Has the FA made the right choice? Charismatic Thomas Tuchel coached football teams at the highest level, but has also been a controversial and divisive figure.
England appoints first German manager
Has the FA made the right choice? Charismatic Thomas Tuchel coached football teams at the highest level, but has also been a controversial and divisive figure.
The England manager Gareth Southgate stands in the Olympiastadion in Berlin, his face long and head bowed. His team have lost the Euro finals for the second time in a row. Two days later, he resigns.
Fast forward three months and England have a new manager. Thomas Tuchel, the former coach at Chelsea and Bayern Munich, has been chosen for the job.
Tuchel was born in a small town in Bavaria. He played in the lower leagues of German football, until a chronicA condition which recurs over time, or lasts for several years. knee injury caused early retirement. But this injury was a blessing, as he discovered a talent for coaching. 1
First he coached youth teams, next it was BundesligaGermany's top tier football league is comprised of 18 teams and is ranked third in Europe behind Spain and England. It has the highest attendance levels of any football league in the world. sides. Afterwards, there were Ligue 1 and Champions League successes with Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea. According to respected punditAn expert in a particular subject or field, who is often asked to give their opinions to the public. Jonathan Northcroft, "Knockout games are his forte."2
Tuchel avoids beer and wine and eats mostly vegetarian food.3 He is a proud Bavarian, but also an anglophileA person who greatly admires England or Britain., explaining: "I've felt more appreciation in England."4
However, his career has been controversial. Critics claim that Tuchel has short-term victories, but does not stay with clubs for long enough. Calm and chatty in press conferences, he can also be angry and impatient on the touchline.
Of course, many top managers are uncompromisingShowing an unwillingness to change ways or opinions.. As Christian Heidel, an old friend of Tuchel explains, the best coaches make demands from their players "from morning to night".5
But there is another reason people have criticised this appointment. The Football Association (FA) promised to develop English coaching talent. Instead they appointed a manager from Germany as a quick fix before the World Cup in 2026.
Some think a country's top coach should be judged by the tournaments they win, others on the broader state of the national game. For now, Tuchel is in charge of both.
Has the FA made the right choice?
Yes: The nationality of a coach is not important. What matters is whether they have the skill, experience and personality to help their players win the biggest tournaments.
No: The FA promised to develop the national game by encouraging and promoting English coaches. Instead they have chosen a short-term fix for the next World Cup.
Or... Tuchel can be a difficult character at times, but this is often true of great coaches. If a team is successful, nobody minds such an uncompromising approach.
Chronic - A condition which recurs over time, or lasts for several years.
Bundesliga - Germany's top tier football league is comprised of 18 teams and is ranked third in Europe behind Spain and England. It has the highest attendance levels of any football league in the world.
Pundit - An expert in a particular subject or field, who is often asked to give their opinions to the public.
Anglophile - A person who greatly admires England or Britain.
Uncompromising - Showing an unwillingness to change ways or opinions.
England appoints first German manager

Glossary
Chronic - A condition which recurs over time, or lasts for several years.
Bundesliga - Germany's top tier football league is comprised of 18 teams and is ranked third in Europe behind Spain and England. It has the highest attendance levels of any football league in the world.
Pundit - An expert in a particular subject or field, who is often asked to give their opinions to the public.
Anglophile - A person who greatly admires England or Britain.
Uncompromising - Showing an unwillingness to change ways or opinions.