Gary Lineker has revealed who would have been his preferred choice to be the new England manager after the FA agreed terms with Thomas Tuchel.
In recent months, several candidates, both English and foreign, have been touted as the permanent successor to Gareth Southgate, who stepped down after England’s Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain in July.
However, it emerged on Tuesday that Tuchel had become the leading candidate for the job after talks accelerated, before it was revealed last night that the former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss had agreed to take the job.
Tuchel’s imminent appointment will bring to an end Lee Carsley’s spell as caretaker manager as the former Republic of Ireland midfielder, who many expected to land the permanent job, has won three of his four games so far, although he has also He is expected to win take charge of England’s matches in November.
And Lineker, who scored 48 goals in 82 international matches for the Three Lions, has opened up about the candidate he would have chosen.
Gary Lineker revealed who he would have liked to have been appointed as the new England manager
Thomas Tuchel will take over after agreeing terms with the FA on Tuesday night.
Lineker felt his option would have produced entertaining, up-front football for England.
‘“I would have given the job to Lee Carsley,” he said. the rest is football podcast. “I’ve seen enough to suggest that the players really trust him.
“And he’s imaginative enough to produce something that’s a joy to watch, entertaining, in-your-face football.”
“I would have chosen Lee Carsley (but) it’s not my job to choose people like that.”
The probability of Carsley Tenure in the position diminished during the last week after a humiliating defeat against Greece last Thursday and Increasingly confusing comments from the coach. about their suitability for the position.
Not even Carsley himself seemed to want the job, with the boss saying he would “hopefully… come back to (under)-21 level”.
He then created further confusion following another win over Finland on Sunday, claiming the Three Lions role was for “a world-class coach who has won trophies”, before emphasizing that did not rule him out.
The FA had kept an open mind regarding his next appointment and viewed Carsley as a genuine candidate. But there has been a growing sense, given his public polls, that he may not be ready for the top job.
And Lineker admitted he had sympathy for Carsley, while insisting that, despite the change in public opinion, he believed the 50-year-old would have been a good choice.
‘I liked it a lot,’ he added. But I realized that I knew I wouldn’t get the job. I suspect between their first camp and sometime before the game against Greece.
“I would have done it (I would have appointed him) because I would have looked at the recent history of international football, the two winners of the last two international tournaments (the Spanish Luis de la Fuente and the Argentine Lionel Scaloni) had no real experience as a coach outside the structure national.’
Tuchel, 51, has been sidelined since leaving Bayern Munich at the end of last season.
He previously managed teams such as Borussia Dortmund, PSG and Chelsea, and lifted the Champions League with the Blues in 2021.
Given his pedigree, the German manager could be seen as a sensible choice for an English team looking to win their first trophy in almost 60 years.
While at PSG, Tuchel won six titles, while leading Bayern to the Bundesliga title and also lifting the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup along with the Champions League when in charge of Chelsea.
However, he may also be seen as a controversial choice given that he is not an English manager, as England have not had a foreign manager in charge since Fabio Capello stepped down in 2012.
In fact, Tuchel will become the third non-English coach to lead the England men’s team.
Lineker revealed that he felt Carsley would have been a good permanent option for England.
The former England striker believed Carsley was loved and respected by the players.
German coach Tuchel, 51, has a trophy-winning pedigree and is set to sign an 18-month contract.
Tuchel is expected to fly out this week to sign a deal worth £5million a year.
The German will begin work in January on a deal that will last 18 months, meaning the 2026 World Cup in North America could be his only tournament in charge.
A press conference to announce his appointment is expected to be held at Wembley today at 1.30pm, and will be attended by FA chief executive Mark Bullingham.