Is Thomas Tuchel the right man for England in the short term?

It took 100 days from the start of the search, but with Tuchel now being appointed, was the FA’s decision right?

On Wednesday, 16th of October, Thomas Tuchel was announced as the England Manager, with him officially starting in 2025.

It took 100 days from the start of the search, but with Tuchel now being appointed, was the FA’s decision right?

With his remarkable track record, which includes winning the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund and reaching a Champions League Final with PSG, Tuchel’s appointment as England Manager is a beacon of hope. His subsequent triumph in his first season with Chelsea further cements his reputation as a winner in the dugout.

Tuchel brings a wealth of experience in tournament football, albeit at the club level. His deep understanding of knockout football and obsessive, almost nerdy insight into football tactics could be a game-changer for England. This is particularly significant given England’s historical reliance on a single plan in high-stakes games.

Tuchel’s intimate knowledge of the Premier League and his experience of living in England provide a unique advantage. His deep understanding of the nation’s football passion and culture is a significant asset for England, instilling confidence in fans about his suitability for the role.

 Lack of English coaches

The other side to Tuchel being appointed as the England manager is the country’s name on his passport, which will be a matter of discussion because it won’t be an Englishman managing the team. Not to mention that when St George’s Park was built, it was intended to be a pathway to develop more coaches to eventually lead the England team and help young players flourish in the ranks. Tuchel’s experience in developing young talent could be a significant boost to this initiative.

The FA’s predicament is apparent: limited hiring options exist for the England Manager position. The Top choice, Eddie Howe, was unavailable due to Newcastle’s compensation demands. Howe’s commitment to his current project with NUFC and his hands-on approach to player training make him a valuable asset, but one that England cannot currently access. This dilemma highlights the FA’s challenges in securing the right manager for the National team.

However, Graham Potter would have been another option had he still been at Brighton. Still, what happened in his second season in Chelsea dismissed him from candidacy because Potter is another person who works well with young talent and develops them exceptionally well, as evidenced by his work at Brighton.

Then there are names like Russell Martin and Steve Cooper, but again, their management history damages their reputation. Not many England fans would be happy if Russell Martin was appointed, mainly because of Southampton’s position in the Premier League table.

English managers are often overlooked when it comes to getting top jobs, primarily based on their previous performance. Managers are brought in from outside the country primarily because of the football they set their players to deliver on the pitch, their success, and tactical superiority.

British managers have been on the brink of victory. Eddie Howe, managing Newcastle, narrowly missed out on the Carabao Cup, losing in the final in 2023. We’ve also witnessed close calls from Gareth Southgate during his England tenure and Lee Carsley’s U21 triumphs.

The FA’s current strategy is clear-they’re seeking a manager who can deliver a trophy. This strategy, while it may raise some concerns for the future, also holds the potential to inspire a new era of British football success.

The Verdict

Given the circumstances, Tuchel emerges as the best option for the foreseeable future, instilling confidence in the audience about the future of the England team.

With no manager out there wanting to take over the England Job, especially with interim boss Lee Carsley ruling himself out and Tuchel happy to take it on, going with the former Chelsea boss is the right option for the time being.

It is an 18-month contract, meaning he’ll get time to implement his ideas throughout the qualifiers and any potential Nations League playoff games that need to be played in 2025. This contract duration provides a reasonable period for Tuchel to make an impact and potentially renew his contract or for the FA to consider other options from their original shortlist if necessary.

But with that being said, England has appointed a man who knows how to win trophies, which is what the FA wants: an effective knockout football strategy, given how far Tuchel has got with the clubs he has managed,

England has previously taken a foreign approach with managers like Fabio Capello and the late Sven-Goran-Eriksson. 2025, a third tenure with a manager outside of England will begin. This approach, while not traditional, has often brought fresh perspectives and sometimes conflict to the team, and for the time being, it’s the best decision the FA could have made.