Jamie Carragher, Harry Redknapp and Alan Smith are among the prominent names who have also spoken out against the FA’s appointment of Thomas Tuchel as England manager.
More of the most-esteemed names in English football have spoken out against the appointment of Thomas Tuchel as the next England manager.
The FA announced on Wednesday morning that Tuchel will be the permanent successor to Gareth Southgate, and the German will take over from January on an 18-month deal.
Lee Carsley remains in interim charge and will oversee November’s UEFA Nations League matches, before Tuchel takes charge for the potential promotion playoff and 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Tuchel will become just the third foreign coach appointed by England, and first since Fabio Capello took charge in 2007, six years after the late Sven-Goran Eriksson was given the top job in the middle of 2002 World Cup qualifying.
Carragher and Redknapp comment on Tuchel appointment
“It just doesn’t feel right to me that we have a foreign coach”
Jamie Carragher believes England should have an English manager 🏴 pic.twitter.com/BUlfdcZdKN
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) October 16, 2024
In many quarters, the news has come as a surprise, and met with some disdain, given that the last three permanent managers have all been English-born.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, speaking to Sky Sports News, revealed: “The whole point of international football is that it’s your best versus their best.
“There is so much good work that has gone into producing these players, with St. George’s Park, it just doesn’t feel right to me that we have a foreign coach. I don’t think Italy should, I don’t think Germany should, I don’t think France should.”
Harry Redknapp, who was linked heavily with the job during the early 2010s following his time with Tottenham Hotspur, also believes that the role should always go to an English manager, but admitted it was tough for the FA.
“I want an Englishman to manage England, I’m very patriotic, but obviously the field was very small to choose from,” Redknapp told Sky Sports News.
“Englishman don’t get jobs managing in the Premier League very often, all the clubs are owned by foreign owners, and when they bring a manager in, they bring a foreign manager in.” Redknapp continued.
Former England and Arsenal striker Alan Smith also weighed in with his thoughts on Sky Sports News, saying he is “disappointed” that the FA have not continued with their recent policy of going with a homegrown manager.
“I do believe that the England manager should be English”
Alan Smith says he is ‘disappointed’ that the new England manager is not English 🏴 pic.twitter.com/WCNvEXtKXK
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) October 16, 2024
Former England captain in support of Tuchel’s appointment
Match of the Day pundit, former England captain and Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer does not share the same view though, calling Tuchel the “outstanding candidate”.
Speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, Shearer further stated: “There’s no doubt he’s got an incredible CV, what he’s won and managing at the highest level, working with superstars. But this is going to be a very, very different test for him. It’s a bold move from the FA, there’s no doubt about it.
“We need a trophy, it’s as simple as that. And we need a manager that can deliver that.”
Tuchel will watch on when England face Greece and Ireland next month, in Carsley’s final two games in charge, as the former Irish international looks to win promotion to League A for the Three Lions.