The New Era for England’s National Soccer Team
The position of coach for the England men’s national soccer team has often been characterized—albeit with a touch of hyperbole—as the second-most significant role in the United Kingdom. In terms of prestige, importance, and intense scrutiny, it is believed to be surpassed only by the more daunting job of being the Prime Minister.
As we approach January 1, a notable change is on the horizon, as this prestigious role will be assumed by a German. On Wednesday, the Football Association, the governing body responsible for the nation’s beloved sport, announced that it had reached an agreement with Thomas Tuchel to take the helm of the national team through the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup.
The rationale behind appointing the 51-year-old Tuchel is undeniably sound from a sporting perspective. His coaching credentials are impressive, having led some of the world’s most esteemed clubs, including Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, and Chelsea. His trophy cabinet boasts domestic titles from both France and Germany, along with the coveted Champions League trophy, which he won with Chelsea in 2021.
As the Football Association articulated in its statement, Tuchel is recognized as “one of the best coaches in the world,” making him an optimal choice to address a lingering issue in English soccer: the painful reality that the nation has not celebrated a major men’s tournament victory since 1966.
However, despite his impressive track record, Tuchel’s appointment has not garnered unanimous support. The right-leaning Daily Mail branded his hiring as a “dark day for England” shortly after the announcement. This publication especially highlighted the fact that the country has opted for a foreign coach, specifically a German—traditionally one of England’s most fierce rivals, both in sports and beyond. The term “German” was notably capitalized in bold on the newspaper’s front page the following morning, emphasizing the sentiment surrounding this controversial decision.
