Thomas Tuchel made late U-turn before England unveiling as new details emerge

Thomas Tuchel decided to change his outfit plans prior to his England unveiling earlier this month

PA
Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 24/10/2024

- 15:30

The German was unveiled as Gareth Southgate's permanent replacement last month

Thomas Tuchel decided to change his outfit plans prior to his England unveiling earlier this month, according to reports.

The German was appointed as Gareth Southgate's permanent replacement on October 16, with the former Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain star set to start working with the Three Lions in the New Year.


Tuchel turned up to Wembley looking smart, with a white shirt and a dapper suit.

According to the Daily Mail, however, the 51-year-old initially intended to complete his look by wearing a tie.

Thomas Tuchel England

Thomas Tuchel decided to change his outfit plans prior to his England unveiling earlier this month

PA

It's claimed Tuchel arrived at Wembley 'intent' on sporting the accessory.

However, after being informed that the FA's dress code has become relaxed, he then ultimately decided to do without it.

The FA have reportedly scrapped their traditional Wembley dress code on England matchdays as they look to move with the times.

And Tuchel certainly made a big impression, with the German insisting he was eager to steer England to glory at the next World Cup in 2026.

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England made two finals under Southgate.

The first was in 2021, when they ended up losing to Italy on penalties in the final of Euro 2020.

And England then proceeded to lose to Spain earlier this summer, with Cole Palmer's brilliant goal not enough to secure the trophy fans crave.

When asked if the Three Lions had a fifth gear they've not yet reached, he added: "Maybe even a sixth gear. Let's see where we are going. I think we have that. I am absolutely convinced that we have that.

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"Besides the talent, I know we have the character in the players.

"I can't wait to work with them from March on the pitch. Hopefully with all the staff at St George's Park, we will push all the players to the limit."

Tuchel also confirmed that winning the World Cup was the target.

"The target is to win the World Cup, so I don't know if it is a failure [if we don't]," he added.

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Gareth Southgate England

Thomas Tuchel was appointed as Gareth Southgate's permanent replacement earlier this month

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"If we miss the target then we would have to talk about why we missed it." Tuchel's contract will run out in 2025.

But the England boss was coy when asked whether a longer deal was dependent on World Cup glory.

"I don't know," he said when asked about his long-term future.

"It depends. I know what you're saying - no, it's not a gamble, but we speak it out now very clearly why we are here and what we want to achieve.

Thomas Tuchel England

Thomas Tuchel will be hoping to win the World Cup during his time as England manager

PA

"We are not shy of it. We are absolutely open about it. It does not help the more often we speak about it, but it should be out there and then we can set the standards, values and principles, because then we have to live up to them for 18 months.

"Let's judge it when we have done it. If we decide it was a failure, then we will not continue.

"If we decide it was not a failure, then we will continue. No one can predict the future. It feels absolutely right for me to do so; it feels clear and easy for me to explain.

"When it's easy to explain, it's normally good."

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