Harry Redknapp doesn't hold back after Thomas Tuchel agrees to be England manager - 'I'm very patriotic'

England news Thomas Tuchel

England news: Thomas Tuchel has agreed a deal with the FA to replace Gareth Southgate

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Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 16/10/2024

- 08:53

The German is set to venture into international management for the first time

Harry Redknapp has criticised the FA's decision to appoint Thomas Tuchel as the next England manager, insisting a foreign boss is the wrong approach.

It emerged on Tuesday that the former Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund boss had agreed to become Gareth Southgate's permanent replacement.


Tuchel will be confirmed at a press conference at Wembley on Wednesday, which marks his first venture into international management.

Many feel that, given how the 51-year-old is a serial winner, the FA have made the right call.

England news Thomas Tuchel

England news: Thomas Tuchel has agreed a deal with the FA to replace Gareth Southgate

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After all, England haven't won a trophy since the World Cup back in 1966.

But Redknapp, speaking to Sky Sports, has criticised the decision to appoint a foreign boss - rather than an English one.

Graham Potter and Eddie Howe were both linked with the post earlier in the summer. However, the FA didn't contact either boss.

Redknapp said: "He's [Tuchel has] lost his job quite quickly at a couple of clubs.

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"It's not like he's been a massive success. He's come and gone at a couple of clubs.

"I'm very patriotic, I think we should have an English manager but the field was very small to choose from because Englishman don't get jobs managing in the Premier League very often now.

"All the clubs are owned by foreign owners and they bring a foreign manager in."

Tuchel is set to become England's third foreign boss.

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Sven Goran-Eriksson was the first, with the Swede taking charge of the team back in 2001.

England made the quarter-finals of major tournaments in 2002, 2004 and 2006 during his time in charge.

But Eriksson, who tragically died of cancer back in August, was unable to steer the Three Lions to the trophy they crave.

After England failed to qualify for Euro 2008, the FA decided to bring in former Real Madrid and AC Milan boss Fabio Capello.

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England news: Harry Redknapp has criticised the FA for appointing Thomas Tuchel

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His time in charge was a disaster, however, with England struggling at the 2010 World Cup before being eliminated by Germany.

He eventually left in 2012, just months before the European Championships that year, after falling out with the FA following their decision to strip John Terry of the captaincy.

Tuchel can be a combative character at times.

However, he's still established himself as one of the best managers of his generation.

England news Thomas Tuchel

England news: Thomas Tuchel will be aiming to win a trophy with the Three Lions

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He won the DFB-Pokal during his time with Dortmund and picked up two Ligue 1 trophies at PSG.

Tuchel also guided them to the final of the Champions League in 2020, though they were beaten 1-0 by Bayern Munich on that occasion.

He finally won the prestigious trophy the following year with Chelsea.

And though his time at Bayern failed to live up to expectations, the 51-year-old was still able to deliver Bundesliga glory last year.

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