Tuchel slammed over what he wears on touchline as former Premier League star says England manager should be ‘smart’
DANNY Mills has challenged Thomas Tuchel to upgrade his wardrobe after landing the England job.
The FA officially unveiled the 51-year-old as Three Lions manager on Wednesday morning.
Tuchel takes over from Gareth Southgate who departed following Euro 2024.
Former England full-back Mills spoke to Sky Sports News after the German’s new position was confirmed.
But he had a bizarre take on the matter, calling out Tuchel for his casual touchline threads.
Mills said: “Often we see him in a hoodie and a cap on the sidelines.
“Will that be his managerial stance as an England manager?
“That’s not really something that we’re used to. It’s really always a suit and looking very, very smart.”
Tuchel will officially take over on January 1, with interim boss Lee Carsley in charge of the team for November’s international camp.
The German is England’s first foreign coach since Fabio Capello, who left the role in 2012.
FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS
Mills continued: “[Tuchel] is an exceptional coach. There are a few surprises.
“[But] I don’t understand why he starts in January.
“Who is going to be picking the team in November? Will Tuchel be at the games? Will he have any input?
“And the FA need to answer why not an Englishman? Why have they gone down a foreign route again?
He added: “But Tuchel is a fantastic coach and will do very, very well.”
Tuchel has been out of work since leaving Bayern Munich earlier this year.
Inside FA's thrilling chase for Tuchel
THE FA’s path to securing Thomas Tuchel's signature was not a straightforward one.
They tried to lure Pep Guardiola from Manchester City over the summer.
They even made contact with Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti after deciding to target trophy-laden foreign gaffers.
The FA’s determination to go international was summed up by their decision NOT to interview Newcastle boss Eddie Howe.
Initial talks with Tuchel saw him express a slight interest in replacing Gareth Southgate.
But he was waiting to see what would happen at Manchester United, with Erik ten Hag’s future under the spotlight.
Man Utd owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe eventually decided to stick with Ten Hag – and that opened the door to the FA getting their man.
Read the full story on England’s thrilling pursuit of Thomas Tuchel.
He said in a statement: “I am very proud to have been given the honour of leading the England team.
“I have long felt a personal connection to the game in this country, and it has given me some incredible moments already.
“To have the chance to represent England is a huge privilege, and the opportunity to work with this special and talented group of players is very exciting.”
ANDY DILLON: Thomas Tuchel has all the ingredients to become a classic England manager – tactical nous, drive and a tangled love life
By Andy Dillon
THOMAS TUCHEL possesses all the ingredients to become a classic England manager.
Tactical nous, drive, energy, experience – a tangled love life.
English football should welcome back the most explosive, dynamic, charismatic and impossibly tall and gangly coach to have lit up the Premier League.
Chelsea’s colourful former boss has been leading a settled life in Munich of late.
Far enough away from ex-wife Sissi but close enough to see his two daughters.
Walking his dog in the streets in the east of Germany’s most fashionable city, residing in the posh Bogenhausen area. Living relatively quietly with his Brazilian girlfriend.
Tuchel is a vastly different personality to the man who led England quietly but assuredly to the brink of World Cups and European Championships.
An excitable nature can make him hard to handle for those seeking calm and who like to impose their way on a manager they view very much as an underling.
Read more on why Tuchel REALLY IS the best man for the England job
Tuchel put pen to paper on an 18-month, £5million-a-year deal on October 8.
But the former Chelsea boss was not the first choice of Mills’ BBC colleague Gary Lineker.
The former England striker told the Rest Is Football podcast: “I’d have given the job to Lee Carsley.
“I have seen enough to suggest to me the players really trust him.
“And he is imaginative enough to produce something that is a joy to watch, is entertaining and front-footed football.
“I’d have gone for Lee Carsley [but] it is not my job to pick people like that.”