Thomas Tuchel has jokingly apologised for his German heritage after accepting an offer to take over as head coach of the England national team, saying he will approach the job with passion regardless of his nationality.
Tuchel has been out of work since being sacked by Bayern Munich at the culmination of the 2023/24 season, and will become the first foreign England manager since Fabio Capello, who headed the side from 2008 to 2012, when he begins work in January.
The FA’s decision to hire Tuchel has touched a nerve with a large section of fans as many consider Germany to be England’s biggest rivals.
Speaking alongside FA Chief Executive Mark Bullingham, Tuchel said: “I am sorry I just have a German passport, but I can just tell them that [Chelsea] supporters also felt my passion for the English Premier League, for the country, how I love to live here and work here, so my memories are on the highest level.
“[The fans] played a huge role, and hopefully I can show them that I am proud to be the English manager.
“I will do everything I can to show respect to this role, to this country, and the target for the next 18 months is the biggest one in world football. People can be assured of that no matter what my passport is.”
Doubling down on his attempts to win over those fans, he described a feeling of childlike joy at being offered the England job.
“It brought back my teenage days to get excited for such a big task as the Three Lions, for playing matches at Wembley, for working with this group of players.
“Everyone can be assured that we will do it with passion, with emotion, and we will try to install values and principles and rules as quickly as possible to make the dream come true.
“I am very emotional, I love what I’m doing, I am passionate about football. This task and this role just brought the young me alive.”
He also made sure to thank his predecessor Gareth Southgate for his work, which Tuchel considers to be a strong foundation to work from as he looks ahead to the 2026 World Cup in America.
Southgate managed the Three Lions for eight years, reaching the European Championship final twice but ultimately failing to bring silverware home to England.
Tuchel said: “I think Gareth did a great job in terms of stability and consistency, look at the last results in the tournament, its outstanding.
“The u21s win titles, the younger teams are in the competition to win titles, the women’s team win titles.
“We are there, the federation is there, and a big part of taking the job is that I am curious, I want to learn. I will have a different schedule than in club football but it was a big part that the knowledge and quality of the federation to have that at my side and to combine it with our ideas, so we will build on everything that Gareth and the FA built and hopefully we can add a bit extra to get it over the line.”
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