Official announcements from the Football Association (FA)

Thomas Tuchel Appointed England Manager Until 2026 World Cup

Oct 16, 2024, 08:32 AM

Thomas Tuchel has been appointed as the new head coach of the England men's national football team, succeeding Gareth Southgate. The Football Association (FA) confirmed his appointment on October 16, 2024. Tuchel has signed an 18-month contract, starting on January 1, 2025, which will run until after the 2026 World Cup, with an annual salary of £6 million—double that of his predecessor. He becomes the first German-born manager to lead the England team. Tuchel will be assisted by English coach Anthony Barry. Previously, Tuchel managed Chelsea and Bayern Munich, leading Chelsea to a UEFA Champions League victory. In his first press conference at Wembley Stadium, Tuchel expressed his excitement and honor at being appointed, stating, 'I have long felt a personal connection to the game in this country.' He emphasized his ambition to win the World Cup in 2026, saying he aims to 'put the second star on this shirt.' Addressing concerns about his nationality, Tuchel remarked, 'I just have a German passport... but all of these supporters can feel my passion for the English Premier League.' The FA's chief executive, Mark Bullingham, stated, 'Fundamentally we wanted to hire a coaching team to give us the best possible chance of winning a major tournament, and we believe they will do just that.' The FA had initially considered Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola as their top target but were unable to secure his services.