Thomas Tuchel’s tenure as England’s new head coach has certainly been a topic of discussion, with some surprising twists along the way.

Though his first few months have come under scrutiny, especially for working from Germany, the feedback from the FA has been overwhelmingly positive.

Tuchel’s Strong Start with England

Having officially taken over from Gareth Southgate in January 2025, Tuchel’s impact has been more significant than many expected.

Despite facing early criticism when news broke that he was working remotely from Germany, his commitment to the role has impressed FA executives.

Mark Bullingham, the FA’s CEO, recently praised Tuchel for the drive and energy he’s already shown since stepping into the job.

Bullingham described Tuchel’s start as “brilliant,” noting how the German coach had quickly gotten up to speed.

“He’s been up there [at St George’s Park] a lot and spent a lot of time with people,” Bullingham said.

“He’s living in London and based up at St George’s Park, and we’re delighted with him.”

Building Connections and Crafting His First Squad

Tuchel has been busy preparing for his first international matches, drawing up a 55-man longlist ahead of the World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia.

The upcoming matches, scheduled for March 21 and 24, will mark his first major tests as England’s head coach.

Among the names on his radar are rising Arsenal stars Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri, who could earn their first call-ups.

The new manager has been actively connecting with players, both domestic and international, to build a solid rapport before these crucial fixtures.

Bullingham noted that Tuchel was aware of the importance of relationships and player connections from the very start. “He’s put a lot of effort into that,” Bullingham added.

“It’s not only the players in England. It’s players playing abroad as well.”

Tuchel’s Contract and Future with England

Tuchel, who signed an 18-month contract with the FA, has always worked on relatively short-term deals, as seen during his time at Bayern Munich.

Bullingham hinted that the FA may consider extending the contract beyond the current term depending on how Tuchel fares.

“He always said, ‘I might be here for 10 years, but I’ll only ever sign up in two-year cycles,’” Bullingham explained, signaling the potential for a longer stay if Tuchel’s tenure continues to prove successful.

Mason Greenwood Makes His Decision

Meanwhile, in a separate but notable development, Mason Greenwood’s decision to switch his international allegiance to Jamaica was confirmed.

Greenwood, who had only one senior England cap, made the move after impressive performances with Marseille, where he’s been a standout with 15 goals in Ligue 1.

The striker’s decision marks the end of his hopes of playing for England again, following his disciplinary issues in the past.

When asked if Greenwood’s decision was prompted by a lack of communication from the FA, Bullingham clarified that there was no indication that Greenwood wouldn’t be called up.

“It’s a personal decision by him,” Bullingham stated.

Supporting Referees and Proposing Bodycams for the Premier League

Lastly, Bullingham expressed his support for the idea of bodycams for Premier League referees.

This topic gained attention following a controversial incident involving Liverpool’s manager Arne Slot, who was fined £70,000 and handed a two-match ban after an angry outburst at referee Michael Oliver.

Bullingham believes bodycams could help improve the accountability and transparency of match officiating.

“I personally think it’s good and something which should be trialled,” he said, adding that it could initially be tested without audio before being extended in the future.

Tuchel’s Journey as England Manager Continues

As Tuchel prepares for his first big challenge with England, his early months show promise, despite some off-field controversies.

The FA remains optimistic about his leadership and the potential for a successful era under his guidance.

With fresh talent on the horizon and a manager dedicated to building connections, England’s future under Tuchel could be very bright.