Aston Villa fan gives his royal seal of approval as Thomas Tuchel is announced as England manager

The biggest news in football today is that former Chelsea and Bayern Munich Head Coach Thomas Tuchel has been appointed as the England men's football team's new Manager. The news has split opinions across the country, as England will be led by a foreign manager for just the third time in its history, and the first time by someone of German nationality.

Tuchel will take over the role in January 2025 and has signed an initial 18-month contract, which will see him lead the team at the World Cup in 2026. The FA made this announcement this morning:

"The FA has announced that UEFA Champions League winner Thomas Tuchel is the new England senior men’s head coach and will be assisted by internationally-renowned English coach Anthony Barry."

Following the departure of Gareth Southgate after the conclusion of the European Championships in the summer, England under-21 boss Lee Carsley was placed in charge of the senior team temporarily. Carsley had been tipped by many pundits and ex-professionals, such as Gary Lineker, to take on the job permanently. However, England's defeat to Greece at Wembley in the UEFA Nations League last week saw talks of a new manager intensify, and just days later Tuchel has been announced as the man to lead England going forward.

Tuchel has been at Wembley Stadium today to share his excitement on social media at his excitement of being awarded the England manager position:

"I can promise you I am very excited. I'm very honoured and I will do everything we can to qualify for the World Cup, first of all. And then a successful World Cup and try to get a second star on our shirt."

- Thomas Tuchel

Prince William gives the thumbs up

Aston Villa supporter and royal family member Prince William is the latest to congratulate Thomas Tuchel on his appointment as the next England national team manager.

Villa, Unai Emery and the rest of the club's fanbase will take particular note of the heir to the throne's nod to 'a generation of talented players', many of which are within the current ranks at Villa Park. Ollie Watkins and Ezri Konsa are names seen regularly on the England squad list, and the former will hope for more opportunities to play under the new boss. Watkins has spoken of his frustration at not being the leading man up top for his country, and that frustration was made worse when Carlsey played without a striker in the defeat against Greece, in the absence of Harry Kane through injury.

Villa also has a plethora of talent coming through the ranks of junior international level. Morgan Rogers, Jaden Philogene and Samuel Iling-Junior have shone for the under-21's in recent months, whilst Jacob Ramsey will also hope to recapture the form that saw him on the cusp of a senior England call-up before his injury during the Under-21 European Championships last summer.

Tuchel appointment splits the nations opinion

The appointment of a German coach as the England manager has split the opinion of fans, pundits and ex-players. Many believe that the appointment is a very good one due to Tuchel's previous success in domestic football across England, Germany and France. Many other people believe that it is wrong that a non-Englishman is leading the country's football team. Here are a few opinions from the football community today:

"I'm shocked tonight that England have appointed an international coach. I think there are some serious questions for The FA to answer with respect to English coaching, I do think we are damaging ourselves. Thomas Tuchel is better than any of the English candidates but I do think there were outstanding candidates who are English."

- Gary Neville

"The whole point of international football, particularly with major nations, is that it's your best against their best. It just doesn't feel right to me that we have a foreign coach."

- Jamie Carragher

"I do believe that the England manager should be English. It's disappointing. "

- Alan Smith

UTV