On Tuesday, England announced the appointment of Thomas Tuchel as head coach, following Gareth Southgate’s departure in July.
The German, known mostly for his Champions League success against Manchester City with Chelsea also garnered fans from his work at Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.
The only major trophy to England’s name is the FIFA World Cup, which they won in 1966. Since then, England have gotten either very close to victory or fallen very far from it. It was thought for so long that Gareth Southgate would be the man to turn their fate around.
However, after spending nearly a decade as head coach, trophies evaded his team, with his time as England’s head coach coming to an end after a difficult yet triumphant 2024 Euros campaign – England literally limped their way to the final where they lost to Spain.
Lee Carsley was appointed as interim when Southgate left, as the board sought a permanent replacement. In their search, Tuchel was chosen as the man to take on the huge task of coaching England’s Men’s National Team.
Tuchel is a proven winner, and is a mastermind at knockout football – two things that England need in a manager.
Thomas Tuchel was Jürgen Klopp’s successor at Borussia Dortmund. At Dortmund, he retained Klopp’s 4-3-3 setup but introduced a more possession-oriented style, transitioning from the fast-paced, high-pressing game to a controlled build-up play. This allowed players like Marco Reus, Christian Pulisic, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan to rotate more fluidly in attack, creating more dynamic offensive opportunities for central striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Width in Attack at PSG and Chelsea
Similarly, at PSG, Tuchel inherited Unai Emery’s system but refined it by utilizing attacking width through full-backs. His ability to keep the ball in central areas while maintaining balance defensively was a key aspect of his strategy. This focus on control and possession allowed PSG to dictate the tempo, and his tactical flexibility often meant he could switch between systems, such as the 4-3-3 and a back-three formation, depending on the opponent. He favoured the back four more though, particularly in their run to PSG’s first ever – and only – Champions League final.
Taking over from Lampard, Tuchel favoured a back three at Chelsea. Wing-backs played a significant role in the attack, with Reece James and Ben Chilwell providing the width. This allowed forwards to operate in more central areas. This is a system that led to Chelsea’s Champions League glory in 2021, just months after Tuchel took over.
A Positive for England
Flexibility
One of Tuchel’s standout qualities is his tactical versatility. Throughout his career, he has shown a willingness to adjust his formation and style to suit the game situation. Whether deploying a back three with wing-backs at Chelsea or a more traditional back four, Tuchel has proven to be flexible, refusing to confine himself into a box.
This flexibility could be invaluable for the England national team, which has often struggled to break down compact defences. Tuchel’s emphasis on rotations in central areas and fluidity in attack could help England become less predictable and more adaptable during matches.
Given England’s current pool of talent, especially with an attacking full-back like Trent Alexander-Arnold, Tuchel could harness their strengths to create a more balanced yet potent attacking unit.
Tuchel’s appointment as England manager comes at a crucial time. Under Gareth Southgate, England often relied on a more conservative 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-3 setup, focusing on solid defence and quick counter-attacks. While this approach brought success, including a World Cup semi-final and two Euro finals, the team’s inability to dominate possession and control the game’s tempo has been a lingering issue.
Tuchel’s strategy emphasizes ball retention and positional play, ensuring that his teams can suffocate the opponent by maintaining possession and pressing high up the pitch when the ball is lost.
A Pool of Talent and Familiarity
With players like Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, Cole Palmer and Phil Foden, who are comfortable on the ball and can execute quick, intricate passing sequences, Tuchel can build a midfield capable of controlling games and creating scoring opportunities.
His experience managing Harry Kane at Bayern Munich, where he allowed the England captain to drop deep and play long passes to wingers, could also translate well to the national team. Kane’s role as a playmaker, not just a goal-scorer, would be emphasized under Tuchel, making the team’s attack more versatile and unpredictable.
Mason Mount is another player who thrived under Thomas Tuchel while he was at Chelsea. Should the Manchester United player get back to fitness, Tuchel might be able to bring the midfielder back up to form. Ben Chilwell, a starting left back for Tuchel back at Chelsea may see himself being called back to international football by his former manager, as well as Reece James.
And although Ruben Loftus-Cheek was injured through most of his time at Chelsea, Tuchel may still appreciate the talent within the midfielder. Tuchel also saw potential in Conor Gallagher, championing for him to stay at Chelsea in the 2022 summer window. The now Atlético Madrid player who has become a regular Three Lions appearance may gain the favour of his former coach.
Defensive Strength
Thomas Tuchel‘s teams are known for their aggressive pressing and structured defence. His focus on winning the ball high up the pitch would be a welcome addition to England, who have sometimes struggled to regain possession quickly against top teams.
By implementing a high press, Tuchel can ensure that England suffocates their opponents, forcing mistakes and creating counter-attacking opportunities. At Dortmund, he was successful in integrating this system, allowing the team to transition swiftly from defence to attack, often catching opponents off-guard.
England’s defence, which has often relied on a solid back line, would benefit from Tuchel’s ability to organize and adapt. Southgate had a ‘safer’ approach in his tactics, which eventually turned out to be too much of a weakness for England, even against weaker opponents. Tuchel’s football is the opposite of that and may bring back a much-needed fire to the England team.
Much to Look Forward to
Thomas Tuchel’s appointment as England manager represents a new chapter for the national team. His tactical flexibility, emphasis on possession, and innovative approach to coaching could help England become more than just a counter-attacking team.
With a squad that has technical prowess and depth, Tuchel has the tools to implement his vision, allowing England to dominate games. The combination of Harry Kane’s play-making, Bellingham’s dynamism, and a well-organized defensive setup could make England a formidable opponent under Tuchel’s guidance.
Moreover, Tuchel’s experience at top clubs across Europe – winning silverware at Dortmund, PSG, Chelsea and Bayern Munich – demonstrates that he knows how to handle the pressure of high-stakes games. If Tuchel can bring his strengths to the England setup, his doubters might finally see England fulfill the potential we all know they have, and end their long wait for a major trophy.