Thomas Tuchel knows all about handling the pressure of a big job.
The German, a veteran of 613 games in club management, has managed the likes of Borussia Dortmund, PSG, Chelsea and Bayern Munich – four of the largest clubs on the planet.
The 51-year-old is therefore unlikely to be fazed by all the roles and responsibilities that come with his role as England manager, yet it has still been somewhat of a surprise appointment.
It was first reported around Tuesday lunchtime that Tuchel had become the leading contender for the role, with the German’s new position confirmed at 9:30am on Wednesday.
However, the FA later revealed that Tuchel’s contract had in fact been signed on October 8, a week before news crept into the public domain.
Thomas Tuchel, 51, was appointed as England’s new manager on Wednesday morning
The German coach was unveiled to the media and spoke about his ambitions for the role
German coach Tuchel is just the third foreign manager to lead the England men’s team
Sven-Goran Eriksson (L) and Fabio Capello (R) are previous foreign England men’s coaches
Despite the slight controversy of the FA appointing a foreign coach – with Tuchel following in the footsteps of Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello – the appeal of the former Chelsea boss is clear to see.
Not only is the 51-year-old someone with an impressive record and a coach who has experience of pressure situations, but his trophy-winning pedigree is strong.
England are in a position where they have come so close to glory over the past eight years, losing in two European Championship finals.
Gareth Southgate was criticised for his in-game management in those crunch games, something that Tuchel cannot be accused of.
While at PSG, Tuchel won six honours, while he led Bayern to the Bundesliga title and also lifted the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup alongside the Champions League when in charge of Chelsea.
He similarly won the German Cup with Borussia Dortmund during his two years at the club.
Across his six managerial roles – which includes a lengthy stint at mid-table Bundesliga side Mainz 05 – Tuchel has won 351 of his 613 games, at a ratio of 57.26 per cent, an impressive record for any coach.
His impact at Chelsea after replacing Frank Lampard in January 2021 was particularly astonishing.
Tuchel has a strong trophy-winning pedigree and won the Champions League with Chelsea
Despite taking over a struggling team from Frank Lampard, Tuchel somehow led the Blues to Champions League glory that season, which is yet further evidence of his impressive history in tournaments, something that will be crucial for England at the 2026 World Cup.
Chelsea sprung out of the blocks at the start of the following campaign until they badly suffered with injuries, yet Tuchel still led them to third in the Premier League.
This was also despite the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the club when owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by the UK government in March 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
During this tricky period, Tuchel was often relied upon to be the spokesperson at Chelsea, amid a vacuum of leadership at the senior levels of the club.
The German regularly showed his diplomatic qualities, once calling out Chelsea’s supporters that March when they interrupted a moment of applause for Ukraine by singing about Abramovich.
‘It’s not the moment to do this,’ the then-Chelsea manager said. ‘If we show solidarity, we should show solidarity together.
‘We take the knee together, if a person from our club dies we show respect. It’s not a moment to give other messages.
The German coach has also lifted honours with Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and PSG
He showed impressive diplomatic skills at Chelsea in 2022 when owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by the UK government after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
‘We also do this because of what we are as a club. We show respect, and we need our fans to commit to this minute of applause in the moment.
‘We do it for the people of Ukraine and there is no second opinion about the situation.
‘They have our thoughts and our support and we should stand together as a club.’
One of Southgate’s greatest qualities during his eight-year tenure was the ability to read the room and act as somewhat of a statesman, and Tuchel’s experiences of this at Chelsea will prove pivotal if he is to be a success with the Three Lions.
His departure from the club in September 2022 has clouded his reputation at Chelsea, but Tuchel’s impact at the club cannot be underestimated.
During his time at Stamford Bridge, the German also has vast experience of working with English players, some of whom are likely to benefit from his appointment.
The likes of Ben Chilwell, Mason Mount and Reece James – three players who have endured a difficult 12 months – were key tenants of his Blues side and found some of the best form of their careers under him.
Meanwhile, at Bayern he worked with England skipper Harry Kane, while he also helped to oversee a career renaissance for Tottenham outcast Eric Dier during the second half of the 2023-24 campaign.
Tuchel will have to use his diplomatic skills if he is to be a success with the Three Lions
These are all hugely positive attributes which demonstrate why Tuchel was so appealing to the FA, although his appointment has still been viewed as a shock in some quarters.
For a start, Tuchel’s position as a foreign coach leading England – while not relevant for many supporters – is likely to frustrate other fans, with the German following Eriksson and Capello as the third non-English manager of the Three Lions.
The 51-year-old also has a reputation as someone who can occasionally be hot-headed, with Tuchel having left several of his clubs in acrimonious circumstances.
For example, his departure from Stamford Bridge was followed by a breakdown in relations with the club’s board, with Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly reportedly describing the German as a ‘nightmare’ to deal with on recruitment.
Meanwhile, he had also endured a fall-out with several first team players, an accusation that has followed him around at several clubs.
At Bayern, his departure followed reports that he struggled to build relationships with many of his players.
Elsewhere, at PSG he clashed with the hierarchy as his relationship became increasingly fractured.
In fact, Tuchel once said he felt ‘(more like) a politician in sport’ than a coach, while he was heavily critical of the club’s transfer policy.
However, the 51-year-old has left several of his clubs in acrimonious circumstances
The story was similar at Dortmund, where Tuchel departed after just two seasons, amid disagreements with the board.
Most notably, CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke subsequently described Tuchel as a ‘difficult person’.
However, supporters of Tuchel would point to his impressive record in winning trophies, while there are also several other positive endorsements of his man-management.
Former Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta said Tuchel’s man management was crucial in bringing success to the club.
Meanwhile, Blues back-up keeper Marcus Bettinelli was similarly full of praise for the German’s personality and ability to generate a positive atmosphere.
‘Whether you’re the chef, the bin man or gardener [you can] feel the atmosphere,’ he said in 2022.
‘He likes to ask how your family are, how you’re doing. It’s small things like that [which] help you feel comfortable.’
Tuchel’s appeal to the FA is clear to see given his experience and record of winning trophies
However, there is clearly evidence that Tuchel can be an abrasive character and a much different personality to Southgate, something that the initial 18-month contract hints towards.
Along with his nature off the pitch, Tuchel has been involved in several controversial moments on it too.
For example, towards the end of his time at Chelsea, Tuchel clashed with then-Tottenham boss Antonio Conte after a heated Premier league spat.
Tuchel was subsequently fined £35,000 and handed a one-match touchline ban, while the German also occasionally landed himself in hot water at Stamford Bridge when he publicly criticised referees.
Overall, it is clear to see the appeal the FA have in Tuchel given his reputation of success across the continent, while he also knows what it takes to win crunch games and tournaments.
The FA believe the German can finally lead the Three Lions to glory after recent heartbreak
But, it is similarly fair to argue that Tuchel is different to many candidates the FA have had in the past, while his abrasive nature could cause problems, yet he may only oversee the 2026 World Cup and move on.
In truth, it seems as if Tuchel has felt like too good an opportunity to miss for an England side who have been so close to success in recent years, and are desperate to take that final step.
Interim boss Lee Carsley said the Three Lions needed ‘a world class coach who’s won trophies’ and Tuchel certainly qualifies for that criteria.
And, given the foundations Southgate has laid, you would be silly to rule out the German adding to his list of honours and ending England’s 58-year wait for glory in North America in two years time.