Ten Hag Says He Knew Manchester United Spoke to Other Managers before Deciding to Keep Him

20 September 2023, Bavaria, Munich: Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag gives instructions during the UEFA Champions League Group A soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and Manchester United at the Allianz Arena. (dpa)
20 September 2023, Bavaria, Munich: Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag gives instructions during the UEFA Champions League Group A soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and Manchester United at the Allianz Arena. (dpa)
TT

Ten Hag Says He Knew Manchester United Spoke to Other Managers before Deciding to Keep Him

20 September 2023, Bavaria, Munich: Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag gives instructions during the UEFA Champions League Group A soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and Manchester United at the Allianz Arena. (dpa)
20 September 2023, Bavaria, Munich: Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag gives instructions during the UEFA Champions League Group A soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and Manchester United at the Allianz Arena. (dpa)

Erik ten Hag says he was aware that Manchester United had spoken to other managers before the Premier League club decided to stick with the Dutchman after a difficult season.

Ten Hag said he was on holiday in Ibiza when members of the United hierarchy arrived to inform him they wanted him to remain as United manager.

Former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel and England manager Gareth Southgate were among those linked with the position after United finished eighth in the Premier League last season.

Speaking on Dutch TV channel NOS, Ten Hag said: “The club management came to me while I was on holiday in Ibiza. They suddenly showed up on my doorstep and told me they wanted to continue with me.

“As in any organization, it is wise to evaluate. Manchester United did that too. The new owner (Jim Ratcliffe) is new to football, he has taken his time.

“They have indeed told me that they have spoken to other managers. That is not even allowed in the Netherlands."

The two parties are in the process of agreeing a new contract after Ten Hag engineered a stunning victory for United over Manchester City in the FA Cup final.

“We have had good discussions with each other, various topics have been discussed,” he said. “The conclusion is that we will continue together and that they will extend my contract. We still have to reach an agreement on that.”



Sinner Has his Steroid Case Appealed by World Anti-Doping Agency

Italy's Jannik Sinner hits a return against Chile's Nicolas Jarry during their men's single round of 32 match at the China Open tournament in Beijing on September 26, 2024. (Photo by STRINGER / AFP)
Italy's Jannik Sinner hits a return against Chile's Nicolas Jarry during their men's single round of 32 match at the China Open tournament in Beijing on September 26, 2024. (Photo by STRINGER / AFP)
TT

Sinner Has his Steroid Case Appealed by World Anti-Doping Agency

Italy's Jannik Sinner hits a return against Chile's Nicolas Jarry during their men's single round of 32 match at the China Open tournament in Beijing on September 26, 2024. (Photo by STRINGER / AFP)
Italy's Jannik Sinner hits a return against Chile's Nicolas Jarry during their men's single round of 32 match at the China Open tournament in Beijing on September 26, 2024. (Photo by STRINGER / AFP)

The steroid case involving top-ranked tennis player Jannik Sinner was appealed by the World Anti-Doping Agency, the Montreal-based body known as WADA announced Saturday.

According to The Associated Press, WADA said it is seeking a ban of one to two years for the US Open champion.

Sinner tested positive twice for an anabolic steroid in March but was not banned in a decision by an independent tribunal announced by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) on Aug. 20 because the ITIA determined he was not to blame.

Sinner’s accepted explanation was that the banned performance-enhancer entered his system unintentionally through a massage from his physiotherapist, who used a spray containing the steroid to treat their own cut finger.

WADA said it filed an appeal on Thursday to the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport.

“It is WADA’s view that the finding of ‘no fault or negligence’ was not correct under the applicable rules,” WADA said in a statement. “WADA is seeking a period of ineligibility of between one and two years. WADA is not seeking a disqualification of any results, save that which has already been imposed by the tribunal of first instance."