Michael Owen Critiques Thomas Tuchel’s Appointment as England Manager

Former England international Michael Owen has expressed strong disapproval regarding the appointment of Thomas Tuchel as the new manager of the England national football team. Owen, a celebrated figure with 40 goals in 89 appearances for England, argues that only English managers should lead the national squad.

This criticism follows the decision by the Football Association (FA) to appoint Tuchel, who signed an 18-month contract starting in January, as a replacement for Gareth Southgate. Many believe that Tuchel’s primary objective is to secure victory at the 2026 World Cup, set to take place in North America next summer.

Owen’s remarks were made during an exclusive interview with Daily Star Sport, as reported by the betting site BetSelect. He stated, “The Premier League is obviously multinational. We’re watching the greatest players, the greatest managers, the greatest coaches.” While he acknowledged the diversity within the Premier League, he emphasized that the essence of international football should reflect the best of England.

Owen articulated his belief that having a foreign coach undermines the purpose of international competition. “It should be the best of what England has to offer against other nations,” he stated, insisting that the management team, like the players, should be exclusively English. He added, “It should be an Englishman. It should be English coaches. It should be English doctors. It should be English everything. That’s what it is. That’s international football, and that’s what it should be.”

When prompted about potential homegrown managerial candidates, Owen suggested former England player Frank Lampard. He noted that while critics might argue Tuchel is more qualified, the focus should be on nurturing local talent. “If we’re not producing managers, then that’s our fault,” he remarked, highlighting the investment made in facilities like St. George’s Park.

Owen further emphasized the need for a comprehensive support structure in English football. “The team will go out on the pitch, but it needs a huge backup team and great people in the backup team to influence the results as well,” he stated, underscoring the importance of developing English referees, coaches, and administrators alongside players.

Despite his reservations about Tuchel’s appointment, Owen acknowledged the German manager’s capabilities. “I’ve got nothing against Thomas Tuchel. He’s a great manager. He could do great things,” he said. Yet, he expressed concern about the implications of a foreign manager winning the World Cup with England. “If we win the World Cup and a German manager is lifting the World Cup, I mean, really?” he questioned.

Owen concluded by reinforcing his belief that only players eligible to represent a nation should manage that nation’s team. “If you’re English, the only team you can play for is the team you’re qualified to play for,” he stated, reiterating his stance on national representation in football management.

Looking ahead, England is scheduled to play a friendly match against Wales on October 9, 2023, at Wembley Stadium, followed by a European qualifier against Latvia on October 14, 2023. As the team prepares for these fixtures, the debate surrounding Tuchel’s appointment is expected to continue among fans and pundits alike.