The sports director of a German newspaper has mocked an England “desperate” over the appointment of Thomas Tuchel, who claimed that “the homeland of football will have a German father.”
Tuchel’s appointment was confirmed on Wednesday morning, with the former Bayern Munich manager set to take charge of the Three Lions from early January next year.
He is the third foreigner to take charge of the Three Lions after Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello, and will earn £6million a year for his roles in a bid to win the World Cup.
After spending time at Chelsea, where he won the Champions League, he moved to Bayern Munich and also spent time as manager of Borussia Dortmund in his homeland.
His appointment, however, has been the subject of ridicule imageEngland sporting director Matthias Brugelmann, who claimed that England turning to a German coach shows their desperation for success.
The German newspaper Bild mocked England for the appointment of Thomas Tuchel
Tuchel has had difficult times in Germany throughout his career, most recently failing to win the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich.
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said Tuchel “stood out” as a candidate “because of his vast experience and drive”.
“Let’s talk about Thomas Tuchel and the English,” wrote Brugelmann. ‘The homeland of football will have a German father. Crazy!
‘Since 1966 – since 1966!!! – the proud football nation has been waiting for a title (and I’m sorry, even the World Cup victory was only possible because the referee made a mistake in the Wembley goal). So it will soon be 60 years without a title. In that time we have been world champions three times and European champions three times. Oops.
‘The desperation on the island must be enormous if they admit that now only a German can help. “What a tribute to Tuchel and German football that the English are overcoming their fears despite the enormous rivalry.”
England and Germany have traditionally been rivals and have participated in countless classic encounters over the years, including the 1966 World Cup final, a clash at the 2010 World Cup and another trifecta at Euro 2020.
But on this occasion that was overlooked: FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said Tuchel “stood out for his vast experience and drive” and Tuchel pointed to “a personal connection to the game in this country” as a factor. key to your decision. .
Brugelmann warned Tuchel that he must change, however, if he is to succeed with England, in what is usually considered one of the most ruthless roles in the game.
‘Tuchel has to change!’ he wrote. “He should quickly leave behind the insensitivity with which he reacted to criticism, for example, at Bayern. Compared to the harsh and brutal hell of the British television pundits surrounding (Jamie) Carragher, (Gary) Neville and (Gary) Lineker, (Didi) Hamann and (Lothar) Matthaus were kindergartners.
The German spent time as Borussia Dortmund manager early in his career before moving to England.
During his time at Chelsea, he won the Champions League before taking charge of Bayern Munich.
He also met Prince William, the future King of England, during his time as Blues boss.
Players such as Eddie Howe have been linked with the job, but Tuchel becomes the men’s team’s third foreign coach.
‘The quality of the team around (Harry) Kane and (Jude) Bellingham is excellent. Along with Spain, Germany, Argentina and France, England is the title candidate for 2026. But while (Julian) Nagelsmann was celebrated for reaching the quarterfinals of the Euro Cup (with Germany), after decades of frustration and tears, he The only thing that counts is the title. Nothing else.
‘Tuchel can become immortal. It’s understandable that the job appeals to him.’
The likes of Eddie Howe and Graham Potter have been suggested as possible candidates for the job, but Tuchel will be the Three Lions’ first foreign boss since Capello left in 2012.