On Tuesday, England announced the appointment of Thomas Tuchel as head coach, following the departure of Gareth Southgate in July.

The German, best known for his Champions League success against Manchester City with Chelsea, has also gained fans from his spells at Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.

England’s only major trophy is the FIFA World Cup, which they won in 1966. Since then, England have either gotten closer to victory or even further away from it. It has long been thought that Gareth Southgate would be the man to change their fortunes.

However, after spending almost a decade as head coach, his side were without silverware, and his tenure as England head coach was coming to an end after a tough but triumphant Euro 2024 campaign – England actually limped towards the final where they lost to Spanish.

Lee Carsley was appointed interim when Southgate left, as the board searched for a permanent replacement. In their search, Tuchel was chosen as the person to carry out the big task of coaching the England Men’s National Team.

Tuchel is a proven winner, and is a mastermind of knockout football – two things England need in a manager.

Thomas Tuchel is Jürgen Klopp’s successor at Borussia Dortmund. At Dortmund, he retained Klopp’s 4-3-3 formation but introduced a more possession-oriented style, switching from fast, high-pressing play to controlled build-up play. This allows players like Marco Reus, Christian Pulisic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan to rotate more smoothly in attack, creating more dynamic offensive opportunities for center forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Width of Attack at PSG and Chelsea

Likewise at PSG, Tuchel inherited Unai Emery’s system but perfected it by utilizing the attack line through full-back. His ability to keep the ball in central areas while maintaining balance in defense is a key aspect of his strategy. A focus on control and possession allows PSG to dictate the tempo, and its tactical flexibility often means it can switch between systems, such as a 4-3-3 and a back three, depending on the opponent. He preferred a back four, especially on their way to PSG’s first – and only – Champions League final.

Taking over Lampard’s position, Tuchel prefers a three-defender formation at Chelsea. The full-backs play a vital role in attack, with Reece James and Ben Chilwell filling in on the flanks. This allows advanced companies to operate in a more central area. This is the system that took Chelsea to Champions League glory in 2021, just months after Tuchel took over.

A Positive for the UK

Flexibility

One of Tuchel’s standout qualities is his tactical versatility. Throughout his career, he has shown a willingness to adapt his formation and style to suit the game situation. Whether using a back three formation with wing-backs at Chelsea or a more traditional back four, Tuchel has proven flexible, refusing to box himself in the box.

This flexibility could be invaluable for the England national team, which often finds it difficult to break down compact defences. Tuchel’s emphasis on rotation in central areas and fluidity in attack could help England become less predictable and more adaptable during matches.

Given England’s current wealth of talent, especially with attacking full-backs like Trent Alexander-Arnold, Tuchel could utilize their strengths to create a more balanced yet powerful attacking unit.

Tuchel’s appointment as England manager comes at a crucial time. Under Gareth Southgate, England often rely on a more conservative 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-3 formation, with a focus on solid defending and quick counter-attacks. Although this approach brought success, including a World Cup semi-final and two European Cup finals, the team’s inability to dominate possession and control the tempo of play remained a problem.

Tuchel’s strategy emphasizes ball retention and positional play, ensuring that his team can suffocate opponents by maintaining possession of the ball and pressing high when the ball is lost.

Pool of Talent and Familiarity

With players like Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, Cole Palmer and Phil Foden, who are comfortable on the ball and can execute a series of quick and complex passes, Tuchel can build a midfield capable of controlling the game and creating goal-scoring opportunities.

His experience managing Harry Kane at Bayern Munich, where he allowed the England captain to play deeper and play long balls to the wingers, could also be applied well in the national team. Kane’s role as a playmaker, not just a goalscorer, will be emphasized under Tuchel, making the team’s attack more flexible and unpredictable.

Mason Mount is another player who thrived under Thomas Tuchel during his time at Chelsea. If the Manchester United player returns to fitness, Tuchel may be able to return to his best performance. Ben Chilwell, Tuchel’s starting left-back at Chelsea may be recalled to international football by his former manager, as well as Reece James.

And although Ruben Loftus-Cheek has been injured for much of his time at Chelsea, Tuchel may still appreciate the talent within the midfielder. Tuchel also sees potential in Conor Gallagher and is fighting for him to stay at Chelsea in the 2022 summer window. The Atlético Madrid player, who is now a regular at the Three Lions, may get support from his former coach.

Defense Strength

Thomas Tuchel’s team is known for its aggressive pressing and structured defense. His focus on winning the ball up front would be a welcome addition for England, who have sometimes struggled to regain possession quickly against top teams.

By applying high pressure, Tuchel can ensure England strangle their opponents, force mistakes and create counter-attack opportunities. At Dortmund, he successfully integrated this system, allowing the team to transition quickly from defense to attack, often catching opponents off guard.

England’s defence, which has relied on a solid back line, will benefit from Tuchel’s ability to organize and adapt. Southgate had a ‘safer’ approach to his tactics, which ultimately became a major weakness for England, even against weaker opponents. Tuchel’s football is the opposite of that and might bring back some much-needed spark to the England team.

Much to Look Forward to

Thomas Tuchel’s appointment as England manager represents a new chapter for the national team. His tactical flexibility, emphasis on possession and innovative approach to coaching can help England become more than just a counter-attacking team.

With a squad that has technical prowess and depth, Tuchel has the tools to implement his vision, allowing England to dominate the game. The combination of Harry Kane’s play-making, Bellingham’s dynamism and a well-organized defense could make England a tough opponent under Tuchel.

Moreover, Tuchel’s experience at Europe’s top clubs – winning trophies at Dortmund, PSG, Chelsea and Bayern Munich – shows that he knows how to handle the pressure of high-stakes matches. If Tuchel can bring his power to the England squad, his doubters may finally see England fulfill the potential we all know they have, and end their long wait for a major trophy.