JULY 25 - SIR ALEX FERGUSON (pictured) has distanced himself from speculation linking him with a role as the manager of Britain's football team at the 2012 Olympics and also said that he believes the idea of a united Team GB is a "non-starter".

 

Sebastian Coe, the chairman of London 2012, has said that he has held discussions with Sir Alex about taking over the role when he steps down as the manager of European champions Manchester United in 2010.

 

Coe was backed this week by Colin Moynihan, the chairman of the British Olympic Association, as first reported on insidethegames.

 

Sir Alex said: "I hope I am still on this planet in 2012 first of all!

 

"I'll be 70 years of age then, so I don't need any commitment to anything like that.

 

"I would not, in any way, shape or form try to commit myself to anything like that four years away. There is nothing I can really add to it."

 

Scotland, who Sir Alex managed at the 1986 World Cup, and Wales have both said that they want nothing to do with the idea of a British team because they fear it could jeopardise their participation in other international tournaments.

 

Sir Alex said: "I'm not sure they would allow it (GB Team) anyway because countries have their own identity.

 

"It has been mooted for a number of years by FIFA at the World Cup that Great Britain has a team, so it would be impractical in that sense.

 

"Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, even England, they all have their own identities, so I don't think it is a starter."