Thomas Tuchel, the newly appointed head coach for England, is setting a robust foundation with a 55-man roster under consideration. Since his official commencement on January 1, as Gareth Southgate's successor, Tuchel has actively engaged with numerous players to introduce himself and share his vision for the national team. He is committed through an 18-month contract, extending to next summer's World Cup finals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Tuchel resides in London while primarily operating from St. George’s Park, the Football Association's (FA) national base. His efforts to establish strong connections with players have been well-received. FA chief executive Mark Bullingham lauded Tuchel for his effective integration and impactful start.
"And the reason for that is he just wants his sole focus to be on the next tournament and be really single-minded with the players on that, but it's very early to judge, but I can say that he's made a brilliant impact already, so we're very happy with him." – Mark Bullingham
With plans to announce his first squad on March 14 for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia, Tuchel has wasted no time in acclimating to his new role. His proactive approach includes maintaining a comprehensive list of 55 players, ensuring he has a firm connection with each of them, which extends beyond those playing in England to those abroad.
"I think he's got 55 on this long list and makes sure that he's got a strong connection with them, that they know that he's seen them. It's not only the players in England, it's players playing abroad as well, and I think that that will only stand in a good stead in the long run." – Mark Bullingham
Tuchel's contract reflects a commitment cycle of two years, despite the current agreement extending only for 18 months. He has indicated a willingness to continue beyond this period, potentially remaining with the team for up to a decade.
"He's really hit the ground running. I think you've seen him in a number of games. He's also integrated a small number of his sports team he brought with him into SGP. He's been up there a lot and spent a lot of time with people." – Mark Bullingham
The FA has set ambitious goals for the future, including winning another senior tournament by 2028. Additionally, they aim to foster a discrimination-free environment, enhance equal opportunities for women and girls, and upgrade facilities across the board. Tuchel's alignment with these objectives signifies a promising trajectory for England's football scene.
"Gareth was very, very connected and very smart culturally as well. I think Thomas is the same and he realised early on that you don't build those connections in the six days you get together [during a typical international break], so he's put a lot of effort into that." – Mark Bullingham
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