England hires Thomas Tuchel as national team manager

England has appointed Thomas Tuchel as the new national team manager. This decision comes as the country seeks to strengthen its football leadership with an experienced coach. Tuchel, who has held significant positions in top clubs, is expected to bring his expertise to the England team. However, the appointment raises questions about the lack of English managers in the Premier League. A major reason for this issue is the difficulty in obtaining coaching qualifications. There are several UEFA-accredited licensing courses that coaches must complete to manage at various levels, including the prestigious UEFA Pro Licence for Premier League clubs. The Football Association (FA) runs these courses at St George's Park in England. Unfortunately, demand far exceeds supply, particularly for the A Licence, which is highly sought after. Many aspiring coaches find it hard to secure a place, leading some to look for opportunities abroad. An example is Simon Goodey, who faced rejections for the A Licence multiple times in England. He decided to move to Spain, where he found better chances to earn his coaching badges, despite facing language barriers and financial challenges. The FA believes its central training system ensures high standards, but others think it makes access harder. The cost of the Pro Licence in England is quite high, and while it is cheaper in other countries like Spain, coach education there is delivered regionally, making it more accessible. Currently, only a small percentage of Premier League managers are English, contrasting with a higher percentage in lower leagues. This situation suggests that while there are qualified English coaches, they often do not get a chance to manage at the top level. The ongoing issue raises concerns about the future of English football leadership and whether the Premier League will provide more opportunities for homegrown talent.