Only a few hours after the news surfaced, Thomas Tuchel’s unexpected selection as England manager was officially announced on Wednesday.
On January 1, the 51-year-old German will take Lee Carsley’s position for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Carsley will return to the England Under-21 team.
Since there hasn’t been much time to process the news due to the swift nature of the move, it makes sense that England supporters have a lot of questions.
Tuchel does not have a preferred or game plan, in contrast to many other managers.
When Reece James and Ben Chilwell were fit, Tuchel would typically start a back three at Chelsea, with Kai Havertz filling in as a false nine.
with Mainz, Paris St. Germain, and Bayern Munich, he mostly used a back four defence, though he occasionally played a three-man defender with Borussia Dortmund as well.
He was accustomed to attempting to juggle multiple offensive talents into one squad while managing PSG, having Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Angel di Maria, Edinson Cavani, and Mauro Icardi in his lineup.
He used three players in a 4-2-3-1 formation behind England captain Harry Kane during his final season with Bayern.
According to former Scotland winger Pat Nevin, “3-2-4-1 would suit England because you get four creative attack-minded players with a striker in front,” on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Football Daily.
“He doesn’t play in a particular, traditional manner. You truly have a chance when your manager is as accommodating as that.”
Nevin commented on interim manager Carsley’s attempts to use Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer, and Phil Foden as attacking midfielders in the 2-1 loss to Greece, saying: “It didn’t quite work but it’s only one version of it.”
You can also test out different versions. I have a strong sense that one of the highest-ranking, most accepting managers will give it a shot. Under Thomas, I think they’ll be really exciting.”
The requirements are clear-cut…
For Tuchel’s tenure as England manager to be deemed successful, a significant tournament victory is required.
It’s evident from the conflicted responses to Gareth Southgate making it to two European Championship finals, although losing both by a tiny margin.
And aside from the 1966 World Cup, which they won, these are the only two men’s football finals that England has ever advanced to.
In a social media video, Tuchel declared he will “try to get a second star on our shirt”.
“It’s the right choice if he crosses the line,” Warnock declared.
That is going to be the ultimate thing. The way he does in competitions will be evaluated. He will be considered a failure if he doesn’t. That’s the very minimum required to coach England.”
In an interview with The Rest is Football, former England striker Alan Shearer stated: “We need a trophy.” A management who can provide that is what we need.
“You have to win the tournament, that’s what he’s been hired for.”
Can he succeed, though?
