World Cup bonus included? 

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For the first time since 2010 under Fabio Capello, England will have a foreign manager in the dugout. German Thomas Tuchel has been confirmed as the new Three Lions boss this Wednesday following successful talks with the Football Association (FA). Tuchel is one of the most decorated managers in Europe, and has been out of work since stepping down as head coach of Bayern Munich at the end of last season, following their first trophy-less campaign in over a decade. The 51-year-old’s backroom team is expected to be a combination of both his and FA staff, while England’s current interim manager Lee Carsley said last week that he hoped to return to the position as head coach of England’s U21s. Tuchel’s contract is though to include a bonus for winning the World Cup. The next tournament will be in the summer of 2026 across the USA, Mexico and Canada.

He will be assisted by internationally-renowned English coach Anthony Barry, and the pair will begin their work with the team on January 1, 2025. In the official England statement, FA CEO Mark Bullingham said: “We are thrilled to have hired Thomas Tuchel, one of the best coaches in the world and Anthony Barry who is one of the best English coaches to support him. Our recruitment process has been very thorough. Thomas was very impressive and stood out with his vast expertise and his drive. Anthony is a top English talent and also has international experience with Republic of Ireland, Belgium and Portugal.”

Thomas Tuchel added: “I am very proud to have been given the honour of leading the England team. I have long felt a personal connection to the game in this country, and it has given me some incredible moments already. To have the chance to represent England is a huge privilege, and the opportunity to work with this special and talented group of players is very exciting. Working closely with Anthony as my assistant coach, we will do everything we can to make England successful and the supporters proud. I want to thank the FA, in particular Mark and John, for their trust and I am looking forward to starting our journey together.”

Pep Guardiola had reportedly been the FA’s top choice to replace Gareth Southgate and the admiration for the Catalan remains, but Tuchel will now be the man vilified for his every move as England manager. When England have turned to non-English bosses before it hasn’t quite panned out – Sven-Goran Eriksson failed to get the “Golden generation” past a quarter-final, whilst Capello’s rein was a disaster culminating in an embarrassing 4-1 round of 16 defeat to Germany in the 2010 World Cup. But with Tuchel, England have a seriously adept tournament knockout manager on their hands, and with the most valuable national team in world football in his hands, could the former Chelsea manager finally be the man to lead England to major tournament glory?

More to follow…