Pep Guardiola tells Thomas Tuchel critics to recover from England appointment

Pep Guardiola has told the critics to get over the fact England have appointed a foreign manager in Thomas Tuchel.

The FA’s decision to give the job to German coach Tuchel has caused outrage in some quarters. But Guardiola has backed the decision because he thinks Tuchel is the best man for the job.

And he wants to see those who are against Tuchel be more open minded in their thinking – and get right behind the new Three Lions boss. Guardiola also refused to rule out being approached for the job himself in the summer.

The Manchester City boss said: “Thomas Tuchel is the (England) manager and I want to congratulate the FA and Thomas for a big job, and I wish the very best for them.

“There is one thing that nobody can decide – where they are born. Mum and dad decide, and then we are here.

“I didn’t decide to be Catalan, you didn’t decide to be English. That is the reality. I understand that people want the manager of their national team to be born there, but at the same time it’s a question of results.

“The FA decided on a well-known foreign manager, and I wish him the best. I will support him unconditionally, because he will represent your country to the very best.

“If he loses it (the decision) will be criticised, but it doesn’t matter that he’s foreign. The FA have decided he’s the right person to follow the incredible job Gareth Southgate has done.

“I know we’re proud of where we are born, but the world is so big. We have to be open minded. I came here to learn from all of you, not to give you my experience from other countries. We try to travel round the world to meet people – and that makes us better.”