News: Tuchel announced as new England manager
Thomas Tuchel has been named as England's new manager
The 51-year-old German has signed an 18-month contract which will start on January 1st 2025. This makes him the third non-British coach to take permanent charge of the men’s team, following in the footsteps of Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello.
Gareth Southgate stepped down from the role in July after England’s loss to Spain in the Euro 2024 final.
Lee Carsley, who has overseen four matches as interim manager since his appointment in August, will continue to lead the team for their Nations League fixtures against Greece and the Republic of Ireland next month.
The best man for the job?
The FA's decision to appoint Thomas Tuchel as England manager will likely be seen by some as a betrayal of the widely promoted pathway from St George’s Park to the top. Is this a snub to homegrown coaching talent?
Tuchel, a German, will replace Gareth Southgate, who held the role for eight years after previously managing the England Under-21s. Like Southgate, interim manager Lee Carsley has also risen through the FA’s development ranks.
Tuchel’s appointment marks a bold departure from the FA’s 'DNA' philosophy, introduced a decade ago by Dan Ashworth, then the FA’s director of elite development. This initiative was meant to embed a consistent approach across all England teams.
Following England’s second consecutive loss in a European Championship final this summer, their long wait for a major men’s trophy continues—stretching back to the 1966 World Cup. For some, Tuchel’s arrival will be seen as a pragmatic move, but for others, it may feel like abandoning long-held principles in favour of a short-term solution ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
My opinion: The England manager doesn't need to be English
Should the England manager be English? That’s likely to be a major talking point surrounding Tuchel's appointment, but it's hard to argue that the FA hasn’t brought in one of the top figures in world football with a proven track record of success.
England’s national football team isn’t a testing ground or a vanity project—it exists to win trophies. It’s been 58 years since the men’s team last achieved that, and after coming close under Southgate, a change was clearly needed.
When England’s women won Euro 2022 under Dutch coach Sarina Wiegman, her nationality wasn’t an issue—it was a moment of national celebration. Ultimately, Tuchel is probably the best man for the job and I am excited for the direction he can take England in before the World Cup.
