'I’m sorry, I have a German passport' - Thomas Tuchel reacts to England detractors and reveals national anthem stance

The German former Chelsea, Paris St Germain and Bayern Munich manager has been announced as Gareth Southgate's successor as England head coach, becomng the third foreigner to lead the side after Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello.

The 51-year-old, who will be assisted by English coach Anthony Barry, will take up the role on January 1 ahead of the World Cup qualifying campaign after signing an 18-month deal.

Former England international Gary Neville expressed fears that the appointment of Tuchel will have a damaging impact on coaching in the country while Harry Redknapp slammed the FA's decision to look abroad. "It’s not like he’s been a massive success," Redknapp said. "He’s come and gone at a couple of clubs. I’m very patriotic, I think we should have an English manager but obviously the field was very small to choose from.”

Bavaria-born Tuchel offered words of reassurance to the doubters as he addressed the media at his Wembley press conference unveiling on Wednesday.

“I’m sorry, I have a German passport,” he told reporters. “All of those supporters maybe felt my passion for the English Premier League and the country and how I love to live and work here.

“Hopefully I can convince them and show them and prove to them I am proud to be an English manager and do everything to show respect to this role and this country and the target for the next 18 months.”

Tuchel added that he is “very excited and honoured” to have the opportunity to start plotting England’s journey towards World Cup glory.

“I want to take the opportunity to thank the FA for their trust and I am very excited to start this journey in January with a very special and exciting group of players to make our dream come true in America.

“I understood very quickly that is it is a big job, I think always the job you are in the is the biggest job and it makes no sense to compare but it feels big and feels like a privilege.”

Interim England head coach Lee Carsley - who represented Republic of Ireland as a player - was criticised for refusing to sign the national anthem ahead of the game against the Irish last month. Tuchel did not say if he would sing the national anthem prior to games.

He said: “I understand it is a personal decision, there are managers who sing and some who don’t. I have not made my decision yet. No matter what decision I take I will always show my respect to the country and a very moving anthem.”

Tuchel moved into coaching after his playing career was cut short by a knee injury, working at Stuttgart, Augsburg and Mainz before succeeding Jurgen Klopp at Borussia Dortmund in 2015.

He moved on to PSG two years later, winning successive Ligue 1 titles, then joined Chelsea in January 2021, guiding them to the Champions League crown a few months later.

He was dismissed in September 2022 amid claims of a breakdown in relations with the club’s hierarchy and was out of work until joining Bayern Munich in March 2023.

He secured the Bundesliga title that season but last term was something of a disaster, with Bayern failing to win a trophy, and Tuchel’s impending departure was announced in February.

He admits the prospect of moving from club football to the international game is something he is relishing.

“It is very new because I come from club football but the new role is also very exciting,” he said.

“Once I made a timeframe up in my mind from January to the World Cup I felt already excited and it suited my passion to push this group of players and to be part of this federation with such a strong record in the last tournaments to push it over the line and to try to put a second star on the shirt.”