17 october 2024 : German coach Thomas Tuchel has been appointed as the head coach of the England national team, becoming the third non-English manager to take on this prestigious role. The Football Association announced the decision on Wednesday, stating that the 51-year-old former Chelsea manager would officially begin his tenure on January 1, alongside his English assistant, Anthony Barry.
FA Chief Executive Mark Bullingham expressed excitement over the hiring, highlighting Tuchel as one of the world’s top coaches, with Barry recognized as one of the best English coaches to support him.
Tuchel follows in the footsteps of Sweden’s Sven-Goran Eriksson, the first foreign manager to lead England from 2001 to 2006, and Italian Fabio Capello, who managed from 2008 to 2012.
Lee Carsley, the current Under-21 coach, has been serving as interim head coach since Gareth Southgate’s resignation following England’s defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final in July. Carsley will continue to oversee the team for the upcoming Nations League matches.
Tuchel expressed his pride in being appointed to lead the England team, citing a personal connection to the game in the country and the excitement of working with a talented group of players.
The FA considered several candidates before deciding on Tuchel and Barry, a choice that marks a shift in strategy after Southgate’s era, which saw England reach two European Championship finals and a World Cup semi-final but ultimately fail to secure a major trophy since 1966.
Before his appointment, Carsley appeared to be a leading contender for the permanent position until a disappointing 2-1 loss to Greece last week shifted the FA’s focus toward Tuchel, known for his innovative tactics and willingness to challenge norms.
Tuchel’s coaching career includes a notable stint at Chelsea, where he won the Champions League in 2021, and a brief tenure at Bayern Munich, which ended with a third-place finish in the Bundesliga, marking the team’s first season without a title since 2011-12. He first made his mark in the Bundesliga with Mainz 05 in 2009 and later led Borussia Dortmund to a German Cup victory in 2017. After joining Paris St Germain, he won consecutive French league titles and reached the Champions League final in 2020.
