Former Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel has been named the new manager of the England national team, effective January 1, 2025. The 51-year-old German has agreed to an 18-month contract, becoming the third non-British coach to lead the men’s team, following Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello.
Tuchel replaces Gareth Southgate, who stepped down in July after England’s defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final. In the interim, Lee Carsley has been serving as manager since August and will continue to lead the team in their upcoming Nations League matches against Greece and the Republic of Ireland.
Tuchel, who left Bayern Munich at the end of last season, expressed his gratitude, saying, “It’s an honor to be entrusted with managing the England team. I’ve always felt a strong connection to football in this country, which has given me unforgettable experiences. To represent England is a tremendous privilege, and I look forward to working with this talented group of players.”
Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham said the FA has appointed “one of the world’s best coaches” and emphasized that Tuchel and the team are committed to increasing England’s chances of winning the 2026 World Cup.
England, whose last major trophy came with their 1966 World Cup win, will begin their qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup, set to take place in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, next year.
Tuchel’s previous managerial roles include stints at Mainz, Borussia Dortmund, PSG, and Chelsea, where he led the club to four cup finals, winning the Champions League, before being dismissed in September 2022. He also won the DFB-Pokal with Dortmund in 2017, two Ligue 1 titles with PSG, and the Bundesliga title with Bayern in 2023.