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The Independent
2 minutes ago
- The Independent
New Racing Bulls F1 team boss ‘shocked' after ‘amazing' promotion
Alan Permane admitted he was 'shocked' after being announced as Racing Bulls' new team principal following Christian Horner 's exit at Red Bull. The domino effect of Horner being relieved of his duties saw Laurent Mekies – formerly RB team principal – promoted to Red Bull F1 CEO. Permane, who was previously racing director at RB, is now the team boss. The 58-year-old was previously with Alpine, in all its previous guises including championship-winning seasons with Benetton and Renault, for 34 years before being let go in July 2023. The engineer joined Racing Bulls at the start of last season. 'It's amazing that they feel I'm capable and have the potential to lead this team. 'I deeply thank the Red Bull Austria senior management, Oliver Mintzlaff and Helmut Marko, and of course Laurent for recommending me, pushing me forward, his belief in me as well. It's been a great week.' Racing Bulls are currently seventh in the constructors' championship and have two young talents in Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar in the cockpit. Yuki Tsunoda was previously with the team for four years before being promoted in March to replace Lawson, dropped by Red Bull after just two races. 'It's a great team and I know that the senior Red Bull guys are extremely happy with the way the team is being run,' Permane added. 'They're very happy with our competitiveness. 'The target is to be top of the midfield, and we are certainly in a battle for that and we'll continue that fight throughout this year.' The next race of the 2025 season is the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps this weekend (25-27 July).
The Independent
2 minutes ago
- The Independent
Steve Tandy backed to get Wales competing with top nations again
Steve Tandy has been championed to restore Welsh pride on the international stage after signing a three-year deal as Wales head coach. Tandy has left his role as Scotland defence coach – a position he has held since 2019 – to fill a vacancy created by Warren Gatland's departure in February. Cardiff coach Matt Sherratt has been in interim charge since and oversaw the end of Wales' 18-game losing streak – a record for a Tier One nation – in Japan earlier this month with a second Test victory over the Brave Blossoms. But Wales have turned to 45-year-old Tandy, who previously coached at Ospreys and Australian Super Rugby side Waratahs, to arrest a slide that has seen them finish bottom of the last two Six Nations Championships and plummet down the world rankings to 12th. 'Steve is an outstanding coach,' said Welsh Rugby Union director of rugby Dave Reddin, who revealed the interview process had initially mapped out around 130 coaches worldwide before being filtered down. 'I think his coaching journey shows someone that has been unafraid to really push himself into some uncomfortable experiences and really challenge the way that he was operating as a coach and develop as a result. 'As a proud Welshman it's the job he's wanted to move for. I know he'll be very missed by Scotland, he was a valued member of staff there and I'm delighted we've managed to secure his services. 'Are Wales going to be consistently ranked as the number one team in the world for the next 10 years? No, I don't think so. 'But can we be a real, genuine, top five nation who are constantly competing for Six Nations titles, who are capable of mixing it with the best in the world? 100 per cent. 'Otherwise, I wouldn't be here. I don't think anybody gets inspired by a team that says, 'well, we're going to rock up and do our best'. 'Especially a passionate rugby nation like Wales, I think we've got to be more ambitious than that.' Tandy, from Tonmawr between Neath and Port Talbot, becomes the first Welsh head coach of the men's national team since Gareth Jenkins nearly two decades ago. New Zealanders Gatland and Wayne Pivac have held the reins on a permanent basis since 2007 – and Reddin believes Tandy's background is a 'bonus'. He said: 'It will make a difference in how he's perceived – positive and negative. I'm conscious as a proud Welshman he's going to feel the responsibility of that. 'That wasn't part of the decision making process. It's a bonus that he's Welsh and I hope everyone will be kind to him because of that. 'On the surface it's great to have someone who has a natural affinity with their country. Ultimately that only goes so far, as it's about performances and the philosophy matching the expectations of the national public and what they want to see from their rugby team. 'They are the things that matter most and the Welsh side of things come after that. 'But if you looked at something that was ideal, to find the best coach and that they are Welsh, that's a perfect answer.' Tandy begins his tenure on September 1 and is set to lead Wales into the 2027 World Cup in Australia. Reddin said Tandy's backroom team would be finalised over the coming weeks and has not ruled retaining some current staff members.
Daily Record
2 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Etienne Youte transfer fee plunges as Celtic face £6m 'hurry' with 'best defender' exit escalating centre back search
The recruitment drive at Celtic Park looks to be ramping up with the season fast approaching Le Havre president Jean-Michel Roussier admits their asking price for centre-back Etienne Youte could drop amid reported interest from Celtic. Reports in France suggest that the Scottish Premiership champions have joined Anderlecht and Besiktas in the race to land the 23-year-old. Youte only has a year remaining on his currently contract and the Ligue 1 outfit would reportedly accept a €5million (£4.3million) fee this summer. But Roussier admits that the cash-strapped club could be forced into a bargain sale of the centre-back this summer. Speaking to Paris Normadie, the club supremo was asked about the risk of allowing player's deals to run out. He said: "We're used to it. We have to sell a lower cost, with free agents something we cannot risk. We are a company that is losing money." Red Star Belgrade defender Veljko Milosavljevic is also said to be on the agenda amid claims that the club are ready to drop their asking price. It was claimed earlier this summer that Celtic representatives "offered" £5.1million for the 17-year-old, which was rejected. However, a £6million offer would reportedly tempt the Serbian side to cash-in on the rising star. Max Sport report that Everton have made contact and are now stepping up their interest - which could leave Celtic in a "hurry" to get the deal over the line and see off the Premier League side in a bidding war. Maik Nawrocki is among the fringe men that have been allowed to leave the club this summer - but Frank McAvennie reckons the club have made a mistake in allowing the Polish star join Hannover 96. But speaking on his 'Let Me Be Frank' podcast, McAvennie said: 'There are a couple of players who went out. 'I feel sorry for Nawrocki. He has gone out, and I thought, 'that boy was decent.' I really did. I thought he was a good player. 'I hope we don't rue that. He never let the team down. He came in, five or six games, and he was outstanding. He was the best defender we had.' You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also on WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here.
