TODAY is Thomas Tuchel’s first day as England boss. As a new era begins let’s take a look at some of the things that could make or break his time in charge of the ‘Three Lions’.
- Short term success. Unlike those before him Tuchel is an appointment for the short term.
Indicated by the signing of an 18 month contract, Thomas Tuchel has won aim: to win the 2026 World Cup.
Tuchel has never remained at a club for more than 3 years, he’s a coach focused on success in the short term. A tournament manager known for getting the best out of his squad in the here and now rather than for the future.
For context, Tuchel’s predecessor Gareth Southgate was in the job for eight years. Overseeing the revolution of St George’s park and the influx of a new generation of stellar young players for England.
The FA have changed track. Appointing Tuchel represents a clear change in narrative and speaks to the position the current squad are in now compared to the one inherited by the now Sir Gareth Southgate in 2016.
2. The Squad.
There’s no doubt that Tuchel’s first squad has raised a few eye brows when it was released last week.
The omission’s of Morgan Gibbs-White (although Gibbs-White has now replaced the injured Cole Palmer) and Callum Hudson-Odoi as well as the inclusions of Jordan Henderson and Marcus Rashford are particular talking points.
However, this is the Germans first squad. There is a chance that ahead of the summer he will be picking teams based purely on being able to see as players as possible, before it really matters.
(Or at least I hope so!)
History teaches us that the picking of national teams are huge seminal moments in the career’s of international managers.
Southgate for instance, was heavily criticised for sticking with experienced custodians who he trusted, Harry Maguire and Kieran Trippier for example, rather than opting for the high risk often younger option.
3. Tactics.
Another stick used to beat Southgate with was his tactics.
The former England boss was forever criticised for his choice of tactics and system. Often seen as negative and conservative especially in games where England were expected to dominate.
He often favoured a back three/five system with an emphasis on keepig tight and compact especially in knockout fixtures. Seeming uncomfortable with switching to a back four system even when faced with great external pressure to do so.
As for Tuchel, he’s famously tactically flexible.
His Champions League wining Chelsea team became renowned for their success with a back three system. On the other hand whilst coaching in Germany he religiously used a back four whilst at both Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.
4. The FA.
Off the pitch Tuchel is perhaps most famous for his impressive ability to fallout with every board he has ever worked for.
Be it at Mainz, Dortmund, PSG or Chelsea, the end of his tenures all had one common denominator Tuchel clashed with those upstairs.
Something that doesn’t bode well for his relationship with the FA.
The English FA are notoriously awkward operators and whilst at the moment their relationship with the new boss appears positive at the moment with Tuchel’s record things could turn sour quicker than anticipated.
Tuchel will take charge of his first game as manager when England host Albania in a World Cup qualifier this Friday. Followed by Latvia at Wembley on Monday.
