Tuchel says farewell - until March

THOMAS Tuchel says his first year in the England job has been a “pure pleasure” and almost got emotional saying goodbye to a group he loves for four months.

- By SIMON PEACH Football correspondent

Sir Gareth Southgate’s successor began his reign with a 2-0 win against Albania and 2025 ended in Tirana with the same scoreline as they wrapped up a perfect World Cup qualification campaign.

England won all eight Group K games and kept eight clean sheets, showing no let up despite sealing their spot last month as they became the first European side to play at least six World Cup qualifiers and win them all without conceding.

Now attention turns to the December 5 draw in Washington DC, which Tuchel heads to feeling more confident about their chances of success having worked with the group this year.