TUCH OF CLASS
Georgia Stanway opens up on meeting Thomas Tuchel and how tattoo artwork helps her on and off the pitch
Lioness star says Tuchel always had time for her and Bayern Munich team-mates during his tenure as boss of the Bundesliga giants.
GEORGIA STANWAY claims Thomas Tuchel is “really invested” in the women’s game having crossed paths with him at Bayern Munich.
The Lioness star has fond memories of past interactions with the German coach who starts work as the Three Lions' new boss in January.
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Stanway, 25, who is in line to start for England against Germany in a friendly at Wembley on Friday, was sharing her thoughts on Tuchel’s appointment as head coach of the two-time Euros finalists.
Last Wednesday the ex-Bayern coach, 51, was confirmed as Gareth Southgate’s successor and is set to take over from interim boss Lee Carsley.
His appointment comes five months after he confirmed his departure from the German giants who he guided to the 2022-23 Bundesliga title.
During his time there Stanway, who signed for Bayern’s women’s team in May 2022, recalls Tuchel showing a keen interest in women’s football.
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She said: "I had a few experiences with Tuchel at Bayern and he was really invested and really interested in the women’s game.
"He and (his assistant Anthony) Barry wanted to get to know the players.
"I’ve spoken with them a few times and they were really invested and really nice people.
"They came to a few games and I saw them at a few events. They always had time for us.”
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The hiring of Tuchel as Southgate’s permanent successor sparked huge debate amongst pundits and commentators about coaches from overseas managing England.
However Stanway, who moved to Germany following the Lionesses triumph at the 2022 Women’s Euros, has seen her career flourish under managers from different countries.
Since winning the Euros with Sarina Wiegman’s England side two years ago, the midfielder has gone on to win two Women’s Bundesliga titles and was a Ballon d’Or nominee last year.
When asked about foreign managers influencing English football, she added: "I think it’s great.
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"I’ve got a Norwegian manager at Bayern ( Alexander Straus).
"It’s about whoever is best for the job and whoever the people feel is suitable for the players.”
On the criticism of the decision to have a foreign coach appointed as Three Lions boss, Stanway added: "Everyone is entitled to their opinions, I guess we have just got to see what happens?”
England’s clash with Germany at Wembley comes two years and three months after the two foes went toe-to-toe at the stadium in the last Women’s Euros final.
Both sides have qualified for next year’s tournament, which takes place in Switzerland with the Lionesses eyeing an historic back-to-back triumph.
Should they seal another contest win Stanway, who is an avid tattoo artist in her spare time, hopes to have her team-mates queuing to have tattoo work done to mark the occasion.
Away from the pitch the midfielder has been learning the art of tattooing under the guidance of a friend who owns a tattoo studio in Germany.
The 71-capped Lioness said: "I got (a tattoo of) the time the final whistle went at the last Euros final.
"But if we win another Euros, I hope I get a queue outside my bedroom door from the girls waiting (to get tattoos done).
"When I moved to Germany, I wanted to start something new.
"It was a new way for me to fully immerse myself into a new environment and to make friends outside of football.
"The tattoo studio has really done that for me.
"While I’m tattooing, the feeling is next level. I find it therapeutic, I find it stressful.
"It’s fine details and those fine details are always important and they’re also important in football.
"While I’m tattooing, nothing else matters.
"It’s exactly the same when I’m on the pitch. Nothing else matters apart from focusing on what I’ve got to do."
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England’s game against Germany ahead of their build-up to next year's Euros in Switzerland, will see Stanway go up against some of her Germany international pals from Bayern.
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And she believes the Euros finalists, whose players include Bayern aces Guilia Gwin Klara Buhl and Lea Schuller, will pose a threat.
Stanway said: "Everybody poses an unbelievable threat, so I know I'll be sat in the analysis room and Sarina will be questioning me about each player."
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