By FRANCO PANIZO

After years of seeing its national team underperform despite boasting some of the world's best players and most-expensive coaches, the English Football Association has decided it is time for a change.

The English FA said Tuesday that it will hire a technical director in the near future, marking the first time in 10 years that it will do so. The FA hopes that by signing a technical director, the country's chances to succeed at the international level will increase. It also hopes the playing and coaching standards in the English game will improve as a result.

Whoever is chosen (some reports believe that former player Gareth Soutgate will be named) will spend a chunk of his time working at the FA's new national training center in central England. Former Leeds United manager Howard Wilkinson was the last technical director in England, but he left the position in 2002 to become the manager at Sunderland.

England's national team is currently without a permanent manager after Fabio Capello stepped down from the post last month.

Here are more stories from Tuesday:

GOTZE SIGNS NEW DORTMUND DEAL

Mario Gotze does not appear to be leaving Borussia Dortmund any time soon after signing a new deal with the club. The 19-year-old German midfielder, who has been linked with a move to Arsenal in the past, extended his stay with the club by two years after agreeing to the new contract. Gotze is now contracted with the reigning Bundesliga champions until June 2016.

MAN ARRESTED FOR RACIST MUAMBA TWEETS

A 21-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday for racist comments he made on Twitter following the collapse of Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba. Police took Swansea University student Liam Stacey into custody after they were filled with complaints from the public about his racist-filled tweets. Stacey, who said he was drunk at the time of the incident, is expected to be jailed for 56 days.

ANGERS OFFER TEENAGER NAMED LIONEL MESSI A DEAL

You might soon see Lionel Messi playing for French second-division club Angers, but he is not the player you might be thinking of.

French outfit Angers has offered a contract to central midfielder Lionel Messi Nyamsi. The 17-year-old, who was born in Cameroon, recently impressed the relegation-threatened club at a tournament in the southwest of France. Messi Nyamsi has said he has other offers but that he most likely will sign with Angers.

—–

What do you think of the English FA's decision to appoint a technical director? Happy to see Gotze extending his stay with Dortmund? Already planning on on how to tell your friends that Messi plays for Angers?

Share your thoughts below.