Thomas Tuchel is set to take charge of the England national team, inheriting a squad with “all of the tools” to win the 2026 World Cup, according to departing interim manager Lee Carsley.
Tuchel, a former Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager, will assume his role on January 1 under an 18-month contract with the Football Association. His primary goal is to end England’s decades-long wait for a major international trophy by triumphing in the 2026 tournament hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
“We have all of the tools,” Carsley stated. “We just need to play them in the right order.”
Carsley, who stepped in temporarily after Gareth Southgate’s resignation in July, guided England to promotion in the Nations League’s top tier, winning five out of six matches. During his tenure, he introduced eight debutants and ensured the squad was left in a strong position for Tuchel’s arrival.
“Thomas’s pool of players has increased, so we’ve left the squad in a fantastic position,” Carsley added. “We’ll collate our thoughts, along with the rest of the players, in terms of handing over something valuable he can read and look through. Then we’ll step back and support him.”
Returning to his role as England Under-21 manager, Carsley emphasized the challenge of balancing talent with limited time in international camps. “One thing you don’t get with international camps is time, so we just have to find that balance,” he said.
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford also expressed optimism about Tuchel’s appointment, believing the German tactician could guide the team to glory. “There’s definitely new energy, and there’s going to be a lot of competition for places,” Pickford said. “You want the best players for England at the right moment, and hopefully, going forward next year, we’ll have that squad ready to win.”
With a wealth of talent and high expectations, Tuchel’s challenge will be to unite the team and deliver a historic victory for England, last achieved in 1966.
