Thomas Tuchel to England: Raphael Honigstein says former Chelsea, Bayern Munich boss 'next best in line after Guardiola'
Published 15/10/2024 at 21:17 GMT+1
German football expert Raphael Honigstein says Thomas Tuchel is the "next best in line after Pep Guardiola" to take over the England national team, with the former Bayern Munich and Chelsea boss reportedly agreeing to become Gareth Southgate's permanent successor. Tuchel boasts an impressive CV, which includes UEFA Champions League glory with Chelsea in 2020/21.
Honigstein: Big name and a proven winner, Tuchel is a good fit for England
Video credit: TNT Sports
Raphael Honigstein says Thomas Tuchel is a "good fit" for England, labelling the former Chelsea boss a "proven winner" after he reportedly agreed to become Gareth Southgate's permanent replacement on Tuesday.
Tuchel, who led Chelsea to a UEFA Champions League-winning campaign in 2020/21, is set to be named as the new England boss, ending speculation surrounding Pep Guardiola, Eddie Howe and Graham Potter, who had all been touted for the role.
While German football expert Honigstein admitted the move feels "slightly strange", he claimed Tuchel is the "next best thing in line after Pep Guardiola".
"I have to say, from a German perspective, it sounds slightly strange still," Honigstein told TNT Sports.
"But the FA were clearly willing to overlook the colour of Thomas Tuchel's passport; they were looking for a big name, a proven winner, somebody with Premier League experience, so who else could they have got?
"Thomas Tuchel is probably the next best thing in line after Pep Guardiola and judging from the speed of negotiations, he was very keen. Just as keen as they were."
Tuchel enjoyed a successful stint with Chelsea before he was dismissed by new owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital shortly after their arrival at the club in 2022.
The 51-year-old went on to join Bayern Munich, where he led the Bundesliga giants to an 11th consecutive league title, before finishing second in the subsequent campaign, leading to his dismissal.
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Honigstein said the 2021 UEFA Men's Coach of the Year "loves English players", highlighted by his desire to bring Harry Kane and Eric Dier to Bayern Munich last season.
The TNT Sports expert added: "Is it a good fit? In many ways, yes, because Thomas Tuchel really relished working in England.
"He loves the dressing room mentality, loves English players, worked with Harry Kane, worked with Eric Dier, tried to bring in one or two more players at Bayern, tried to build on that English mentality.
"I don't think there will be any cultural differences or the kind of problems we saw with [Fabio] Capello."
Honigstein did raise questions over how Tuchel's style and tactical approach might lend itself to the strengths of England's squad.
The Three Lions boast a number of attacking players who have thrived domestically in recent years, including Kane, Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham.
"In recent years, he's [Tuchel] become increasingly reactive, and some might say conservative in his setup," Honigstein said.
"That begs the question: how is he going to fit in all this attacking array into a formation that might be slightly more reactive, slightly more defensive than what we've recently seen under Gareth Southgate?
"That's going to be a fascinating development and dynamic and can't wait to see how England fans take to the first German manager in charge of the national team. This is the world we're living in, in 2024."
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