TUCH A NEW TURN
Thomas Tuchel signals major shift from Southgate era as new England manager promises ‘physical and attacking’ football
New boss highlighted one aspect of his management that will be key
THOMAS TUCHEL vowed he will toughen up England to win the World Cup.
The nation’s first German coach swept into Wembley yesterday claiming English physicality is crucial to ending the painful 60-year wait to be world champions again.
2
2
Former Chelsea boss Tuchel made his Blues side horrible to play against as they won the Champions League, Club World Cup and Uefa Super Cup within 18 months.
Tuchel, 51, said: “We should play an attacking style of football and try to emphasise a physical side of the game — because this is what English football is all about.
“This is what excites our supporters and what suits the players, who are from the best league in the world.
“We have a group of young, hungry players and are desperate to win a title, so we have all the ingredients.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
“We should try to implement this into our style of play.
“It’s important to have clear messages and not overcomplicate. And to find a clear structure where we can demand certain things from the players and where we can also show their full potential.
“This is then my job to find this structure and then demand it from the players.”
Tuchel, out of work since leaving Bayern Munich in the summer, has signed a £7.5million, 18-month contract.
Most read in Football
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
Southgate vs Tuchel records compared
THOMAS TUCHEL
Augsburg II 2007-2008
P34 W 20 D8 L6 Win percentage: 58.82%
Mainz 05 2009-2014
P184 W72 D46 L66 Win percentage: 39.13%
Borussia Dortmund 2015-2017
P107 W67 D23 L17 Win percentage: 62.62%
Honours: DFB Pokal
Paris Saint Germain 2018-2020
P127 W95 D13 L16 Win percentage: 74.8%
Honours: Ligue 1 X2, Coupe de France, Coupe de la Ligue, Trophee des Champions x2
Chelsea 2021-2022
P100 W60 D24 L16 Win percentage: 60%
Honours: Champions League, Super Cup, Club World Cup
Bayern Munich 2023-2024
P61 W37 D8 L16 Win percentage: 60.66%
Honours: Bundesliga
GARETH SOUTHGATE
Middlesbrough 2006-2009
P151 W54 D43 Win percentage: 35.76%
England U21 2013-2016
P37 W27 D5 L5 Win percentage: 72.97%
Honours: Toulon tournament
England 2016-2024
P102 W61 D24 L17 Win percentage: 59.8%
Honours: Euros runners up, 2020, 2024
And the FA hope the German, who does not start work until January 1, can lead the Three Lions to 2026 World Cup glory in the USA.
Tuchel, for his part, is ready to stake his reputation on ending 60 years of hurt.
Thomas Tuchel England Press Conference
Inside FA's thrilling chase for Tuchel
THE FA’s path to securing Thomas Tuchel's signature was not a straightforward one.
They tried to lure Pep Guardiola from Manchester City over the summer.
They even made contact with Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti after deciding to target trophy-laden foreign gaffers.
The FA’s determination to go international was summed up by their decision NOT to interview Newcastle boss Eddie Howe.
Initial talks with Tuchel saw him express a slight interest in replacing Gareth Southgate.
But he was waiting to see what would happen at Manchester United, with Erik ten Hag’s future under the spotlight.
Man Utd owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe eventually decided to stick with Ten Hag - and that opened the door to the FA getting their man.
Read the full story on England's thrilling pursuit of Thomas Tuchel.
He said: “We can spell it out very clearly why we are here and what we want to achieve. We are not shy of it.
“It’s not a gamble so let’s judge it when we have done it. If we decide it was a failure, we will not continue.
“If we decide it was not a failure then we will continue. Let’s see.
“I am already excited. It suits my passion to push this group of players and to be part of this federation, which has such a strong record in recent tournaments and to push it over the line and put a second star on the shirt.”
Tuchel’s energetic style took Chelsea to the summit of club football, with players like defensive hardman Antonio Rudiger at the heart of his team.
He now wants to embrace the physicality of the Premier League and turn it on our rivals.
ANDY DILLON: Thomas Tuchel has all the ingredients to become a classic England manager – tactical nous, drive and a tangled love life
By Andy Dillon
THOMAS TUCHEL possesses all the ingredients to become a classic England manager.
Tactical nous, drive, energy, experience - a tangled love life.
English football should welcome back the most explosive, dynamic, charismatic and impossibly tall and gangly coach to have lit up the Premier League.
Chelsea’s colourful former boss has been leading a settled life in Munich of late.
Far enough away from ex-wife Sissi but close enough to see his two daughters.
Walking his dog in the streets in the east of Germany’s most fashionable city, residing in the posh Bogenhausen area. Living relatively quietly with his Brazilian girlfriend.
Tuchel is a vastly different personality to the man who led England quietly but assuredly to the brink of World Cups and European Championships.
An excitable nature can make him hard to handle for those seeking calm and who like to impose their way on a manager they view very much as an underling.
Read more on why Tuchel REALLY IS the best man for the England job
Under Gareth Southgate, England reached the semi-finals at least in three of the last four major tournaments but are still waiting to add to the 1966 World Cup triumph.
And Tuchel, going into his first job as an international coach, added: “We cannot only focus on the results, we cannot hide behind a certain style of play which does not give us results. It has to go hand in hand.
“They have to be balanced and our style of play has to bring results.”
Tuchel spent last season at Bayern Munich alongside Harry Kane.
The pair enjoy a close relationship. But Tuchel did not talk to England’s 68-goal record scorer before taking the plunge with the Three Lions.
He said: “I did not speak to Harry. I didn’t speak to Gareth.
“Normally, I never do this. I get my own feeling, I get my own point of view and let it sink in and reflect on it.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
“You know how highly I think of Harry and how much I fought to bring him to Bayern Munich.
“He is already on his way to being a legend in English football.”
Topics