Why Tuchel's German Passport Doesn’t Matter (And How He Can Win Over England)

Thomas Tuchel as England’s new coach? Cue the outcry. Some people, it seems, just can’t get past the idea of a German coaching our national team. Yes, England has hired foreign coaches before - Sven-Göran Eriksson and Fabio Capello both took a turn at the helm. But this one feels different, reigniting that old rivalry with Germany. Yet here’s a truth worth repeating: great leadership doesn’t come with a national flag or a popularity rating.

Football, after all, is a global sport, and the best teams know the value of diverse perspectives. Just look at the Premier League: full of international players and managers, it’s a league defined by talent from all corners of the globe. To bring that same excellence to the national team, we need to welcome Thomas’s unique experience and fresh ideas. A leader from a different background brings new thinking and challenges assumptions - a quality we should celebrate, not resist. In a landscape where players face both the pressure to perform and intense public scrutiny, someone with Thomas’s unyielding drive and high standards might be exactly what England needs to get us over that final hurdle.

If Thomas’s going to make this work, he doesn’t need to be English. He needs to know himself, earn the team’s respect, inspire the country with performances, and deliver results. And, if he’s true to his style, fans are in for some thrilling football, too. So, let’s look at what it’ll really take for him to win over the Three Lions - and maybe the hearts of fans, too.

Own Your Quirks, Thomas

First things first: Thomas can’t (and shouldn’t) try to fit in. The beauty of leadership is knowing your quirks and playing to them. He’s got a reputation for being intense, a little too exacting, and maybe a touch combative. But that’s fine. The best leaders don’t pretend to be something they’re not - they lean into their weirdness. If Thomas tries to become the “nice guy” just to win fans over, he’ll lose the very edge that makes him effective.

And yes, he’s had a few public blow-ups in the past and does need to control that temper. But his unique style could work in England’s favour. Known for his fast-paced, high-intensity approach, Thomas demands a lot from his players-and this approach has produced some of the most entertaining football in Europe. If he brings that same fire to England, the players might just find themselves in the hands of a coach who demands the best-and gets it.

Build a Team, Not a Social Club

There’s a myth in sports that every great team is one big, happy family. Not so. Successful teams aren’t social clubs; they’re units of highly motivated individuals working together for a common goal. Thomas’s challenge is to create camaraderie without losing sight of the mission. It’s about finding that sweet spot where players are fired up to play foreach other and with each other.

This was one of Gareth Southgate’s greatest strengths. He fostered a close-knit environment where players genuinely supported each other, a quality that carried England through high-pressure tournaments. If Thomas can strike a similar balance-while adding his signature spark-England could be heading for glory in America in 2026.

Ignore the Noise, Focus on the Prize

The media circus? England’s unique (and sometimes absurd) obsession with national coaches? He’s got to let it all wash over him. One of the hardest lessons in leadership is learning to ignore what you can’t control, and Thomas will be well-served by saving his energy for what really matters: coaching the team and perfecting strategy. If he gets caught up in the endless public debate, he’ll lose his focus and, ultimately, his edge.

Let’s face it, the media will always have something to say. Thomas just needs to give them something to write about: a team that’s driven, disciplined, and ready to perform-hopefully with some of that high-energy football he’s known for.

Let Your Actions (and Results) Do the Talking

In the end, what Thomas’s passport says won’t matter. What will matter is whether he can lead this team to perform - and, hopefully, to victory. His character and actions will define his legacy with England. If he can live up to a higher standard, staying grounded, committed, and passionate, he’ll win more than matches; he’ll earn the respect of a nation.

After all, great leadership has never been about birthplace. Just ask Napoleon - a Corsican who became France’s greatest general. He didn’t wait for the French to 'accept him'; he showed them his vision. For Thomas, the mission is slightly less ambitious: win over a nation and end 58 “years of hurt.” We don’t need our leader to be English. We just need him to be brilliant.