Southgate was once the consummate ambassador and diplomat as England manager, displaying a comprehensive global vision, a willingness to speak openly to a much wider territory that extends far beyond football. It was once a feature that came in handy when waves extended beyond the pitch.
Tuchel, on the other hand, is a fiery character known for his defiant authority, big character and often outspokenness. He no longer possesses the peaceful touchline manner that England became familiar with under Southgate. Now they will have an explosive presence in the technical segment.
He is also widely known for not forgiving his players, with footage used of Tuchel in a fiery excitement, turning into an incendiary training ground reprimand for Shawn Parker when he was at Mainz, having resurfaced recently.
Eminent Borussia Dortmund executive Hans-Joachim Watzke described Tuchel as “a difficult person but a fantastic coach”, and had a notoriously contentious relationship with PSG director Leonardo. He said Tuchel lacked admiration for those above him, and the pair disagreed over the recruitment strategy in the so-called ‘Bling Bling’ month of superstars in Paris.
Tuchel, tired of facing off-key chances at PSG, asked shortly before his dismissal in December 2020: “Am I still a coach or am I a politician in sport, a Sports Minister?”
The other side of his character was witnessed by those who saw Tuchel at Chelsea, where he can be engaging, extremely funny and incredibly astute, as well as acting with splendid dignity and tact when forced to be a club’s front man. in crisis when owner Roman Abramovich’s belongings were frozen following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Tuchel was a figure of peace and reason, even insisting he would send a group bus to Lille himself for a Champions League date in March 2022 if sanctions meant they couldn’t fly.
The connection with Chelsea’s intact owner Todd Boehly was shaky from the start, as the club engaged in a scattershot transfer policy. Tuchel lasted exactly 100 days under the regime before being fired.
Tuchel remained a very predominant figure among Chelsea fans, who were sorry to see the maestro who brought the Champions League back to London ignored.
With his role intact, Tuchel will be able to put aside behind-the-scenes politicking and focus on a segment in which he is extraordinary and confirmed.
And that is what the FA wants with the bold attempt to move outside their long-standing system in pursuit of the distinction that has eluded them since 1966.
If Tuchel delivers, the FA may feel it makes all the angst and outside noise over the appointment worthwhile.
