Former Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has voiced his disappointment with the Football Association (FA) for appointing Thomas Tuchel as the new head coach of the England national team. Tuchel, the ex-Chelsea manager, is set to be officially introduced at Wembley on Wednesday after fast-tracked discussions that took place on Tuesday.
Tuchel’s coaching credentials include successful stints at Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), and Bayern Munich, where he famously lifted the Champions League trophy with Chelsea in 2021. He now becomes the third non-British coach to manage the England national team, following the paths of Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello.
While acknowledging Tuchel’s experience, Redknapp remains unconvinced about the decision, expressing his concerns during a discussion with Sky Sports. “It’s not like he’s been a massive success. He’s come and gone at a couple of clubs,” Redknapp remarked.
The former manager emphasized his patriotic stance, stating, “I think we should have an English manager, but the field was very small to choose from.” He noted the limited opportunities for English managers in the Premier League, highlighting the prevalence of foreign owners who often prefer hiring foreign coaches. “We’ve only got two or three managers in the Premier League who are English. The FA, with all the money they spend on coaching courses, it’s sad,” Redknapp added.
Redknapp’s comments reflect a growing sentiment among some pundits who question the logic of bringing in a foreign coach, particularly when there is a perceived lack of opportunities for English managers within the domestic league.