"The best available coach in Europe" - Manchester United icon weighs up pros and cons of England's appointment of Thomas Tuchel
Manchester United legend Gary Neville feels England's appointment of 'proven' Thomas Tuchel doesn't fit the criteria for believing in English coaches. The German tactician has become the third foreign manager to take charge of the Three Lions.
Neville spoke to Sky Sports about Thomas Tuchel replacing Gareth Southgate and what it means for English football. The former Red Devils captain said:
"They've got a great coach, there's no doubt. Thomas Tuchel has a proven track record; he's proven he can win big knockout matches. So, from that point of view, I don't think the FA can be criticized. They've probably got the best available coach in Europe or the world at this moment in time. So fitting that criteria absolutely, they are spot on."
The English FA wanted to appoint a world-class coach to succeed Southgate, whose Three Lions lost to Spain in the Euro 2024 final. Tuchel has a resume boasting a UEFA Champions League triumph with Chelsea, a Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich and two Ligue 1 titles with Paris Saint-Germain.
Neville did highlight how Tuchel's appointment jeopardizes the belief in English coaches:
"I'm not sure it fits the criteria of St George's Park and the belief in English coaches, the actual growth in the English team's performance including the womens and youth teams, St George's Park was going to be a hotbed of proving English coaches could get to the top in Europe."
Lee Carsley was put in caretaker charge of England after Southgate left in the summer. He's one of a few English coaches, including former Chelsea boss Graham Potter, who was linked with the permanent job.
Neville touched on this:
"It's difficult for English coaches to get the top jobs in the Premier League and that's rightly so, we've got some of the best clubs in the world. Now it's gone to an international manager and it's not really about Thomas Tuchel but there is an element of dissapointment in my head thinking about the fact that the FA have gone to an international coach."
Tuchel has signed an 18-month contract and will start on January 1, 2025. The German, also linked with Manchester United, said it's 'a privilege' to take over England's national team and emphasized his affection for English football.
"He was so clear" - Manchester United's Mason Mount previously hailed new England manager Thomas Tuchel
Thomas Tuchel is a popular figure in English football for his success at Chelsea, where he led them to the Champions League in 2021. That came just months after he succeeded Frank Lampard at Stamford Bridge.
Mason Mount was one of the Blues' standout performers under Tuchel. The Manchester United attacker struggled in west London after the German was sacked in late 2022. He spoke glowingly of his former manager's turnaround at Stamford Bridge at the time (via the Mirror):
"It was a crazy kind of turnaround but he was so clear on what he wanted and how he would like us to play, very clear on the roles and responsibilities, that it made it very easy for us to transition."
Mount left Chelsea for Manchester United in the summer of 2023 after coming off the boil post-Tuchel. The 36-cap England international last represented his nation in December 2022. He bagged 19 goals and as many assists in 87 games under the Three Lions' new boss at Stamford Bridge.
