It has been an incomposite appointment, occurring with lightning speed and instantly instilled with turmoil; specifically, it has been encapsulated through tarring waves that have been staining in their ideological directionality toward fraught topics of patriotism, perfectionism and nationalism. Specifically, these tidal frictions have been enabled and ridden by some of the leading sporting press and pundits, only furthering how delicate and crashingly impactful the selective appointment of a non-English national manager for the English international senior squad, can be. This develops as somewhat contradictory of what previous relationships and recommendations Thomas Tuchel had attained from the very same English commentators, specifically during his tenure at Chelsea.
Curiously, Tuchel’s abidingly apparent footballing acumen has not been strong enough to dispel the longstanding debate – should the national team’s manager reflect the identity of the nation they represent? This question, tinged with nationalism, is more than just embedded as a footballing concern; it further reflects and exemplifies the broader anxieties around English identity, inclusivity, and the tension between perfectionism and patriotism.
The Desire for an English Candidate
Pundits like Jamie Carragher and Gary Lineker – as well as Gary Neville – have long argued that the manager of England’s national side should be English, their position instructs a kind of symbolic patriotism whereby an emotional connection, founded through national belonging, can manifest a tangible difference on the pitch. Despite Tuchel’s reputation to be emotionally fiery and involved with his players, for Carragher, this appointment still “just doesn’t feel right”, but should not be taken as a devaluing of Tuchel’s “brilliance.”
There is a clear antithesis delivered by some leading pundits, including Micah Richards, who postulate that talent and tactical brilliance should transcend borders in the international game.
This, however, has done little to overshadow the leading narrative of disappointment, led by Lineker, who carefully evokes a sense of nostalgia in his sentiments, a calling to an England of (recent) past where national identity seemed somewhat intrinsic to England’s tournament successes. Gareth Southgate, though his tenure ended in disappointment, was seen as embodying English values of calmness and resilience. His leadership was rooted in a kind of quiet patriotism that resonated with the public and pleased the FA. The appointment of a foreign coach like Tuchel, then, may seem like a rupture—a step away from the symbolic role that an England manager has historically played.
Timeliness and Disrupting Manchester United
Complicating matters further is the situation at Manchester United. With rumours swirling around the potential sacking of Erik Ten Hag, Tuchel’s availability put the FA in a precarious position. Having already approached Tuchel at the end of last season, the FA moved swiftly to secure him before United could make a formal offer. In this sense, the timing of Tuchel’s appointment is not just about patriotism or nationalism—it’s also about pragmatism. England acted quickly, knowing that if they didn’t, they might lose out on the best available candidate to a club edging toward desperation.
The Outstanding Candidate
The pragmatics of football management often demand more than just symbolic gestures. In terms of available candidates, Tuchel is arguably the outstanding choice. Aside from Pep Guardiola, Tuchel’s ability to adapt his tactical philosophy across different leagues and his track record of winning at the highest level make him an obvious pick. It’s hard to argue with success, even if it comes draped in German rather than English colours. And, it has been his German roots that have come forcefully to the surface, in the media and through fan reaction.
The German Factor
The historical rivalry between England and Germany is projected large with Tuchel’s introduction. His appointment is difficult to divorce from repetitive memories of past World Cups and, more troublingly for the FA, some nationalist chants like “Ten German Bombers”, which to many offensively characterise the Anglo-German exchange, remain in the fans vocabulary. The chant, which mocks the German casualties of the Second World War, has been officially condemned by the FA since 2006. Sven-Göran Eriksson, himself a foreign manager, led England into Germany for that 2006 World Cup facing a barrage of questions about English identity and the weight of historical animosity. One can only imagine how these tensions will play out with Tuchel at the helm, a German now expected to bring England its first major tournament victory since 1966.
Tuchel, of course, is no stranger to pressure, but his nationality will place him under an unfamiliar kind of scrutiny. Already, there was a displayed discomfort from some England fans in regard to Irish coach Lee Carsley, where during his interim spell as England manager, did not sing the English national anthem. Will similar expectations be thrust upon Tuchel, a man more accustomed to the anthems of European club competitions than to the fraught dynamics of English nationalism?
Rise of English Nationalism
This issue is more than a matter of ceremony. It points to the deeper tension between patriotism and nationalism in modern England. Patriotism applied in the footballing context, might be understood as a concept that is celebratory of the national team and brings about a sense of collectivity and community. Usage of nationalism, by contrast, has a more violently perceived underbelly, describing a type of collective endeavour that turns inwards to oppose itself against any opposition that displays differing social and cultural anchorings. For Tuchel, the challenge will be to navigate these two competing visions of English identity. Can he unite a team and a country under the banner of inclusive patriotism, or will his appointment fuel the more exclusionary elements of nationalism?
David McCrone’s analysis of English nationalism provides a useful framework for understanding the stakes of Tuchel’s appointment. McCrone argues that English nationalism is rooted in a growing sense of identity, one that is distinct from Britishness. This sense of Englishness, fostered by political movements like Brexit and embodied by the Conservative Party, has reshaped the public’s expectations for national institutions, including the football team. The appointment of a foreign coach might be seen as a rejection of this nationalist impulse, or conversely, as a necessary concession to the realities of modern football.
Tuchel in 2024/25 England
Ultimately, Tuchel’s appointment is as much about football as it is about identity. He is a perfectionist in an imperfect world, a German tasked with leading England in a time of rising nationalism. Tuchel’s success will depend not only on his tactical brilliance but also on his ability to steer through the sticky tar of patriotism and nationalism—a challenge that persists in a country still grappling with its post-Brexit, post-Conservative identity.
