LONDON — England scored an own goal, according to Nigel Farage.
The Reform UK leader and self-proclaimed football expert has criticized the appointment of Thomas Tuchel as England’s new men’s national team manager.
“Why aren’t there any English managers?” he tweeted on Wednesday. His post on
Farage told The Independent newspaper: “I think there are some big names out there who can do this. “I think this is a terrible mistake.”
Tuchel, whose appointment was confirmed on Wednesday, previously coached Chelsea in London and Bayern Munich and will officially take charge from January 1, 2025. He replaces Englishman Lee Carsley, who has been interim manager since Gareth Southgate was the last permanent manager. He resigned last July after England lost to Spain in the Euro 2024 final.
Farage said: “At a time when national identity is more important than ever and there is a resurgence in awareness of what it means to be British in an unashamed way, Gareth Southgate fits the bill incredibly well. . “In my opinion, this is a regressive step.”
Farage’s praise for Southgate contrasts with his previous criticism. He accused Southgate of being “out of touch” when the manager supported players who took a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2021.
Farage is not the only British politician to comment on the appointment.
Tory leadership contender Robert Jenrick gave news of the new manager’s appointment late in the day after speaking on Wednesday, telling reporters: “I must confess that I didn’t even see this news while I was here this morning.” After giving his name, Jenrick said: “Okay, that’s a good choice.”
Arsenal supporter and Prime Minister Keir Starmer was slightly more complimentary in his remarks, but even his message about his good fortune in parliament took a backseat: “I wouldn’t hold his previous job against him, but I wish him well in his new job. I hope.”
The England women’s national team is also led by a foreign coach, Dutch Sarina Wigman. In 2022, she led her players to their first-ever major tournament win with a victory over Germany at Wembley.
