- Mainz executive Christian Heidel brought Tuchel into his youth team in 2009.
- Tuchel has since managed clubs such as PSG, Dortmund and Chelsea.
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Thomas Tuchel has been backed to bring England World Cup glory by the man who gave him his big break as a manager.
The German agreed an 18-month deal that runs until the end of the 2026 tournament as he attempts to go one step further than Gareth Southgate, who reached two European Championship finals but failed to deliver the elusive major trophy.
Christian Heidel, a top executive at Bundesliga club Mainz for most of the past three decades, hired Tuchel as under-19 coach in 2009 and quickly promoted him to first-team duties. Since then, Tuchel has coached Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Bayern Munich, winning 11 trophies.
“I’m sure the chances of winning a title have increased with Thomas at the helm,” Heidel told Mail Sport. “He is an exceptional coach who has an exceptional squad of players at his disposal.
‘It is the first time he will coach a national team. In this role, you can fully focus on the development of your team and players. You can name a team that will be able to successfully implement your tactical plan.
Thomas Tuchel was announced as the new England men’s coach on Wednesday
One of his first bosses in football was Christian Heidel, an executive at Mainz, who hired him in 2009.
Tuchel took charge of the first team that year and remained with the German team until 2015 (pictured in 2010)
“He doesn’t have to deal with the problems of working at a club, such as transfers or funds, which can often cause discord. This could be a big advantage for him.”
Tuchel had strained relations with his bosses at Dortmund, Chelsea and Bayern, but has proven to be an elite operator at the highest level. His highlight came in 2021, when his Chelsea side beat Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the Champions League final.
Heidel has followed Tuchel’s career closely and added: “Thomas came to Mainz in 2009 and managed to win the German U19 championship in his first season. It was historic for Mainz at that time, as it was their first title. guy for the club.
Heidel believes the coach’s tactical talent will help England win the 2026 World Cup
‘His brilliant tactics caught our attention immediately. After just one year as an under-19 coach, we promoted him to coach our Bundesliga team.
‘Thomas had a brilliant way of reading games, his tactical analysis was spot on and his team’s training was exceptional and creative. One of his greatest assets is that he can develop talent and elevate any player to a higher level. “His teams play with a very clear tactical plan.”