Tuchel signs contract to become new England manager

Former Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel has signed a contract to become the new England manager. Tuchel will become the third foreign manager to take charge of England and the first from Germany.

The former Chelsea manager, who is England's third foreign coach after Sweden's Sven-Goran Eriksson and Italian Fabio Capello, will be assisted by Englishman Anthony Barry.

"We are thrilled to have hired Thomas Tuchel, one of the best coaches in the world and Anthony Barry who is one of the best English coaches to support him," FA Chief Executive Mark Bullingham said in a statement.

Sweden's Sven-Goran Eriksson and Italian Fabio Capello also held the post.

Known for his progressive football, Tuchel replaced Frank Lampard at Chelsea in January 2021 and led them to the Champions League title that season, beating Manchester City in the final.

Lee Carsley, England's under-21 manager, has been in temporary charge since the resignation of Gareth Southgate after England's defeat by Spain in the Euro 2024 final in July.

Carsley had looked the favourite to land the role on a full-time basis but a shambolic home defeat by Greece in the Nations League on Thursday appears to have undermined his chances.

Manchester City's serial title-winner Pep Guardiola was also reported to be in the mix but the Football Association has opted for Tuchel, who has been out of work since leaving Bayern Munich at the end of last season.

Bayern finished third in the Bundesliga, behind Bayer Leverkusen and VfB Stuttgart -- the first time they failed to win the title since 2011-12.

Tuchel built his reputation as a forward-thinking tactician in the Bundesliga after taking over from Juergen Klopp at Mainz 05 in 2009.

When Klopp left Borussia Dortmund at the end of the 2014-15 campaign, Tuchel also replaced him there, leading the team to German Cup success in 2017.

He joined Paris St Germain the following year, replacing Unai Emery and winning back-to-back French league titles. Tuchel also took PSG to their first Champions League final in 2020, which they lost to Bayern, before leaving for Chelsea.

Tuchel was unbeaten in his first 14 matches for Chelsea in all competitions -- a club record -- and took them to Champions League glory against City.

According to British media reports, the FA informally reached out to Manchester City boss Guardiola at the start of the season. Guardiola's contract expires at the end of the current campaign.