Alan Shearer, former captain of the England national team, believes that Thomas Tuchel must win the 2026 World Cup to validate his appointment as the new manager of the Three Lions.
England has not claimed a major tournament title since the 1966 World Cup, despite coming close several times under Tuchel’s predecessor, Gareth Southgate.
Southgate resigned shortly after England’s defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final, having previously guided the team to the Euro 2020 final, the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup, and the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup.
Tuchel, who was appointed as England’s third foreign manager on Wednesday, steps into the role with a wealth of talent at his disposal, including Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane and Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham.
The German coach boasts an impressive history of success, having won major trophies with clubs like Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayern Munich. Notably, he led Chelsea to Champions League victory in 2021 and secured league titles with both Bayern and PSG.
“We need a trophy — it’s as simple as that. We need a manager who can deliver that,” Shearer told The Rest Is Football podcast.
“There’s no doubt (Tuchel) has an incredible CV, but this is going to be a very different test for him. It’s a bold move from the FA (Football Association), there’s no doubt about it.
“You have to win the tournament, that’s what he’s been hired for. They (the FA) have seen the bunch of players are the best England have had for a long, long time.”
Tuchel’s appointment has been met with some criticism over the decision not to hire an English coach.
Lee Carsley stepped up from his role in charge of England’s under-21 side to take interim charge for the last four matches.
Tuchel will not begin his contract till January 1, 2025, meaning Carsley is set to lead England once more for Nations League games against Greece and the Republic of Ireland next month.
“Tuchel will have looked at this squad and thought there is so much talent in there, this is an unbelievable opportunity of winning the greatest trophy of all,” said former England striker Gary Lineker.
“I would have given the job to Carsley. I have seen enough to suggest the players really trust him, that he’s imaginative enough to produce something that is a joy to watch — entertaining front-footed football.”
However, there were a lack of outstanding English candidates for the role.
The last homegrown manager to win the English top-flight division was Howard Wilkinson as Leeds boss in 1992, prior to the formation of the Premier League.
Graham Potter, who has been out of work since being sacked by Chelsea in April 2023, and Newcastle’s Eddie Howe were linked to the role.
But it was reported earlier this week that the FA had also sounded out Manchester City’s Spanish manager Pep Guardiola about his interest in the position.
“The point is we don’t have an English candidate strong enough to take that job,” said former England defender Micah Richards.
“I was of the opinion that we don’t need an English manager, just go out and get the best person for the job. I think Tuchel is an outstanding manager, a proven winner.”
AFP
