The World Cup is approaching. In fact, there are only 75 days left. For the first time in history, England’s men’s national soccer team will be participating in a World Cup with Thomas Tuchel as their German manager. The former Chelsea manager is aiming to become only the second manager in history to lead the Three Lions to glory, after Sir Alf Ramsey in 1966.
Tuchel has already signed a contract extension that will keep him in charge until the end of Euro 2028, and England have qualified for the World Cup with eight wins in eight games, scoring 22 goals and conceding no goals. This perfect record will be put to an even stronger test this summer in the United States against Croatia, Ghana and Panama. If they win Group L, Tuchel’s side will face Mexico in Mexico City and potentially face the likes of Brazil, Argentina and Spain to decide glory in New York on July 19.
However, ahead of the tournament, there is still debate over Tuchel’s nationality and the fact that he will not sing “God Save the King”. Because he feels the need to “earn” the right to take the lead. A year ago, former England international and Manchester United captain Bryan Robson told us:
“I’m not against Tuchel, but yes, I’d like to see a young English manager take the job. Gareth Southgate did a great job when he was manager. He had some really good young players and he took advantage of them. An English manager can do the job as well as a foreign manager.”
“And as an England patriot, I would have gone to another English manager who you think is good enough to get the best out of the young players we have in this country.”
But does Tuchel’s nationality really matter? Our writers have already expressed their opinions here. And now it’s time for you to get it too…
Which is more important? The nationality of the manager or how successful they are? Vote in the poll below. Let us know what you think in the comments section.
Tuchel is only the third non-British manager in history, but all three were born in the 21st century. Sweden’s late Sven-Goran Eriksson was the first, and Italy’s Fabio Capello was the second. Neither team made it past the quarterfinals of the World Cup.
And former striker Michael Owen, who played under both managers, agrees with Robson that England’s head coach should come from here. “But I think it (bringing in foreign managers) defeats the whole purpose of international football. It should be the best that England can offer to other countries,” he said last October.
“There’s no xenophobia at all. That’s international football. Our country versus your country. It should be British. Coaches should be British. Doctors should be British. Everything should be in English. That’s what it is. That’s international football and that’s the way it should be.”
“So I have nothing to say against Thomas Tuchel. He is a great manager. He has the potential to do great things. But if we win the World Cup and a German manager lifts the World Cup, is that really the case? Whether it’s a foreigner coaching England or an Englishman coaching a foreign national team. In my eyes, that’s not right at all.”
