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Austria Coach Ralf Rangnick Becomes the Latest to Turn Down Bayern Munich 

Austria's coach Ralf Rangnick looks on during the UEFA Euro 2024 group F qualification football match between Belgium and Austria at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, on June 17, 2023. (AFP)
Austria's coach Ralf Rangnick looks on during the UEFA Euro 2024 group F qualification football match between Belgium and Austria at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, on June 17, 2023. (AFP)
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Austria Coach Ralf Rangnick Becomes the Latest to Turn Down Bayern Munich 

Austria's coach Ralf Rangnick looks on during the UEFA Euro 2024 group F qualification football match between Belgium and Austria at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, on June 17, 2023. (AFP)
Austria's coach Ralf Rangnick looks on during the UEFA Euro 2024 group F qualification football match between Belgium and Austria at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, on June 17, 2023. (AFP)

Ralf Rangnick became the latest high-profile coach to turn down the vacant Bayern Munich job on Thursday.

Rangnick has decided to remain in charge of Austria beyond this summer’s European Championship.

“I am the Austrian team manager with all my heart. This job gives me incredible joy and I’m determined to continue successfully on the path we’ve chosen,” Rangnick said in a statement on the Austrian Football Association website. “I would like to expressly stress that this is not a rejection of FC Bayern, but a decision in favor of my team and our common goals.”

Rangnick’s decision is an embarrassing blow for Bayern, whose officials had been praising the 65-year-old former Leipzig and Manchester United coach in recent days.

“He has huge skills in developing players and teams. Everything I hear from people around the Austrian national team is very, very positive. And we ourselves have players who work under him,” Bayern president Herbert Hainer said this week. “If he were to come, he would be a very good choice for us.”

Rangnick had emerged as the favorite to take over from the departing Thomas Tuchel as other candidates ruled themselves out.

Xabi Alonso stayed with Bayer Leverkusen, former Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann extended his contract with Germany, and Unai Emery opted to stay with Aston Villa.

Tuchel is leaving Bayern at the end of the season following a mutual agreement in February to end their collaboration after a run of three games without a win. Leverkusen went on to win the Bundesliga, ending Bayern’s 11-year reign as champion, but Tuchel could yet lead the club to Champions League glory.

Bayern faces Real Madrid for the second leg of their Champions League semifinal next week after a 2-2 draw in the first leg on Tuesday.

Rangnick may have had cause to reconsider after club powerbroker Uli Hoeneß harshly criticized Tuchel last week.

“We're extremely happy about his decision,” Austria sports director Peter Schöttel said. “We understood he had two very attractive options and gave him the time to weigh everything up carefully. We're proud that he has chosen Austria.”

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Pegula Downs Jovic to Reach WTA Charleston Final

Jessica Pegula of the United States stretches for s ball while playing Iva Jovic of the United States during the Semifinals of the Credit One Charleston Open at Credit One Stadium on April 4, 2026 in Charleston, South Carolina. (Getty Images/AFP)
Jessica Pegula of the United States stretches for s ball while playing Iva Jovic of the United States during the Semifinals of the Credit One Charleston Open at Credit One Stadium on April 4, 2026 in Charleston, South Carolina. (Getty Images/AFP)
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Pegula Downs Jovic to Reach WTA Charleston Final

Jessica Pegula of the United States stretches for s ball while playing Iva Jovic of the United States during the Semifinals of the Credit One Charleston Open at Credit One Stadium on April 4, 2026 in Charleston, South Carolina. (Getty Images/AFP)
Jessica Pegula of the United States stretches for s ball while playing Iva Jovic of the United States during the Semifinals of the Credit One Charleston Open at Credit One Stadium on April 4, 2026 in Charleston, South Carolina. (Getty Images/AFP)

Defending champion Jessica Pegula advanced to the final of the WTA Charleston Open clay-court tournament on Saturday, defeating fourth seed Iva Jovic 6-4, 5-7, 6-3.

American top seed Pegula, who has been taken to three sets in each of her four matches in Charleston this week, finally wrapped up victory in 2hr 35min when Jovic pulled a forehand return wide.

The 32-year-old from New York will face Yuliia Starodubtseva in Sunday's final after the unseeded Ukrainian upset fifth seed Madison Keys in the other semi-final.

World number 89 Starodubtseva, who was initially scheduled to go through qualifying in Charleston before being granted a place in the main draw after a withdrawal, defeated Keys 6-1, 6-4.

World number five Pegula will be chasing her second title of the season on Sunday after her victory in Dubai in February.

The American admitted after Saturday's latest three-setter that she has become used to taking the scenic route as she has advanced through the rounds in Charleston.

"When I won the first set today I thought 'Oh man, I have such a great chance to not go to three'. I was like 'Maybe I'll get it done in two today'," Pegula told the Tennis Channel.

"I'd love some straight sets victories -- that would be nice. But a win's a win. If I'm gonna win every match for the rest of my life, but it's three sets, I'll take the three sets."

While Pegula will be targeting her second title of the year on Sunday, Starodubtseva will be aiming for the first of her career.

The 26-year-old Ukrainian punished Keys's fragile service game to race through the first set in just 31 minutes, breaking the American four times to win 6-1, before clinching victory with another service break in the 10th game of the second set.

"I did not expect to break her that many times today," Starodubtseva said. "I feel like I did quite well at neutralizing her power and just hitting a heavy ball back.

"I can't really described my feelings right now. I may not have expected this outcome in this tournament but hard work pays off."

Sports

Arsenal’s Arteta Rues Missed Opportunity After FA Cup Exit

Soccer Football - FA Cup - Quarter-Final - Southampton v Arsenal - St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, Britain - April 4, 2026 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reacts. (Reuters)
Soccer Football - FA Cup - Quarter-Final - Southampton v Arsenal - St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, Britain - April 4, 2026 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reacts. (Reuters)
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Arsenal’s Arteta Rues Missed Opportunity After FA Cup Exit

Soccer Football - FA Cup - Quarter-Final - Southampton v Arsenal - St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, Britain - April 4, 2026 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reacts. (Reuters)
Soccer Football - FA Cup - Quarter-Final - Southampton v Arsenal - St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, Britain - April 4, 2026 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reacts. (Reuters)

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta ‌could not hide his disappointment after his side were dumped out of the FA Cup by Championship side Southampton on Saturday, suggesting the team’s poor defending was the major contributing factor.

The 2-1 quarter-final defeat follows on from the League Cup final loss to Manchester City last time out as Arsenal’s "quadruple" hopes this season have suddenly been downgraded to a "double" as they now chase Premier League and Champions League honors.

"The result and especially the way we conceded the two goals (were disappointing)," Arteta told the BBC. "We had so much dominance in and ‌around the ‌box. We conceded the first goal in a ‌very ⁠unusual way for ⁠us, the second one from direct play as well.

"We had two massive chances and needed to capitalize on that. If you make the defending errors we made today, it's very difficult to be in the semi-final."

Arsenal were without several first team regulars for a match played in driving wind and rain, but Arteta refused to blame ⁠either of those factors and was not surprised ‌by the test Southampton gave them.

"They ‌are a very good side on a very good run and you have ‌to congratulate them," he said. "You have to adapt to the ‌wind, the injuries. You have to adapt to difficult situations in the season. Now we have to show what we are made of.

"That (Arsenal) team had very good moments. They should have capitalized and be going to Wembley, ‌and we haven't done it."

Southampton manager Tonda Eckert is now unbeaten in 15 matches in all ⁠competitions with ⁠the south coast club, but is keeping his feet firmly on the ground.

"We put on a good shift today. It was a challenge, we knew it was going to be a tough game. The second half always has the chance to shift and we reacted quite well," he said.

"You always need to find a balance, it's not going direct for the sake of going direct. You need spells with shorter solutions and we had a good mix today.

"Belief is always there, it's not been a problem. The reality is that the game is close. It's going to be nice to celebrate today but we open up Wrexham and Championship football tomorrow."

Sports

Inter Boss Chivu Defends Bastoni After Italy Red Card and Media Scrutiny

Italy's defender #21 Alessandro Bastoni (C, bottom) receives a red card from French referee Clement Turpin during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualification final football match between Bosnia-Herzegovina and Italy at the Bilino-Polje stadium in Zenica on March 31, 2026. (AFP)
Italy's defender #21 Alessandro Bastoni (C, bottom) receives a red card from French referee Clement Turpin during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualification final football match between Bosnia-Herzegovina and Italy at the Bilino-Polje stadium in Zenica on March 31, 2026. (AFP)
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Inter Boss Chivu Defends Bastoni After Italy Red Card and Media Scrutiny

Italy's defender #21 Alessandro Bastoni (C, bottom) receives a red card from French referee Clement Turpin during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualification final football match between Bosnia-Herzegovina and Italy at the Bilino-Polje stadium in Zenica on March 31, 2026. (AFP)
Italy's defender #21 Alessandro Bastoni (C, bottom) receives a red card from French referee Clement Turpin during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualification final football match between Bosnia-Herzegovina and Italy at the Bilino-Polje stadium in Zenica on March 31, 2026. (AFP)

Inter Milan boss Cristian Chivu came to the defense of under-fire Alessandro Bastoni on Saturday, praising his center-back's courage and sense of responsibility after Italy's World Cup playoff loss and criticizing the media scrutiny around the club.

Bastoni had already been a target for Italian media and opposition fans since Inter's Valentine's Day win over Juventus, after being accused of diving to get Pierre Kalulu sent off and then celebrating the red card.

The international break did little to ease the pressure. His rash last-man foul in the first half left Italy with 10 men, and they went on to lose the World Cup playoff in ‌Bosnia on penalties.

"In ‌football, what matters is the respect of your teammates. What ‌matters ⁠is your work, ⁠and who you are as a person," Chivu told reporters ahead of Sunday's home game with AS Roma.

"I'm sure he's disappointed about what happened, but at the same time, grateful for the support he received from his national teammates and his teammates here at the club.

"Because he showed his face. Because in a moment of difficulty, he stepped forward with what he had, to represent his country and try to achieve the dream of ⁠all Italians."

Bastoni not only needed to put aside the negative ‌attention, but also missed Inter's most recent game through ‌injury before joining up with Italy.

"Despite the difficulties, despite his physical condition at that moment, ‌he made himself available, and that means a lot to me," Chivu said.

"I understand ‌what it means to spend 10 days on crutches and then step up and take responsibility in such an important match."

Chivu pushed back when asked about the media storm that followed the Juventus game, redirecting the question to the reporters over what he feels are double standards ‌when it comes to Inter.

"I haven't seen the same reaction since, but when it's Inter, when someone claims Inter are favored, ⁠then it becomes ⁠a public flogging," Chivu said.

"But when there are episodes that go against Inter, suddenly no one says anything. That's a question I should be asking you, because you are the ones who should answer it."

PRAISE, NOT BLAME

Inter had five players involved in Italy's loss, and 20-year-old forward Pio Esposito missed the first spot kick in the shootout.

"What mattered to me, and I asked him when I saw him, was whether he had requested to take the penalty," Chivu said.

"His answer was yes, and for me that's enough.

"Taking responsibility at such a young age, knowing full well the importance of the match, is enough for me. Penalties can be missed, and he will miss many in his career. What matters is that he had the courage to step up."

Inter are top of the standings, six points ahead of AC Milan, who are away to third-placed Napoli on Monday.