New England boss Thomas Tuchel apologised for having a German passport but has vowed to win over fans sceptical of his appointment.
Tuchel has signed a deal that will see him lead the Three Lions to the end of the 2026 World Cup cycle, although he revealed he and Football Association (FA) chiefs will then sit down to map out a way forward beyond that date.
His appointment makes sense on many levels given his success in England with Chelsea and abroad with Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich but some traditionalists are disappointed the FA did not go for an Englishman.
Thomas Tuchel at Wembley Stadium. 📸 pic.twitter.com/5GpusIhg6P
— England (@England) October 16, 2024
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An early apology!
Tuchel said at his introductory press conference at Wembley this afternoon: “I am sorry that I have a German passport. All of these supporters felt my passion for the Premier League and the country. I loved to live here.
“Hopefully I can show them that I am proud to be the English manager and I will do everything to show respect to this job and this country.”
He added: “Everyone has their opinion and I can understand when someone says they would fancy an English coach more for the English team.
“I can understand it, but I think we deserve a fair chance. We deserve it for having a good record, for never being shy of how much we love living here and working with Premier League players.
“Maybe this counts a little bit for a British edge on my German passport, so we will try to convince [the fans] by results and how we play.”
We’re at @wembleystadium for a live media conference with Thomas Tuchel and @FA CEO Mark Bullingham 🚨🎙️ https://t.co/vqkejvjyIc
— England (@England) October 16, 2024
‘Excited for such a big task’
Tuchel said he had not yet decided on whether he would sing the national anthem – something interim boss Lee Carsley was heavily criticised for not doing by some sections of the English media – but his excitement for the role was evident.
“I am very emotional and I love what I am doing. I am passionate about football,” he said.
“This role just brought the young me alive and brought back my teenage days, to get excited for such a big task.
“For the Three Lions, for preparing matches at Wembley, for working with this group of players…
“We will try to install values, rules and principles to make the dream come true.
“Of course, we have to qualify for the World Cup but it starts for us in January and we will live it completely.”
Not initially convinced
Tuchel revealed he was not initially sure if he wanted to take on an international job but come round after holding talks with FA CEO Mark Bullingham and men’s technical director John McDermott.
“Mark and John made very clear this is about football,” he said.
“That excited me very quickly because I wasn’t sure before we had the first talk if this is a role for me, in international football.
“The schedule is very different from club football, but then we found so many similarities and things which suited my approach and hunger to achieve special things.
“I always wanted to come back to England, that was my big goal. I have the best memories of the country, the league and the players. The attitude towards the game, from the supporters that shapes the players and the character of the players.
“It’s one of a kind, that’s why the offer came at the right time – we kept the momentum, and within weeks we found a vision to share and a project and adventure I’m very happy to be a big part of.
“Now I have to live up to it, and I know there are some trophies missing in the federation. I want to help make that happen.”
Tuchel hopes to add the missing ingredients
England have not won a major trophy since the 1966 World Cup despite coming close under predecessor Gareth Southgate, who led the country to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia and successive runners-up placings at the European Championship in 2021 and 2024.
Asked how he intended to push England over the line, Tuchel said: “We will build on Gareth’s culture. I think they did a great job in terms of stability and consistency. Look at the last results in tournaments, it’s outstanding. The Under-21s win titles, the younger teams are in competitions to win titles and the women’s team wins titles so we are there.
“I think the federation is there and that was a big part of taking this job. I am curious I want to learn, I will have a different schedule than club football but it was a big part to have the quality of the federation on my side to combine it with my ideas.
“We will build on what Gareth did and hopefully add a little extra to get it over the line.”
