Thomas Tuchel has been officially appointed as the new manager of the England national football team, set to take over in 2025. This announcement comes as a significant development in English football, with Tuchel succeeding Gareth Southgate in the role.
Tuchel will be joined by Anthony Barry, an English coach who is currently serving as the assistant manager for the Portugal national team under Roberto Martínez. The two have previously collaborated at Chelsea and Bayern Munich, which adds to the familiarity and synergy in their working relationship.
The new management duo will commence their roles on January 1, 2025, just ahead of the qualification process for the 2026 World Cup. Tuchel has signed an 18-month contract that will extend through the tournament, which will be hosted in the United States.
The decision to appoint Tuchel and Barry was made by the FA Board the previous week, with Tuchel officially signing his contract on October 8, just two days before England's defeat to Greece. The announcement was strategically delayed to avoid distractions during the international camp.
In the interim, Lee Carsley will continue to lead the England team until the conclusion of the Nations League group stage next month, which includes matches against Greece and the Republic of Ireland. After this period, Carsley will return to manage the Under-21s.
Tuchel is known for his intense dedication to football, often described as a "footballaholic." His tactical acumen was evident during his time at Chelsea, where he transformed a struggling team into champions of Europe within just a few months of taking charge. After inheriting a team in disarray from Frank Lampard, Tuchel quickly implemented a 3-4-2-1 formation that made Chelsea one of the toughest teams to face in Europe, culminating in their victory over Manchester City in the Champions League final.
As Tuchel prepares to take the reins of the England national team, expectations are high for his ability to replicate his past successes on the international stage.