England divided as Thomas Tuchel appointed new Three Lions manager

England have appointed a new manager, sparking divided reaction in the football world as the Three Lions look to break a 68-year drought.

Thomas Tuchel was named England’s new manager overnight on Wednesday, with the Football Association turning to the German to try to land their first major football trophy since 1966.

Former Chelsea manager Tuchel will start in the role from January 1, 2025.

The 51-year-old, who has been out of work since leaving Bayern Munich at the end of last season, succeeds Englishman Gareth Southgate as permanent coach and becomes the third foreign manager of the Three Lions after Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello.

“I’m sorry, I have a German passport,” Tuchel said of crossing the divide of one of international football’s biggest rivalries to manage England.

Tuchel, who has also coached Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain, has the trophy-winning pedigree that the FA is seeking to help end a 58-year wait to win a major tournament since the 1966 World Cup on home soil.

The highlight of the German’s career to date came during his spell in English football when he won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021.

However, the FA’s move has drawn criticism over their unwillingness to trust an Englishman with its top job overseeing a richly-talented generation of players including Jude Bellingham who will be among the favourites for the 2026 World Cup.

Southgate resigned shortly after losing the Euro 2024 final to Spain in July, following an eight-year reign that made England a force again on the international stage.

Tuchel will be assisted by English coach Anthony Barry, who worked alongside him at Bayern.

“I am very proud to have been given the honour of leading the England team,” Tuchel said in a FA statement.

“I have long felt a personal connection to the game in this country, and it has given me some incredible moments already.

“To have the chance to represent England is a huge privilege, and the opportunity to work with this special and talented group of players is very exciting.”

Sky Germany reported he will sign an 18-month deal, taking him to the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup.

Thomas Tuchel is the new manager of England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

England will be coached by a German. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Tuchel won league titles at PSG and Bayern and the German Cup with Dortmund, but his greatest success came during his time at Chelsea.

On top of leading the Blues to Champions League glory just months after taking charge, he also won the UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup with the London club.

A self-confessed Anglophile, Tuchel recently said he felt “more appreciated” in England than his homeland.

But he was sacked in September 2022 in a bold early move by Chelsea’s new ownership group that did not pay off.

Just six months later he was appointed Bayern boss and led them to an 11th consecutive Bundesliga title.

However, Tuchel also oversaw the demise of Bayern’s dominance of German football in a first trophyless campaign for 12 years last season.

England captain Harry Kane was signed by Tuchel for Bayern last year and scored 44 goals in 45 matches under his tutelage.

“Obviously, I know Thomas well from last year. Fantastic coach, fantastic person,” said Kane when asked about the possibility of a reunion.

Lee Carsley was put in temporary charge of England in August following Southgate’s resignation and will remain in place for Nations League fixtures against the Republic of Ireland and Greece next month.

However, the FA were keen to stress a shock 2-1 defeat to Greece last week played no part in their decision as Tuchel signed his contract on October 8, two days before that match.

Bullingham and Tuchel are set to face the media later at Wembley.

England haven’t a major trophy since 1966. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

England reacts to Tuchel appointment

Tuchel’s appointment has not been universally welcomed as the Daily Mail labelled Tuchel’s arrival as a “dark day for England.”

The Sun though printed the English fans’ chant “it’s coming home” in German on its front page.

Tuchel will not begin his contract till January 1, 2025, meaning Carsley is set to lead England once more for Nations League games against Greece and the Republic of Ireland next month.

“Tuchel will have looked at this squad and thought there is so much talent in there, this is an unbelievable opportunity of winning the greatest trophy of all,” said former England striker Gary Lineker.

“I would have given the job to Carsley. I have seen enough to suggest the players really trust him, that he’s imaginative enough to produce something that is a joy to watch — entertaining front-footed football.” However, there were a lack of outstanding English candidates for the role. The last homegrown manager to win the English top-flight division was Howard Wilkinson as Leeds boss in 1992, prior to the formation of the Premier League.

Graham Potter, who has been out of work since being sacked by Chelsea in April 2023, and Newcastle’s Eddie Howe were linked to the role.

But it was reported earlier this week that the FA had also sounded out Manchester City’s Spanish manager Pep Guardiola about his interest in the position.

Thomas Tuchel had success with Chelsea. (Photo by Jurij Kodrun/Getty Images)

“The point is we don’t have an English candidate strong enough to take that job,” said Linkeker.

Former captain and legendary striker Alan Shearer believes England need to win the World Cup to justify Tuchel’s appointment.

“We need a trophy, it’s as simple as that. We need a manager who can deliver that,” Shearer told The Rest Is Football podcast.

“There’s no doubt (Tuchel) has an incredible CV, but this is going to be a very different test for him. It’s a bold move from the FA (Football Association), there’s no doubt about it.

“You have to win the tournament, that’s what he’s been hired for. They (the FA) have seen the bunch of players are the best England have had for a long, long time.”

Piers Morgan wrote on X: “Anyone watching this press conference with Thomas Tuchel who still thinks we should have ‘gone English’ with our new manager is living in Cloud ‘Little Englander’ Cuckoo Land.

“So incredibly impressive. So perfectly qualified. He’s a brilliant choice.”

Gareth Southgate resigned after the Euros. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP)

He came close but couldn’t snag a trophy. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

England captain Harry Kane is looking forward to a reunion with the coach that signed him for Bayern Munich last year.

“I think it’s a really great appointment,” he said.

“I worked closely with him last season and think he’s a really top, top coach and also a great person. He’ll bring a lot of energy to the squad and experience.”

“You have to win the tournament, that’s what he’s been hired for,” said Kane.

“They (the FA) have seen the bunch of players are the best England have had for a long, long time.”

“Tuchel will have looked at this squad and thought there is so much talent in there, this is an unbelievable opportunity of winning the greatest trophy of all.”

British Prime Minister and Arsenal fan Keir Starmer welcomed the former Chelsea manager.

“England have a brilliant manager, but I think he should be English,” PM Keir said.

“My feeling is that the whole point of international football, certainly with the major nations who compete for the tournaments, is that it’s your best versus their best.

“We are in a rut when it comes to English coaching, said former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher on the debate over hiring a foreign manager.

“English coaching is one of the least respected big nations in Europe when it comes to taking charge of a football team. Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese coaches are renowned for their styles of play, for their philosophy.”

Ex-Manchester United captain Gary Neville believes the FA missed the chance to promote an English coach.

Originally published as England divided as Thomas Tuchel appointed new Three Lions manager