Pep Guardiola has said he “loves” fighting Manchester City’s corner against allegations of financial breaches and his belief in the club influenced the decision to sign a new two-year contract. City’s most successful manager ended uncertainty over his future this week when . The 53-year-old claimed the deal was agreed during a two-hour meeting with the City hierarchy, including the chief executive, Ferran Soriano, and outgoing director of football Txiki Begiristain, and he signed for two years to avoid another round of speculation over his future in 12 months’ time. Guardiola appeared galvanised by the agreement when previewing Tottenham’s visit to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, having in all competitions, the worst run of his illustrious managerial career. He reiterated that he would remain City manager even if the club were relegated to the “Conference” – a punishment he claimed 75% of Premier League rivals wanted – should they be found guilty of breaching Premier League rules. The 130 charges, with the , and over associated party transactions (APT) rules have cast a shadow over the success of Guardiola’s team. But the City manager insisted they merely strengthen his resolve to lead the club through this controversial period. “I don’t enjoy it, I prefer not to be in that position, but once it’s there I love it,” said Guardiola about defending City against various off-field matters. “Because you believe in your club and the people there. I believe what they say to me and the reasons why. I said, ‘OK, let’s see.’ I cannot say [any more] yet because we’re awaiting the sentence in February or March – I don’t know when – but, at the same time, I like it.” Sixteen clubs fell behind the Premier League’s on Friday, with only four backing the wider challenge that City favoured. Guardiola claimed most top-flight clubs would also like to see the champions relegated in the event of being found guilty of breaching financial rules. City deny any wrongdoing. “I read something about the situation and how we need to be relegated immediately. Seventy-five per cent of the clubs want it, because I know what they do behind the scenes,” Guardiola said. “But I don’t live with it. I live with the four defeats, what I have to do. There are lawyers on both sides. I don’t think about it.” The City manager confirmed he would not leave in the seismic event of the champions being relegated from the Premier League. “I said that six months or one year ago,” he added. “It’s not because I extend the contract that I pretend to be ‘oh how nice is Pep?’ What happens if we get relegated? I will be here. Next year we will come up, I don’t know, if we are in the Conference [National League] we are going to come up and come back to the Premier League. I knew it then and I feel it now.” Guardiola gave a wry smile when asked to confirm he decided to stay in response to losing four successive games. But he admitted harbouring some doubts over whether to commit earlier this season. “Time,” he said. “At the time we started really well, – one title again this season. We started top of the league and we dropped points for what I would say were obvious reasons. But I had no doubts about the players. If I had doubts [about them], I would not extend. I love working with them still and know how they behave in these moments. It happened yesterday, every time I sit down for a new contract – they love you.” Guardiola’s great Premier League adversary, Jürgen Klopp, cited tiredness as reason to with Liverpool earlier this year. “I am tired,” said Guardiola, who is in his ninth season with City. “Sometimes it is, ‘oh, another game’. The difference that helped me? Win, win, win. Life is better when you win. It helps to continue.”None
DAVIDSON, N.C. (AP) — Connor Kochera scored 34 points as Davidson beat Eastern Michigan 86-64 on Saturday. Kochera added five rebounds for the Wildcats (10-3). Bobby Durkin added 17 points while going 5 of 11 from the floor, including 3 for 7 from 3-point range, and 4 for 5 from the line while they also had five rebounds. Mike Loughnane shot 4 for 6 from beyond the arc to finish with 12 points. The Eagles (6-6) were led by Da'Sean Nelson, who recorded 16 points. Jalin Billingsley added 12 points and two steals for Eastern Michigan. Arne Osojnik also had 10 points. Davidson took the lead with 19:36 remaining in the first half and never looked back. The score was 41-21 at halftime, with Kochera racking up 16 points. Kochera scored 18 points in the second half to help lead the way as Davidson went on to secure a victory, outscoring Eastern Michigan by two points in the second half. Davidson plays Tuesday against George Mason on the road, and Eastern Michigan hosts Northern Illinois on Saturday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .ENLC Stock Alert: Halper Sadeh LLC Is Investigating Whether the Sale of EnLink Midstream, LLC Is Fair to ShareholdersJanet Taiatini: Supporting Māori to give birth their own way
NEW YORK (AP) — Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the U.S. but was unknown to millions of people his decisions affected. Then Wednesday's targeted fatal shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk thrust the executive and his business into the national spotlight. Thompson, who was 50, had worked at the giant UnitedHealth Group Inc for 20 years and run the insurance arm since 2021 after running its Medicare and retirement business. As CEO, Thompson led a firm that provides health coverage to more than 49 million Americans — more than the population of Spain. United is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, the privately run versions of the U.S. government’s Medicare program for people age 65 and older. The company also sells individual insurance and administers health-insurance coverage for thousands of employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programs. The business run by Thompson brought in $281 billion in revenue last year, making it the largest subsidiary of the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group. His $10.2 million annual pay package, including salary, bonus and stock options awards, made him one of the company's highest-paid executives. The University of Iowa graduate began his career as a certified public accountant at PwC and had little name recognition beyond the health care industry. Even to investors who own its stock, the parent company's face belonged to CEO Andrew Witty, a knighted British triathlete who has testified before Congress. When Thompson did occasionally draw attention, it was because of his role in shaping the way Americans get health care. At an investor meeting last year, he outlined his company's shift to “value-based care,” paying doctors and other caregivers to keep patients healthy rather than focusing on treating them once sick. “Health care should be easier for people,” Thompson said at the time. “We are cognizant of the challenges. But navigating a future through value-based care unlocks a situation where the ... family doesn’t have to make the decisions on their own.” Thompson also drew attention in 2021 when the insurer, like its competitors, was widely criticized for a plan to start denying payment for what it deemed non-critical visits to hospital emergency rooms. “Patients are not medical experts and should not be expected to self-diagnose during what they believe is a medical emergency,” the chief executive of the American Hospital Association wrote in an open letter addressed to Thompson. “Threatening patients with a financial penalty for making the wrong decision could have a chilling effect on seeking emergency care.” United Healthcare responded by delaying rollout of the change. Thompson, who lived in a Minneapolis suburb and was the married father of two sons in high school, was set to speak at an investor meeting in a midtown New York hotel. He was on his own and about to enter the building when he was shot in the back by a masked assailant who fled on foot before pedaling an e-bike into Central Park a few blocks away, the New York Police Department said. Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said investigators were looking at Thompson's social media accounts and interviewing employees and family members. “Didn’t seem like he had any issues at all,” Kenny said. "He did not have a security detail.” AP reporters Michael R. Sisak and Steve Karnowski contributed to this report. Murphy reported from Indianapolis. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email.
Hope & fear as world powers absorb Assad’s stunning end in SyriaGSA Capital Partners LLP Reduces Stock Position in Cable One, Inc. (NYSE:CABO)Brixmor Property Group Inc. (NYSE:BRX) Shares Purchased by Natixis Advisors LLC
Hezbollah fires 200 rockets at northern, central Israel, injuring eightAssad leaves behind a fragmented nation – stabilizing Syria will be a major challenge for fractured opposition and external backers
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