Harry Kane has expressed his joy at the prospect of reuniting with Thomas Tuchel, the new head coach of the England national team. Kane previously played under Tuchel at Bayern Munich, where he had a prolific season, netting 44 goals in 45 appearances. Tuchel, who recently led Chelsea to Champions League victory and has also managed Paris St Germain, is set to take over from Gareth Southgate on January 1.
The England captain took to social media to share his excitement, stating, “Looking forward to playing under the boss again!” Tuchel’s appointment marks a significant moment for English football, as he becomes the third foreign coach to lead the national team, following in the footsteps of Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello.
Former England defender Gary Neville praised Tuchel’s credentials but raised concerns about the impact of hiring foreign coaches on English coaching prospects. Neville emphasised the need for top-quality coaches in the Premier League while acknowledging Tuchel’s track record and ability to work with elite players.
Alan Shearer speculated that the FA’s swift decision to bring in Tuchel may have been influenced by the possibility of him being a contender for the Manchester United managerial role. Shearer highlighted the importance of seizing the opportunity to secure a coach of Tuchel’s calibre for the national team.
Despite Tuchel’s impressive resume, his nationality has sparked mixed reactions among football pundits and fans. While some, like Gary Lineker, maintain a preference for an English coach, others, including Michael Owen, recognise Tuchel’s expertise and adaptability to the English game.
In a show of support, Prince William, the patron of the FA, extended his well wishes to Tuchel, acknowledging the wealth of talent within the England squad and expressing optimism for the future under the new manager. As Tuchel prepares to lead England into a new era, the football world eagerly anticipates the impact of his leadership on one of the sport’s most iconic national teams.