Thomas Tuchel, the former Chelsea and Bayern Munich coach, has signed a deal to become the new England manager.
The German, who has been out of work since leaving Bayern in the summer, will become the full-time successor to Gareth Southgate, who resigned after England’s defeat to Spain in the final of Euro 2024 in July.
Tuchel, 51, guided Chelsea to Champions League success in 2021 but was sacked the following year.
Tuchel is the first non-English manager to take the role since Fabio Capello quit in 2012, and only the third overall, following the Italian and the Swede, Sven-Goran Eriksson.
While some may be dismayed at the idea of a German taking over the national team, the FA has made it clear throughout the recruitment process that nationality should be no barrier to the role.
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham and technical director John McDermott have been in discussions with Tuchel since last month.
Before the appointment was confirmed, England captain Harry Kane welcomed the idea of Tuchel taking over.
Tuchel on the touchline during his time with Bayern Munich in 2023. File pic: PA
Kane, who was coached by the German at Bayern Munich last season, told Sky Sports at a club fan event in the city: “I know Thomas well from last year. Fantastic coach, fantastic person”.
Kane, who was signed by Tuchel, had the best season of his career scoring 44 goals in 45 games.
The FA has not commented but Sky Sports’ Rob Dorsett said the association will confirm the appointment at a Wednesday lunchtime news conference, but it’s not clear if Tuchel himself will be there.
Gareth Southgate applauds to supporters at the end of the final match between Spain and England. File pic: AP
He called today’s development an “extraordinary situation, given the extra controversy that it’ll bring, and the rivalry between England and Germany that goes back so many decades.”
Tuchel, he said, will earn around £4.5m to £5m, calling that “a significant pay-cut for a very decorated club manager.”
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was approached by the FA. Pic: Reuters
As well as the Champions League, Tuchel led Chelsea to Super Cup and Club World Cup victory and steered Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern to the French and German league titles respectively.
He was one of the bookmakers’ favourites for the England job, along with, among others, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.
England interim manager Lee Carsley. Pic: Reuters
According to Sky Sports, the FA approached the Spaniard’s representatives, but there were no further developments.
Other leading candidates are believed to have included another German, former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, and the English pair, Graham Potter and Newcastle’s Eddie Howe.
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England acted quickly to potentially avoid losing out on Thomas Tuchel.
They have not just gone for a third foreign Three Lions manager but also a proven winner at club level – like Sven-Göran Eriksson and Fabio Capello.
The German won the biggest club prize of them all – the Champions League with Chelsea after five months in the job.
He then navigated the complexity of being the face of the Blues after owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned and forced to sell.
But he was gone within months of the takeover.
And there was always talk of potential friction over transfers – as there was in his season at Bayern Munich – but that won’t be an issue with a national team.
His challenge in a first international job – deliver the trophy England came so close to winning under Gareth Southgate but fell short twice in Euros finals.
England under-21 coach Lee Carsley was in interim charge of the senior team for the four autumn Nations League matches and was thought to have been a candidate for the job.
He guided the Three Lions to three wins, but a 2-1 defeat to Greece at Wembley last Friday, along with a lack of clarity from him regarding his ambitions had prompted doubts over his suitability for the full-time role.
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