Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg have opened club-to-club negotiations to appoint Rangers manager Danny Rohl following the conclusion of the Scottish Premiership season.
The approach comes after a turbulent end to the domestic campaign for the Ibrox outfit.
Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg reports that the Austrian heavyweights are pushing hard to secure his services.
The 37-year-old was previously expected to remain in Glasgow and manage a full upcoming season.
Late-season collapse
Rangers endured a disastrous end to their domestic schedule.
The Glasgow giants lost four of their final five league games following the Scottish Premiership split.
That dramatic slump saw them fall from serious title contenders to comfortably finishing third.
They ultimately ended the campaign behind arch-rivals and champions Celtic, as well as second-placed Hearts.
Significant early improvement
Prior to the late-season collapse, the Scottish club had suffered just two league defeats all year.
The German tactician had overseen a significant improvement in performances compared to his predecessor Russell Martin.
Mounting pressure over the final month had raised questions, but a summer departure remained unanticipated.
An agreement between the two clubs would force Rangers to begin an unexpected managerial search ahead of the new campaign.
Wimbledon has announced a 20% increase in total prize money to £64.2m for next month’s tournament following recent player protests over revenue sharing.
Singles champions at the prestigious grass-court Grand Slam will now take home a record £3.6m each.
All England Club chair Deborah Jevans confirmed the substantial financial boost during a news conference in London on Thursday.
The decision arrives during a period of escalating tension between tournament organisers and athletes regarding financial compensation.
Players demand greater revenue share
Competitors have long argued that they deserve a larger percentage of the profits generated by the sport’s four major championships.
Frustrations reached a boiling point ahead of the recent French Open when high-profile stars began taking steps towards collective action.
Belarusian world number one Aryna Sabalenka recently suggested that a player boycott might be necessary if financial demands remain unmet.
Her sentiments were heavily echoed by men’s top-ranked player Jannik Sinner and American standout Coco Gauff.
Symbolic protests at Roland Garros
Tensions manifested visibly in Paris when several top-10 competitors restricted their mandatory press conferences to strictly 15 minutes.
This silent demonstration at the clay-court major served as a symbolic protest against the current distribution of tournament wealth.
The underlying dissatisfaction is not a sudden development within the sport’s elite ranks.
Just over a year ago, 20 leading professionals signed a formal letter directed to Grand Slam executives demanding increased payouts and greater decision-making power.
Premier League rivals could demand over £100m each in compensation if Manchester City are found guilty of their 115 alleged financial breaches.
Four clubs – Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur – served legal notices in 2024 to reserve the right to seek damages.
This follows a landmark arbitration ruling where Burnley were awarded over £30m from Everton regarding Profitability and Sustainability Rules violations.
Establishing a sporting advantage
An independent commission ruled that the Merseyside outfit gained an unfair sporting advantage which directly impacted Burnley’s relegation.
This precedent opens the door for massive claims against the reigning English champions should they lose their ongoing legal battle.
Sources suggest rival teams have calculated potential losses exceeding £100m due to missed Champions League revenues and lucrative prize money.
Unprecedented era of success
The alleged breaches occurred over an eight-year period spanning between 2009 and 2017.
During this specific timeframe, the Etihad club secured two top-flight titles and achieved Champions League qualification in seven consecutive campaigns.
League regulations prevent teams from suing one another through traditional courts, meaning any action must occur via formal arbitration.
Staunch denial from the top
The Manchester side have consistently and vehemently denied all charges levelled against them since the investigation began.
Club chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak recently promised to address the situation fully once an independent commission delivers a final verdict.
“Let me be as consistent as I’ve always been. Until we have a ruling, I can’t say much.”
“Once we have a ruling, believe me, we’re going to have a wonderful sit down together and I’ll say everything I’ve wanted to say for the last three years,” Al-Mubarak added.
Former France striker Thierry Henry has tipped Senegal and Norway to be surprise contenders at the upcoming 2026 World Cup in North America.
The Arsenal legend believes his home nation are the heavy favourites to win the tournament across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
However, the 1998 winner warned that Les Bleus face a demanding path after being drawn in a challenging group alongside both of his highlighted dark horses.
Squad depth key for French hopes
Didier Deschamps will lead the two-time world champions into another major international tournament with intense expectations.
Henry feels the sheer quality available to the 57-year-old manager sets the current squad apart from their global rivals.
“I see France as the top contender – partly because I’m French, but also because we’ve reached the last two finals.”
“If your substitutes are on par with the starting eleven, it’s a huge advantage, especially in such a long tournament after an intense season.”
Dangerous outsiders pose a threat
Despite naming established giants like Argentina, Spain and England as promising candidates, the former Barcelona forward focused his praise on two less heralded nations.
He urged supporters to keep a close eye on the recent African champions and a resilient Scandinavian outfit.
“Senegal has always been a country with special players, they just couldn’t get over the line by winning an AFCON.”
“It’s been done since, and since that 2002 team they’ve never looked back.”
Historical rivalries add pressure
The television pundit noted that facing the Lions of Teranga carries historical weight and provides significant additional motivation for their opponents.
“Beating France is something massive for them.”
He drew parallels to the 1990 tournament, warning that starting slowly against highly motivated underdogs can prove fatal.
“Norway is also in our group, and those are the two teams I’ve told everybody to watch out for.”
While Senegal have never progressed beyond the quarter-finals on the global stage, Henry remains convinced they possess the necessary talent to shock the established footballing order.
Emma Raducanu has secured a comprehensive 6-0 6-3 victory over Anna Blinkova in the first round of the LTA’s HSBC Championships at Queen’s.
The 2021 US Open champion required just one hour to dismantle her Russian opponent despite an early rain delay.
It marks a crucial return to winning ways for the British number one, who had not recorded a victory since the Indian Wells Open in March.
Reuniting with a familiar face
The impressive performance coincides with her decision to reunite with coach Andrew Richardson.
Richardson famously guided the young star to her historic maiden Grand Slam triumph at Flushing Meadows five years ago.
This renewed partnership appeared to yield immediate dividends as she raced into an early 3-0 lead.
Imperious forehand dictates play
A brief suspension in play due to rain did little to disrupt the home favourite’s momentum.
Once the weather cleared, the lightning-fast baseliner resumed her dominance to seal the opening set in a mere 20 minutes.
A formidable forehand proved to be her most potent weapon, helping her win 25 points to her opponent’s six in the first set.
“I started extremely well, and despite not having played a lot of matches, I was really pleased with how I came out and I was playing very free.”
“I was feeding off of the atmosphere, and it felt free, it felt clear, and with a lot of clarity. I was not necessarily thinking too much or trying to do too much.”
Overcoming a second-set stumble
The qualifier finally found her footing in the second set, capitalising on three consecutive double faults to level the score at 3-3.
However, the home crowd soon rallied behind their quarter-finalist from last year.
She immediately elevated her game, rattling off the final three games and securing the match with a sensational backhand winner down the line.
“It felt really good to be back out playing on a home court in front of the fans. I’m really proud of my performance today.”
The revitalised star will now face Sorana Cirstea in the second round.
Germany’s players have stepped in to pay for 600 supporters to travel by bus to their final World Cup group game against Ecuador in New Jersey following severe criticism of inflated tournament transport costs.
The squad’s generous intervention comes after matchday train tickets from central New York to the nearby MetLife Stadium were drastically increased.
Fares for the crucial 25 June Group E decider were initially ramped up from their standard $12.90 (£9.50) to a staggering $150, before eventually being reduced to $98.
Fifa subsidies spark political row
Shuttle bus prices to the arena have also faced extreme fluctuations, dropping from an initial $80 down to $20 for the short cross-state journey.
The governor of New Jersey claims these inflated matchday prices are a direct result of world football’s governing body refusing to subsidise local transport expenditure.
“In light of the high cost of bus and train travel in New York during the World Cup, the German national team players have organised free transport to the final group match for 600 fans,” said the German FA.
Kimmich leads player intervention
The initiative is being driven by the national team’s senior leadership group ahead of their highly anticipated clash with the South American outfit.
“Captain Joshua Kimmich and his team-mates are covering the cost of buses to take supporters from New York to the arena in New Jersey for the match against Ecuador.”
During previous global tournaments in Russia and Qatar, attendees were provided with complimentary travel to stadiums and official fan zones.
United States organisers had originally committed to offering the exact same perk within their initial 2018 host agreement.
However, a 2023 amendment to that contract ultimately ruled that travelling supporters would instead be charged at cost value.
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has admitted to facing the wrath of his mother after suffering severe sunburn during England’s pre-World Cup training camp in Florida.
The Three Lions star was left looking bright red for his official tournament photographs after misjudging the intense sunshine.
Adjusting to the constant 30-degree heat proved challenging for the central midfielder upon arriving in the United States.
Adapting to the American heat
“When the sun burn comes! I think everyone has seen those photos, I was bright red in that photo shoot,” he explained.
“My mum was killing me!”
The combative player acknowledged that the transition from unpredictable British weather to sweltering conditions was a sharp shock to the system.
However, the physical discomfort did not seem to negatively impact his recent on-pitch performances.
Gearing up for Croatia
The 25-year-old recently completed a planned 60-minute appearance and scored in a comprehensive 3-0 warm-up victory over Costa Rica.
He has now declared himself in peak condition ahead of the upcoming group opener against Croatia.
This national team camp follows an emotionally draining domestic season for the midfield anchor.
He joined the squad after a rollercoaster campaign that included winning the Premier League but suffering defeat in the Champions League final.
Overcoming mental fatigue
Despite being granted an extra week of rest to recover, the English talisman admitted he quickly grew restless at home.
“It was lovely to have a week off, a complete re-set but I was getting itchy feet after four or five days though, to be back with the boys,” he said.
Shifting his mindset from intense club competitions to the international stage is a challenge he is now fully embracing.
The engine-room player noted that the immense demands of the past year have been far more mentally taxing than physically exhausting.
Full focus on the tournament
“It’s hard to think about the World Cup in season because you have so many big games but when you actually get here it’s when it starts to hit you.”
Despite managing several minor injuries throughout his long club campaign, he insists his body feels incredibly strong.
He will undoubtedly be a vital asset for his country as they seek to navigate the challenging tournament ahead.
Wolves have sacked manager Rob Edwards just seven months after his appointment, despite the 43-year-old recently leading the relegated club’s summer rebuild.
The Black Country side are preparing for life in the Championship following a disastrous campaign that saw them finish 19th in the Premier League.
It had initially appeared the Molineux hierarchy were willing to stick with the former Middlesbrough boss to mount a promotion push.
However, ownership have now abruptly ended his tenure and are expected to appoint Gil Vicente head coach Cesar Peixoto as his successor.
Surprise departure amid summer rebuild
The decision arrives as a significant shock given the departing manager’s deep involvement in early transfer business.
Experienced internationals Kieran Trippier and Raul Jimenez were recently recruited, with both players citing the head coach’s influence in their decision to join.
Brazilian midfielder Andre also committed his future to the West Midlands outfit under the assumption that the current regime would remain in place.
Speaking recently about the arrival of former Newcastle defender Trippier, Edwards had outlined his vision for an immediate top-flight return.
We need to have a better and stronger squad than we had last year because we weren’t able to compete well enough last year, and so we’re working really hard to make sure we’re competitive.
We know the pressure’s going to be there, but I’d rather have the pressure with players like Tripps and then be able to turn around and know I’ve got a really good and strong group of players behind me.
Portuguese successor lined up
Peixoto has managed Portuguese top-flight side Gil Vicente since March 2023.
The incoming tactician previously held managerial roles at Academica, Moreirense and Pacos Ferreira in his homeland.
Meanwhile, former Wolves manager Gary O’Neil is reportedly a candidate for the vacant managerial position at Ipswich Town.
O’Neil could replace Kieran McKenna, who recently departed the newly-promoted Suffolk side.