The Football Association (FA) announced on Wednesday that Thomas Tuchel has been named England’s new head coach, with his tenure commencing on January 1. Until then, interim manager Lee Carsley will continue to lead the team for next month’s UEFA Nations League matches against Greece and the Republic of Ireland.
Tuchel, 51, succeeds Gareth Southgate, who stepped down following England’s Euro 2024 final loss to Spain. The FA’s chief executive Mark Bullingham and technical director John McDermott led the search for Southgate’s replacement, a process that began in July.
Expressing his excitement, Tuchel, who has previously managed Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich, stated, “I am very proud to have been given the honour of leading the England team. I have long felt a personal connection to the game in this country. To have the chance to represent England is a huge privilege, and the opportunity to work with this special and talented group of players is very exciting.”
England has not won the FIFA World Cup for 58 years, with their last victory occurring in 1966.
Tuchel will be joined by his assistant coach Anthony Barry, with whom he has previously collaborated at Chelsea and Bayern Munich. Barry, 38, has extensive international experience, having served on coaching teams for Belgium, the Republic of Ireland, and most recently Portugal.
“Working closely with Anthony as my assistant coach, we will do everything we can to make England successful and the supporters proud,” Tuchel added. “I want to thank the FA, in particular Mark and John, for their trust, and I am looking forward to starting our journey together.”
The FA regards Tuchel’s hiring as a substantial achievement, with Bullingham noting the importance of securing a coach with a proven track record in the Premier League and international competitions. Tuchel has claimed 11 major trophies, including the 2021 Champions League with a Chelsea team featuring prominent England players like Reece James and Mason Mount. He also worked with England captain Harry Kane during his recent stint at Bayern Munich.
Bullingham shared, “Our recruitment process has been very thorough. Since Gareth resigned, we evaluated multiple candidates, and Thomas impressed us with his vast expertise and drive. With Anthony’s international experience, we believe this coaching team will give us the best chance of winning a major tournament, particularly as we set our sights on the 2026 World Cup.”
As Tuchel prepares to take charge, Carsley will focus on leading England’s U21 team in their title defense at the U21 European Championship next summer. The FA also acknowledged Carsley’s contributions, with Bullingham describing him as a “major part of our England pathway.”
The announcement was met with enthusiasm, including from the Prince of Wales, who posted on social media: “Exciting times for England, with a generation of talented players and a new manager taking the reins. Thomas, wishing you the best of luck, we’re all behind you! W.”
Tuchel and Barry will officially begin their roles in January, and England fans eagerly anticipate their leadership as the team looks to build towards the 2026 World Cup.
