Thomas Tuchel set to be appointed England manager
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Thomas Tuchel is close to being named the next manager of the England national team, with an official announcement possibly taking place by the end of this week.
Following quick discussions over the weekend between the German coach and the Football Association, a consensus on the key terms has been reached. The 51-year-old's enthusiasm for the role grew once it became evident that Manchester United was not about to take any steps regarding Erik ten Hag.
As a result, Tuchel will be the third foreign manager to lead the England national team, representing a different country after Sven-Goran Eriksson from Sweden and Fabio Capello from Italy. This choice might stir discussions among traditionalists in English football, particularly considering the historical rivalry with Germany. However, the Football Association is primarily focused on moving forward and achieving success in the 2026 World Cup.
Comment: England's decision to bring Thomas Tuchel on board highlights a mix of urgency and creativity.
It's clear that hosting the tournament primarily in the United States has impacted how people are thinking about it, especially since this is expected to be the most financially rewarding international event ever.
Tuchel is undeniably a high-profile choice, but he has mainly been picked because he perfectly aligns with the FA's vision for on-field performance.
The German coach combines advanced strategies with a practical approach suitable for tournaments and is familiar with many players from his time at Chelsea. He has a strong connection with captain Harry Kane, having played alongside him during their season at Bayern Munich, and he actively supported Kane's transfer in the summer of 2023.
Tuchel's experience at Chelsea turned him into a true fan of English football, and he has been eager to return to work in the country. Therefore, taking on the role of national team coach was viewed as an ideal fit for him, especially since he is focused on winning the World Cup to complement his 2021 Champions League title with Chelsea.
The decision to make this appointment doesn’t diminish Lee Carsley’s performance, as he showed great capability in the role and is viewed by the FA's technical team as a possible candidate for future positions.
There has been appreciation for how the interim coach addressed inquiries about the future, even though it resulted in some mixed messages about his true desire for the position. This is much clearer now, especially since England has made a definitive choice for the role.
The FA has kept details about the selection process under wraps and did not address any inquiries regarding it. Although Pep Guardiola was initially seen as the frontrunner, he is likely to stick with Manchester City for another year. Meanwhile, the FA didn't want to delay any further and moved forward after receiving an affirmative response from Tuchel to their initial outreach at the beginning of the season.
