What's happened
Thomas Tuchel has been appointed as the new manager of the England national football team, succeeding Gareth Southgate. His 18-month contract aims to lead England to success in the 2026 World Cup, amidst mixed reactions regarding his foreign nationality and the lack of English candidates.
Why it matters
What the papers say
The Guardian highlights the mixed reactions to Tuchel's appointment, noting that while some fans appreciate his credentials, others criticize the decision based on his nationality. Miguel Delaney from The Independent points out the scarcity of English managers in top positions, questioning the FA's decision-making process. Jonathan Veal emphasizes the importance of results over nationality, suggesting that Tuchel's success at major clubs justifies his appointment. Overall, the coverage reflects a tension between tradition and modernity in English football management.
How we got here
Gareth Southgate's retirement followed a disappointing home defeat to Greece, prompting the FA to seek a new manager. Tuchel, a highly successful coach with experience in top European clubs, was chosen despite criticism over overlooking English candidates.
More on these topics
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Thomas Tuchel is a German professional football coach and former player. He is the head coach of Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain.
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Gareth Southgate OBE is an English professional football manager and former player who played as a defender or as a midfielder. He is the manager of the England national team.
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The 2026 FIFA World Cup, marketed as FIFA World Cup 26, will be the 23rd FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international men's soccer championship contested by the national teams of the member associations of FIFA.
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England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest of England and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. England is separated from continental Europe by