FA chief confirms Thomas Tuchel beat nine candidates to become new England manager

Former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has become only the third foreign coach to manage England, with the FA handing him an 18-month contract which puts him in charge until the 2026 World Cup

FA chief executive Mark Bullingham has confirmed that Thomas Tuchel beat nine other managers, including a number of homegrown candidates, to get the England job.

Tuchel, 51, has been handed an 18-month contract worth £5million per year and will start work in January. The German is just the third foreigner to manage England team and has a clear but seismic task of winning 2026 World Cup.

Despite Tuchel's track record of success at club level and in the Premier League with Chelsea, the FA's decision not to appoint an Englishman has angered a section of disgruntled fans. But Bullingham has confirmed that they did assess homegrown managers in the process of replacing Gareth Southgate, who stepped down after eight years in July after losing the final of Euro 2024 against Spain.

"As you'd understand, the whole process was confidential," Bullingham said at Tuchel's unveiling press confernece when asked if any English managers were interviewed. "We had to maintain that for us and the candidates. We interviewed approximately ten candidates and we interviewed English candidates within that."

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe and ex- Brighton boss Graham Potter are two homegrown coaches who were heavily linked with the vacancy.

The FA CEO added when asked about 'uncomfortable truth' of appointing non-Englishman: "We were also very clear that we wanted the very best person for the job and we feel like we owe it to the players and the country to give them that support, leadership in tournaments that will help them get over the line, to give us the best chance of winning a trophy in the men's World Cup.

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"We feel we've done that. We feel delighted that Thomas has joined us."

Tuchel, who enjoyed living in Surrey alongside his family while he was manager of Chelsea from January 2021 to September 2022, wants to convince any supporters who aren't on board with having a foreign coach that he's the right man. "I am sorry I have a German passport," the former Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund boss chuckled.

"Maybe these supporters felt my passion for the Premier League and the country, how I love to live here and work here. Hopefully, I can convince them and show them how I am proud to be the England manager. I am proud."

Tuchel was then asked whether he'd sing God Save the King and replied: "I understood from Mark it is a personal decision, there were some who sang and others didn't. I have not made my decision yet.

"Your anthem is very moving. I have experienced it here at Wembley in the FA Cup final. Either way, I will show respect to a very moving anthem.I will always show my respect to the new role and the country."

The 51-year-old also emphasised putting a second star on 'our' shirt by winning the World Cup in 2026, which will be played across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Interim manager Lee Carsley will remain in charge for England's final two Nations League group games next month, the outcome of which will determine Tuchel's first games in March.

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