Liam Williams, one of Wales’ most accomplished boxers, has announced his retirement from the sport at age 32 due to concerns about the impact of “several concussions” on his health. A decorated athlete, Williams has held British, European, and Commonwealth titles, and his decision to step away reflects a growing awareness of the long-term risks associated with head trauma in boxing.

Williams, who was a world title contender, revealed that he continued to fight despite knowing he was suffering from a concussion ahead of his bout against Chris Eubank Jr. in 2022. He admitted he disregarded medical advice to withdraw, not wanting to disappoint his fans. However, after a devastating first-round knockout loss to Hamzah Sheeraz earlier this year, Williams recognized the toll the sport was taking on his health.

Reflecting on his decision, Williams expressed his concern about the risk of developing chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain condition linked to repeated blows to the head. The condition, which can lead to dementia, is an increasing worry for athletes in contact sports, but it can only be definitively diagnosed after death.

“I know that boxing is brutal,” Williams said, explaining that he no longer wants to jeopardize his future with his family or risk further injury by fighting just for money. His retirement marks the end of a remarkable career, and his decision brings attention to the growing importance of athlete safety and long-term health in combat sports.

Thomas Tuchel has officially been named the new manager of the England men’s national football team, set to take over on 1 January 2025. The 51-year-old German coach has signed an 18-month contract, becoming the third non-British permanent manager of the team, following in the footsteps of Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello.

Tuchel’s appointment follows the resignation of Gareth Southgate, who stepped down in July after England’s heartbreaking loss to Spain in the Euro 2024 final. Since then, interim manager Lee Carsley has led the team for four games, and he will remain in charge for the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Greece and the Republic of Ireland.

Expressing his pride and excitement, Tuchel stated, “I am very proud to have been given the honour of leading the England team. I have long felt a personal connection to the game in this country, and it has given me some incredible moments already. To have the chance to represent England is a huge privilege, and the opportunity to work with this special and talented group of players is very exciting.”

Football Association (FA) chief executive Mark Bullingham praised the decision, saying, “We have appointed one of the best coaches in the world. Thomas and the team have a single-minded focus on giving us the best possible chance to win the World Cup in 2026.”

The FA had approached other high-profile candidates, including Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola and Newcastle United’s Eddie Howe, but Tuchel was ultimately selected as the “preferred candidate” after several interviews. Tuchel, a former Chelsea boss, recently parted ways with Bayern Munich after a season but remains highly regarded for his tactical acumen and previous successes, including leading Chelsea to a Champions League victory in 2021.

The announcement of Tuchel’s appointment was delayed to avoid distractions during England’s international fixtures, but the decision was finalised earlier this month.

As England prepares for the 2026 World Cup, excitement builds around this new chapter under Tuchel’s leadership. The Prince of Wales also weighed in on social media, describing the moment as “exciting times for England, with a generation of talented players and a new manager taking the reins.”

Tuchel’s arrival marks the beginning of a fresh journey for the England national team, and fans will be eager to see how his tactical expertise can drive the team forward on the global stage.

England recovered from their humiliating loss to Greece in the UEFA Nations League with a hard-fought 3-1 win over Finland, though the performance still left questions unanswered. Interim manager Lee Carsley made six changes from the side that lost at Wembley, with Dean Henderson stepping in for Jordan Pickford in goal, but the team struggled to shine until Finland, ranked 64th and without a point in the group, tired in the final stages.

Jack Grealish eased England’s early nerves with a composed finish in the 18th minute, capitalizing on an excellent pass from Angel Gomes. However, Finland had opportunities to pile more pressure on England, with striker Fredrik Jensen missing crucial chances, including a close-range effort after the break that he sent over the bar.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, deployed at left-back in another unconventional move by Carsley, delivered a moment of brilliance with a stunning 25-yard free-kick that flew past Finland’s goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky in the 74th minute, putting England 2-0 up. As Finland’s energy waned, Declan Rice added a third goal from close range with six minutes left, giving the scoreline a flattering look for the visitors.

Finland, to the delight of their 32,000-strong home crowd, got a deserved consolation goal when Arttu Hoskonen found the back of the net after England failed to clear a corner. Despite their spirited efforts, the hosts couldn’t prevent England from taking all three points, though Carsley’s side still have much to improve.