- Thomas Tuchel was named this Wednesday as the new England coach
- He will become the third foreign coach to manage the England men’s team.
- LISTEN NOW: It’s all starting!available wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Monday and Thursday.
Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer have opened up about Thomas Tuchel’s appointment as England manager.
In recent months, several candidates, both English and foreign, have been touted as the permanent successor to Gareth Southgate, who resigned 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. That news was confirmed Wednesday morning.
Tuchel becomes only the third foreign coach to take charge of the England men’s team after Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello, something that has generated controversy in some quarters.
And former England strikers Lineker and Shearer have had their say on the matter, with both admitting they are a little uncomfortable about it, although both expressed their immense respect for Tuchel.
Thomas Tuchel becomes the new England manager after reaching an agreement with the FA
German coach Tuchel is only the third foreign coach to coach the England men’s team.
Alan Shearer admitted there was slight concern about the path of England coaches.
“If he’s the leading candidate, yes (I’m comfortable with naming a German coach),” Shearer said.
‘It would be a concern to know what the path is for the English coaches, if they have brought this center and want to promote the English coaches.
“I’m happy in a way because Newcastle won’t lose their manager and he (Eddie Howe) is an exceptional manager. For me he would have been the main English candidate. For me it’s very surprising to know that he hasn’t been scouted.
Lineker added: ‘I really believe that in national team football, especially in big nations, the coach should be from the national team. From the country they are.
“I don’t think it’s imperative, it won’t keep me up at night, but my personal preference would be for England to have an English coach. I respect Tuchel as a coach, he’s really intelligent.”
Lineker highlighted the example of other countries in terms of their managerial appointments, although he stressed that, in his opinion, England is not far away from producing top-level coaches.
He explained: “If you look at the big nations, Brazil has always had a Brazilian coach, although it is rumored that they looked at Ancelotti for the next job.
‘Argentina, Argentine coaches, Germany has never had more than German coaches. The same with Italy, the same with Spain.
‘Why does England do it? Because, for whatever reason, English football hasn’t produced a host of brilliant managers. I think that will happen and we are starting to see them come out ahead. I think we were stuck in the past with long ball football. That has changed.
‘Now we produce footballers with technical talent, but I think it takes longer from a technical point of view. That’s why, in the meantime, we have had to opt for foreign coaches.’
Lineker praised Tuchel although he admitted his preference for an English coach to get the job
Sven-Goran Eriksson (left) and Fabio Capello (right) were foreign England men’s coaches
Meanwhile, Tuchel is expected to fly out this week to sign a contract 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.
