Thomas Tuchel takes the helm of the England national team this Friday, becoming only the third non-British permanent manager to lead the Three Lions after Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello. The 51-year-old German has been given a clear but challenging mission: qualify for and win the 2026 World Cup during his 18-month contract.
Tuchel begins his England journey with two home qualifiers against Albania and Latvia, looking to make an immediate impact. His appointment follows Gareth Southgate's tenure, which saw England reach the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and consecutive European Championship finals in 2021 and 2024.
The new England boss brings an impressive resume, having guided Chelsea to Champions League glory in 2021, while also managing elite clubs like Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayern Munich. But what path led him to this prestigious role, and what can England expect under his leadership?
Standing at 6ft 4in, Tuchel began his career as a defender for German clubs Stuttgarter Kickers and SSV Ulm until a serious knee injury ended his playing days at just 25. His early mentor, Ralf Rangnick, who now manages Austria, spotted Tuchel's coaching potential early on.
"He was always interested in why we were doing certain things," Rangnick recalled. "After a couple of weeks, you can tell what player could become a coach - he was always asking questions."
Tuchel's journey from player to coach wasn't immediate. In 2000, he was working as a barman to make ends meet. "When I became head coach of Stuttgart, I found out he was working in a bar to earn a living, I could hardly believe it," said Rangnick, who offered him a youth coaching position. "It was clear he shouldn't be working in a bar and would much rather be on a pitch with a team."
This opportunity launched Tuchel's coaching career. He started with Stuttgart's Under-15s before leading their under-19s to a league title. His senior managerial debut came in 2007 with FC Augsburg II, and by 2009, he was managing Bundesliga side Mainz, following in the footsteps of Jurgen Klopp.
At Mainz, Tuchel demonstrated his tactical acumen, qualifying for European competition twice and guiding them to fifth place in 2010-11 – their best Bundesliga finish ever. Former Germany midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger notes Tuchel's approach has been shaped by various influences.
"Tuchel is someone who has been influenced by a lot of managers and coaches – it's clear he has a constant desire to learn, to be open-minded and curious," said Hitzlsperger. "Ralf Rangnick is one of the coaches who has influenced him - what are you doing when you don't have the ball, how do you win it back, then how do you create chances and score goals?"
Hitzlsperger added that Tuchel's philosophy blends pressing with possession-based play: "With that aspect, Tuchel is very close to Pep Guardiola in terms of the way he thinks about football and how to create chances from your own possession. Pep was more of a coach he looked up to, in the time they spent together in the Bundesliga there was a bond, a relationship forged. They are still friends and they talk regularly."
In 2015, Tuchel succeeded Klopp at Borussia Dortmund, where he had to win over skeptical players. Former Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan was initially unconvinced: "I honestly didn't expect much when it was announced he was going to be the new manager. I was even in talks maybe to leave the club."
However, one phone call changed Gundogan's perspective. "I had one phone call with him and he presented himself to me when I was on holiday in the summer break, and it was actually a really good call. He tried to explain a few things, how he wanted us to play, how he wanted us to train and everything he said he proved during that season."
Under Tuchel's guidance, Dortmund finished second in the Bundesliga in the 2015-16 season. The following year, he claimed his first major trophy, defeating Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 in the German Cup final, though it would be his last match with the club.
Gundogan, who left for Manchester City after that first season, speaks highly of their brief collaboration: "I can only say positive things about him from when we were at Dortmund. He's outstanding tactically and extremely honest and open. Personally, I got along very well with him."
Hitzlsperger believes Tuchel's man-management skills will be crucial for England's success: "The players Tuchel has worked with in the past are very positive about him, and the way he communicates his ideas to them. I don't think the fact he is German will make any difference. Most of the England players work under foreign managers, or have done. He's a top manager so they will be open to his ideas and used to most of them, so it should be a smooth transition."
Rangnick adds: "He's somebody who loves to improve people. As a head coach, you need to be analytic and intelligent. He is curious, funny with a good sense of humour. A very specific humour and, if you know the humour, he can be funny."
Despite his success, Tuchel's career has followed a pattern of relatively brief tenures. After Dortmund, he spent two-and-a-half years at PSG, winning Ligue 1 twice and reaching the Champions League final. At Chelsea, he achieved remarkable success quickly, winning the Champions League just four months after his January 2021 appointment by defeating Manchester City. He added the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup to his collection before being dismissed in September 2022.
His most recent role at Bayern Munich began in March 2023, where he immediately secured the Bundesliga title but departed the following season after failing to win any trophies, despite having England captain Harry Kane on his squad.
Christian Heidel, Mainz's longtime executive and sporting director, described Tuchel in 2021: "Thomas is not an easy person, or easy to deal with, but all good coaches are complicated. Complicated means they are also tough. They make demands of those around them, their players from morning to night and for that reason, they are incredible coaches."
Former Augsburg youth coach Heiner Schuhmann noted Tuchel's demanding nature: "He was an outstanding, passionate player on the pitch, who gave his all," but added that "he was so exacting and demanding, which didn't go down well with some of the players."
Hitzlsperger suggests that Tuchel's tendency to clash with club officials could be less problematic in his national team role: "It's important Tuchel maintains a good relationship with the FA, the people who have brought him in, and he has to handle the media and public. The same thing must not happen that happened in Bayern and Dortmund, where he fell out with his bosses. I am optimistic there won't be too many disagreements, because at his previous clubs it was often about transfers, which as a national team manager is not an issue."
Tuchel officially began his England role on January 1 and has been frequently seen at Premier League matches. He's already showing his independent approach, surprising many by recalling 34-year-old Ajax midfielder Jordan Henderson and giving first international call-ups to 32-year-old Newcastle defender Dan Burn and 18-year-old Arsenal left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Former England captain Alan Shearer believes Tuchel's mandate is clear: "We've been down the route so many times of an English manager having this hope, this belief in three or four years' time we might be this. This manager has been brought in for now, for the next 18 months, to win the World Cup. That's his job. If he doesn't win the World Cup he won't be here."
Hitzlsperger is optimistic about Tuchel's prospects: "His experience in club management will help him with England. He had to deal with some of the biggest names in world football at PSG for example, and was expected to win everything in France and in European competition. Hopefully the players want to play for their country because they think this is fun, they play good football and enjoy the way they play. He will get people excited and out of their seats, thinking 'this is great football, this is what we wanted to see'."
The 2026 World Cup, hosted across Canada, the United States, and Mexico, offers Tuchel the chance to become only the second manager after Sir Alf Ramsey in 1966 to lead England to World Cup glory.
"I would never say, 'he is going to win the World Cup', but he has got one of the best squads in the world, along with Spain, France, Argentina, and Brazil," said Hitzlsperger, before adding an intriguing subplot: "Tuchel is probably hoping to play Germany at some stage. Can you imagine? Putting one over Germany in a World Cup – that would be very sweet for him and it probably wouldn't get any bigger. If he were to put one over them it would be one of the biggest achievements, just after winning the World Cup, and beating Germany on the way would be fantastic for him."
