WORLD CUP 2026
Thomas Tuchel — England's Manager
Who is Thomas Tuchel?
Thomas Tuchel is the manager of the England national team. He took the job in October 2024 and started work on 1 January 2025, becoming England’s third foreign manager in their history.
Born on 29 August 1973 in Krumbach, a small town in Bavaria, Germany, Tuchel had a modest playing career that ended early due to injury. He turned to coaching and built himself into one of the most respected tactical managers in the world.
His Career in Football Management
Early Career: Mainz and Borussia Dortmund
Tuchel started his managerial career at Mainz in Germany, spending five years there and developing a reputation as a meticulous, detail-obsessed coach who got the best out of limited resources. He then moved to Borussia Dortmund — one of Germany’s biggest clubs — and reached the DFB Cup final.
Paris Saint-Germain
Tuchel managed PSG from 2018 to 2020, winning the French league title and taking them to the Champions League final for the first time in their history in 2020. They lost to Bayern Munich in Lisbon. He was dismissed while the club were first in the French league — a controversial decision that shocked the football world.
Chelsea — Champions League Winner
Within weeks of leaving PSG, Tuchel was appointed at Chelsea and immediately transformed them. In just four months in charge he took Chelsea to the Champions League final, where they beat Manchester City 1-0. It remains one of the quickest and most stunning turnarounds in football management history.
Bayern Munich
After leaving Chelsea, Tuchel joined Bayern Munich — the most successful club in Germany — and won the Bundesliga title in his first full season. His second season was disappointing (they finished third) and he left by mutual consent in 2024.
England
The FA appointed Tuchel in October 2024, breaking with their tradition of appointing English managers. He was immediately tasked with qualifying England for the 2026 World Cup and then winning it. His 18-month contract was extended in February 2026 for a further two years after a record-breaking qualifying campaign.
England's Qualifying Campaign Under Tuchel
Tuchel oversaw an almost perfect qualifying campaign. England were placed in Group K with Serbia, Albania, Latvia and Andorra — and won all eight games without conceding a single goal. It was the best qualifying campaign in England’s history.
Serbia 5-0 (home) — a statement win that announced the new era
Latvia 5-0 — England qualified for the World Cup with two games to spare
Albania 2-0 (away) — the final game, ending the campaign with a perfect record
“We’ve set the standard now,” said captain Harry Kane. “We’re going into the tournament as one of the favourites.”
Tuchel's Style of Play
Tuchel is known as a tactical chameleon — he adapts his system to the players available and the opponent. With England he has tended to use a 4-3-3 formation (four defenders, three midfielders, three attackers) built around a high press — meaning players work to win the ball back quickly high up the pitch.
What is a formation? See our Formations Explained page for a plain-English guide.
He is intense, demanding and extremely detail-oriented. Press conferences are often lively — he is blunt, direct and occasionally controversial in his opinions. England fans were sceptical when he was appointed, but the qualifying campaign has converted most doubters.
His Contract
Tuchel’s contract runs through to UEFA Euro 2028, which is being co-hosted by the UK and Ireland. Win or lose at this World Cup, he will remain in charge.