Former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel has reportedly made his decision regarding the England national team job. Following Gareth Southgate’s departure after Euro 2024, the Football Association (FA) has been searching for a successor, and Tuchel appears to be the chosen one.
Southgate stepped down from his role after leading England to several successful campaigns, including a Euro 2020 final appearance and a World Cup semi-final in 2018, but ultimately decided to part ways after the European Championship this summer.
Since Southgate’s departure, Lee Carsley has been managing the team on an interim basis. Carsley has guided the Three Lions through four Nations League matches, with a notable 3-1 victory over Finland in their most recent outing.
However, the FA has been actively pursuing a permanent replacement for Southgate, and several high-profile names have been linked to the job, including Tuchel.
Tuchel, who previously managed Chelsea and led them to a Champions League triumph, has been one of the top candidates for the role, given his vast experience and success at some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
According to a report by The Times, Tuchel has *agreed* to become England’s new manager after successful talks with the FA. The deal is said to have reached a ‘rapid conclusion,’ and the 51-year-old is expected to be officially unveiled later this week.
This makes Tuchel the first German-born manager to take charge of the England national team, and only the third foreign manager in its history, following in the footsteps of Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello.
Tuchel has been without a managerial role since leaving Bayern Munich at the end of the previous season. Before that, he managed Chelsea and also had stints at Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
His track record includes multiple trophies, including league titles and cup wins, as well as his triumph in the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021.
It is also reported that Tuchel had held discussions with Manchester United over the summer about potentially replacing Erik ten Hag, whose future at the club was uncertain at the time.
Manchester United reportedly made it clear that Tuchel would be their top choice if they decided to part ways with ten Hag. However, with the Dutchman securing a contract extension at Old Trafford, Tuchel was free to pursue the England job.
The FA had also explored other options, including Manchester City’s manager Pep Guardiola, who is regarded as one of the world’s best coaches. Guardiola’s current contract with City is set to expire at the end of the 2023-2024 season, but he declined to give a definitive answer on whether he would be interested in the England job, which opened the door for Tuchel.
Tuchel’s appointment aligns with the FA’s desire for a “world-class coach who has won trophies,” a requirement highlighted by interim boss Lee Carsley after England’s recent win over Finland.
With Tuchel now at the helm, there is much anticipation about how he will lead the England squad, given his tactical acumen and success at the highest levels of European football.
Fans and pundits alike will be eager to see how Tuchel’s leadership will shape the future of the England national team, especially as they aim to build on the solid foundation laid by Southgate.
The coming weeks will likely see Tuchel officially take charge and begin preparations for upcoming fixtures, marking the start of a new era for England football.
