As 2024 approaches, England find themselves inches away from an elusive trophy that has eluded them since 1966. However, with the dawn of 2025, the Three Lions welcome a new manager, Thomas Tuchel, whose stellar record in the Club Football contrasts sharply with that of Gareth Southgate. Southgate’s commendable efforts—coming close to glory in the Euro 2020 final and suffering an 86th-minute disappointment four years later—earned him a chivalrous accolade. Although Tuchel is not in line for such an accolade, his impressive track record includes titles in the Champions League, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1. Now, with a contract until 2026, his main focus will be on securing Cup victory of the World, even if he can boast of having already lifted the Club World Cup.
Tuchel will officially take charge on New Year’s Day, although he has already made his mark in December’s draw in Zurich, which placed England in a qualifying group with Serbia, Albania, Latvia and Andorra. Although he acknowledged the group’s challenges, saying: “It’s a tough group”, England’s history suggests that qualification is rarely a barrier since Steve McClaren’s failure to qualify for Euro 2008. Tuchel’s credentials in qualifying competitions are exceptional; after his triumph with Chelsea, he led Paris Saint-Germain to a final and brought Bayern Munich to within a whisker of reaching it.
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The German coach’s journey really begins against Albania on March 21, but several problems loom on the horizon. While Southgate shone as a unifying figure, Tuchel arrives with a reputation for charisma and directness. His ability to connect in English, while appreciable, could clash with his well-documented frankness, which hasn’t always endeared him to players.
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Diplomacy is paramount in the English role, especially for a German. Lee Carsley’s interim management has been tarnished by unnecessary controversy over his choice to refrain from singing the national anthem. As a Birmingham-born manager who once represented the Republic of Ireland, Carsley seemed surprised by the scrutiny—a reality Tuchel is likely to find familiar.
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However, the shadow of his nationality extends beyond outdated stereotypes. Southgate’s success was fundamentally based on his cultural reform within the team, instilling a sense of pride and unity in the national team. For a foreigner, adopting such a form of nationalism is a more significant challenge. Tuchel himself acknowledged the need to dispel any doubts about his commitment to the role: “I need to prove my worth and to those who may be a little worried—prove to them how much this means to me and that it’s a dream job for me,” he said.
The sudden withdrawal of eight players from Carsley’s November squad raised concerns about Southgate’s legacy and the risk of England losing its appeal—a sentiment echoed by captain Harry Kane, who claimed: “England comes first. England is the most important thing you play as a professional footballer, and Gareth was very into that.” Some players, Kane suggested, had “taken advantage” of the situation, raising hopes that Tuchel’s personality will prevent such lapses.
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Carsley’s interim tenure also complicated the situation, introducing new talent into the mix by providing debuts to rising stars: Noni Madueke, Angel Gomes, Morgan Gibbs-White, Curtis Jones, Morgan Rogers, Lewis Hall, Tino Livramento, and Taylor Harwood-Bellis. Several of these starters will look to consolidate their place on the team.
Additionally, Tuchel’s former players at Chelsea could be eyeing a return, with injuries playing a part in the absence of Ben Chilwell, Reece James and Mason Mount. Meanwhile, Eric Dier’s exclusion from the Euro 2024 squad was particularly unfortunate. Notably, Tuchel had attempted to acquire Kieran Trippier, who has retired internationally, and Kyle Walker, whose recent form raises questions about his longevity in the national team. Young talent Anthony Gordon was in Tuchel’s sights during his time at Chelsea, while Raheem Sterling’s last appearance for England was in 2022.
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Importantly, Tuchel appealed to Ben White, who had previously walked away from international duties. Tuchel now faces the challenge of incorporating all of England’s star attackers into a cohesive unit, having seen the team underperform at Euro 2024. The remarkable emergence of Cole Palmer could jeopardize the position of Phil Foden, while Jude Bellingham’s role remains a crucial decision for the new manager. Tuchel’s decision to keep Harry Kane as captain—a departure marked by Carsley’s choice to bench him—demonstrates his intention to establish a clear hierarchy from the start.
Structural problems also persist. Tuchel has found success using a 3-4-3 scheme at Chelsea, but he often prefers a four-man defense elsewhere. The England team, rich in talent in many positions, faces shortages at left back and defensive midfielder—departments that hurt Southgate towards the end of his tenure.
As Tuchel begins to evaluate players in upcoming matches and prepares for his first squad announcement in March, all eyes will be on his selections. This will significantly influence England’s footballing journey over the next 15 months. Before that, he intends to consult with both Southgate and Carsley. Following its announcement, England’s potential friendlies in June and October will provide valuable, if limited, opportunities for experimentation. Yet the expectation for Tuchel is clear: to provide clarity and strategic foresight.
Upon taking office, Tuchel has a more illustrious track record than any English manager currently in the running. As an Anglophile, like Sven-Goran Eriksson, and a Champions League winner like Fabio Capello, Tuchel’s previous experience in England positions him as perhaps the most qualified foreign manager for the job .
However, surpassing Southgate’s impact is no simple task. Tuchel could find himself following a similar trajectory. Despite his impressive trophies, he has faced disappointments in finals: two FA Cups, a League Cup, and two Champions League finals, among others. Under Southgate, England enjoyed a renaissance, moving beyond mediocrity toward championship contention—a transformation that ultimately made Tuchel a compelling choice. Historically, the Germans have played a role in curbing English aspirations; now a German is charged with the mission of raising England’s fortunes to heights reminiscent of their last triumph in 1966.
