Thomas Tuchel ‘was angling for Premier League job’ but eventually opted for England

Thomas Tuchel supposedly had his sights set on a Premier League comeback before taking the England job. The Three Lions have opted for a new direction under former Chelsea manager Tuchel, who’s been given an 18-month deal with ambitions of steering the team through to the 2026 World Cup – aiming to conquer the nation’s recent spate of near-misses in major competitions.

Yet, Tuchel’s stint at Stamford Bridge, marking his only foray into English football, concluded on a sour note as he clashed with Chelsea’s hierarchy and was dismissed just six matches into the 2022/23 season, despite his debut-season Champions League triumph.

However, according to German football expert Raphael Honigstein, Tuchel always harboured aspirations for a Premier League encore before evtnually taking up the England reins.

“He was really angling for a job in England,” Honigstein stated, speaking to Gary Lineker on The Rest Is Football podcast. “He wanted to be back in England. He loved it at Chelsea.

“He kept on talking, even at Bayern Munich when he was boss there: how much he loves working with English players, how the dressing room mentality is good. I think he was so willing to listen when they came knocking that, from that perspective, it did not surprise me at all.”

Erik ten Hag, currently under significant pressure due to a disappointing start with Manchester United, had seen Tuchel named as a potential successor before his England role was announced, reports the Mirror.

Though Honigstein didn’t elaborate on the specific clubs that Tuchel may have landed at had he preferred the Premier League, United may have been suitors, similarly were West Ham – who, following David Moyes’ exit, showed a reported interest in the German’s services.

Tuchel has now achieved his desire of returning to English football regardless, and Honigstein further suggests that an international role would be more fitting for his fellow countryman, who has frequently experienced friction with those in higher positions at club level.

“The squad is wonderful, especially in the final third of the pitch-there is so much talent,” Honigstein continued. “But also, unlike at Bayern, PSG, Chelsea, and Dortmund, where he always had issues at some stage with the people above him, there is no one above him.

“None of the things that have rubbed him the wrong way, that have really bothered him in his recent jobs, apply. I think that is the beauty of it. You have full control. If you don’t like the particular player, he’s not under contract, you just stop calling him up.

“If somebody upstairs doesn’t like it, they’re not gonna say anything. It’s all down to you. So, I think he will absolutely relish that power that comes with being the one person, and the only person, that matters when it comes to the squad.”