After months of anticipation, Thomas Tuchel has officially started his tenure as England’s head coach on January 1, 2025.
The German coach’s appointment was announced in October, but his contract, which runs for 18 months, only formally began today.
This deal will see Tuchel guide the England team through to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
A New Era After Southgate’s Departure
Tuchel takes over from Gareth Southgate, who had a highly successful eight-year spell as England’s head coach.
Southgate led the Three Lions to two European Championship finals, as well as the semi-finals and quarter-finals of the World Cup.
Tuchel’s arrival marks a new chapter for England, as the 51-year-old is now the third foreign coach in the nation’s history, following in the footsteps of Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello.
Upcoming Challenges and First Games
One of Tuchel’s first official duties came in December when he attended the World Cup qualifying draw in Zurich.
England has been placed in a group with Serbia, Albania, Latvia, and Andorra, with their qualifying campaign set to begin in March 2025.
Tuchel’s debut match as the England boss will be against Albania on March 21, followed by a fixture against Latvia three days later.
Tuchel’s Optimism and Approach to the Role
Tuchel expressed his excitement about starting his role, saying, “I feel full of energy and I can’t wait to be back on the pitch and be close to players and feel them and feel the dressing room. It’s the best place you can be.”
He is eager to prove himself in the role, which has received a mixed reaction due to his foreign background.
Looking Ahead to Squad Selection
Tuchel plans to meet with Lee Carsley, who temporarily filled in as England’s head coach following Southgate’s departure.
Despite being confirmed as the new manager, Tuchel did not attend the final matches of Carsley’s interim spell.
As Tuchel prepares to name his first England squad, he has promised to give players a fresh start under his leadership.
This could potentially see Arsenal’s Ben White return to the national team fold.
Tuchel’s Impressive Club Career
Though this will be Tuchel’s first experience managing an international team, his club career is nothing short of stellar.
He has managed top clubs such as Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund, PSG, and Bayern Munich, with his most notable achievement being leading Chelsea to a Champions League victory in 2021.
He has also won league titles in France with PSG and in Germany with Bayern Munich.
Tuchel’s Ambition for England
When Tuchel was first unveiled as England’s head coach, he spoke about his ambition to add a ‘second star’ to England’s shirt by guiding the team to glory at the 2026 World Cup.
He will be supported in his role by Anthony Barry, the English coach who worked with him at both Chelsea and Bayern Munich.
Tuchel’s arrival brings a fresh sense of hope and anticipation for the England team as they prepare for the challenges ahead on the road to the 2026 World Cup.
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