The German Thomas Tuchel (51), former coach of Paris SG, Chelsea and Bayern Munich in particular, will be the coach of the England team from January 1, 2025, the federation of vice-presidents announced on Wednesday 16 reigning European champions.
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Thomas Tuchel succeeds Gareth Southgate, in office from 2016 to 2024, and Lee Carsley, whose interim position is extended until the November rally inclusive, during which the selection of the “Three Lions” will complete its group stage in the League of Nations. nations.
Thomas Tuchel will become the third foreign coach in the history of the “Three Lions” after the Swede Sven-Goran Eriksson (2001-2006) and the Italian Fabio Capello (2007-2012). He will be accompanied by Anthony Barry, an English coach native of Liverpool who worked with him at Chelsea and Bayern Munich. “ The pair will begin work on January 1, 2025 in preparation for the World Cup qualifying campaign 2026 planned for Canada, Mexico and the United States “, indicated the English federation in a press release. The length of his contract has not been specified.
A flattering reputation in England
In England, Tuchel enjoys a flattering reputation after winning the Champions League with the Londoners Chelsea in 2021, beating Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the final. The England team has not won anything since the 1966 World Cup played at home. “ I’m very honored and will do everything we can to qualify for the World Cup and then try to put a second star on our jersey “, declared Tuchel, in a video published on the federation’s X account.
Under Gareth Southgate, the English reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, the final of the Euro in 2021 (defeat on penalties against Italy at Wembley), the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup, and again the Euro final in 2024 (2-1 defeat against Spain).
The Football Association (FA) carried out a recruitment campaign in the greatest secrecy after the departure of the English coach, entrusting the reins of the team to Lee Carsley, coach of the Espoirs, who returned to his position at the end of this interim period. . “ The confidential process, during which several candidates were interviewed, was led by Mark Bullingham, chief executive of the FA, and John McDermott, technical director of the men’s team, and Tuchel was identified as the preferred candidate », Specified the federation.
His recruitment was validated by the board of directors. at the beginning of last week » and Tuchel, without a position since his departure from Bayern in May, « signed his contract Tuesday October 8 ”, it is written. “ The announcement was delayed to reduce disruptions related to the recently concluded international internship “.