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Former England captain Alan Shearer says the Three Lions “need a manager who can deliver a trophy” after German Thomas Tuchel agreed to become the next boss.

Tuchel, 51, is set to become the third non-British permanent manager of the England men’s team, with a media conference expected on Wednesday at Wembley.

Tuchel, who won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, will be tasked with leading England to the 2026 World Cup, where they will hope to end a 60-year wait for a major trophy.

“We need a trophy – it’s as simple as that. We need a manager who can deliver that,” Shearer said on The Rest Is Football, external podcast.

“There’s no doubt [Tuchel] has an incredible CV, but this is going to be a very different test for him. It’s a bold move from the FA, there’s no doubt about it.

“You have to win the tournament, that’s what he’s been hired for. They [the FA] have seen the bunch of players are the best England have had for a long, long time.”

England have been without a permanent manager since Gareth Southgate resigned after eight years in charge following the Euro 2024 final defeat by Spain, with Lee Carsley appointed on an interim basis.

Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello are the only previous non-British permanent England men’s managers, but unlike his predecessors Tuchel is familiar with English football – having managed Chelsea between January 2021 and September 2022.

“Tuchel will have looked at this squad and thought there is so much talent in there, this is an unbelievable opportunity of winning the greatest trophy of all,” former England striker Gary Lineker said.

“I would have given the job to Carsley. I have seen enough to suggest the players really trust him, that he’s imaginative enough to produce something that is a joy to watch – entertaining front-footed football.”

Former England defender Micah Richards said: “The point is we don’t have an English candidate strong enough to take that job, that’s one of the most interesting things.

“I was of the opinion that we don’t need an English manager, just go out and get the best person for the job. I think Tuchel is an outstanding manager, a proven winner.”

Two-time Olympic track cycling gold medallist Katie Archibald chats to her old team-mate and Britain’s most successful female Olympian Laura Kenny before the World Championships in Denmark.

Archibald talks about her freak injury before the Paris Olympic Games, as well as opening up on her need for getting back on the bike and finding perspective after the death of her partner, fellow cyclist Rab Wardell.

Watch the track cycling World Championships live on the BBC from Wednesday.

Available to UK users only.

Red Bull says it “cannot afford” for there to be a big gap between its two drivers next year, as Sergio Perez faces increasing pressure to end this campaign on a high.

The Milton Keynes-based squad has already lost the lead in the constructors’ championship to McLaren and is in danger of conceding second place too with Ferrari now just 34 points behind.

It is not lost on Red Bull that its plight has not been helped by Perez failing to contribute as much as the team would have liked, with his 144 points tally so far this year well adrift of Max Verstappen’s 331.

Perez was given a stay of execution over his place in the squad following the summer break, with the team hopeful he could deliver more at venues he was better at. However, things have not been ideal, especially after he lost a potential podium finish in Baku following a late crash with Carlos Sainz.

With Liam Lawson slotted in as replacement for Daniel Ricciardo at RB to evaluate his potential in being a Red Bull candidate for 2025, it is clear that the team is evaluating the best way forward.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner says the need to understand what options it has available has become critical, because the title fight will likely be even harder next year.

And, with the difference between the leading positions in the constructors’ championship being around $9 million, Red Bull needs no reminding that having a second driver who costs it one or two places is costly.

“We desperately need answers,” Horner told Motorsport.com about its driver situation.

Photo by: Alastair Staley / Motorsport Images

“When you look at our opponents, Ferrari will be strong next year, with [Lewis] Hamilton and [Charles] Leclerc. Plus McLaren with [Lando] Norris and [Oscar] Piastri is a strong line-up.

“We need to make sure that with both of our drivers, that there’s not a big gap between them because you can’t afford to have that.”

Lawson’s prospects for a potential move up to Red Bull, should he impress in the final races this year, have increased with rookie drivers in fashion once again in F1.

With Oliver Bearman and Franco Colapinto impressing so much, teams certainly seem more open-minded about putting youngsters in once again.

Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko told Speedweek in his most recent column: “The GP appearances of Oliver Bearman and especially Franco Colapinto have shown that the youngsters are ready for the step up, and that the old philosophy of some team bosses, that you can only promote drivers with three or four years of experience to a top team, is outdated.

“Mercedes has now proven this with its driver decision, just as Red Bull Racing has done several times in the past.

“So you can rely on the youth. There is a certain risk, but it is manageable and it is worth it.”

MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly facing snubs from two January transfer targets after their horror start to the season.

Erik ten Hag has endured an awful seven Premier League games after being handed a contract extension by Sir Jim Ratcliffe over the summer.

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United have picked up just two wins so far this term to sit 14th in the table.

The first came in a fortunate late victory against Fulham.

While the other win saw United beat 10-man Southampton, who are joint-bottom of the table.

Another two matches so far have been draws.

While United have already suffered three defeats, including heavy 3-0 losses at Old Trafford to both Liverpool and Tottenham.

Their Europa League campaign is faring little better, with United so far drawing both of their games against Twente and Porto.

And the Mail claims their dismal form is now starting to affect their transfers.

It’s reckoned United have two major targets lined up for the January transfer window.

FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS

But both candidates are now “having seconds thoughts” about accepting a move this winter.

It means United could be forced to look elsewhere for reinforcements.

And their budget is already tight after spending over £200million on five signings, who have all struggled so far.

Joshua Zirkzee, Matthijs de Ligt and Manuel Ugarte are yet to nail down first-team spots.

While Leny Yoro is yet to make a single appearance after fracturing his metatarsal in pre-season.

Noussair Mazraoui has had some joy so far at right-back.

But he’s now out for at least three weeks as he recovers from a heart procedure.

The ace’s absence is set to force a reshuffle for this weekend’s game against Brentford, with Diogo Dalot moving to the right and Jonny Evans in line to become an emergency left-back.

Ten Hag’s Man Utd signings

The Dutchman has brought in 21 players since moving to Old Trafford in 2022

2022-23:

Antony, (Ajax) £86m

Casemiro, (Real Madrid) £70m

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Lisandro Martinez, (Ajax) £46m

Tyrell Malacia, (Feyenoord) £13m

Christian Eriksen, (Brentford) free

Martin Dubravka, (Newcastle) loan

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Wout Weghorst, (Burnley) loan

Jack Butland, (Crystal Palace) loan

Marcel Sabitzer, (Bayern Munich) loan

2023-24:

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Rasmus Hojlund, (Atalanta) £72m

Mason Mount, (Chelsea) £60m

Andre Onana, (Inter Milan) £47m

Sofyan Amrabat, (Fiorentina) loan

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Altay Bayindir, (Fenerbahce) £4.3m

Jonny Evans, (Leicester) free

Sergio Reguilon, (Tottenham) loan

2024-25:

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Leny Yoro, (Lille) £52m

Manuel Ugarte, (Paris Saint-Germain) £50m

Matthijs de Ligt, (Bayern Munich) £45m

Joshua Zirkee, (Bologna) £36.5m

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Noussair Mazraoui, (Bayern Munich) £12.8m

Lionel Messi scored his 10th international hat-trick as Argentina thrashed Bolivia 6-0 in World Cup qualifying.

The 37-year-old Inter Miami forward, who also set up two goals at Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, moved level with Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo for the most hat-tricks in men’s international football.

Argentina are three points clear of Colombia at the top of the South American qualifying group for the 2026 World Cup, despite losing to Colombia in September and drawing with Venezuela last week.

“It’s really nice to come here, to feel the affection of the people. It moves me how they shout my name,” Messi said.

“This drives me – enjoying being happy where I am. Despite my age, when I’m here, I feel like a kid because I’m comfortable with this team. As long as I feel good and can keep performing the way I want, I’ll keep enjoying it.”

Messi, making only his second appearance for Argentina since suffering an injury at the Copa America in July, capitalised on a defensive error to put them ahead after 19 minutes.

He set up Lautaro Martinez and then Julian Alvarez before substitute Thiago Almada made it 4-0.

Messi struck twice in two minutes late on, beating two defenders to fire in his second and completing his hat-trick by finding the bottom corner.

Messi has scored 112 goals in 189 games for Argentina – second only to Ronaldo, who has 133, in men’s internationals.