The English FA recently announced that German coach Thomas Tuchel will take over as manager of the England national football team, starting in January 2025 and running until the end of the 2026 World Cup.
In the meantime, interim boss Lee Carsley will lead the team through the Nations League, with his final match set against Ireland next month.
England’s Interim Manager Lee Carsley
Tuchel’s appointment has sparked mixed reactions among fans. Some celebrate the arrival of an accomplished manager, while others express skepticism about having a non-Englishman at the helm. Historically, only two foreign managers have led the Three Lions since 1946.
Fabio and Late Sven – Previous England’s Coaches of Foreign Nationality.
Sven-Goran Eriksson from Sweden and Italy’s Fabio Capello. Both had decent tenures but failed to secure silverware, echoing the recent struggles of Gareth Southgate, who came close with two silver medals in the last two European Championships.
The Lack of Talented English Managers
There appears to be a misplaced sense of expectation within the English football hierarchy, from fans to pundits and even the FA itself. For those advocating for another English manager, the question arises: who is a genuinely better option?
Names like Eddie Howe, Sean Dyche, Graham Potter, Rob Edwards, and Gary O’Neil come up, but none have a resume comparable to Tuchel’s. While these managers have shown potential at their respective clubs, the depth of talent among English coaches is lacking. Howe is tied to Newcastle, Dyche to Everton, and Potter has indicated he’s in “no rush” to find a new job. Edwards and O’Neil are also currently employed, but the FA would likely find it easier to negotiate with smaller clubs than with the larger ones.
This leads to the question: is this truly the best England can do, especially after being runners-up in the last two European Championships? The conversation about grassroots coaching development in England deserves further exploration, but for now, it’s crucial to focus on the present.
Gary Neville recently voiced a concern echoed by many:
“We are in a rut when it comes to English coaching. English coaching is one of the least respected among major footballing nations.”
He pointed out that Spanish, German, Italian, and Portuguese coaches are known for their distinct styles and philosophies.
Tuchel is a Good Manager
In response to those insisting that the England manager should be English, it’s vital to consider Tuchel’s impressive accomplishments. He has achieved significant success in a relatively short span, highlighting that it may be time to move away from the romantic notion of a native leading the national team.
Tuchel first made headlines in 2017 when he guided Borussia Dortmund to a German Cup victory. His tenure at Paris Saint-Germain was marked by winning four major titles, including two Ligue 1 championships. He then made history at Chelsea by winning the Champions League, completing an “international treble” with the UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup in 2021. Despite a brief stint at Bayern Munich, Tuchel secured the highly competitive Bundesliga title in the 2022/23 season, totaling nine major honors in just six years.
When compared to the English managers mentioned earlier, the collective achievements of Howe, Dyche, Potter, Edwards, and O’Neil fall short, as they have combined to win only two English Championship titles.
‘One of Our Own’
There’s an undeniable pride when a homegrown player achieves success, whether it’s Trent Alexander-Arnold for Liverpool or Marcus Rashford for Manchester United. Yet, this sentiment doesn’t always translate to coaching roles. Would fans prefer a local manager like John Lundstram over a proven international talent like Argentine World Cup-winner Alexis Mac Allister? Likely not.
It’s essential to differentiate between player eligibility and managerial appointments. Current international setups show that many successful teams are led by non-native coaches. For instance, Italy’s national team has a local coach, Luciano Spalletti, but Belgium and Turkey are led by Italian coaches, while Germany is under Julian Nagelsmann’s management.
Comparing the level of English managers to those in other top footballing nations reveals a gap. The English FA has seized the opportunity with Tuchel, a bold choice that reflects an awareness of the evolving landscape of international football.
Tuchel Needs to Get off to a Strong Start
Thomas Tuchel at Wembley Stadium.
The FA’s decision to bring in Tuchel marks a significant shift in England’s footballing approach. The key now is for him to hit the ground running, implement an engaging style of play, and secure early victories. If he succeeds, the initial skepticism and faux-outrage may quickly dissipate, paving the way for a new, promising chapter in England’s football history. As Tuchel gears up to lead the Three Lions, the hope remains that he will restore confidence and success to a team that has come tantalizingly close in recent years.
