Thomas Tuchel held a press conference at Wembley Stadium after being the next England manager

After being officially appointed as the next England manager by the FA, Thomas Tuchel held a press conference at Wembley Stadium.

Thoughts on taking the role  
"I'm very excited to start this journey in January and to work with a very special group of players, so we can achieve our dreams in the U.S."  

Is this his biggest challenge as a coach, and if he leads England to a title, will it be his greatest achievement?  
"I quickly realized this is a massive job, but I always believe the job you're currently doing is the most important one. Comparisons don’t make much sense, but I feel the weight of responsibility, which is also an honor. This feels very fresh for me, coming from club football, so the rhythm, responsibilities, and role are all new. It’s very exciting. I'm open to it and love the idea. Once Mark (FA CEO Bullingham) and John (FA Technical Director McDermott) made it clear that this job is about football, we didn't lose momentum. As soon as I set my mind to the January-to-World Cup timeframe, I got excited. It aligns with my passion and drive, pushing this group of players and being part of a federation that's done so well in recent tournaments, to get them over the line and add a second star to the shirt."  

England fans being disappointed that he’s German  
"I’m sorry I carry a German passport (laughs). All fans already feel my passion for the Premier League and this country. I love living here. Hopefully, I can show them that I’m proud to be England's manager and will do everything to honor this job and this country."  

Feeling rejuvenated by the England job 
"I’m extremely energized. I love what I do. I'm passionate about football, and this role has made me feel like a young man again. It brings back that youthful excitement, and I’m thrilled to be tasked with such a big mission, for the Three Lions and to prepare for games at Wembley."  

Will he sing the national anthem? 
"I’ve learned from Mark Bullingham that it’s a personal choice, and I haven’t made a decision yet. The English national anthem is very moving, and I’ve experienced it in FA Cup finals. I’ll always respect the country and the anthem, but I’ll take some time to make that decision."  

Understanding of England's '58 years of hurt' since their last major tournament win  
"Mark and John were very clear that this is about football. That quickly excited me, because before our first conversation, I wasn’t sure if this role in international football would suit me. The schedule here is very different from club football, but we found a lot of similarities and ways that align with my approach and desire to achieve something special. I've always wanted to return to England, and it's been a big goal of mine. I have great memories of this place, the league, the players, and how the fans here shape the character of the players. It’s unique, and that’s why this opportunity came at the perfect time—we kept the momentum, and within weeks, we found a shared vision, a shared plan, and a shared adventure, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it. Now I must live up to it, and I know the FA is still missing some trophies! I want to help them achieve that goal."  

Building on Southgate’s success  
"We will build on the culture Gareth (Southgate) created, and I think they've done exceptionally well with stability and consistency. Look at the recent results across tournaments, they’ve been impressive. The U21s won a title, all age groups are competing for trophies, and the women's team won a title, so we already have a great foundation. The FA has done a great job, which is a big reason why I accepted the job. I’m curious, I want to learn, and while my schedule will differ from club football, the high standards of the FA are important to me. They allow me to combine those with my ideas. We will build on Gareth’s work and hopefully add something more to reach our goals."  

Similarities between him and Southgate  
"We’re both human. As I’ve said, I’m very impressed by Gareth’s achievements, and I fully understand the foundation he laid alongside Mark and John at the FA. Now it’s our turn to leave our mark and take the next step."  

Aware of the pressure as England manager, given how previous coaches were overwhelmed both on and off the pitch 
"That’s always the last thing I think about. I’m ready for the pressure that comes with the competition, and I’m ready for the big challenge. I’m ready to take on this task, work with this team for the next 18 months, and be part of this great FA. Those are the reasons I’m all in. Personal pressure? The pressure if things don’t go well? That has never been a part of my decision-making. I’ve never felt strongly about that. It’s always been an honor, and my love and passion for football always outweigh any downsides."  

Turning England into title winners  
"They already have the strength, and we are ready. The players have shown they have the capability, with consistency in reaching quarter-finals, semi-finals, and finals. It’s impressive. Our players compete in the strongest league in the world every day. We have those elements, and now it’s about believing that it’s time to establish a system and principles that can help the team break through. We need luck, to avoid injuries, and to make the right small decisions in matches, but we’re confident we can add something from club football experience that can help. We have to meet these standards. We need to show it in the qualifiers and create an atmosphere across the country, and then special things can happen."  

Confirmed his contract will run until after the 2026 World Cup 
"Let’s see. It’s an 18-month contract, and then we agreed to sit down and talk. Unfortunately, I have a good track record with 18-month spells, so I’m trying to improve my long-term planning. Having a timeframe was important for me because this feels a bit like stepping into the unknown. I’m used to working daily with the coaching staff, so this will be very different. But it’s a good timeframe because it allows us to focus on the qualifiers and the World Cup."  

Winning over fans who prefer an English manager 
"Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I understand when people say they prefer an English coach for the England team, but I think we deserve a fair chance. We have a good track record, and I’ve never hidden how much I enjoy living here and working with Premier League players. We deserve this opportunity. Maybe my German passport has a little bit of Britishness on it too, so we will try to win them over with results and performances."  

Connection between his time at Chelsea and the England job  
"The schedule and workload will be different. When this job was offered to me, I wanted to accept it. The FA made it clear they trust me. I’m also excited to have the chance to learn throughout this process and become smarter and better at what I do."  

Communication with captain Harry Kane and whether he will remain captain 
"I haven’t spoken to anyone. This process between the three of us was highly confidential. I haven’t spoken to Harry, and I haven’t spoken to Gareth. That’s not my style. I like to feel and think for myself, let it settle, and reflect on it. I haven’t spoken to them yet. It’s too early to answer that (captaincy question). You all know how highly I rate Harry, and how hard I worked to bring him to Bayern. He’s already on the path to becoming a legend in English football, but it’s also important to respect Lee (interim manager Carsley) and the November camp, and let him make his own decisions without interference from me. We’ll address that no later than March."  "The way Mark and John presented the idea was so quick, exciting, confidential, and filled with trust. It was a decision for this job, not against anyone else. I won’t comment on any other club."