Frank Christian
“Today is a troubling moment for English football. We’re now the joke of the global game.”
This was The Daily Mail’s strong response to the appointment of a former UEFA Champions League winner as Gareth Southgate’s replacement for the England men’s national team.
“A TROUBLESOME DAY FOR ENGLAND,” the headline proclaimed, making it clear to readers that Tuchel is indeed GERMAN.
If it is a troublesome day for anyone, it is for the dedicated sports journalists at The Daily Mail who had their front page adorned with such absurd commentary. The newspaper’s opinion writers certainly find themselves as the laughingstock of British journalism.
The concerns regarding Tuchel’s selection to lead England, as he attempts to move the team “over the line” — a phrase he repeatedly mentioned during his Tuesday press conference regarding Southgate’s near misses in tournaments – are founded in more than mere patriotism.
Many analysts who would distance themselves from the “Two World Wars, One World Cup” sentiment lamented the lost chance for a fellow Englishman to continue Southgate’s legacy and strengthen the connection between the national team and its supporters.
Under Southgate’s Leadership
It’s important to note that the Southgate period wasn’t always filled with glory. The atmosphere within the England team during their struggles in Euro 2024 often felt toxic. While Southgate provided fans with their best moments in years, some even resorted to throwing beer cups at him.
However, Southgate’s England embodied a progressive sense of national pride, allowing young talents to advocate for their beliefs. They aimed to inspire rather than simply boast, coming close to making history.
Finding another manager, whether English or not, who could replicate Southgate’s skill at capturing the national mood would be no easy task. There’s no certainty that any English coach, especially those before him, could connect with the public in the same impactful way he did.
Being attuned to the public is crucial in such a prominent job; however, you can’t purely assess football managers based on this. You may inquire about their tactical setups, accomplishments, and plans for success. It’s hard to envision Tuchel providing anything but impressive responses in such areas, as he’s a highly skilled tactician.
But what about all the excellent English coaches and their opportunity for advancement?
Gary Neville and others have criticized this hiring as a blow to the St George’s Park initiative. If the leading football academy in a football-loving nation can’t prepare an English coach for the top job, then what’s the point? You wouldn’t see this in Spain, Italy, Germany, or France.
That’s true, yet England’s situation is unique with its rich football culture that brims with pride, quirks, and several blind spots.
The Absence of Elite English Coaches
There are major differences between England and the aforementioned footballing powers. Spain, Italy, Germany, and France collectively boast 22 major titles, while England’s only claim to fame is the 1966 World Cup.
Moreover, it has been ages since English coaching introduced ideas that revolutionized the sport globally. The “wingless wonders” of 1966 were innovative at the time, but you need to go back around a century to Herbert Chapman’s pioneering WM formation to see England leading the way tactically.
This isn’t to say there haven’t been great English coaches since then, even if Howard Wilkinson remains the last Englishman to win the country’s top league as manager, doing so with Leeds United in 1991-92. Rather, England has been characterized by pragmatism, fine-tuning strategies instead of blazing new trails.
“English coaching is stuck in a rut,” Neville expressed on Sky Sports News. “It’s among the least respected in Europe for managing teams. Spanish, German, Italian, and Portuguese coaches have notable philosophies and playing styles.”
“We lack a clear national identity in terms of our playing style; we haven’t constructed a unique philosophy.”
Fortunately, this lack of a defined style has allowed for a lucrative opportunity at the club level.
The Premier League’s Influence
Spain’s positional play influenced by the Dutch and Germany’s gegenpressing have dominated football tactics in the 21st century, shaping styles globally. These concepts are now integrated into training at St George’s Park, established in 2012.
Similar centers like Clairefontaine in France and Coverciano in Italy, opened in 1988 and 1958 respectively, show that successful coaching cultures take time to cultivate. England’s development over the past decade with impressive youth teams showcases promising progress.
Given this context, how does England justify its status among footballing heavyweights? The straightforward answer lies in the Premier League.
Despite its flaws and ongoing conflicts at boardrooms, the Premier League is English football’s greatest gift. It stands as a benchmark of excellence by attracting top talent from around the globe. While this is primarily due to financial incentives, it has created a competitive environment where the best, especially coaches, desire to prove themselves.
At Wembley on Tuesday, Tuchel expressed his eagerness to return to England after his enjoyable time at Chelsea. Pep Guardiola has spent more time at Manchester City than in any of his previous roles, and Jurgen Klopp has revitalized Liverpool, creating a historic squad.
This is the environment where top English players have flourished. Their overall talent makes the national team appealing for a coach like Tuchel. Dismissing him solely because of his nationality would unjustly deny English players the enriching, internationally diverse scenario they thrive in weekly. While other leading nations may not appoint foreign coaches, England’s globalized top league aligns seamlessly with an international approach.
The next logical step is for more homegrown coaches to emerge in discussions for the England position, beyond just Eddie Howe and Graham Potter. However, it’s not as if Tuchel will dismantle St George’s Park; rather, English methods, philosophies, and identities will continue to meld and advance. A support system exists to nurture Tuchel’s growth, a stark contrast to when Sven Goran-Eriksson and Fabio Capello were brought in as figureheads.
While Italy and Spain have their romantic coaching tales, English football should embrace the vibrant reality of its diverse football culture instead of lamenting the lack of a grand narrative. Thomas Tuchel as head coach of the Premier League’s national team is a sensible decision.
