‘There are difficult questions for the FA to answer,’ says Gary Neville as Man Utd legend gives Thomas Tuchel verdict
GARY NEVILLE believes there are “difficult questions for the FA to answer” after Thomas Tuchel was confirmed as England’s new boss.
Tuchel sat down for his first Three Lions press conference after confirming an 18-month deal starting from January.
But Neville had earlier revealed that it’s the FA who need to answer some questions surrounding the decision not to hire an English coach.
The Manchester United legend fears the appointment of German Tuchel as manager will have a damaging impact on coaching in England.
Gary Neville told Sky Sports: “I worked under international coaches for England.
“I loved playing for England while I was working under Terry Venables, Glenn Hoddle, Steve McClaren, Kevin Keegan… and Sven Goran Eriksson – so I didn’t see any difference in terms of my passion for my country when I played under an international coach.
“But what I have seen over the last 15-20 years is the reputational damage that English coaching has taken.
“We are in a rut when it comes to English coaching.
“English coaching is one of the least respected big nations in Europe when it comes to taking charge of a football team.
“Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese coaches are renowned for their styles of play, for their philosophy.
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“We don’t have a clear identity as an English nation, for what we are anymore.
“We haven’t built a style, we haven’t got a coach who’s built a style that’s unique to us and we’ve seen coaches from all around Europe come and input their styles into our game.
“And we’ve copied their styles and we’re trying to copy what they do – without really developing our own style.
“I think my view is that we need to build an identity as an English country in terms of what our style of play is and let English coaches flourish, and St George’s Park was set up to do that.
“The English philosophy of that time was to build English coaches and to try to get English coaches as high as possible in the world.
“And Gareth Southgate, I think, has done a great job – but we’ve chosen to go down a different route, and I think there are some difficult questions for the FA to answer.”
Tuchel has already faced the media for the first time in a press conference on Wednesday and jokingly apologised for having a German passport.
Asked about was being the country’s third foreign manager after Eriksson and Fabio Capello, he replied: “I am sorry I have a German passport.
“But I can tell the supporters I have felt my passion for the Premier League and my passion for the country and how I love to live here and work here.”
It was also revealed that the FA interviewed 10 managers before appointing the former Premier League boss, who was also targeted by Man Utd in the summer.
He was asked about choosing England over United – and almost appeared lost for words as he explained his decision.
Forgotten England stars could benefit from Tuchel appointment
WITH Thomas Tuchel announced as the next England manager, a few forgotten stars might be hopeful of a return to the international set up.
The former Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager usually uses a 3-4-3 formation.
That could provide an opening for Mason Mount, who’s not been involved in the England set-up since the World Cup in 2022.
The now Manchester United star enjoyed his most successful spell under Tuchel while the pair were at Stamford Bridge.
Tuchel could also offer lifelines to other previously capped players such as Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Eric Dier.
RLC has excelled since his move to AC Milan and with England struggling to find a partner for Rice, he could be the surprise answer.
Meanwhile, Dier played for Tuchel at Bayern Munich as part of a back-three last season.
The defender did enough to convince the club to make his loan move permanent after he had fallen out of favour at Tottenham.
Click here to see the full England XI who could play under Tuchel.