Thomas Tuchel, the newly appointed England national team manager, has made headlines even before his first match in charge. While embracing his new role, the German tactician has expressed a unique perspective on when he will sing the English national anthem, ‘God Save The King’.
Tuchel on Earning the Right to Sing ‘God Save The King’
Speaking to the media following the announcement of his inaugural national team squad, Tuchel declared that while he knows all the words to ‘God Save The King’, he will refrain from singing it at the kickoff of upcoming games. This is not due to disrespect, but rather a matter of principle. Tuchel believes he needs to earn the right to sing the anthem.
- Tuchel acknowledges the powerful and emotional nature of the England national anthem.
- He feels immense pride in managing the English national team.
- However, he views singing the anthem as something that must be earned, not just assumed.
- He stated he wants to earn the right through positive results, team development, and performing his duties effectively.
- Tuchel hopes to create an environment where fans and media alike feel he has genuinely earned the right to sing the anthem, becoming a true part of English football culture.
Tuchel emphasized that he wants to fully immerse himself in the culture and gain the respect of the players, supporters, and media before he feels it is appropriate for him to join in singing the national anthem.
England’s World Cup Qualifiers and Tuchel’s First Squad
Tuchel’s first assignment as England manager will be this month’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers. England is set to face Albania at Wembley Stadium on Friday, March 21, followed by a home game against Latvia on Monday, March 24.
For these crucial matches, Tuchel has announced his first England squad, which includes some notable selections:
- **Goalkeepers Galore:** He surprised many by naming four goalkeepers in the squad: Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale, and James Trafford.
- **Chelsea Contingent:** Three players from Tuchel’s former club, Chelsea, have been called up.
- **Kane’s Leadership:** Harry Kane, who previously played under Tuchel at Bayern Munich, is a key figure in the squad.
The full England squad list is as follows:
- **Goalkeepers:** Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale, James Trafford
- **Defenders:** Dan Burn, Levi Colwill, Marc Guéhi, Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Tino Livramento, Jarell Quansah, Kyle Walker
- **Midfielders:** Jude Bellingham, Eberechi Eze, Jordan Henderson, Curtis Jones, Cole Palmer, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers
- **Forwards:** Jarrod Bowen, Phil Foden, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Dominic Solanke
Tuchel’s appointment as England manager in October 2024, with his official start on January 1, marks a new chapter for the national team. Having previously managed Chelsea and Bayern Munich, his experience is expected to bring a fresh perspective to English football.
Despite past reports suggesting Bayern Munich considered re-hiring him after his sacking in 2024, Tuchel is now fully focused on his role with England, aiming to lead them to success in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers and beyond.
Keep up with all the latest updates on Thomas Tuchel and the England national team as they embark on their World Cup qualifying journey. Don’t miss any match previews, squad announcements, and match reports – stay tuned for comprehensive coverage!