FA 'to hold talks' with England boss Thomas Tuchel over hiring 'ethnic minority coach'
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The Football Association is set to hold discussions with incoming England manager Thomas Tuchel regarding the appointment of an ethnic minority coach to his backroom staff.
The talks are part of the FA's ongoing commitment to diversity in elite football coaching positions.
The matter will be addressed with the German manager ahead of his official start date on January 1.
This initiative follows a successful pattern of BAME appointments during Gareth Southgate's tenure and the current interim period under Lee Carsley, where Ashley Cole has been involved with the senior team.
During Gareth Southgate's leadership, several BAME coaches held significant positions within England's backroom team.
Chris Powell, Paul Nevin and Jimmy Floyd Hasslebaink all served key roles during Southgate's tenure.
Thomas Tuchel will be spoken to by the FA over hiring an ethnic coach
Reuters
The current interim setup has maintained this commitment to diversity, with both Joleon Lescott and Ashley Cole taking active roles.
Cole's involvement with the senior team will conclude after England's match with Ireland on Sunday, when he will return to his position with the Under-21s alongside Lee Carsley.
Currently, only Anthony Barry has been confirmed as a member of Tuchel's new England backroom team.
The FA are also actively pursuing Chelsea's Portuguese goalkeeper coach Hilario for a position in the setup.
These appointments set the stage for upcoming discussions between the FA and Tuchel regarding the inclusion of an ethnic minority coach.
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The talks will focus on maintaining the FA's established commitment to diversity within the national team's coaching structure.
The discussions will need to be concluded before Tuchel officially takes charge at the start of the new year.
The FA and PFA's Elite Coaching Placement Programme, launched in 2018, requires England teams to provide opportunities for BAME individuals in top-level football.
England currently employ Ashley Cole and Joleon Lescott as coaches
Reuters
The programme represents a structured approach to increasing diversity across elite football coaching positions.
The appointment of a foreign national team manager has brought additional focus to maintaining this commitment.
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Thomas Tuchel is yet to take over as England coach, with his start date pinpointed for January 1
Reuters
Questions may arise over the FA's dedication to the ECCP if Tuchel's World Cup 2026 campaign team does not include an ethnic minority coach.
The discussions with Tuchel will be crucial in demonstrating the FA's continued support for diversity initiatives in English football.
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