Excitement at Wembley as Thomas Tuchel Unveils First England Squad
WEMBLEY — It’s not every day that a press conference announcing the England squad garners such a large turnout, but that was certainly the case ahead of their upcoming matches against Albania and Latvia. The expansive auditorium at Wembley was filled to capacity, with so many journalists in attendance that some had to set up their cameras off to the side. It was a scene that hinted at the significance of the moment.
In walked Thomas Tuchel from stage right: tall, lean, dressed in a dark long-sleeve shirt buttoned up to the collar, and a broad smile that hardly wavered throughout the event. He was there to discuss his inaugural England squad as the country’s first foreign manager, a role that carries immense expectations.
The squad announcement had elicited mixed reactions just two hours prior when it was unveiled in a video on the FA’s YouTube channel. Many were curious about the selections made by Tuchel, who is known for his tactical acumen.
- Jordan Henderson’s Return: The inclusion of Henderson raised eyebrows, prompting questions about the rationale behind his selection.
- Dan Burn’s Surprise Call-Up: The 32-year-old Newcastle centre-back, who has never represented England before, also sparked curiosity.
- Mason Rashford’s Comeback: The forward’s return was intriguing, especially for fans eager to see fresh talent.
- Myles Lewis-Skelly’s First Call-Up: The 18-year-old Arsenal left-back’s inclusion brought a glimmer of hope for a new era under Tuchel’s guidance.
However, as the squad list circulated online, many felt it was somewhat underwhelming. For those anticipating a significant transformation under the direction of England’s new trophy-winning head coach, it felt more like a continuation of the status quo. Had Harry Maguire and John Stones been fit, it might have seemed as if Tuchel could have easily called upon Kieran Trippier and reunited the familiar faces that Gareth Southgate had relied upon during his tenure.
But then Tuchel began to speak, and it became clear that his vision for England was compelling. If the team can perform half as well as Tuchel articulates his ideas, they might just have a shot at lifting the World Cup in the USA in 18 months.
The 51-year-old manager held court at the front of the room, occasionally adjusting his thick-rimmed glasses, which he never actually wore, and sipping water from a hefty whisky tumbler—an odd choice that went unexplained amid the discussion. He covered a lot of ground during his time on stage.
Henderson was a central topic of conversation, and Tuchel explained, “This is an easy one. He is a serial winner. What he brings to every team is leadership, character, and personality. He embodies everything we want this team to be.”
This statement could provoke some debate among fans who had previously booed Henderson during Southgate’s final games, especially considering his controversial move to a team in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is illegal and punishable by severe penalties.
Tuchel spoke with passion and confidence, emphasizing the importance of building a cohesive team that thrives on camaraderie. He referred to the need to create a “brotherhood,” which illuminated his decision to include Henderson.
Conversely, at the opposite end of the experience spectrum was Lewis-Skelly. Tuchel described feeling a sense of “parental vibes” when discussing the teenager with his coaching staff. He contemplated the implications of fast-tracking Lewis-Skelly’s career while acknowledging the need to protect him from undue pressure and allow him to develop at the Under-21 level. Ultimately, he realized that a lack of left-footed players made the decision easier.
Throughout the press conference, Tuchel conveyed a slightly conflicted persona, revealing hints of exhaustion from the relentless demands of club football while expressing excitement for this new challenge. “I miss the pitch,” he admitted, “the smell of the grass,” eliciting laughter from the audience.
He humorously pointed out that he was surprised Burn, standing at an impressive 6 feet 5 inches, had not been called up before. “He’s such a tall guy, but it’s easy to overlook him,” he quipped, showcasing his command of English, which surpassed that of many native speakers. He cracked jokes and articulated his philosophies with eloquence and precision, asserting that he did not want England to mimic other nations but instead to embrace a direct, attacking style reflective of the Premier League.
When asked about adapting to the climate in the USA for the upcoming tournament, Tuchel playfully responded, “Can we cross that bridge when we are at the river?” adding a layer of humor to the proceedings. As German journalists began to frequent the England camp, one German broadcaster requested an answer in German, but Tuchel politely declined, stating, “I would like to do it all in English, just to respect where we are.”
Tuchel expressed how “surreal” it felt to be the first German manager of the England team, acknowledging the honor that came with the role. Another German journalist pointed out that while the pressure was immense in England, back home, the public was equally interested and critical of his decisions. When asked how he would handle that scrutiny, he replied, “I try to be offline when it comes to opinions and judgments about myself and the squad. I try not to read and not get involved.”
This approach mirrors that of his predecessor, Gareth Southgate, who often disconnected from external criticism to maintain his sanity during major tournaments. There were other parallels between the two managers, despite their differing backgrounds: the inexperienced patriot replaced by a seasoned foreign tactician who has achieved success at every club he has managed.
When asked to describe his playing style, Tuchel was coy, stating, “I don’t want to say if we’re playing a back four or five and give this advantage away.” Southgate had similarly expressed frustration over leaks regarding his team selections prior to matches, illustrating a shared concern for maintaining strategic confidentiality.
Tuchel’s demeanor turned slightly mischievous when responding to inquiries about reports questioning his work ethic for flying back to Germany on weekends to see his children. “The majority of the time I was in London,” he remarked, “I don’t really get the point of the story,” indicating he was unfazed by the speculation.
As the press conference wrapped up after 45 minutes, Tuchel, sounding almost surprised, asked, “Done?” as if he could have continued sharing his thoughts on football indefinitely. It was a conclusion, for now, but also the beginning of a new chapter in English football.
