What if this time it was the right one? Forty years on, could it be that “it’s coming home” means the England men’s national team will return to success at a major international competition?
With 2025 just beginning, Three Lions fans already have their eyes on the next goal: the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted from June 11 to July 19 by Canada, the United States and the Mexico. They hope to obtain this elusive second star that the national team has been pursuing since July 30, 1966, when they lifted the trophy after a victorious final at Wembley Stadium in London against West Germany (4-2).
Ironically, it is a German who has been entrusted with this perilous mission by the Football Association (FA): Bavarian Thomas Tuchel, 51, will officially take the reins of the team from Wednesday, January 1st.
Under the leadership of his predecessor, Gareth Southgate, in charge since 2016, the Three Lions came close to the Holy Grail without ever obtaining it: fourth at the 2018 World Cup – their best performance in twenty-eight years – and finalists of the Euro 2021 and Euro 2024.
Read more:
LaLiga and RFEF leave Barça and Laporta aside: Dani Olmo receives contract freedom to join any club
On July 16, two days after his team’s defeat against Spain (2-1) in the closing match of the Nations Championship, the coach announced his resignation. The interim was entrusted to Lee Carsley, the under-21 coach, while the federation carried out its recruitment campaign in secret.
“I will do everything to honor this role and this country”
In the country that saw the birth of football and invented its rules in 1863, sport is of course a serious business. The FA’s decision to appoint a foreigner to manage the men’s team has raised questions. The tabloid The Daily Mail described this as an “insult”, reacting to the decision taken in mid-October, arguing that “international football should see us, the best, against them, the best”.
Read more:
Leeds and Burnley drop points as Sunderland stun Blades
Before Thomas Tuchel, only two non-Englishmen had held this position: the Swede Sven-Goran Eriksson (2001-2006) and the Italian Fabio Capello (2007-2012). The reception for both was frosty in the local media.
At a press conference last fall, the German addressed the criticism with a smile, saying he could “understand” that some would have preferred to see a compatriot nominated.
“I’m sorry, I only have a German passport, but maybe the fans can feel my passion for the Premier League, my passion for this country, how much I love living and working here,” he said. he declared, before asking for a chance. “I will do everything to honor this role and this country, (…) everyone can be assured of that, regardless of my nationality.”
A Successful Move to Chelsea
Read more:
Nees faces crucial test against Namibia ahead of CAN 2025
Although he has never managed a national team, Thomas Tuchel is well regarded across the Channel, thanks to his time at Chelsea (2021-2022), where he won a Champions League title just four months after taking office, beating Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City (1-0). With the Blues, the Bavarian also lifted the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup.
Read more:
Corberán joins the ranks of Di Stéfano, Ranieri, Benítez and Emery
In his quest for success with the Three Lions, he will be supported by Anthony Barry, who was his assistant at Bayern Munich and had worked with him at Chelsea. The Liverpool native has already had experience with the national team under Spaniard Roberto Martinez, both with Belgium and Portugal.
England will compete in Group K for qualification for the 2026 World Cup, facing Serbia, Albania, Latvia and Andorra. And Thomas Tuchel can be reassured, the English supporter, however grumpy he may be, has a short memory when it comes to victory. Just ask Dutchwoman Sarina Wiegman, celebrated after the women’s team’s triumphant Euro 2022 final. As long as it comes home…
