Future England manager: Ex-Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel has reached an agreement to take on the role of manager for the Three Lions.
In a significant development for English football, Thomas Tuchel has reportedly agreed to become the new manager of the England national team. Multiple sources indicate that the Football Association (FA) has successfully concluded negotiations with the former Chelsea boss, who is believed to have accepted the offer after initial contact was made back in July.
Tuchel, who famously guided Chelsea to UEFA Champions League glory in the 2020/21 season, has been without a managerial role since his dismissal at the start of the 2022/23 campaign. His exit from Stamford Bridge came shortly after the club underwent a change in ownership, with Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital taking the reins.
Following his time at Chelsea, Tuchel took charge of Bayern Munich, where he enjoyed a successful tenure. He led the Bavarians to an impressive 11th consecutive Bundesliga title, although the following season saw them finish in second place. Under his guidance, Bayern also reached the semi-finals of the Champions League last season, only to be eliminated by eventual champions Real Madrid.
The 51-year-old German tactician has an impressive track record, having been named the men’s UEFA Coach of the Year for his achievements at Chelsea. His accolades also include two Ligue 1 titles with Paris Saint-Germain during the 2018/19 and 2019/20 seasons.
This news comes amid a swirl of speculation surrounding the England managerial position, which had seen Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola linked with the role. Reports suggested that the FA had made initial inquiries about the Spaniard at the beginning of the season, although Guardiola’s contract with City runs until the end of the 2024/25 campaign.
Other candidates who have been mentioned in connection with the England job include Newcastle United’s Eddie Howe and the recently unemployed Graham Potter. The vacancy arose following Gareth Southgate’s resignation after a disappointing end to his tenure. The 53-year-old stepped down after leading the Three Lions to the Euro 2024 final, where they were narrowly defeated 2-1 by Spain.
In the interim, Lee Carsley has taken charge, overseeing three wins and one defeat in his four UEFA Nations League matches. Following a 3-1 victory over Finland in Helsinki, Carsley remarked, “This job deserves a world-class coach who has won trophies, been there and done it, and I’m still on the path to doing that.”
As the dust settles on Southgate’s departure, the appointment of Tuchel could mark a new chapter for the England national team, with hopes high for success on the international stage.