The FA ( Football Association) has officially announced that UEFA Champions League winner Thomas Tuchel is the new head coach of the England senior men's team, with renowned English coach Anthony Barry as his assistant. Tuchel returns to English football following a highly successful stint at Chelsea, where he guided the team to both European and world championships. His coaching accolades extend beyond England, with achievements in Germany and France. In 2021, he was recognized as UEFA and FIFA’s Coach of the Year for his exceptional work in the Premier League.
Recruitment Process and Contract Details
Tuchel’s appointment concludes an extensive search initiated in July after the Three Lions’ impressive run to the UEFA EURO 2024 final. This confidential recruitment process, overseen by FA CEO Mark Bullingham and men’s technical director John McDermott, involved interviews with multiple candidates. Tuchel, who has signed an 18-month contract, was identified as the top choice for the role.
The FA Board approved the decision to hire Tuchel and Barry last week, with Tuchel signing his contract on October 8. The announcement was strategically delayed to avoid distracting the team during their recent international camp.
Tuchel expressed pride in his new role, saying, “I am very proud to have been given the honour of leading the England team. I have long felt a personal connection to the game in this country... To have the chance to represent England is a huge privilege.”
Upcoming Responsibilities
Tuchel and Barry will commence their roles on January 1, 2025, just ahead of the qualification campaign for the FIFA World Cup, set to take place in Canada, Mexico, and the USA in 2026. Tuchel boasts an impressive record, including league titles in both France and Germany. His tenure saw success with Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, where he secured his most recent league title in the 2022/23 season. He captured his first major trophy in 2017 when he led Borussia Dortmund to victory in the German Cup. England’s only major trophy was the World Cup in 1966
A Strong Partnership
Tuchel will reunite with Barry, with whom he has worked closely at Chelsea and Bayern, winning four trophies together. Barry, a UEFA Pro licence holder, brings significant international experience, having worked with Belgium and Portugal during the 2022 FIFA World Cup and UEFA EURO 2024, respectively.
The duo plans to bring a small backroom team to St. George’s Park, with further coaching announcements expected soon.
Interim Leadership and Future Goals
Interim head coach Lee Carsley will remain in charge of the England team until the UEFA Nations League group stage concludes next month. He will then focus on leading the U21 team as they defend their UEFA U21 EURO title next summer.
FA CEO Mark Bullingham expressed excitement about the appointment, stating, “We are thrilled to have hired Thomas Tuchel, one of the best coaches in the world, and Anthony Barry, who is one of the best English coaches to support him. Our recruitment process has been very thorough... Thomas was very impressive and stood out with his vast expertise and his drive.”
He added, “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.”
Barry echoed this sentiment: “For any Englishman in football, working with the national team is the pinnacle... I look forward to meeting and working with them on this exciting project.”
