The Football Association (FA) has officially confirmed the appointment of German coach Thomas Tuchel as the new manager of the England national football team.
Tuchel, who has previously managed top European clubs such as Chelsea and Bayern Munich, has signed an 18-month contract that will run until the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup, set to be hosted across the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
According to Goal, the German manager and former player, Tuchel is scheduled to assume his role with the England squad starting January 1, 2025.
In a video message from Wembley Stadium, Tuchel addressed the English fans for the first time, saying: “Hi everyone, Thomas here. I’m feeling a bit nervous, as this is my first message as the England head coach. I’m standing here at Wembley—where else would I be? There’s definitely some nerves, but I think that’s a positive sign.”
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He continued by expressing his enthusiasm for the new role: “I can assure you I’m incredibly excited and deeply honoured by this opportunity. I’ll give everything I have to ensure we first qualify for the World Cup and then aim for a successful tournament. Our goal is clear: to try and bring a second star to our shirt. All the best, and I look forward to seeing you all in the stadium soon.”
However, the FA’s decision to appoint Tuchel has faced some criticism. Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp publicly voiced his concerns, arguing that the FA should have selected an English candidate instead of a foreign coach. He also questioned whether Tuchel’s experience at the highest levels of international football would be sufficient for this prestigious role.
For the time being, interim coach Lee Carsley will continue to lead the England squad, including captain Harry Kane and his teammates, for two upcoming Nations League matches against Greece and Ireland on November 14 and 17. Carsley will remain in charge until Tuchel officially takes over at the beginning of the new year.