TUCHEL PROMISES A CLEAN SLATE

He says Kane will keep England captaincy as Three Lions are drawn into five-team group

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LONDON - Harry Kane will remain England captain when Thomas Tuchel takes charge in January, the German said on Dec 13, signalling that all the players can count on a clean slate when the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign starts under his management.

The Three Lions were pitted against Serbia, Albania, Latvia and Andorra in Group K during the draw - which was Tuchel's first engagement as England boss - in Zurich, Switzerland.

He was announced as manager in October, but will begin work on Jan 1 ahead of the World Cup qualifying competition.

"There is no need to think about change," said Tuchel, who brought Kane from Tottenham Hotspur to Bayern Munich in 2023 when he was in charge of the German giants.

"Harry was always a top captain for England. So why do you even think about it at the moment?

"You cross the river when you cross the river. First, come January, we will be in touch with everyone and get the feeling for St George's Park and also the players. And until March, there's still a lot of football to be played and then we will try to find the best group for the games that await."

The 51-year-old Tuchel suggested that he would act independently of former manager Gareth Southgate's choices, building a team of his own with all players able to count on a clean slate.