'Tough' Tuchel is a top-tier coach, but poses a significant risk for England.

Everything seemed to be going well. Lee Carsley appeared to be England's answer to Luis de la Fuente, the Football Association's in-house hero. Following victories in his first two matches as interim manager, Carsley was seen as the obvious successor to Gareth Southgate—another endearingly humble figure but with a greater sense of adventure than his predecessor. However, instead of simply taking the handbrake off against Greece last week, he ended up slashing his own tyres, resulting in a car crash that derailed his candidacy.

Perhaps the FA had already decided to pursue a different direction, or maybe Carsley never truly wanted the job. It was certainly difficult to ascertain his true intentions, as the Under-21s coach frequently contradicted himself when discussing his ambitions, which did little to dispel doubts about his suitability for the role. But is Thomas Tuchel the right choice?

It became clear after Sunday’s win over Finland that Pep Guardiola was the FA's dream appointment, though that dream was never going to come to fruition. Instead, they've turned to Tuchel, a coach with undeniable world-class credentials but also a reputation as a deeply divisive figure.

No strong English candidates

Following the news on Tuesday that Tuchel was in talks to succeed Southgate, much of the initial discussion surrounding the German's potential appointment focused on his nationality. This reaction was as absurd as it was predictable, especially considering that some segments of England's support still insist on singing nonsensical songs about past wars.

However, England boasts a group of world-class players, and what they truly need is a world-class manager to help them reach their full potential. Nationality should not be a factor in this decision.

In an ideal world, there would be a plethora of attractive English candidates for the role, but unfortunately, that is not the case. The harsh reality is that England is not particularly known for producing top tacticians. In fact, Chile has produced more Premier League title-winning managers than England.

Regrettably for the FA, there is no Bob Paisley or Brian Clough currently managing in the top flight, nor is there a Vic Buckingham or Bobby Robson finding success abroad. Given this situation, it is difficult to blame them for considering all available options, regardless of the color of their passports.

Tuchel appointment inevitable

Furthermore, the FA cannot be accused of neglecting English coaches. They retained Southgate as manager for eight years, even standing by him when many believed he should have been dismissed following the quarter-final loss to France in the 2022 World Cup, a match that felt within reach.

Lee Carsley, an English-born coach, was also given a significant opportunity to assert his candidacy for the role. He led the team in six very winnable Nations League games, but the supposed succession plan faltered due to his ill-advised gamble against Greece.

Given these circumstances, it was almost inevitable that the FA would turn their attention to Tuchel, who stood out as the most attractive option available. With former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp having recently taken a role with Red Bull and Pep Guardiola still under contract at Manchester City until the end of the season, Tuchel was clearly the standout choice. The mere thought of the FA considering Steven Gerrard or Frank Lampard for the position should be enough to make any England fan cringe.

In stark contrast to the two former Three Lions midfielders, Tuchel is a proven elite-level coach with an impressive résumé, having won trophies with four clubs across three different countries.

Problems in Paris

However, Tuchel also has a history of conflicts with those around him, which should raise red flags for the notoriously conservative FA, suggesting that desperation may have led them to press the panic button.

At PSG, for instance, Tuchel won the Ligue 1 title and reached the Champions League final—an accomplishment that has been highlighted positively due to the struggles faced by his successors at the Parc des Princes. Yet, he lost his job just four months after the 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in Lisbon, primarily due to a long-standing and very public dispute with the club over recruitment. Tuchel was dismissed on Christmas Eve 2020 after questioning the management of the club once again.

"To be completely honest, during the first six months, I asked myself: 'Am I still a manager, or am I a politician in sport, a Minister for Sports? Where is my role as manager in such a club now? I just want to coach,'" Tuchel explained in an interview with Sport1 the day before his dismissal.

"I love the game, and I can find satisfaction in many aspects of being a manager. Sometimes it is very straightforward; other times, it presents significant challenges, as a club like PSG has many influences beyond the team's direct interests. I only love football, and in a club like this, it's not always just about football."

A fantastic coach but a difficult person

Was Tuchel right about PSG? He would undoubtedly argue so, and he has some justification. The club's Qatari owners have essentially acknowledged that their previous strategy wasn't effective by making efforts to shed their "flashy, bling-bling" reputation.

However, it's important to recognize that PSG wasn't the first instance of Tuchel clashing with colleagues. After Tuchel's departure from Borussia Dortmund in 2017, the club's chief executive, Hans-Joachim Watzke, remarked that while Tuchel is "a fantastic coach," he is also "a difficult person" to work with.

Given this history, it was almost inevitable that Tuchel would have conflicts with Todd Boehly and the new ownership group at Chelsea, particularly as they made reckless recruitment decisions after taking over at Stamford Bridge in 2022.

While few blame Tuchel for that particular fallout, he remains highly regarded by Chelsea fans, who appreciated his candidness and skillful media interactions. Tuchel also enjoyed his time in west London immensely and noted just last year that he felt more valued as a coach in England than in his native Germany—a sentiment that likely influenced his decision to pursue the England managerial role.

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'An obsessive leader'

It's also been rightly noted that transfers aren't a concern in the international arena. This means Tuchel can concentrate solely on enhancing the skills of the players at his disposal, which is undoubtedly a positive for everyone involved.

However, one significant concern is whether Tuchel can replicate the rapid impact he has had at previous clubs—such as Chelsea, where he won the Champions League just five months after taking over—without the advantage of daily training sessions with his players.

After all, Tuchel is known as one of the most demanding and meticulous managers in the game today. As Axel Schuster, who worked with Tuchel at Mainz, explained to GOAL: "He is an obsessive leader who pushes every player to their absolute limit. Sometimes it feels like it’s beyond what’s possible. He wants them to overcome their resistance and fears."

In this process, Tuchel exudes a high level of self-confidence, which is justified by his exceptional understanding of football. He conveys his insights to his players with a compelling conviction, never playing a role—he is genuine in every context.

So, what you see with Tuchel is very much what you get, and the same goes for nearly everything you've heard or read about him.

When will the wheels come off?

Tuchel is undeniably an exceptionally gifted tactician, as evidenced by his ability to outsmart Guardiola in the 2021 Champions League final. However, his challenging personality often leads to success only in short stints. The same intensity that gives him an advantage over his opponents can be overwhelming for his players and colleagues over time.

While England captain Harry Kane thrived under Tuchel at Bayern Munich, which is a positive sign for their renewed partnership, many squad members were relieved to see him depart after a turbulent 2023-24 season that marked the first time in 12 years the Bavarians finished without a trophy.

Joshua Kimmich had his own issues with Tuchel, primarily due to the manager's decision to not play him in his preferred position in front of the back four. Moreover, several other stars reportedly disliked Tuchel's pragmatic approach, especially when contrasted with the dynamic and successful style implemented by Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen.

Ultimately, the FA and England's long-suffering fans are focused on one thing: winning. Tuchel has a proven track record of delivering success quickly, and the challenge of winning a World Cup in under 18 months might align well with his approach. Players could benefit from not facing his demands on a daily basis.

However, for those who are longing for Southgate after witnessing the disastrous Carsley performance, it's crucial to remember that while Tuchel can be methodical, his tenure often ends abruptly—and usually sooner rather than later.