Thomas Tuchel has been named the new manager of the England men’s football team, with his appointment set to begin on 1 January 2025. The 51-year-old German has agreed to an 18-month contract, making him only the third non-British coach to take charge of the team, following Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello.
Tuchel’s appointment comes after Gareth Southgate stepped down in July, following England’s loss to Spain in the Euro 2024 final. Interim coach Lee Carsley, who has led England in four matches since August, will continue to oversee the squad for their upcoming Nations League fixtures against Greece and the Republic of Ireland in November.
Expressing his excitement, Tuchel said, “I am incredibly proud to be given the responsibility of leading the England team. My connection with football in this country is strong, and I’ve already experienced some unforgettable moments here.”
Tuchel, who previously managed Chelsea and Bayern Munich, will bring his experience from top clubs to the national side. “This is a huge opportunity to work with a very special group of players, and I’m eager to get started,” he added.
Football Association (FA) chief executive Mark Bullingham praised Tuchel as one of the world’s best coaches, emphasizing the shared goal of winning the 2026 World Cup. England will begin their qualification campaign for the tournament, which will be hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, next year.
The FA reportedly considered several high-profile candidates before selecting Tuchel as their preferred choice. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was approached during the summer, and names like Eddie Howe of Newcastle United and former Chelsea and Brighton coach Graham Potter were also linked to the position.
Despite this, Tuchel emerged as the top candidate after a thorough interview process, with the FA board officially approving the decision last week. He signed the contract on 8 October, though the announcement was delayed until after the recent international break, in order to avoid disrupting the squad’s preparations.
Anthony Barry, an English coach who has worked with Tuchel at both Chelsea and Bayern, will join him as assistant coach. Carsley will return to his role as England Under-21 manager once Tuchel takes over the senior team in January.
Tuchel has had a decorated managerial career, winning domestic cups in Germany with Borussia Dortmund and securing two French league titles at Paris St-Germain, where he also achieved a domestic treble in the 2019-20 season. His time at Chelsea saw him claim the Champions League, Club World Cup, and Uefa Super Cup before his dismissal in 2022.
Although his stint at Bayern Munich ended after they failed to secure the Bundesliga title last season, Tuchel’s ability to lead teams to silverware is well-established. With England not having won a major tournament since their 1966 World Cup triumph, hopes are high that he can lead the current generation of talented players to success on the world stage.