In a significant move for English football, UEFA Champions League-winning coach Thomas Tuchel has been appointed as the new head coach of the England men’s senior team. The former manager of Bayern Munich, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain will be joined by English coach Anthony Barry as his assistant, the Football Association (FA) announced.
Tuchel’s return to English football comes after a highly successful spell with Chelsea, where he led the team to victory in both the UEFA Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup. His achievements during this time earned him prestigious awards, including UEFA and FIFA’s Coach of the Year in 2021. His arrival at the FA concludes an extensive recruitment process that began following England’s impressive run to the UEFA EURO 2024 final.
The search for a new head coach was led by FA CEO Mark Bullingham and men’s technical director John McDermott, with Tuchel emerging as the standout candidate. The FA Board officially approved the appointments of Tuchel and Barry last week, with Tuchel signing his contract on October 8. However, the announcement was held off to avoid disrupting England’s recent international commitments.
Tuchel and Barry will take up their roles on January 1, 2025, as they prepare for England’s qualification campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the USA. Tuchel brings an impressive resume, with league titles in France and Germany, including his most recent Bundesliga triumph with Bayern Munich in the 2022-23 season. He first made his mark on the coaching scene by winning the German Cup with Borussia Dortmund in 2017.
Anthony Barry, a highly-regarded English coach, has worked alongside Tuchel at Chelsea and Bayern Munich, where they secured multiple trophies together. A UEFA Pro licence holder, Barry has amassed international experience with Belgium and Portugal, having contributed to their recent World Cup and European Championship campaigns. His deep understanding of English football, combined with his international credentials, makes him a valuable addition to the new England coaching team.
Mark Bullingham expressed his excitement over the appointments, saying, “We are thrilled to have hired Thomas Tuchel, one of the best coaches in the world, and Anthony Barry, one of the best English coaches, to support him. We believe this team gives us the best possible chance to win a major tournament, especially with the World Cup in 2026 in sight.”
Tuchel also shared his pride in leading England, stating, “To have the chance to represent England is a huge privilege, and I’m excited to work with this talented group of players. With Anthony by my side, we will do everything we can to make England successful and to make the supporters proud.”
Barry echoed Tuchel’s sentiments, calling the opportunity to work with England a “pinnacle” for any English coach. He expressed eagerness to begin working with the squad, emphasizing the strength and unity the team has already demonstrated on the global stage.
The current interim head coach, Lee Carsley, will remain in charge through to the conclusion of the UEFA Nations League group stage before resuming his role as head coach of England’s U21 side, where he will focus on defending their UEFA U21 European Championship title.
With Tuchel and Barry at the helm, the FA is optimistic about England’s future prospects, particularly with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon. England fans can look forward to a new chapter under one of football’s most accomplished coaches, as the national team aims for success on the global stage.
