AHEAD OF THE GAME: American agencies fight it out to secure Gareth Southgate and Crystal Palace’s move for Oliver Glasner sees John Textor make his mark at Selhurst Park
- Southgate has been approached by a number of top US giants, including CAA
- The 53-year-old ended his eight-year spell with Terry Byrne in January
- CHRIS SUTTON: I wouldn’t get the flags at Man United yet – It all starts podcast
Gareth Southgate has attracted the interest of two of the world’s biggest agencies since splitting from permanent representative Terry Byrne.
The English manager has been approached by US giants Creative Artists Agency and Wasserman Group, with CAA the favorites to secure a deal, but he is in no rush to engage another agent as his focus is on planning this summer’s euros.
Southgate is likely to remain in demand this year as the FA look to extend his contract if his side have a successful tournament. Winning England’s first trophy in 58 years would lead to a flood of commercial offers requiring input from a major organisation.
The 53-year-old ended his eight-year relationship with Byrne last month following Mail Sport’s revelation that David Beckham’s former adviser used money owed to Southgate to invest in a £25million property deal, which he has yet to repay.
Textor’s influence is growing in Selhurst Park
Crystal Palace’s interest in appointing Oliver Glasner as manager signals an intriguing change in the power dynamic at Selhurst Park.
Gareth Southgate is looking for new representation after working with former agent Terry Byrne for eight years
John Textor previously met with potential Palace manager Oliver Glasner this summer
Glasner was recommended by Palace co-owner John Textor, who first met the Austrian when he recruited a manager for French club Lyon last summer.
Lyon eventually appointed Fabio Grosso, who was fired two months later.
Textor has taken a backseat at Palace despite buying 45 percent of the club under chairman Steve Parish, but the move for 49-year-old Glasner signals his influence is growing.
United consider new role for Fergie friend
Manchester United director Patrick Stewart’s future at the club is in question after Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s purchase of a 25 percent stake in the club was confirmed by the Premier League.
Stewart has impressed as interim chief executive since Richard Arnold left in November, but Omar Berrada will take on the role full-time when he joins from Manchester City this summer.
United is considering whether to give Stewart a better position or whether the lawyer should return to his previous job as general counsel.
In Stewart’s favor are his close relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson and contacts at UEFA, where he worked in the marketing department before joining United.
Patrick Stewart (middle) has been interim CEO at Old Trafford since November
Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has regularly criticized the Premier League’s hierarchy
Burnham’s turn for openness
Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has failed to practice what he preaches after repeated attacks on the Premier League over its lack of transparency in dealing with Everton’s spending breaches.
In his latest rant against the top flight, Everton fan Burnham posted on the practice of publishing minutes of board meetings.
Burnham has been a repeated critic of the Premier League, but despite his frequent calls for openness, the former Labor Cabinet minister has yet to publish two letters he received from league president Alison Brittain explaining the Everton process in detail.
