Harry Redknapp rages over England’s appointment of Thomas Tuchel as he aims ‘coaching courses’ jibe at the FA and questions ex-Chelsea manager’s track record

Redknapp has made it clear he’s disappointed with the FA’s decision to appoint Thomas Tuchel as the new England manager. Tuchel has taken over from Gareth Southgate and signed an 18-month contract with England that runs until the end of the 2026 World Cup. The former Chelsea manager is the first German to take charge of the Three Lions team and will work alongside English coach Anthony Barry.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The FA have confirmed that Tuchel was one of “several candidates” interviewed for the role. Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola was linked with the job along with Eddie Howe and Graham Potter. Tuchel has worked in England previously at Chelsea, where he won the Champions League, and has also won titles at Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich. However, a “very patriotic” Redknapp has questioned Tuchel’s track record and is disappointed by the FA’s choice.

  WHAT REDKNAPP SAID

  The former Tottenham boss told Sky Sports: “It’s not like he’s been a massive success. He’s come and gone at a couple of clubs. I’m very patriotic, I think we should have an English manager but obviously the field was very small to choose from. Englishmen don’t get many chances to manage in the Premier League now. It’s all foreign owners and it’s always got to be a foreign manager. We’ve only got two or three managers in the Premier League who are English. The FA, with all the money they spend on coaching courses, it’s sad.”

  Redknapp also spoke about the differences between club management and international football, as Tuchel takes up his first role as a national team boss.

  “It’s not like Jurgen Klopp who went to Liverpool and was a great success and stayed for many years. You need to have a little bit of common sense, pick the right players, pick the right positions, make them feel great about themselves, make them feel great about playing for the best country in the world,” he added.

  “That’s what it is. How long do you get to work with them? You don’t really get a chance to work with them – it’s not like you’re coaching them. Lee Carsley said he had about 20 minutes to work on a system – that’s about what you get to work on a bit of shape, patterns of play.”

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  WHAT NEXT FOR TUCHEL

  Tuchel is due to start work with England on January 1, 2025. Lee Carsley will continue as interim boss for November’s Nations League fixtures against Ireland and Greece, before returning to his previous post in charge of the U21s.