Thomas Tuchel has been officially introduced as England’s new permanent head coach, immediately facing questions from the media about his loyalty and connection to the country. The former Chelsea manager was named as Gareth Southgate’s long-term replacement during a press conference held on Wednesday afternoon.
With this appointment, Tuchel becomes the third foreign coach to take charge of the England national team, following in the footsteps of Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello. His selection has ignited controversy, with some observers questioning why the job did not go to an English manager.
One notable voice of dissent came from ex-England star Gary Neville, who expressed his concerns: “I do think we are hurting ourselves by assuming that Thomas Tuchel is automatically a better choice than any of the English coaches. Yes, he’s one of the top coaches, but we’ve also got outstanding English managers like Eddie Howe at Newcastle and Graham Potter. I believe they would have been deserving candidates for this role.”
During the unveiling, Tuchel faced a question about his suitability for the position and whether he would sing “God Save The King” during his first match as England head coach. Tuchel’s response was measured: “Mark Bullingham [FA Chief Executive] explained to me that singing the anthem is a personal choice. I haven’t made a decision yet, but I understand how moving the English national anthem is, having experienced it firsthand during FA Cup finals. I will always show the utmost respect to the country and its traditions. As this is a significant matter, I’ll take some time to decide.”
This exchange quickly made waves on social media, with many fans voicing their opinions. One fan expressed their frustration on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “Typical that a journalist would ask Tuchel if he’s going to sing the anthem. What does that have to do with football?” Another fan praised Tuchel’s response, stating, “His answer was perfect – respectful and thoughtful.” Others questioned the relevance of the inquiry, with one fan commenting, “Who cares if he sings the national anthem? It’s not even his country. Let’s focus on football.”
Many supporters echoed these sentiments, suggesting the debate over whether Tuchel should sing the anthem detracted from more important footballing issues. “Why should he sing it? He’s German!” one user remarked. “The focus should be on the team’s performance, not this kind of nonsense.”
When asked about his objectives for the England squad, Tuchel emphasized his respect for the foundations laid by his predecessor: “We’re going to build on the culture Gareth established. The team has been incredibly stable and consistent under his leadership. Look at the recent tournament results—it’s impressive. The Under-21s are winning titles, the younger teams are competing to win, and the women’s team is bringing home trophies. England is in a great place.”
Tuchel also praised the FA’s infrastructure and emphasized how it played a crucial role in his decision to accept the job: “The strength of the FA and its commitment to success was a major factor in taking this role. I’m eager to learn and bring my ideas to the national team. Coaching at the international level is different from club football, but having the support of such a strong organization behind me is key. I believe we can do something special together.”
The road ahead for Tuchel will be closely watched, as he attempts to maintain England’s strong tournament form while bringing his own unique style and experience to the national team. With a blend of admiration and skepticism surrounding his appointment, the coming months will reveal whether he can successfully navigate the pressures of leading one of football’s most high-profile national teams.