Debut against Albania
© Imago
Before his debut in the traditional Wembley Stadium, the new England coach Thomas Tuchel pays attention to every detail. The former coach of Dortmund and Bavaria, who now wants to get the first World Cup title since 1966 with the Three Lions, leaves no doubt about which great football nation he now represents. Answers in German are taboo at his press conferences.
“Out of respect for where we are, and for everyone else I just want to do it in English,” said Tuchel-friendly, but definitely-of course, when he was asked for a German answer when he was announced for the World Cup qualifier between England and Albania (Friday/8:45 p.m.). Something like that is well received in England. Tuchel knows that as a coach from the land of great rival Germany, he will look particularly critically on the island and, at least at the beginning, have a difficult stand at parts of the fans.
“I am absolutely aware that it is something special to be able to coach this team as a foreign trainer.” He will show that he deserves the job, the 51-year-old, who moved to London, announced confidently. In particular, the nomination of the 34-year-old Ajax professional Jordan Henderson, who previously found no luck in Saudi Arabia, the often injured Reece James (Chelsea) and Marcus Rashford, who is slowly back in shape at Aston Villa, are controversial in England.
“I would be surprised if nobody was surprised,” Tuchel reacted almost amused. “And I think the debate is part of the job.” He himself and his team, to which his long -time German assistant Zsolt Löw and Arno Michels no longer belong, had emotional and heated discussions. “There were some very, very tight decisions – and some players are not in the squad, although they did enough and deserved it.” He did not name names, but Conor Gallagher (Atlético) and Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham) should be included.
Unlike Southgate: Tuchel wants to play offensive football with England
Thomas Tuchel has to cope with a difficult balancing act in his new job. He must immediately deliver results on the pitch to have the fans on his side and-more importantly-to secure the World Cup qualification of the Three Lions. But he also has to build a team for the tournament in the summer of 2026 and integrate players into the team with a perspective. “The nomination is not a nomination for America,” said the coach with a view of his first England squad. At the same time, he emphasized that every player who is now in the process of driving to the World Cup even in a year and a half.
In contrast to his predecessor Gareth Southgate, whose football was controversial among fans, he announced a direct, offensive style with more speed and intensity. “I think we should have the courage to play like a real English team,” said Tuchel. “Our game should reflect the values of the country – and that of the best league in the world, the Premier League.” He wanted to incorporate “a little club football”.
As a club trainer, Tuchel has many successes-the DFB Cup with Borussia Dortmund, a somewhat flattering German championship with FC Bayern, all national titles with Paris Saint-Germain and the win of the Champions League with Chelsea. But none of this counts when he is sitting on the coaching bench for the first time in front of 90,000 spectators.
Born in Krumbacher, the native of the English royal family received a backing before his first game. Prince William praised that Tuchel was “exactly the right one” for the job. The heir to the throne and President of the English Football Association FA even trusts him to end 60 years of title in the summer of 2026 England. The World Cup triumph is “definitely possible” with Tuchel, said William of the “Sun”.
With all England affinity-the national anthem “God Save the King” does not want to sing along for the time being. “I have the feeling that it is not just a matter of course. You can’t just sing that,” said the England coach of a round of newspaper reporters. “That’s why I decided that I won’t sing in my first games.”