Tuchel reacts to backlash after changing into England’s third overseas boss

Thomas Tuchel delivered a message to England fans unhappy with his appointment at his first press conference since being named the Three Lions’ new permanent manager on Wednesday afternoon.

Tuchel is the third foreign manager to take charge of England after Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello, and his appointment has not gone down well in all quarters.

Some fans believe the England manager should always be English, but the 51-year-old German will instead lead the national team into the 2026 World Cup.

Speaking to the media, Tuchel addressed the backlash from some supporters, as he said: ‘I’m sorry, I just have a German passport… but all of these supporters can feel my passion for the English Premier League, how I love to work here, how I love to live here.

‘Hopefully I can convince them I am proud to be an England manager.’

Thomas Tuchel has addressed backlash to his appointment as he becomes England’s third foreign manager

Tuchel jokingly apologised for having a German passport, but insisted he is fully committed to delivering success for England

Tuchel has only signed an 18-month deal, but has no issues with the relatively short timeframe as he takes his first step into international management.

Eriksson led England to three consecutive quarter-finals but no further, while Capello could only take the team to the last-16 of the 2010 World Cup, but Tuchel is confident he can surpass his foreign predecessors and get the Three Lions over the finish line.

‘I have good experience with 18 months, I am working on my long-term game, the point was in this particular case it was important to have a frame, it is a step into the unknown for me,’ Tuchel admitted.

‘The last piece of it for me to understand it is something that can really excite me to the fullest was the timeframe of 18 months. To demand from myself to not lose the focus.

‘It is a good timeframe because it will help us not lose focus, it is very streamlined and easy to explain. We are here to work on the best possible outcome for the World Cup.’

Sven-Goran Eriksson was England’s first foreign manager but failed to lead the team to glory

Fabio Capello was England’s second foreign manager, but only got the Three Lions to the last 16 of the 2010 World Cup

Interim boss Lee Carsley sparked controversy last month when he refused to sing the national anthem before England’s Nations League matches against Republic of Ireland and Finland.

Having been born and raised in Germany, Tuchel was asked whether he planned to sing God Save The King or follow Carsley’s lead.

Tuchel replied: I understood from [FA CEO] Mark [Bullingham] that it is a personal decision. 

‘I have not made my decision yet. I want to be honest with you. Your anthem is very moving.’

Tuchel will not start his role until January, with Carsley set to remain on the touchline for England’s final two Nations League matches against Greece and Republic of Ireland next month.

Tuchel will then take over, and will be assisted by highly-rated English coach Anthony Barry.

The German manager is also reportedly set to raid former club Chelsea by bringing in goalkeeping coach Hilario and a video analyst from the Premier League club. 

Once he begins at the start of 2025, the pressure will ramp up on Tuchel with fans desperate for England’s men’s team to finally win a major tournament for the first time since 1966.

Lee Carsley has refused to sing the national anthem during his interim spell in charge

Tuchel admitted he is yet to make up his mind on whether he will sing the national anthem after being born and raised in Germany

He has insisted he is up for the challenge on delivering on the big stage for England as they set their sights on winning the World Cup in 2026.

‘I am up for the big challenge, I’m up for this task, I’m up for 18 months with this group and to be part of this amazing federation,’ Tuchel added. 

‘These are all the reasons to jump in. The pressure on the personal side, the pressure from the media that could arise if things don’t go so well, it’s not so much a part of the decision-making. I don’t feel it so much.

‘It’s always a privilege, and my love and my passion for the game is always much more than the downside.’