Pep Guardiola Supports Thomas Tuchel’s Appointment as England Head Coach
Pep Guardiola has expressed his support for Thomas Tuchel following the German coach’s recent appointment as the head coach of the England national football team. The Football Association announced on Wednesday that Tuchel, known for his successful stints at Chelsea and Bayern Munich, has signed an 18-month contract starting in January, with the goal of leading the Three Lions to the 2026 World Cup.
Despite speculation linking Guardiola to the role, he emphasized that Tuchel’s nationality shoold not be a concern. At a press conference before Manchester City’s match against Wolves, Guardiola stated, “Thomas Tuchel is the manager. I’m the manager of Man City; forget about it. The federation decided to go for a foreign manager with a great record.”
Guardiola acknowledged the mixed reactions to Tuchel’s appointment, noting that while some believe an English coach should have been chosen, he firmly believes in supporting Tuchel unconditionally. “If he wins, he will be praised, and if he loses, he will be criticized. But it doesn’t matter, his nationality,” he added. “We should be open-minded. I came here to learn from you.”
When asked about his own future at Manchester City, Guardiola reiterated that no decisions have been made yet but assured that the club would be informed well in advance of any changes. “I’m pretty sure the club has options when Pep leaves. Sooner or later, it will happen, and they have to prepare. It will not be a surprise,” he explained.
Guardiola also mentioned that if the club seeks his opinion on a successor, he would provide it, but ultimately, the decision lies with the club.
Among the English coaches speculated to be in contention for the England job was Newcastle United’s Eddie Howe. However, during his own press conference ahead of Newcastle’s match against Brighton and Hove Albion, Howe clarified, “I was not. There was no contact from the FA.” He emphasized that the England team must make decisions that are right for them, and he refrained from analyzing the selection process.
As the football world watches closely, Tuchel’s appointment marks a significant moment for English football, and Guardiola’s endorsement highlights the importance of embracing diverse coaching talent in the sport.
