Former England and Manchester United striker Teddy Sheringham has slammed the FA’s decision to appoint German manager Thomas Tuchel.
Tuchel was announced as England’s new head coach last month but won’t take over until January 1.
The 51-year-old has signed an 18-month contract with the aim of winning the 2026 World Cup, six decades after the Three Lions last lifted a major trophy.
His appointment follows Gareth Southgate’s decision to resign in July after losing the final of Euro 2024 against Spain, having been in charge for eight years.
Tuchel is only the third foreign England manager, with Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello going before him.
The topic of Tuchel’s nationality has divided opinion among fans but it’s the short-term nature of his appointment which has riled Sheringham.
The ex-Manchester United forward has also criticised Tuchel for not taking over immediately, as interim boss Lee Carsley will be in charge for this week’s Nations League fixtures to round out the year.
“For the FA to change the tactic and approach, to essentially change the direction of what they’ve built with Gareth by offering Thomas Tuchel an 18-month contract, a German manager who probably doesn’t give two hoots about what happens after is a really strange decision,” Sheringham told Best Offshore Sportsbooks (via The Mirror).
“Whereas with Gareth, everything was about building and continuing to progress on the foundation that he built because he did a lot of good work during his eight-year tenure. So, I find that a strange decision, but it’s one you’ve got to back at tnhe moment because he’s got an outstanding group of players to work with when he does start.
“I also don’t understand or like the fact that he’s not in there now. Why hasn’t he gone in there straight away, as soon as he signs the contract, to get to know players? The FA have given Lee Carsley another couple of games, why? The players are going to wonder, who are we trying to impress here the new manager or the interim manager Lee Carsley.”
Sheringham went on to warn the FA that despite his pedigree as a Champions League-winning manager, Tuchel could ‘scupper’ England’s progress under Southgate.
