Thomas Tuchel press conference LIVE: New England manager says ‘I’m sorry I have a German passport’

“Gareth Southgate and the FA did a fantastic job.” said Thomas Tuchel when speaking about his predecessor.

“Look at the results of the tournaments. The youth teams win titles and the women’s team. We are there. The federation is there. We will build on what Gareth built and add a little extra to get it over the line.”

Lee Carsley was given a shock by the response to his decision not to sing the national anthem when he took up the interim manager’s role. Thomas Tuchel is asked whether he will sing it.

He replied: “I understood from Mark [Bullingham] it is a personal decision, there were some who sang and others didn’t. I have not made my decision yet.

“Your anthem is very moving. I have experienced it here at Wembley in the FA Cup final. Either way, I will show respect to a very moving anthem.I will always show my respect to the new role and the country.”

The new England boss admitted that he was unsure about making the jump to international football and whether it would be right for him.

He agreed with the FA about many things about the role and that he always wanted to return to English football after leaving Chelsea in September 2022.

He says “there are a few trophies missing” from the FA cabinet and he will aim to change this.

Thomas Tuchel was asked if he had thought about the increased pressure and scrutiny that comes with being the England manager and he replied: “This is the last thing I think about.

“I’m up for the pressure on the sporting side and the challenge and the big task. These are the reasons to jump in. The pressure on the personal side or from the media if things don’t go well is never part of the thinking.”

More from the new England boss who says: “It’s a big job and it doesn’t make a lot of sense to compare. It feels like a privilege. It’s very new because I come from club football. I’m very excited by it.

“I want to get the best out of these players. It’s pretty obvious I am very emotional and I love what I am doing, I’m passionate about football. This task and this role, it brought the young me alive. I’m excited for the big task of the Three Lions and playing at Wembley.

“We will do it with passion and emotion. We have to go through the qualification process to the World Cup and it starts for us in January.”

When asked about his response to the fans who would prefer an English manager, Thomas Tuchel says: “I’m very excited and honoured to be here as new head coach of England. I read a quote from Pele at the entrance saying Wembley is the heart of football and I agree.

““I’m sorry, I just have a German passport. Maybe these supporters felt my passion for the Premier League and the country, how I love to live here and work here. Hopefully, I can convince them and show them how I am proud to be the England manager. I am proud.”

FA Chief Executive Mark Bullingham kicked off the press conference by saying: “This is a really exciting day for the English game. We have appointed one of the very best coaches in the world and one of the best young English coaches as his number two.

“Our aim is always to win a major tournament. We believe Thomas gives us the best possible chance to do that at the next men’s World Cup.”

Tuchel starts off his press conference with a fine quote from Pele. He says that “Wembley is the heart, the cathedral of football. He is absolutely right.”

Tuchel says he is ‘very excited and honoured’ to be the new England manager. He says it feels ‘big’ and is a privilege to take on the role which he expects to be different and new from that as a club manager.