Thomas Tuchel signs deal to become new England manager

Thomas Tuchel, the former Chelsea and Bayern Munich coach, has signed a deal to become the new England manager.

The German, who has been out of work since leaving Bayern in the summer, will become the full-time successor to Gareth Southgate, who resigned after England's defeat to Spain in the final of Euro 2024 in July.

Tuchel, 51, guided Chelsea to Champions League success in 2021 but was sacked the following year.

Tuchel is the first non-English manager to take the role since Fabio Capello quit in 2012, and only the third overall, following the Italian and the Swede, Sven-Goran Eriksson.

While some may be dismayed at the idea of a German taking over the national team, the FA has made it clear throughout the recruitment process that nationality should be no barrier to the role.

FA chief executive Mark Bullingham and technical director John McDermott have been in discussions with Tuchel since last month.

Before the appointment was confirmed, England captain Harry Kane welcomed the idea of Tuchel taking over.

Kane, who was coached by the German at Bayern Munich last season, told Sky Sports at a club fan event in the city: "I know Thomas well from last year. Fantastic coach, fantastic person".

Kane, who was signed by Tuchel, had the best season of his career scoring 44 goals in 45 games.

The FA has not commented but Sky Sports' Rob Dorsett said the association will confirm the appointment at a Wednesday lunchtime news conference, but it's not clear if Tuchel himself will be there.

He called today's development an "extraordinary situation, given the extra controversy that it'll bring, and the rivalry between England and Germany that goes back so many decades."

Tuchel, he said, will earn around £4.5m to £5m, calling that "a significant pay-cut for a very decorated club manager."

Former Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp told Sky News it was a pity that young England managers were overlooked.

Asked what the new man needs to do, he said he needed to show a "little bit of common sense, pick the right players, put them in the right positions, give them a bit of pride in playing for their country."

The German, he said, has a great opportunity "to come and win a tournament with a great group of young players."

As well as the Champions League, Tuchel led Chelsea to Super Cup and Club World Cup victory and steered Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern to the French and German league titles respectively.

He was one of the bookmakers' favourites for the England job, along with, among others, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.

According to Sky Sports, the FA approached the Spaniard's representatives, but there were no further developments.

Other leading candidates are believed to have included another German, former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, and the English pair, Graham Potter and Newcastle's Eddie Howe.

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England under-21 coach Lee Carsley was in interim charge of the senior team for the four autumn Nations League matches and was thought to have been a candidate for the job.

He guided the Three Lions to three wins, but a 2-1 defeat to Greece at Wembley last Friday, along with a lack of clarity from him regarding his ambitions had prompted doubts over his suitability for the full-time role.

(c) Sky News 2024: Thomas Tuchel signs deal to become new England manager