Frank Christian
The English Football Association (FA) made a bold move following the United States men’s national team’s success in hiring former Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino. They opted for a similar strategy by acquiring Thomas Tuchel, the best available manager without a club, to succeed Gareth Southgate.
Tuchel brings a wealth of experience and a proven record of winning prestigious titles, making him a fitting choice for the role. Although this is his inaugural international coaching opportunity, German managers are frequently considered for future national team roles, suggesting he will be well-prepared for the challenges ahead.
The FA is optimistic about this appointment despite the demanding nature of the England position for the 51-year-old. The Sporting News explores Tuchel’s playing philosophy and how it aligns with the England team.
Preferred Formation of Thomas Tuchel
Thomas Tuchel has demonstrated remarkable tactical adaptability throughout his career, with Pep Guardiola once labeling him as “so creative” and acknowledging that he learns from him.
Tuchel often retains the previous manager’s formation for consistency when he takes over a team. For instance, he maintained Jurgen Klopp’s 4-2-3-1 at Borussia Dortmund and preserved Unai Emery’s 4-3-3 at PSG.
While he has occasionally utilized a three-defender setup at Chelsea and PSG, he often transitioned these formations into a 4-4-2 when defending.
Coaching England presents a new challenge, allowing him more influence over player selection to adhere to his tactical philosophy, tapping into a rich talent pool.
Looking forward to starting the journey together
— England (@England) October 16, 2024
Tuchel’s Tactics and Style
Regardless of the specific formation chosen for matches, Tuchel maintains a focus on a possession-based style, frequently progressing the ball swiftly from defense to attack.
A standout aspect of his strategy is the emphasis on width. While he does not excessively push the ball wide, he leverages wide players to create overloads; his full-back often joins the attack after drawing the opponent’s focus to one side.
At Chelsea, he effectively integrated this strategy into his 3-4-3 formation, utilizing energetic wing-backs to provide width while bringing versatile forwards like Timo Werner and Mason Mount into the central areas to create space and confusion.
Tuchel does not fit the typical mold of high-press German coaches, but he incorporates a targeted pressing system motivated by specific cues from opposing teams, pursuing to disrupt their rhythm and regain possession.
Technical capabilities are crucial in Tuchel’s system, and he seems inclined to include aesthetically skilled players in traditionally less technical positions like striker, defensive midfielder, or center-back.
Tuchel’s Management Style
While Tuchel’s tactical approach is fluid and innovative, his leadership style is distinctly defined. He is known for his intense personality, both in games and in interactions with the media. He has engaged in notable confrontations with rivals and officials, such as a famous exchange with Antonio Conte and his ejection while coaching Bayern Munich in a Champions League match.
He has the experience of managing star players and navigating strong personalities during his tenure at PSG, where he led the club to the Champions League Final—its best performance in the prestigious tournament.
Tuchel is familiar with several players in the current England squad, having previously coached Harry Kane at Bayern Munich during a prolific season and overseeing Reece James and Raheem Sterling at Chelsea. Although he did not directly coach Jude Bellingham at Borussia Dortmund, he undoubtedly influenced the club’s environment during his stint.
However, Tuchel’s management method has garnered criticism as he often struggles to stabilize a team when issues arise, with his squads frequently experiencing downward spirals.
He highly values squad cohesion, arranging team outings, but he is also stringent in addressing errors, leading to reports of his “brutal” critiques during training and analysis sessions following his exit from Chelsea.
