England manager Thomas Tuchel has attended just two out of five Premier League weekends since taking charge of the national team in January, according to reports.
The German coach has also missed both rounds of the FA Cup and all four Carabao Cup semi-final matches since replacing Gareth Southgate.
This sparse attendance comes despite his appointment to one of football's most prestigious roles at the start of 2025.
The 51-year-old's limited presence at domestic fixtures marks a significant shift from his predecessor's approach to the role.
England manager Thomas Tuchel has attended just two out of five Premier League weekends since taking charge of the national team in January
PA
The Times reports that Tuchel has been permitted to work from his home in Germany as part of his 18-month deal to lead England towards the 2026 World Cup.
While he hasn't been physically present at many matches, there is no suggestion that Tuchel hasn't been watching the games remotely.
Former England manager Southgate and his assistant Steve Holland had set a high bar for match attendance, watching an average of five Premier League matches per week between them.
But Tuchel's approach represents a marked departure from this hands-on style of management.
Thomas Tuchel was confirmed as Gareth Southgate's permanent replacement last year
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The former Chelsea boss has instead opted to attend selected midweek fixtures, including Chelsea versus Bournemouth and Arsenal versus Tottenham in mid-January.
He has shown particular interest in European competitions, attending matches such as Manchester City's 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid last week.
The FA has defended Tuchel's arrangement, confirming to the newspaper that he has made multiple visits to St George's Park, the national team's training base.
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This apparent distance from English football stands in stark contrast to Tuchel's promises when his appointment was announced in October.
"I love to live in England and I'm looking forward to living again in England," he had stated at the time.
"I want to be close to the Premier League, I want to be close to the majority of the players."
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He acknowledged his German nationality while emphasising his commitment to English football, saying: "I am sorry to have a German passport but I can just tell them and maybe the supporters can feel my passion for the English Premier League, my passion for the country."
"This is the biggest one in world football and everybody can be assured no matter of nationality."
Despite these assurances, his attendance record tells a different story.
In total, Tuchel has attended 17 matches across English and European competitions since taking the England job.
Thomas Tuchel is currently preparing for his first matches as England manager
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The German coach's first real test will come in March, when England face World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia.
These matches will mark Tuchel's competitive debut as England manager as he looks to end the country's agonising wait for a major trophy.
The upcoming qualifiers represent the beginning of England's journey towards the 2026 World Cup, the tournament Tuchel was specifically brought in to target.
