Appointed as England’s head coach last October, Thomas Tuchel officially took charge on January 1st. The German tactician embarks on this new adventure with a revamped and experienced staff, aiming to prepare the Three Lions for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, which kick off in March with matches against Albania and Latvia at Wembley.
Key Staff Members Announced
To build his team, Tuchel has surrounded himself with familiar faces and renowned experts. Anthony Barry, who worked with him at Chelsea (2021-2022) and Bayern Munich (2023-2024), has been appointed as his lead assistant. Former Chelsea goalkeeper Henrique Hilário, who has been the club’s goalkeeping coach since 2016, will now oversee England’s shot-stoppers, including Henderson, Pope, Ramsdale, and, most notably, Pickford, if he remains the first-choice keeper. French performance coach Nicolas Mayer, who collaborated with Tuchel at Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern, also joins the setup. Additionally, long-time Chelsea analyst James Melbourne, boasting nearly 20 years of experience, will bring his expertise as head of analysis for the Three Lions.
Meanwhile, Lee Carsley, who managed England’s Nations League campaign this autumn as interim head coach, will return to his role as the U21 manager, preparing the team for the U21 European Championship in Slovakia this summer. Tuchel and his staff will begin analyzing potential call-ups this weekend by attending Tottenham vs. Newcastle on Saturday and Liverpool vs. Manchester United on Sunday. With two months to go before naming his first squad, the former PSG and Chelsea manager is already laying the foundation for a team capable of achieving England’s ultimate ambition winning the next World Cup.
A Quick Start for Tuchel
The coming weeks will see Tuchel scouting Premier League matches to assess potential squad members. His official debut as England manager will take place in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in March 2025. The Three Lions will first face Albania on March 21st, followed by a match against Latvia on March 24th, both set to be played at Wembley. These opening fixtures will mark the start of his tenure under intense scrutiny, with the objective of securing convincing victories to kick off the qualification campaign and establish his authority as Gareth Southgate’s successor.
