‘Why should a player have to be from a country and not the manager’ says Wenger as he questions Tuchel as England boss
ARSENE WENGER is the latest person to wade in on the England manager debate following the appointment of Thomas Tuchel.
Despite his stellar CV as a coach at club level – including a Champions League win with Chelsea – some have questioned whether the manager of a country should be someone who is not from there.
Legendary Arsenal boss Wenger, now FIFA‘s Chief of Global Football Development, gave his verdict while appearing on beIN Sports.
The 75-year-old said: “I always thought the national team is a part-time job with 10 games per year, and I prefer to play 60.”
Wenger revealed he had received offers to be the national team manager of both France and Germany, before adding: “To me on that front, I prefer that the manager is from the country.
“Why should the player have to be from a country and not the manager? There is a big inference.”
To that end, Wenger said he would have felt “uncomfortable” managing Germany.
He then doubled down on previous statements where he had said England should take an English manager.
He continued: “I haven’t changed my mind. Now they appoint Tuchel. I think Tuchel is a perfect coach and a perfect candidate, but he’s not English.
“But it’s allowed so there is nothing wrong with that.
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“I just feel – to make it as simple as possible – If I’m the manager of England and I play against France I cannot sing the national anthem of France.”
Tuchel, 51, was appointed to the Three Lions role as the permanent successor to Gareth Southgate after he stepped down following Euro 2024, but will not take charge of his first games until next year.
The former Blues, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund boss signed an 18-month contract worth £5million-a-year to see him lead England into the World Cup in 2026.
At his first press conference, Tuchel sarcastically apologised for his German passport and received an apology from a reporter over a “flippant” comment about the chances of winning a trophy.
Tuchel then gave his opinion on singing the national anthem.
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
He said: “I understood from Mark [Bullingham] it is a personal decision if you sing it. Some managers did it and others did not.
“I have not made my decision. Your anthem is very moving, I experienced it several times at Wembley and in cup finals.
“Whatever decision I make, I will always show my respect to my new role, the country and a moving anthem.
“As it is a new subject, I will take a little bit of time.”
Interim boss Lee Carsley – who is a former Ireland international – has opted against singing it during his time in charge, with his final two games coming next month.
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.