Thomas Tuchel press conference LIVE: New England manager says ‘I’m sorry I have a German passport’ | OneFootball

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Thomas Tuchel set to be appointed England manager

England have officially announced Thomas Tuchel as the new manager of the men’s national team, with highly-regarded English coach Anthony Barry as his assistant.

The German succeeds Gareth Southgate as the permanent boss of the side in an eye-catching appointment made by the Football Association (FA). The former Chelsea manager has been out of work since leaving Bayern Munich at the end of last season, but carries real pedigree, leading the Stamford Bridge club to Champions League triumph in 2021 and winning league titles in both Germany and France.

The 51-year-old will lead England into the 2026 World Cup on North American soil having emerged as the FA’s preferred appointment this week – with official confirmation coming on Wednesday morning. A number of candidates, including Pep Guardiola, were sounded out over the vacancy while Lee Carsley performed the duties on an interim basis, but Tuchel fits many of the criteria outlined by the stand-in manager last week.

Having worked closely with captain Harry Kane at Bayern last season, Tuchel will be unveiled as the third foreign holder of the role after Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello, but leading pundit Gary Lineker isn’t sure the Three Lions have made the right choice.

Thomas Tuchel appointed as England manager

Who is Anthony Barry? England’s new assistant to Thomas Tuchel who coached at Chelsea and Bayern Munich

Anthony Barry had to submit a dissertation to achieve his FA Pro Licence, so the young coach studied 16,380 throw-ins and presented his findings to his classmates, who included Frank Lampard and Michael Carrick.

It was 2020, and it would prove to be a formative moment in his career. Lampard brought Barry – then assistant manager at League One’s Wigan Athletic – to work with him at Chelsea, and the Liverpudlian coach stayed on under Lampard’s successors, Thomas Tuchel and then Graham Potter.

Tuchel was so impressed that when he joined Bayern Munich he “bought” Barry from Chelsea for £1m, and put the Englishman in charge of all his set-pieces. In the meantime, Barry worked as a coach under Roberto Martinez at Belgium and then Portugal’s national team, flying between club and national roles with a laptop for each job.

Mike Jones16 October 2024 18:00

Thomas Tuchel on whether or not he will sing English national anthem

New Three Lions manager Thomas Tuchel has been pressed on whether or not he will sing the English national anthem before matches.

The German native, who was today (16 October) officially unveiled as England’s new coach, gave his first press conference about his plans for the national side.

When asked if he will sing the country’s national anthem, the 51-year-old said: “I understand it is a personal decision, there are managers who sing and some who don’t. I have not made my decision yet.

“No matter what decision I take I will always show my respect to the country and a very moving anthem.”

Thomas Tuchel on whether or not he will sing English national anthem

Mike Jones16 October 2024 17:40

Who would Germany’s Thomas Tuchel join on list of overseas England managers?

Fabio Capello (2007-2012)

Overall record: Played 42, won 28, drawn eight, lost six, scored 89, conceded 35, win ratio 66.7 percent.

Tournament record: Last 16 at 2010 World Cup, qualified for Euro 2012.

Strengths: Arrived with a stellar CV and coaching record, having won league titles with AC Milan, Real Madrid, Roma and Juventus. Extensive tactical knowhow produced defensively strong, disciplined teams.

Weaknesses: The English language – he once said he needed only 100 words to communicate with the players. However, that did nothing for his relationship with the media. His man-management was also found wanting as Capello also treated the players like schoolchildren, which was a huge change from his predecessor and not one well-received with the squad who described their 2010 World Cup base as a “luxury prison”.

Mike Jones16 October 2024 17:30

Who would Germany’s Thomas Tuchel join on list of overseas England managers?

Sven-Goran Eriksson (2001-2006)

Record: Played 67, won 40, drawn 17, lost 10, scored 128, conceded 61, win ratio 59.7 percent

Tournament history: 2002 World Cup quarter-final, Euro 2004 quarter-final, 2006 World Cup quarter-final.

Strengths: Loved by the players, to whom he was incredibly loyal, and that helped foster a great team spirit and character. Calm under pressure, both on the field and off it with the media after a number of stories about his private life.

Weaknesses: His loyalty to chosen players in a settled squad often left him hamstrung or reluctant to bring in wildcard selections. The style of football was not very entertaining and was criticised for not getting more out of England’s ‘golden generation’.

Mike Jones16 October 2024 17:20

Thomas Tuchel unveiled as new England manager

(The FA via Getty Images)

(The FA via Getty Images)

(The FA via Getty Images)

Mike Jones16 October 2024 17:10

Can Tuchel win the World Cup?

Thomas Tuchel will be the England men’s national team’s 16th different permanent manager and just the third non-Englishman after Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello.

According to Opta, Eriksson boasted a 59.7% winning record while Italy’s Capello’s was an impressive 66.7%. Tuchel has a 57.3% win percentage across 578 games as a manager with his best being 74.8% during his time with PSG.

These stats point to something but it’s unclear whether they will transfer to Tuchel actually winning the World Cup with England.

Mike Jones16 October 2024 17:00

Ferdinand says Tuchel will ‘galvanise players’

Rio Ferdinand says the England players are likely to have feelings of “anxiety and apprehension kicking in” knowing that Thomas Tuchel is now the head coach.

“They want to be led to the promised land,” Ferdinand posted on X, formerly Twitter. “I know for a fact that these players will be sat there ringing each other and asking ‘what is he like?’ They will be calling all of their mates that have played under him.

“All of the players will be questioning themselves and asking whether they are what he likes. It will invigorate and galvanize some players but there will be a little of bit of anxiety and apprehension kicking in.”