The Three Lions hiring Thomas Tuchel as its new head coach is being seen by many as a desperate action, as the trophy starved footballing nation continues its hunt for international silverware. While Tuchel is a world class coach, the country is divided with former players and captains declaring that the FA messed up England’s ‘ethos’.
Well, the word ethos was mentioned by former Manchester United captain Gary Neville, who stated he was shocked at this appointment — as did Jamie Carragher, his rival; and some would say friend.
But why are they against Tuchel, a UEFA Champions League winning manager’s appointment? It is because he isn’t English. Plenty of journalists are also labeling it as a disgrace to have a German manager come in to save football ‘at home’.
This Daily Mail back page is an absolute disgrace. I know people will say to ignore it and not afford it oxygen but it’s simply embarrassing.
Putting the word “GERMAN” in capital letters; it’s 2024, this sort of utterly backwards bollocks should be well behind us. pic.twitter.com/4mhJ5EOkuB
— HLTCO (@HLTCO) October 16, 2024
However, what is surprising is that, many of them wanted Pep Guardiola to take charge of the Three Lions, even though he is Spanish. Why? It could be because Guardiola is a proven success in English football — much more than Tuchel was during his two year stint at Chelsea.
‘Double standards’ would be too strong a word, but some opinions on Tuchel joining England do point in that direction. The Telegraph’s Sam Wallace, earlier this week, stated that England signing Guardiola “would be most ambitious project for governing body since the rebuilding of Wembley”.
Without wishing to sound impolite to Thomas Tuchel, who has only accepted a job offer from the FA, but – once again – the England manager should be English. Nationality is the whole point of international footballhttps://t.co/NfDH4X7gar
— Sam Wallace (@SamWallaceTel) October 15, 2024
However, on Thursday, when Tuchel’s news became official, he wrote an article which read – “The England manager should be English. Nationality is the whole point of international football.”
On Wednesday, former Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp remarked that England should have an English manager—a sentiment that’s becoming a recurring theme. Here’s an interesting fact: the last English manager to win a trophy in England was Redknapp himself, back in 2008, when he lifted the FA Cup with Portsmouth.
Since then, there has been no shortage of English managers. Despite the experience of Roy Hodgson and Sam Allardyce, or the promise of youth and ‘flair’ from the likes of Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, or even Graham Potter, none have won a major trophy.
Lampard and Potter, notably, both had opportunities at Chelsea, a top club, yet failed to deliver silverware.
This, by no means, is a dig at managers hailing from England. But rather, it is to put spotlight on a trend — English teams trust foreign managers more.
The last time an English manager won ANY trophy in England (PL, FA Cup, League Cup & Community Shield) was 2008. SIXTEEN years ago. Imagine no Italian manager winning anything in Italy for 16 years, or no silverware in Spain for a Spanish gaffer in 16 years. Impossible.
— 𝗙𝗜𝗔𝗚𝗢 (@fiago7) October 16, 2024
Take a look at the most successful Premier League coaches in recent years: Guardiola, Jürgen Klopp, Antonio Conte, and even Claudio Ranieri and Manuel Pellegrini—all of whom have won the title in the last decade.
So if, club football, why not international football? Is it really worth it for England to maintain pride and ethos by having a manager who ‘sings the anthem‘ over choosing a proven winner, with whom star players could potentially flourish?
Well, Tuchel will be under pressure because the highlight of his appointment will be on the fact that he is German. Winning 2026 FIFA World Cup, however, and ‘bringing it home’, could change the mind of the public.
