After a whirlwind 48 hours or so, it’s official: Thomas Tuchel is the next England manager.
Set to take over from Lee Carsley, who has been put in charge of the Three Lions following Gareth Southgate’s exit after this year’s Euro 2024 heartbreak, the German will become the new England boss starting next year.
Reports around Tuchel’s appointment started ramping up over the weekend after the likes of the BBC and Sky News confirmed the decision, The Football Association (FA) and England have now revealed the 51-year-old as the new head coach.
Make no mistake, this is a massive appointment by the FA.
Thomas Tuchel. Our #ThreeLions head coach from 2025. 🏴
Given that the ex-Chelsea manager has won the Champions League, Club World Cup and FIFA’s Coach of the Year in 2021, not to mention a Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich, a German Cup with Borussia Dortmund; two league titles and a domestic treble with PSG, it’s fair to say his pedigree speaks for itself.
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Having left Bayern at the end of last season, the much-admired coach has been linked with multiple top jobs, most notably Manchester United as pressure continues to mount on Erik ten Hag, but he’s now taken an even more high-pressure role – arguably an ‘impossible’ one, as many people still see it.
As detailed in an official statement, “The confidential process, which saw several candidates interviewed, was led by FA CEO Mark Bullingham and men’s technical director John McDermott, and saw Tuchel identified as the preferred appointment.”
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It has been reported that the national football body is playing the long game and “prepared to wait” for Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola but, in the meantime there arguably isn’t a more qualified and successful coach available on the market right now than Thomas Tuchel.
As part of the decision, Tuchel will be joined by internationally renowned Liverpool-born coach Anthony Barry as his assistant manager, who started out his coaching career at Wigan Athletic before joining his new gaffer at the likes of Chelsea and Bayern. Tuchel had this to say about the project ahead:
Looking forward to starting the journey together 💪
The well-acquainted pair are also set to bring a small backroom team along with them to St. George’s Park, with a further coaching update expected in the near future.
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After quietly signing his contract on Tuesday, 8 October, Tuchel is set to start work as the new England manager on 1 January 2025 ahead of the qualification process for the following year’s FIFA World Cup, due to be staged in Canada, Mexico and the USA.
Meanwhile, interim coach Carsley will remain in charge for the UEFA Nations League group stages which are set to conclude in November before returning to take charge of the England under-21s.
What do we reckon, then – are you happy with the appointment?
Featured Images — Alexander Böhm (via Wikimedia Commons)
Sport
The new Match of the Day presenter lineup has been confirmed
Danny Jones
The brand-new presenter lineup has been confirmed for Match of the Day (MotD) following the departures of Gary Lineker and Ian Wright.
Lineker had been the lead anchor on the BBC’s flagship football programme for 25 years, spanning generations of fans after taking over the equally iconic Des Lynam back in 1999.
The 64-year-old ex-pro and England star is still in post at present but will be stepping down after the conclusion of the current Premier League season.
Following months of speculation around who would be taking over in the main chair across from regular pundits like Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, the corporation has now confirmed its new core team.
After reports began appearing earlier this month, popular presenter Kelly Cates is making the big switch to become one of three main hosts, though she does already host BBC Radio 5 Live’s Tuesday night sports coverage.
The daughter of Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish and a familiar face on Sky Sports weekly matchday on-screen talent since 2016 after first appearing as part of Sky Sports News back in 1998, she’s a recognisable face to anyone who regularly watches football. A great appointment.
‘Chappers’ continues in post
In at number two – a number he’s become more than familiar with during his time as part of the existing Match of the Day team – Mark Chapman isn’t going anywhere and will now be sharing an equal third of the presenting duties as co-host.
Chapman joined MotD back in 2013 following the departure of Colin Murray and has gone on to present various other BBC Sport productions, including their NFL coverage. ‘Chappers’ isn’t going anywhere and rightly so.
Gabby Logan remains a BBC Sport stalwart
Third and finally, Football Focus mainstay, multi-discipline sports presenter and BBC veteran, Gabby Logan, is taking her rightful place on the Match of the Day panel. About time if you ask us.
Also the son of a famous footballer – Leeds legend and Wales international Terry Yorath – and a retired athlete herself, having competed as a rhythmic gymnast, she’s been a household name on British telly for as long as most of us can remember.
As for Lineker, you can expect an emotional send-off when he does call it this May.
The former Leicester, Everton, Barcelona and Spurs player will still be serving as a key part of the BBC’s FA Cup presenting team as well as future Euros and World Cups.
We’ll always have the memories, eh, Gary?
The new Match of the Day presenters have some big shorts to fill.
Tributes paid to loyal Curzon Ashton FC fan and beloved volunteer Barry Thickett
Danny Jones
Tributes are being paid to a much-loved local football fan and loyal volunteer at Curzon Ashton Football Club, Barry Thickett, who sadly died last week at the age of 82.
Known to the majority around the Tameside Stadium and more throughout Greater Manchester’s non-league pyramid, Thickett was a long-serving supporter and assisted the club for many years.
Unfortunately, following a short period of illness which remains undisclosed, the die-hard fan passed away while most were wrapped up in the action from the FA Cup third-round ties this weekend.
Confirming the heartbreaking news with their fan base on Monday, 13 January, Curzon Ashton shared a single black-and-white image of Barry, which was met with an outpouring of heartfelt condolences.
As you can see, countless followers of ‘The Nash’ hopped on social media to pay their respects to a fan favourite figure who has been remembered, above all else, “a wonderful man” – overwhelmingly so.
Fellow fan Dr Andy Hershon commented, “I knew him via the Friday walking football. He always came to watch. Lovely bloke who loved to chat about the game. Will be sadly missed. RIP Barry”.
Multiple fans mentioned loving their “chats” with the local legend, who used to work as an area manager at the old Wilson’s Brewery in Newton Heath.
Perhaps most notably, Barry’s loved ones expressed their thanks to the club and all those posting touching tributes; his daughter Sara replied, “Thank you for such a lovely tribute. Dad would have been touched”, and son Gaz added: “Thank you for the lovely message, means a lot to the family.”
Player-manager Craig Mahon went on to write “Barry was a true gentleman and respected by all the team. Always there with his words of wisdom at half-time and full-time.
He will be sorely missed by everyone at Curzon Ashton FC. RIP Baz thanks for all you [have] done.”
Curzon Ashton are yet to announce any official plans for a Barry Thickett memorial service via the club, but he will no doubt receive an emotional observance when the National League North outfit travels to nearby Stalybridge on Tuesday, 14 Jan.
Their next home game takes place this weekend (Saturday) and we’re sure he’ll be given a proper send-off by all those who knew and loved him up on the terraces. Our thoughts go out to Barry’s family, friends and everyone at the club. Rest in peace.
Danny Jones -
16th October 2024 
