Tuchel (r.) and Bullingham at the press conference (ADRIAN DENNIS)
Thomas Tuchel has great ambitions for his work as England national football coach. “The goal for the next 18 months is nothing less than the highest in world football,” said the new Three Lions team manager when he was introduced: “Everyone can be sure of that – regardless of what nationality is on my passport.”
CEO Mark Bullingham of the English Football Association (FA) said it was a “very exciting day for England. Our goal is always to win a major tournament and we think Thomas gives us the best possible chance of doing that.” The association spoke to “around ten candidates” during the process. Bullingham withheld any further names, but Tuchel was “outstanding” and the decision had been made since October 8th.
Tuchel’s contract with the FA begins on January 1, 2025 and runs until the 2026 finals in the USA, Canada and Mexico. The plan for the 18-month window convinced him and was “a good time frame because it helps us to focus,” said Tuchel.
The task feels “big and like a privilege. It’s very new because I come from club football. I was very open and liked the idea.” Tuchel knows England from his time at top London club Chelsea, with whom he won the Champions League in 2021. It was his absolute wish to return to the country.
For the first time in his career, the former coach of Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Mainz 05 is taking over a national team. He repeatedly praised the work of his predecessor Gareth Southgate, who resigned in July after losing the European Championship final for the second time in a row.
