Germany’s Tuchel was appointed head coach of England

Thomas Tuchel, a German, became the third non-Englishman to be appointed head coach of the England national team on Wednesday. This position is one of the most prestigious and challenging in soccer.

Together with his English assistant Anthony Barry, the 51-year-old former Chelsea manager will assume leadership in January, according to confirmation from the Football Association.

According to a statement released by FA Chief Executive Mark Bullingham, “We are thrilled to have hired Thomas Tuchel, one of the best coaches in the world, and Anthony Barry, one of the best English coaches, to support him.”

From 2001 to 2006, Sven-Goran Eriksson of Sweden was the first foreign manager to lead England, and from 2008 to 2012, Italian Fabio Capello held the position.

Lee Carsley, the temporary manager of England’s Under-21 team since Gareth Southgate resigned following England’s loss to Spain in the July Euro 2024 final, will continue to coach the team for the next two Nations League matches.

Tuchel and Barry, with whom he collaborated at Chelsea and Bayern Munich, will start work on January 1 in preparation for the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.

In a statement, Tuchel, who was selected 2021’s FIFA and UEFA coach of the year, stated, “I am very proud to have been given the honor of leading the England team.”

“In this nation, I have always felt a particular connection to the game, and it has already provided me with some amazing experiences. It is an enormous honor to be able to play for England, and it is thrilling to have the chance to work with this unique and gifted collection of players.”

According to the FA, Bullingham and men’s technical director John McDermott interviewed a number of applicants for the position, but early last week the FA Board authorized the appointment of Tuchel and Barry.

It marks a change in FA policy following a period of close calls under Englishman Southgate, who rose from the Under-21 manager to turn around the national team’s fortunes.

England failed to produce a significant title since the 1966 World Cup on home soil, despite reaching two European Championship finals and a World Cup semi-final under Southgate.

It appeared that Carsley was the front-runner to take Southgate’s post on a permanent basis until last week’s disastrous 2-1 loss to Greece at Wembley.

Though a coach who isn’t afraid to stir things up, the FA had chosen Tuchel, a well-known figure who is thought to be one of the game’s most progressive tacticians.

After taking over for Frank Lampard at Chelsea in 2021, Tuchel guided the team to the Champions League championship, defeating Pep Guardiola of Manchester City in the title match.

In March 2023, he replaced Julian Nagelsmann as coach of Bayern Munich after being fired by Chelsea in 2022.

FUTURE THOUGHT

Tuchel’s one season as head coach of the German powerhouses proved disappointing, as Bayern failed to win the Bundesliga title for the first time since 2011–12, finishing third behind Bayer Leverkusen and VfB Stuttgart.

After replacing Juergen Klopp at Mainz 05 in 2009, Tuchel established himself as a progressive manager in the Bundesliga. Following Klopp’s departure from Borussia Dortmund at the conclusion of the 2014–15 season, Tuchel took over and guided the team to victory in the 2017 German Cup.

After joining Paris St. Germain the following year, he helped them win consecutive French league titles and get to the 2020 Champions League final.

With England, Tuchel will have to shape a highly talented team that includes players like Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Declan Rice, Cole Palmer, Harry Kane, whom he guided at Bayern last season, into a team that can perform on the largest platform.

“Working closely with Anthony as my assistant coach, we will do everything we can to make England successful and the supporters proud,” declared Tuchel. “I am looking forward to starting our journey together.”