ENGLAND have revealed why they waited to announce the appointment of Thomas Tuchel after he secretly signed his contract.
Tuchel, 51, was today announced as Gareth Southgate’s permanent successor for the Three Lions job.
An FA statement said: “The FA has announced that UEFA Champions League winner Thomas Tuchel is the new England senior men’s head coach and will be assisted by internationally-renowned English coach Anthony Barry.
“Tuchel returns to English football after a trophy-laden period with Chelsea who he led to become European and world champions, having also been successful at elite level in Germany and France.
“In addition, he was voted UEFA and FIFA’s coach of the year in 2021 in recognition of his work in England.
“His arrival at the FA concludes an extensive recruitment search which began in July, just after the Three Lions’ run to the UEFA EURO 2024 final.”
However, it has now been revealed that England chiefs penned terms with the German on an 18 month contract, worth £5million a year, last week.
The England statement said the former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss had signed his contract on Tuesday, October 8.
They explained the decision to delay the announcement by over a week had been made in an effort to “minimise distraction around the international camp that has just concluded”.
The final call on his appointment had been made by the FA Board early last week, following a recruitment process led by FA CEO Mark Bullingham and men’s technical director John McDermott.
The recent games under interim boss Lee Carsley – who appeared to let the future of the England boss slip at a press conference – ended in a 2-1 defeat to Greece and 3-1 win over Finland.
Tuchel will take over the role in January, with interim boss Carsley to take charge of the final Nations League matches next month.
According to the Rest is Football podcast, Gary Lineker England decision-makers also approached Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti for the role.
He said: “It’s confirmed apparently that they did reach out in the summer to Pep Guardiola.
Inside FA’s thrilling chase for Tuchel
THE FA’s path to securing Thomas Tuchel’s signature was not a straightforward one.
They tried to lure Pep Guardiola from Manchester City over the summer.
They even made contact with Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti after deciding to target trophy-laden foreign gaffers.
The FA’s determination to go international was summed up by their decision NOT to interview Newcastle boss Eddie Howe.
Initial talks with Tuchel saw him express a slight interest in replacing Gareth Southgate.
But he was waiting to see what would happen at Manchester United, with Erik ten Hag’s future under the spotlight.
Man Utd owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe eventually decided to stick with Ten Hag – and that opened the door to the FA getting their man.
Read the full story on England’s thrilling pursuit of Thomas Tuchel.
“And also I understand that they spoke to Carlo Ancelotti.”
The FA’s determination to go international was also summed up by their decision NOT to interview Newcastle boss Eddie Howe.
ANDY DILLON: Thomas Tuchel has all the ingredients to become a classic England manager – tactical nous, drive and a tangled love life
By Andy Dillon
THOMAS TUCHEL possesses all the ingredients to become a classic England manager.
Tactical nous, drive, energy, experience – a tangled love life.
English football should welcome back the most explosive, dynamic, charismatic and impossibly tall and gangly coach to have lit up the Premier League.
Chelsea’s colourful former boss has been leading a settled life in Munich of late.
Far enough away from ex-wife Sissi but close enough to see his two daughters.
Walking his dog in the streets in the east of Germany’s most fashionable city, residing in the posh Bogenhausen area. Living relatively quietly with his Brazilian girlfriend.
Tuchel is a vastly different personality to the man who led England quietly but assuredly to the brink of World Cups and European Championships.
An excitable nature can make him hard to handle for those seeking calm and who like to impose their way on a manager they view very much as an underling.
Read more on why Tuchel REALLY IS the best man for the England job
Forgotten England stars could benefit from Tuchel appointment
WITH Thomas Tuchel in the frame to be the next England manager, a few forgotten stars might be hopeful of a return to the international set up.
The former Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager usually uses a 3-4-3 formation.
That could provide an opening for Mason Mount, who’s not been involved in the England set-up since the World Cup in 2022.
The now Manchester United star enjoyed his most successful spell under Tuchel while the pair were at Stamford Bridge.
Tuchel could also offer lifelines to other previously capped players such as Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Eric Dier.
RLC has excelled since his move to AC Milan and with England struggling to find a partner for Rice, he could be the surprise answer.
Meanwhile, Dier played for Tuchel at Bayern Munich as part of a back-three last season.
The defender did enough to convince the club to make his loan move permanent after he had fallen out of favour at Tottenham.
Click here to see the full England XI who could play under Tuchel.
Read the full article here
