This…is a disappointing start in my eyes. This was supposed to be a new start for a new cycle until next summer to prepare us to try and win the WC. I don’t mind 4 keepers so Tuchel can assess his options but he’s had months and a blank slate and he thinks Henderson and Burn are the answer? I defended Southgate as he relied on his trusted players as we came up to the last Euros because he knew his players and it was the last roll of the dice with experienced heads - but he blended in some new talent too. Tuchel was supposed to be the fresh start - this squad reeks of short termism and we’re not developing the next squads. I wanted us to start relying on more youthful squads and new players. Palmer proved it was time. Is Henderson going to the next World Cup? It could yet work out but as a first sign I’m very underwhelmed.
It’s just embarrassing at this point calling up the likes of Henderson and Walker. Both washed. Rashford getting a call-up on the back of a brief improvement in form for Villa is also pathetic when there are lads who have been consistently impressive this season and also last season. Morgan Gibbs-White and Lewis Cook are far more deserving than Rashford or Henderson. Reece James too? The guy’s made of ****ing glass. Tuchel’s showing his arse here.
Every time a new England manager is announced it's hyped as a new beginning, a complete overhaul, building for the future etc. then we get more of the same old...
No Grealish - not bothered personally as I think for the amount of ability he has he should have more goals and assists than he does and often flatters to deceive - but others might be
Still can’t wrap my head around no Gibbs-White in that squad. I think he’s better than Eze and he’s in better form currently than Eze and Foden too. We also don’t need four keepers. Elliot Anderson and Lewis Cook more deserving than Henderson, as are quite a few others. It’s a terrible squad and you can bet Foden gets more minutes than Rogers too.
People always want the England manager to change loads of players. Always out with the old, in with the new. They rarely do that though. We always convince ourselves that it's just the current manager sticking with "his favourites" and that any other would pick the squad we want. Then we get a new manager and it turns out his picks are much closer to what the previous boss picked than to what we want. I think there's a lesson in there somewhere. I have no affinity for Tuchel at all, him being England manager doesn't feel right to me so I've no real desire to defend him unlike Southgate who I was desperate to see succeed. But it is just the same old criticism that every England manager gets for every England squad.
It’s not out with the old, it’s out with the old that was already previously outed. Who is he calling up next? Shearer?
My concern with this squad though is there’s not much development for the future - and is that an issue with Tuchel as a manager? Say what you will or won’t about Southgate but during his time he developed many a player into international quality. Is Tuchel going to do that? This squad suggests not. Tuchel could be a good manager - as you I’m overly excited by his appointment - but this first squad does concern me that we’ve chucked away a longer term plan for a quick crack at the WC. Current international trends don’t support that as a tactic.
The english managers currently in the top 5 european divisions Prem La liga Ligue 1 Seria a Bundesliga Eddie howe Will still (and he's technically belgian) Liam rosenior Graham potter Thats a pretty sad state no? Compare it to spanish and german managers for example
It’s a sad state. I’m not that arsed about the England manager being English but we are clearly failing in that regard in this country right now.
The Premier League is a globally significant competition. It would be really odd if most managers were English. And equally odd in the other countries you list, which aren’t global leagues (except maybe Spain). The Championship is the highest national scale league in England - 14 English managers there if you count Omar Riza.
Yeah, I don't like the short term approach either. It might make sense if there was any way to guarantee or almost guarantee success through a particular appointment, but there obviously isn't, and realistically any manager will have to do very well if they're to exceed Southgate's achievements. Given that that's the case, I can't understand the logic of a short term appointment with the sole objective of winning the next tournament.
