The FA has announced Thomas Tuchel as the man to take over as head coach of the England national football team from January 2025 in an 18-month deal that should see the German guide the Three Lions to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. USA, Canada and Mexico.
Tuchel expressed his delight at the role and vowed to make a push to add another star to the Three Lions shirt.
“Of course, I’m obviously very excited and honored to be here today as the new head coach of England,” Tuchel began.
“I just had the chance to read a quote from Pele in the building who said Wembley is the heart, capital and cathedral of football and I think he was absolutely right,” he added.
Tuchel, who was reportedly given the go-ahead for the hot seat after a thorough FA vetting of around 10 candidates, acknowledged the scale of the task but pointed to the country’s strong results at recent international events, despite having no trophy to show for it.
“I realized very quickly that this was a big deal,” continued Tuchel.
“Having put a time frame in my mind from January to the World Cup, I already felt excited that it fits my passion, to aim to push this group of players.
“To be part of this federation with such a strong record in recent tournaments to push it over the line and try to put a second star on the shirt.”
Former England manager Gareth Southgate led the team to the European Championship final twice and enjoyed good success at the previous FIFA World Cup.
Tuchel, only the third foreigner to hold the coveted post after Fabio Capello and Sven-Goran Eriksson, opined that fans of the game have seen his passion and admiration for the country and have decided to strike for the national team’s success at the upcoming quadrennial spectacle.
“I’m sorry, I just have a German passport, but the supporters felt my passion for the English Premier League, my passion for the country, how much I love living here,” Tuchel said.
“Hopefully I can convince them and show them and prove to them that I’m proud to be an England manager, I’ll do everything to show respect for this role and for this country and the target for the next 18 months is not nothing else,” he added.
“Everyone can be sure that we will do it with passion and with emotion and we will try to install values, principles and rules as quickly as possible to make our dream come true.”
Tuchel, who helped England’s Chelsea win the 2021 UEFA Champions League title, joked about his tenure at Stamford Bridge, which was also almost as long as his England contract.
“It’s been 18 months and then we agreed to sit down together and then we’ll see. Personally, I’ve had a good 18 months of experience,” joked Tuchel.
“I think it’s a good time frame because it will help us focus. We are here to work on the best possible outcome for the World Cup and then see what comes,” concluded the gaffer.
