Tuchel's grand plan and why England need him

As the new manager prepares for his first match in charge at Wembley, Miguel Delaney sees someone fired up for future

- Miguel Delaney

One of the first things England’s young players noticed was how much Thomas Tuchel likes a laugh. He made them feel at ease. It’s an attitude that comes in handy for a question he was always going to get. England’s new German manager was naturally asked about 1966, and the manner of the men’s national team’s only ever trophy victory. Did Geoff Hurst’s second goal cross the line?

“There is still debate,” Tuchel chuckles. “I don’t think so but there was no VAR at this time so it stands!”

As good-humoured as all of this was, it should be acknowledged other managers would panic about saying something diplomatic. Tuchel just goes with it, knowing not to take certain aspects too seriously, because he saves that for the actual work. Duly, the atmosphere around training can instantly go from relaxed to intense.

There is a deeper reason for that, too. Tuchel has spoken in the past about how his mentor as an under-15 coach at VfB Stuttgart was Hermann Badstuber, the father of former Bayern Munich player, Holger. He has always spoken about how the elder Badstuber was the best coach he worked with from a human perspective, imposing upon young Tuchel the importance of fulfilling your potential. So, when Badstuber died in 2009, Tuchel resolved to prove himself at the highest level.

It is why one of the England manager’s greatest frustrations is players who don’t look like they’re maximising their talent, which might be instructive with future call-ups. Let’s not forget Tuchel’s time at Chelsea, when he once went up to Callum Hudson-Odoi and patted his dry shirt. Tuchel then gestured to César Azpilicueta’s, which was saturated in sweat, and remarked on “the difference”.

Such an attitude has brought Tuchel here, to a first match as England manager at Wembley that everyone hopes will also be the first step to football’s greatest prize.