Thomas Tuchel Appointed as New England Manager
Thomas Tuchel has been appointed as the new head coach of the England men’s national football team, taking over from interim manager Lee Carsley. The 51-year-old German coach will officially start his role on January 1, 2025, with Englishman Anthony Barry serving as his assistant.
Tuchel, who previously managed Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayern Munich, becomes the third foreign manager to lead the Three Lions, following in the footsteps of Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello.
He brings a wealth of experience to the role, having won major trophies across Europe, including two Ligue 1 titles with Paris Saint-Germain and the German Cup with Borussia Dortmund. His tenure at Chelsea saw him guide the team to Champions League glory in 2021, though he was sacked in 2022.
The Football Association (FA) announced Tuchel’s appointment just over two months after England’s defeat in the Euro 2024 final against Spain, which led to Gareth Southgate’s resignation.
Tuchel will be tasked with leading England through the 2026 World Cup qualification campaign, and FA CEO Mark Bullingham has high hopes for his leadership.
"Thomas and the team have a single-minded focus on giving us the best possible chance to win the World Cup in 2026," Bullingham said.
Tuchel signed an 18-month contract after being selected as the FA’s "preferred candidate" following interviews with several top managers. Notable candidates included Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola, Newcastle United’s Eddie Howe, and former Chelsea boss Graham Potter. Tuchel’s assistant, Anthony Barry, worked with him during his time at Chelsea and Bayern Munich and has also served with Portugal, Belgium, and the Republic of Ireland.
Tuchel excited to work with England team
Tuchel described his new role as an "honour" and "huge privilege."
He expressed excitement about working with England's talented players, saying, "I have long felt a personal connection to the game in this country... To have the chance to represent England is a huge privilege, and the opportunity to work with this special and talented group of players is very exciting."
Lee Carsley, who has overseen England for four matches since Southgate's departure, will remain in charge for the upcoming Nations League fixtures against Greece and the Republic of Ireland in November. Carsley will then return to his role as manager of the England Under-21 team once Tuchel takes over in January.
The appointment of Tuchel has generated excitement among fans and figures within English football, including Prince William, who tweeted, "Exciting times for @England, with a generation of talented players and a new manager taking the reins. Thomas, wishing you the best of luck, we’re all behind you!"
With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, Tuchel faces the challenge of ending England's long trophy drought. The team has not won a major international tournament since the 1966 World Cup, but with Tuchel at the helm, fans are hopeful that the wait for glory could soon be over.
