England manager Thomas Tuchel will lead the Three Lions in their first World Cup match in Dallas tonight against Croatia. The team aims to end 60 years of hurt on North American soil after quarter-final elimination in Qatar 2022 and a semi-final in Russia 2018.
Tuchel's Managerial Career
Tuchel succeeded Sir Gareth Southgate in October 2024, becoming only the third non-British permanent manager of England, after Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello. He previously managed top clubs including Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea, winning the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, Club World Cup, and league titles in France and Germany.
Personal Life: Divorce from Sissi
Tuchel's marriage to journalist Sissi ended in 2022 after 13 years. The couple wed in 2009 and have two daughters, Emma and Kim. Sissi had moved to Surrey to be closer to Tuchel during his Chelsea tenure. Tuchel said at the time: "It was a long summer, but I was in Paris to help my family move the house... Now it is good that they have joined me."
By April 2022, reconciliation was impossible, and divorce papers were filed. A source told the Mail on Sunday: "Sissi and Thomas have tried to avoid splitting, but in the end, there was no other way." The breakdown reportedly affected Chelsea players' view of Tuchel, who was sacked six months later.
New Relationship with Natalie Max
Weeks after the divorce announcement, Tuchel began dating Brazilian mother-of-two Natalie Max, 13 years his junior (Tuchel is 52). They were photographed in Sardinia in summer 2022 at a £20,000-per-night villa. Their relationship started in May 2022, a month after his marriage ended. Associates describe them as "very much in love." Max, a director at consulting firm Natexo, maintains a low profile but supports Tuchel from stadium stands.
