England manager Gareth Southgate during training. (Reuters)
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England Boss Southgate Dismisses ‘Disrespectful’ Man Utd Links

Football - International Friendly - England Training - St George's Park, Burton upon Trent, Britain - March 22, 2024 England manager Gareth Southgate during training. (Reuters)
Football - International Friendly - England Training - St George's Park, Burton upon Trent, Britain - March 22, 2024 England manager Gareth Southgate during training. (Reuters)

England manager Gareth Southgate said reports linking him with the top job at Manchester United were completely disrespectful and that he would only make a decision about his future after the European Championship.

Southgate is yet to agree a new deal ahead of the Euros, which will be his fourth major competition in charge of England. His current contract runs through to the end of 2024.

"My focus is the European Championship," Southgate told reporters on Friday ahead of England's friendly against Brazil.

"If we did something, a contract here (with England) before, everybody would be saying, 'Why are you signing a contract before a Euros where you've got to prove yourself?'

"I'm certainly not going to speak to anybody else ahead of that. I never have. I've been here eight years in the job. I wouldn't entertain speaking to anybody else when I'm in a job."

Reports in British media say the 53-year-old is among United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe's top candidates to replace Erik Ten Hag if the Dutchman parts ways with the Old Trafford club, who are sixth in the Premier League.

"There are two things from my point of view," Southgate added. "One is that I'm the England manager. I've got one job: to try to deliver a European Championship. Clearly, before that, two important games this week.

"The second thing is United have a manager. It's always completely disrespectful when there's any speculation about a manager that's in place.

"I'm president of the LMA (League Managers Association) so I don't have any time for that sort of thing really."

England host Brazil later on Saturday and Belgium on Tuesday at Wembley Stadium.



French Open Organizers Introduce Draw to Access Ticket Sales

Spectators watch as Italy's Fabio Fognini serves against Australia's Alexei Popyrin during their first round match at the French Open tennis tournament in Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, May 22, 2022. (AP)
Spectators watch as Italy's Fabio Fognini serves against Australia's Alexei Popyrin during their first round match at the French Open tennis tournament in Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, May 22, 2022. (AP)
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French Open Organizers Introduce Draw to Access Ticket Sales

Spectators watch as Italy's Fabio Fognini serves against Australia's Alexei Popyrin during their first round match at the French Open tennis tournament in Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, May 22, 2022. (AP)
Spectators watch as Italy's Fabio Fognini serves against Australia's Alexei Popyrin during their first round match at the French Open tennis tournament in Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, May 22, 2022. (AP)

French Open organizers are introducing a draw system to access ticket sales for the clay-court Grand Slam tournament.

The French tennis federation said Tuesday it faces an “ever-increasing demand” and that the trial of a random draw for the general public should help reduce waiting times and ensure a fairer access to seats.

“Finally, this new sales system will make it possible to combat fraud and the purchase of tickets by bots,” organizers said.

Registration for the draw will run from Jan. 27 to Feb. 9. Being selected in the draw will guarantee access to ticket sales, but not necessarily the right to receive tickets for a specific day or court, organizers said.

The French federation has also limited the maximum number of tickets one can buy for the main courts to four per person.

The French Open takes place from May 25-June 8 at Roland Garros stadium in Paris.