Thomas Tuchel has said he would be 'very interested' in taking charge of England at the World Cup, despite being German and not having the same emotional connection to the national team as his predecessor Gareth Southgate. The former Chelsea manager, who led the Blues to Champions League glory in 2021, is currently out of work after leaving Bayern Munich.
Tuchel, 52, is described as a 'footballaholic' and has a reputation for being intense and eccentric. He has previously spoken of his love for England, saying he enjoys the humour, way of life, and even pretending to be Chris Waddle as a child. However, he does not sing the national anthem and has said he feels 'too shy' to join in.
Unlike Southgate, who often spoke about politics and healing the nation, Tuchel is not interested in such matters. His title is head coach rather than manager, and he is seen as less burdened by the weight of England's tournament history. The FA's technical director John McDermott has praised Tuchel's warmth and tactileness, saying he 'comes alive' when talking about the team.
Tuchel's potential appointment would mark a departure from the Southgate era, but he is not an outsider to English football. He has managed in the Premier League and has a deep appreciation for the country's culture. Whether he can end England's 60 years of hurt remains to be seen, but he is certainly not lacking in ambition.
