Thomas Tuchel connects with players before World Cup qualifiers

Thomas Tuchel has been preparing for his role as England's football manager for three months. He will lead the team in two World Cup qualifying matches against Albania and Latvia at Wembley Stadium. Tuchel was appointed in October 2024 but officially started on January 1, 2025. During this time, he has settled into England’s training base, St George's Park. He has attended many Premier League and European matches to observe his players, and even met Prince William in February. The new manager is making efforts to connect with his players. He has been communicating with a long list of 55 players through FaceTime and texts. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford shared that Tuchel's willingness to provide support has excited the team. Tuchel is working to build a positive culture within the squad, similar to the one created by former manager Gareth Southgate. FA chief executive Mark Bullingham praised Tuchel's charisma and energy, noting that he has made a strong impact since his arrival. Some players have felt reassured by Tuchel's messages before games, showing that he is invested in their performances. However, criticism has arisen regarding his presence at Premier League games, which Tuchel defended by explaining that watching multiple matches from his base can be more effective. With the two upcoming matches, Tuchel hopes to ignite the team's journey toward the World Cup in 2026. His ultimate goal is to lead England to victory, expecting nothing less than to see Harry Kane lift the trophy next year.