Thomas Tuchel has revealed why he chose to take the England managerial role instead of waiting for an opportunity at Manchester United, despite being strongly linked to the Old Trafford job.
United manager Erik ten Hag is under immense pressure following the club’s worst-ever start to a Premier League season.
Tuchel had been considered a potential replacement for the Dutchman, having reportedly engaged in discussions with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe during the summer.
However, Tuchel has now been appointed as the new manager of England, becoming only the third non-Englishman to take charge of the Three Lions.
When asked why he opted for the national team job rather than holding out for the Manchester United role, Tuchel said: “The idea and the way John [McDermott] and Mark [Bullingham] presented it was very fast and confidential.
“It was very straightforward, it was a decision for this job and not against anything else.”
Tuchel has never managed an international team and acknowledged having some doubts about the role due to its differences from club football.
“They made it clear it’s about football and that got me excited,” he continued.
“I wasn’t sure this was the job for me because the schedule is very different.
“I always wanted to come back to England, that was my big goal.
“The offer came at the right time and we found a vision to share.
“Now I have to live up to it. I know there are some trophies and I want to help that happen.”
Thomas Tuchel will officially begin his role next year, having signed a contract that extends through to the 2026 World Cup.
“It’s 18 months and then we agreed to sit together and we’ll see,” he said when asked about his contract.
“I have good experience with 18-months, unfortunately sometimes.
“I’m working on my long-term game!
“The last piece of it from me to understand that this is something that can really excite me to the fullest was the timeframe of 18 months but to demand from myself to not lose the focus.
“It’s a good timeframe because it will help us focus. It is very streamlined.
“We have players who compete in the strongest leagues in the world day in, day out.
“We will need luck, momentum, luck to not have injuries and so on.
“We feel confident to add something from our experience in club football that can maybe help.
“We have to prove ourselves all the time.
“We have to live up to these standards but I’m confident everyone is used to that.”
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