Thomas Tuchel New England Manager: An Answer to English Pain?

England have announced the appointment of German manager Thomas Tuchel, following the culmination of the recent Nations League matches. After Interim Boss Lee Carsley's tentative comments on whether he would be given/wanted the England job on a full-time basis, the board have decided to bring in Tuchel.

This article will examine Tuchel and whether he has what it takes to bring the England men's team glory for the first time since 1966. For the sake of the article, I shall be drawing comparisons with Gareth Southgate's time with England to display contrasts in the two managers.

An Analysis of Thomas Tuchel

Pedigree:

Compared to his predecessor Gareth Southgate, Tuchel has immense honours from his club managerial career. Boasting over 60% win rate at Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea, PSG and Bayern Munich, the German is a man who knows how to win games of football.

Every major club that he has managed he has always secured silverware, including:

• DFB-Pokal (Borussia Dortmund 16/17)

• Ligue 1 (PSG 18/19, 19/20)

• UEFA Champions League (Chelsea 20/21)

• Bundesliga (Bayern Munich 22/23)

This record is certainly eye-catching and hugely advantageous for the England job, particularly for a team that has been struggling to find that winning mentality. Southgate, despite pushing England to the next level by reaching finals, never had that background of silverware.

Tactics:

Before writing this article, I wanted to completely educate myself on Tuchel's philosophy and tactical knowhow. Firstly, he is misunderstood for a manager who does not simply only play counter-attacking football. Tuchel is a tactically astute and flexible individual who alters his tactics depending on the opposition and game state.

Throughout the various teams he has managed, Tuchel has operated in both a back 3 and a back 4. His "acute" style refers to his ability to make subtle changes with a major impact, being extremely observant of game state and the opponent's setup. Southgate often came under criticism for his slow reaction to game state, often trying to force one way of playing or making changes at half-time, infuriating England fans. The former Chelsea boss will offer quick, forward-thinking solutions which will be music to the ears of Three Lions supporters.

Additionally, Tuchel's tactics work in tandem with his success in knockout football. In the four top-flight teams he's managed, Tuchel has only failed to win a cup tournament with Bayern Munich. The German has won 7 knockout competitions (8 if you include the UEFA Super Cup), reflecting that this experience could be the key for England. Knockout, tournament football is a different type of football. A type which requires flexibility and strength in character to deliver.

Tuchel may very well be exactly what England need to take that final step to tournament glory. Southgate's superb work in creating a solid and calm mentality in the England camp has laid the groundwork. Tuchel can now take the Three Lions to the next level with a coach who prides himself on knockout football.

Personality;

The German is a strong personality who isn't afraid to speak his mind with original, candid thoughts. His passion for the game is unwavering and this comes across in his press conferences and pre/post match interviews. He gets fired up in games, there's no doubt in that <insert Conte Tuchel tight handshake moment>. Yet, the German is aware of the prestige that comes with the roles he's headed.

When Southgate displayed rare moments of passion, for a supremely patriotic individual, England fans loved it. Yet, these were often sparse as Southgate tended to stay calm. Tuchel wears his heart upon his sleeve.

One thing that has been a common issue with Tuchel is his sometimes "divisive" persona, particularly in the dressing room. Former Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller stated, "In a sporting sense, Tuchel is untouchable. His training sessions were outstanding, he was a visionary. But on a human level, it didn’t work in some areas."

However, it is worth mentioning that at club level, the manager is often a part of many moving cogs, often preventing the head coach from having complete control over personnel and players. Within the England setup, Tuchel will be able to have greater control over backroom staff and selecting the players he wants from the English pool of talent.

Conversely, the historical discomfort between England and Germany will pose questions with a German being appointed. From my perspective, this isn't an issue, especially in the 21st century! The English media tend to eat English managers alive, Tuchel won't let this happen.

Conclusion

Tuchel has all the tools, experience and pedigree to potentially lead England to success. With his 18-month contract set to start on the 1st January 2025, Tuchel has some time to assess the national squad and plan his legacy before his first international break in March.