Thomas Tuchel has been named as the new head coach of the England national team, as the Three Lions prepare for a new era.
His appointment can be considered a coup for the FA, given a résumé of success across multiple European leagues. In an era where the best managers prefer club football, England have landed a serial winner to lead an immensely talented team.
Tuchel will officially begin work on January 1st, ahead of qualification for the 2026 World Cup. The brief is clear: Get England over the line in a major tournament.
Just the third foreign coach to lead England, Tuchel’s appointment will no doubt split opinion but it is his credentials – and not passport – that is the important factor in his appointment.
No English manager has won the Premier League, while England have not won a major tournament for 58 years and counting. Germans, in contrast, have had rather more success on both fronts.
But what will Tuchel bring to England?
Looking forward to starting the journey together 💪
— England (@England) October 16, 2024
A proven winner
Few managers on the market can boast Tuchel’s list of honours, while his triumphs in different competitions offer encouragement for the unique challenges of the international game.
Having stepped into Jurgen Klopp’s shoes at Mainz and Borussia Dortmund, overseen a star-studded and ego-filled dressing room at Paris Saint-Germain, and turned a dysfunctional Chelsea into European champions within six months, Tuchel has not been afraid to take on difficult roles before.
His stock took a tumble after overseeing Bayern Munich’s first trophyless season since 2011/12 last term, but the performances of Harry Kane can offer encouragement. The England captain scored 44 goals in 45 appearances under Tuchel last season, on route to claiming the European Golden Shoe for the first time.
Thomas Tuchel. Our #ThreeLions head coach from 2025. 🏴
— England (@England) October 16, 2024
Tactical flexibility
Amid Gareth Southgate’s groan-educing pragmatism and the Greek exposure of Lee Carsley’s cavalier approach, Tuchel offers a tactical flexibility that could suit tournament football.
At Borussia Dortmund, he operated with a lone forward who remained in central areas, while a cast of creatives rotated around behind. Given England’s depth of attacking talent, it could be a tactical approach reimplemented. Tuchel’s time at Chelsea saw him move to a back three system, one which suited his personnel and took the Blues to Champions League success.
Pep Guardiola found Tuchel particularly problematic during that period, losing three consecutive games to the German, including the 2022 Champions League final. While many big name managers offer an unwavering stance on their philosophy, Tuchel has proven to be results-driven and willing to adapt to win one-off games.
A prickly persona
Tuchel’s time in management has been littered with clashes with authority. Frosty relationships with the board at several former clubs have been evident and the move to international football will remove some of those issues.
With no differences on transfers, Tuchel can focus on the task at hand in turning a hugely talented squad into a tournament-winning side.
On the touchline and in the dressing room, he will not be afraid to let his players know when they have not met his standards.
A change in principles
Tuchel’s appointment has seen the FA abandon their plan to evolve a philosophy throughout the age groups. The German is for the here and now, a nod towards England’s current status in a tournament-winning window.
After near misses in the last two European Championships and a World Cup semi-final under Southgate, the FA have opted for a head coach who has taken teams to the biggest stages – and won.
Thomas Tuchel trophies and honours
Borussia Dortmund
- DFB-Pokal: 2016–17
Paris Saint-Germain
- Ligue 1: 2018–19, 2019–20[
- Coupe de France: 2019–20
- Coupe de la Ligue: 2019–20
- Trophée des Champions: 2018,2019
Chelsea
- UEFA Champions League: 2020–21
- UEFA Super Cup: 2021
- FIFA Club World Cup: 2021
Bayern Munich
- Bundesliga: 2022–23
Individual
- VDV Bundesliga Coach of the Season: 2015–16
- Premier League Manager of the Month: March 2021, October 2021
- German Football Manager of the Year: 2021
- UEFA Men’s Coach of the Year: 2020–21
- IFFHS Men’s World’s Best Club Coach: 2021
- The Best FIFA Football Coach: 2021
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