“It’s a respected job but I don’t think it’s a dream, having spoken to a few England managers — it’s a massively challenging job and changed over the years.
“It’s certainly something that at some point of your career you’d like to have a look at. But it’s certainly not my time now — for lots of coaches.”
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham gave the England job to the German — on an 18-month deal worth £7.5million — because he believes there is a lack of elite English coaches.
Eddie Howe was not one of those approached because the FA knew that Newcastle would demand huge compensation.
Dyche and Wolves’ Gary O’Neil are the only other English bosses working in the Prem.
Advertisement
Former Brighton and Chelsea boss Graham Potter was on the FA’s shortlist.
“It’s not disheartening for English coaches like me — and I certainly wasn’t one of the candidates.”
England legend Wayne Rooney is “surprised” that Tuchel landed the job.
Advertisement
The Plymouth boss, 38, said: “What the FA have built over the last ten to 15 years has been a great platform for young coaches coming through.
“So I’m surprised they haven’t gone with one of their own.
“He’s a very good coach but I’m surprised the FA have employed him.”
Leicester manager Steve Cooper believes British coaches need to stop moaning about not landing the England job until they prove they can compete on a global stage.
Advertisement
5
But the Welshman, 44, does not feel the FA’s coaching pathway is broken.
Cooper won the Under-17 World Cup with England in 2017, with a squad that included Marc Guehi, Phil Foden, Morgan Gibbs-White and Angel Gomes.
He said: “Hopefully over the course of time, British coaching will continue to improve and we’ll be right up there with the world’s best.
Advertisement
“In the meantime, any opportunity we’re given, we have to take it and do a good job.
“Until we do that on a regular basis maybe we shouldn’t say so much.
“I really believe in British culture, I believe in the coaching education pathway as well.
“The ones I’ve been involved with have been the FA and FA of Wales, and they have been brilliant courses which have evolved over time.
Advertisement
Inside FA’s thrilling chase for Tuchel
THE FA’s path to securing Thomas Tuchel’s signature was not a straightforward one.
They tried to lure Pep Guardiola from Manchester City over the summer.
They even made contact with Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti after deciding to target trophy-laden foreign gaffers.
The FA’s determination to go international was summed up by their decision NOT to interview Newcastle boss Eddie Howe.
Advertisement
Initial talks with Tuchel saw him express a slight interest in replacing Gareth Southgate.
But he was waiting to see what would happen at Manchester United, with Erik ten Hag’s future under the spotlight.
Man Utd owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe eventually decided to stick with Ten Hag – and that opened the door to the FA getting their man.
“They develop coaches and educate coaches in the right way.
“But there’s no doubt the FA have appointed a top coach — and assistant with Anthony Barry — and hopefully they can carry on the progress of the last few years.”
Gary Neville, who worked as No 2 to former Three Lions manager Roy Hodgson, feels that England are “damaging ourselves” with Tuchel’s appointment and says it leaves “difficult questions for the FA to answer”.
“It would be nice if there were more English coaches at the top level and over time hopefully that will happen. But you’ve got to earn it.”
Southampton’s Russell Martin, born in England but a Scotland international, insists “loads of English coaches are capable of doing the job”.
He added: “Maybe English managers aren’t given enough credit. Or maybe they are deemed not good enough by the most important people.
Advertisement
“It’s going to cause a lot of interesting discussion, especially at the FA.
“We have a renowned coaching education system that people come from far and wide to do, then we can’t appoint someone from that.”
ANDY DILLON: Thomas Tuchel has all the ingredients to become a classic England manager – tactical nous, drive and a tangled love life
By Andy Dillon
THOMAS TUCHEL possesses all the ingredients to become a classic England manager.
Advertisement
Tactical nous, drive, energy, experience – a tangled love life.
English football should welcome back the most explosive, dynamic, charismatic and impossibly tall and gangly coach to have lit up the Premier League.
Chelsea’s colourful former boss has been leading a settled life in Munich of late.
Far enough away from ex-wife Sissi but close enough to see his two daughters.
Advertisement
Walking his dog in the streets in the east of Germany’s most fashionable city, residing in the posh Bogenhausen area. Living relatively quietly with his Brazilian girlfriend.
Tuchel is a vastly different personality to the man who led England quietly but assuredly to the brink of World Cups and European Championships.
An excitable nature can make him hard to handle for those seeking calm and who like to impose their way on a manager they view very much as an underling.
Grainger was appointed as Wales boss in March 2021, becoming the country’s first ever full-time manager solely dedicated to just the women’s senior team.
“I was approached by Norway and things happened very quickly,” added Grainger.
“It wasn’t expected for me, it was a surprise and sometimes the timing of how things are is not always perfect.
Advertisement
“I don’t think there ever would have been a perfect time for me to leave Wales, I certainly didn’t plan to leave at the time that I did and also at the speed that I did as well.
“But I felt like the opportunity that had been put in front of me was the right one for me to take.
“I knew the players were upset, I knew they would be upset with me leaving at that time as well.
“I do believe in the journey, I do believe in the team, that’s still what I believe in.
Advertisement
“I still follow the team closely, I’m still very close to the team but it was a decision that I had to make and my only hope was that the players would understand.
“Everyone in football gets opportunities at different times, them as players when they move to different clubs.
“It didn’t mean that what I said about believing in the journey and believing in the team wasn’t true, it was just something that I felt was the right thing to do for me.”
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder says George Baldock “meant so much to everybody” as he pays tribute to the former Blades defender following his shock death last week.
CHELSEA travel to Anfield to take on league leaders Liverpool on Sunday in the biggest game of this weekend’s Premier League action.
And although the Blues may be going into the game as underdogs, they could shock their Merseyside opponents with their high-risk tactics.
10
Enzo Maresca’s high-risk tactics could cause some issues for Liverpool this weekendCredit: Getty
Enzo Maresca has already whipped his side into shape since coming through the door in SW6 this summer.
Advertisement
And he can really lay down a marker on Sunday by luring Liverpool into the ultimate game of chicken with his favoured “tension-ball” tactics.
While Liverpool’s high press tactics under Arne Slot could either play right into Chelsea‘s hands or expose the Blues’ plans.
Inverted full-backs
Maresca has completely changed the way Chelsea play since arriving from Leicester and one his biggest tactical tweaks is playing with an inverted full-back.
In the current system it tends to be Malo Gusto who drifts away from his traditional full-back position and into midfield to offer more numbers in the middle of the park.
Advertisement
That decision is ultimately to allow the Blues to have an overload in midfield – meaning they should almost always outnumber their opponents in central areas.
Gusto playing more central allows him to play alongside Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo to create a box-like four in midfield.
That would allow Chelsea one more central player than Liverpool, with Slot usually opting for a three of Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai.
However, it can also expose Chelsea on the wings, with Gusto leaving his flank and leaving Maresca’s side with gaps in wide areas.
Advertisement
10
Chelsea play with Malo Gusto as an inverted full-back allowing for more options in midfield
10
Their overload allows them to outnumber Liverpool in midfield
10
Malo Gusto is regularly receiving the ball in central areas
That swings-and-roundabouts approach of leaving yourself vulnerable in wide areas to win the midfield battle is exactly what could create a game of chicken at Anfield on Sunday.
Liverpool always aim to press high and did so with a four-man press during their thrashing of Man Utd earlier in the season.
How to cure England’s Bellingham, Foden and Palmer headache
That intense press is where the game of chicken begins, with Liverpool hoping to gamble on Chelsea being unable to play out from the back without Gusto as an extra option in defence.
If Chelsea can bypass that press then they will be able make use of their midfield overload and get the better of Liverpool.
Advertisement
If they can’t do that, then they’ll likely run themselves into all kinds of trouble against one of the best pressing teams in the league.
10
Liverpool are one of the best pressing teams in the league and often push on with four players
10
Their four-man press could create a game of chicken as they look to stop Chelsea from playing out from the back
10
Advertisement
If Chelsea bypass their press then the Blues could have a huge overload in midfield
Tension-ball
Chelsea’s overloading plans aren’t just for playing out of the back, Maresca wants it to happen all over the pitch.
The Italian regularly talks about having “tension” across the pitch as a way to help his players “jump” into space.
In short, that means he wants his technically gifted players to invite pressure onto themselves so that they can ping the ball away to players in space in other parts of the overload.
Maresca wants his players to effectively drag the opposition out of position and then occupy those spaces themselves, moving fast to take advantage of the spaces they’re vacating.
Advertisement
It’s a high-risk high-reward way of playing and one that will certainly be tested to its limits against a very strong Liverpool team.
In fact, Chelsea fans can expect multiple moments on Sunday where they will want to watch through their fingers as their side plays with fire in the midfield.
However, if they can get it right – as they have done on most occasions this season – they could well spring a surprise on Slot’s men.
10
Advertisement
Maresca’s tactics will try draw players onto the man with the ball
10
Once that player moves it frees up another man for the pass
10
Arne Slot’s press will certainly be a tough test for Maresca’s tension-ballCredit: Getty
Allowing fans to drink alcohol will be trialled at two Women’s Championship clubs this season, says Women’s Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL) chief executive Nikki Doucet.
The newly launched WPLL, which governs the Women’s Super League and second-tier Championship, is discussing measures with their key stakeholders as part of a pilot that could lead to wider adoption across the women’s game.
Discussions by the WPLL are at an early stage and the trial clubs have yet to be chosen but it is part of wider measures to capitalise on the growth of the sport.
Laws have been in place since 1985 banning the drinking of alcohol in view of the pitch in men’s football, but the ban in the women’s game has, until now, been self-imposed by football’s authorities.
Advertisement
Speaking at the Leaders Week London event, Doucet said: “We are going to test it in a couple of teams in the Championship this season and we will see what we will learn from that.
“I think the behaviour of our fan base is different. It is about giving our fans choices while maintaining safety and being responsible.”
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – MMA Junkie is on scene and reporting live from Friday’s official PFL: Battle of the Giants (DAZN/ESPN+) fighter weigh-ins at the host hotel in Saudi Arabia, which kick off at 2 a.m. ET (11 a.m. PT).
Among those weighing in are former UFC champion Francis Ngannou (17-3) and reigning PFL season winner Renan Ferreira (13-3), who meet in the main event for the heavyweight superfights title. The same happens between incoming Bellator women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg (27-2) and reigning PFL winner Larissa Pacheco (23-4), who fight for the women’s 145-pound superfights belt.
Plus, Bellator middleweight champion Johnny Eblen (15-0) has his title on the line in a rematch against Fabian Edwards (13-3) and former Bellator featherweight champ A.J. McKee (22-1) continues his surge at lightweight against Paul Hughes (12-1).
The full PFL: Battle of the Giants weigh-in results include:
Advertisement
MAIN CARD (DAZN pay-per-view, 4 p.m. ET)
Francis Ngannou () vs. Renan Ferreira () – for heavyweight superfights title
Cris Cyborg () vs. Larissa Pacheco () – for women’s featherweight superfights title
Champ Johnny Eblen () vs. Fabian Edwards () – for Bellator middleweight title
Husein Kadimagomaev () vs. Zafar Mohsen ()
A.J. McKee () vs. Paul Hughes ()
PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 1:30 p.m. ET)
Marcos Breno () vs. Raufeon Stots ()
Dedrek Sanders () vs. Makkasharip Zaynukov ()
Nacho Campos () vs. Ibragim Ibragimov ()
Taha Bendaoud () vs. Tariq Ismail ()
Be sure to visit the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel to discuss this and more content with fans of mixed martial arts.
A BRITISH athlete aged 57 has died after suffering a cardiac arrest while taking part in a triathlon in Spain.
Another man from Mexico also died during the Torremolinos-Andalucia Triathlon Championship Finals in the Costa del Sol.
1
The British man died while abroad in Spain’s Costa del Sol (pictured)Credit: Getty
The Brit died while he was running with local media reporting his cardiac arrest.
Advertisement
The Mexican man, who died during the swim, was 79, according to local media.
They died within minutes of each other, Spanish outlet Malaga Hoy reports, just after 4pm.
Emergency services were called to the scene with paramedics attempting CPR on the Brit in a bid to save his life.
The man from Mexico had suffered a heart attack only moments earlier, just a kilometre away.
Advertisement
Both men were reportedly competing in the veteran category with a 750 metre stretch for swimming, 20 kilometres of cycling and five kilometres for running.
A statement from World Triathlon read: “It is with deep sadness that we inform you that two competitors (one from Mexico, one from Britain) have died at the World Triathlon Torremolinos-Andalucia AG Sprint Distance World Championships.”
The organisation said it was in contact with their loved ones to “provide all the necessary support in these difficult and sad times.”
A triathlon is an intense endurance sport involving running, swimming and cycling.
Advertisement
Torremolinos hosts the World Series for triathlon competing in October each year.
Over 5,500 athletes come from more than 80 different countries to take part.
Some 20,000 people were expected to flock to the city for this year’s competition.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login