Thomas Tuchel has officially been appointed as the new England manager. The German coach will succeed Gareth Southgate in the long term and will assume his duties from Lee Carsley, who has been serving as the interim manager since Southgate's resignation in the summer. Tuchel's tenure will commence on 1 January and will span an 18-month contract. The Football Association has announced that he will be supported by Anthony Barry, an internationally acclaimed English coach.
"I am deeply honored to be entrusted with the responsibility of leading the England team," Tuchel stated. "I have always felt a strong personal connection to the football culture in this country, which has already provided me with unforgettable experiences. The opportunity to represent England is a tremendous privilege, and the prospect of working with this exceptional and gifted group of players is incredibly exciting."
Mark Bullingham, the FA's chief executive, expressed his enthusiasm about the appointment, saying, "We are delighted to have secured Thomas Tuchel, one of the world's finest coaches, and Anthony Barry, one of the best English coaches, to assist him. Our recruitment process was meticulous. Prior to the Euros, we had a contingency plan and clearly defined the attributes we sought in a coach.
Since Gareth's departure, we have carefully reviewed the candidate pool, meeting with several coaches and evaluating them against our criteria. Thomas stood out due to his extensive expertise and his drive. Anthony is a top English talent with international experience, having worked with the Republic of Ireland, Belgium, and Portugal."
Tuchel has been without a job since his departure from Bayern Munich in May, which means no compensation was required, likely enhancing his appeal to the FA. At 51, he becomes England's third foreign manager, following Sven-Göran Eriksson and Fabio Capello. This appointment marks a return to working in the UK for the former Chelsea manager, who led the club to Champions League victory in 2021 and speaks fluent English. He also has experience working with captain Harry Kane during their time together at Bayern.
Barry, who had been an assistant to Portugal's manager, Roberto Martínez, expressed his excitement, saying, "For any English footballer, working with the national team is the ultimate goal, and I didn't hesitate when Thomas asked me to join him again. I am well aware of the exceptional facilities at St. George's Park and the advantages they provide to our England teams, as well as the support they offer to coaches.
This squad is brimming with talent and has done so much to unite the country. I am eager to meet and collaborate with them on this thrilling project."
