Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is the latest to weigh in on the discussion surrounding the position of England manager after Thomas Tuchel’s appointment to the role.
Although Tuchel has an impressive coaching record at the club level, including a Champions League victory with Chelsea, quite a few people in England have raised concerns regarding his hiring, primarily centered around the notion that a national team manager should come from the same country he is coaching.
Wenger, now FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, shared his opinion during a TV appearance. The 75-year-old revealed he had been offered the chance to manage both the French and German national teams. He then added that he also believes a national team manager should be from the same country they coach.
“I think Tuchel is a perfect coach and a perfect candidate, but he’s not English.” the Arsenal legend said.
Wenger further explained that if he were to be the manager of England and was to play against France, he would not be able to sing the French national anthem.
Thomas Tuchel, 51, was named as the successor to Gareth Southgate as England’s manager after Southgate stepped down following Euro 2024. However, Tuchel won’t lead his first matches until next year.
