Thomas Tuchel may view his impending announcement as England manager as something of a homecoming despite being German.
For just the third time, the Football Association has taken the bold step of appointing a foreign manager with former Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund boss Tuchel set to succeed Gareth Southgate in the top job.
After Sven Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello, Tuchel is the third foreign manager to take charge of England
Bavaria-born Tuchel is set to be unveiled by the FA at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday in what will be his first role in England since he was sacked as Chelsea manager in September 2022.
It’s the first time the FA have turned to a German to manage the Three Lions but German football expert Raphael Honigstein suggested Tuchel is something of an honorary Englishman.
“He’s an avowed Anglophile,” Honigstein told talkSPORT.
“He loves English football, loves English players. Of course, worked with Eric Dier, worked with Harry Kane at Bayern, tried to bring in a couple more English players.
“He was forever talking about how much he enjoyed working in England, working in English dressing rooms or a dressing room at Chelsea.
“And just, I think, he wanted to come back to England full stop. There was no secret that he had discussions with Man United. I think one or two other clubs were looking at him. I think Spurs were looking at him not so long ago.
“So for him, I think it’s a bit of a dream move. As I said, a real passion for English football.
“I think he sees himself as somebody that can take a team that’s come close.
That’s one decisive step further and maybe deliver the trophy and not just become a hero for winning stuff, but becoming a German hero in England.
“I think that has a special kind of fascination for him.”
Tuchel worked with England captain Kane at Bayern last seasonGetty
An interview earlier this year suggests that Tuchel may appreciate life in England more than he does in his homeland.
When asked if he feels more appreciated in England than he does in Germany, Tuchel said: “Yeah… pretty simple question.
“I feel that we are very critical of each other in Germany, especially with players and coaches, not only me.
“It’s very hard to escape it once you’re in it… so there is a picture and this is the picture for years and years.
“I felt more appreciation in England, yes. This is just a fact.”