Tuchel to become England manager? The pros and cons of hiring the former Chelsea boss

Thomas Tuchel is reportedly in talks with the FA to become England’s new manager.

The former Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund boss has emerged as the frontrunner to take over the Three Lions, who have been without a permanent manager since Gareth Southgate stepped down after Euro 2024.

Interim Lee Carsley has overseen England’s four Nations League games since but it appears the FA are keen to appoint a more experienced coach in their bid to finally win their first silverware since 1966.

But is the German the right man to lead the Three Lions? We have looked at the pros and cons of appointing the 51-year-old.

BREAKING: Thomas Tuchel is in talks to become the next England manager 🚨🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 pic.twitter.com/yD8jEFYfBi

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) October 15, 2024

The risk of hiring a non-English coach can be a perceived lack of understanding of the football culture.

That was certainly the case with the Three Lions’ last foreign boss Fabio Capello, the Italian whose infamous five-year spell in charge was riddled with controversies and issues in the dressing room, coming to a head at a disastrous 2010 World Cup.

Such issues seem less likely with Tuchel, who, unlike Capello, has experience in the Premier League with Chelsea, where he won the Champions League in 2021.

Having a manager who knows the ins and outs of the English game should help the bedding in process in what can be one of the highest-pressured jobs in football.

Successful tournament manager

The winners of the World Cup or European Championship are not always the best team on paper but rather the side who are best at negotiating tournament football.

Just ask Tuchel’s Chelsea side in 2020-21, who were unlikely Champions League winners despite being some way off the pace in the Premier League that season as they finished fourth.

The Blues’ success on the continent centred on a pragmatic approach which saw them only concede two goal in the knockout stage before toppling overwhelming favourites Manchester City 1-0 in the final in Lisbon.

With international tournaments more akin to this functional style of play, a similar approach could well reap rewards for England, arguably more than the FA’s rumoured dream candidate Pep Guardiola.

🔵 Thomas Tuchel’s first trophy as Chelsea manager 🏆✅#UCL | #UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/gJy5dZtuL8

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 30, 2021

Suitable tactics

This would be Tuchel’s first international role and his vast experience at club level might suit England’s exciting crop of players.

Predecessor Southgate struggled to get the best out of many of his attackers, namely Phil Foden, who has never been able to replicate his sensational Manchester City form in an England shirt.

A more fast-paced ‘club football’ style that Tuchel should deploy might be the key to unlocking Foden and many other’s potential on the international stage.

Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, Cole Palmer and many others who thrive in a high tempo system and if Tuchel can them firing on all cylinders, then England would be a team any nations fears.

Friction with hierarchy

On the pitch, Tuchel is considered one of the best tacticians around but it is off the field issues which generally lead to his departures at his former clubs.

A falling out with Dortund’s hierarchy led to a complete breakdown in communications prior to his exit in 2017 and the same can be said for his time at Paris Saint-Germain despite enjoying success at both clubs.

The German had delivered Chelsea’s second ever Champions League triumph a year before being dismissed by owner Todd Boehly, while he also left Bayern in something of a crisis situation last season.

Given a huge part of Southgate’s success was his ability to stay on side with the FA as well as within the playing squad, Tuchel’s more brash approach may not go down well with those in charge of English football’s governing body.

New direction for the new season: FC Bayern and Thomas Tuchel to end their working relationship in the summer.

🔗 https://t.co/nKsSeKx3kk pic.twitter.com/1q22LRSMcy

— FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN) February 21, 2024

Tetchy media relations

Tuchel is also not known for his diplomacy in front of the media, a skill Southgate seemed to perfect during his time in charge.

His predecessor was a master at ‘playing the game’ with media responsbilities, ensuring any issues with players or the England hierarchy did not make its way into public domain.

The potential new manager does not skirt his words in a similar veign, with his press conferences often no-holds barred, particularly when things aren’t going as well.

Whether the FA feel Tuchel’s sometimes divisive approach will attract too much controversy remains to be seen.