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PEAR PRESSURE
Stuart Pearce blasts ‘almost laughable’ Thomas Tuchel criticism but reveals major concern about new England manager
Pearce has pointed to responsibilities off the pitch
STUART PEARCE is an English football icon.
A passionate patriot who wore his heart on his sleeve.
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First as a player and then as a coach who served at Under-21 and senior level, including one game in caretaker charge of the Three Lions.
Someone who tasted semi-final defeat on penalties by German teams at two major tournaments — and what could be more English than that?
But anyone expecting Pearce to be up in arms at the appointment of Thomas Tuchel will be disappointed.
Pearce told SunSport: “I’ve never been anti-foreign managers.
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“I would prefer an English manager, make no mistake. But I’m very supportive of whoever is in that hotseat. I wish Thomas well.
“When I hear people say they’re OK with a foreign manager, just not a German one, it’s almost laughable. Come on, now.”
Pearce’s main worry is that a coach of any nationality, German or otherwise, could undermine what Gareth Southgate built during his eight years in charge.
Pearce, who won 78 caps, said: “Some might say Tuchel has been employed solely to win something at senior level. The job is bigger than that.
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“Gareth and the FA did so much good work. Relationships with the fans and press are better, the players have a better buy-in. Gareth was interested in the whole pyramid system of English football, supporting teams and coaches at younger levels. I hope all that work isn’t eroded.
“There’s no reason why a foreign manager can’t take an interest in that.
Watch Thomas Tuchel's awkward reaction when asked why he chose England over Man Utd
Southgate vs Tuchel records compared
THOMAS TUCHEL
Augsburg II 2007-2008
P34 W 20 D8 L6 Win percentage: 58.82%
Mainz 05 2009-2014
P184 W72 D46 L66 Win percentage: 39.13%
Borussia Dortmund 2015-2017
P107 W67 D23 L17 Win percentage: 62.62%
Honours: DFB Pokal
Paris Saint Germain 2018-2020
P127 W95 D13 L16 Win percentage: 74.8%
Honours: Ligue 1 X2, Coupe de France, Coupe de la Ligue, Trophee des Champions x2
Chelsea 2021-2022
P100 W60 D24 L16 Win percentage: 60%
Honours: Champions League, Super Cup, Club World Cup
Bayern Munich 2023-2024
P61 W37 D8 L16 Win percentage: 60.66%
Honours: Bundesliga
GARETH SOUTHGATE
Middlesbrough 2006-2009
P151 W54 D43 Win percentage: 35.76%
England U21 2013-2016
P37 W27 D5 L5 Win percentage: 72.97%
Honours: Toulon tournament
England 2016-2024
P102 W61 D24 L17 Win percentage: 59.8%
Honours: Euros runners up, 2020, 2024
“Thomas has a brilliant track record. But there is a bigger project here than just managing England to try to win something.”
Unlike England’s previous foreign bosses, Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello, Tuchel has a feel for his adopted nation’s football culture from his time in charge of Chelsea — and speaks much better English than Capello.
Crucially, Tuchel was also available without the need to buy out a club contract, and arguably a stronger candidate than Englishmen Lee Carsley and Graham Potter.
Pearce said: “He has the most success to his name. In those terms, you might say he is the best qualified of those available.
“But international football is not as clear-cut as club football.
“Look at the Spanish — they won the Euros with Luis de la Fuente, after his success at youth level, and also got gold at the Olympics. So there is another way of doing it.”
Pearce was speaking at Cheshunt FC in Hertfordshire in his role as ambassador for Pitching In.
He was there to celebrate Cheshunt’s Howard Bailey being one of three winners of the 2023-24 Volunteer of the Season award.
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.
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.
Read the full story on England's thrilling pursuit of Thomas Tuchel.
And Tuchel’s appointment is seen by some as a kick in the teeth for English coaches at all levels, from grassroots to elite.
Pearce said: “The next generation of young managers and coaches start in places like Cheshunt. We need more English coaches with the CV that Tuchel has got.
“I’m not going to bemoan the lack of opportunity for English coaches, that’s the nature of football now.
“Helping and developing English coaches should be part of the England manager’s job as well.
“Thomas has his hands full. The next World Cup is a tough one to win. If he’s getting judged solely on going one step better than Gareth, that means picking the trophy up.
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“But I want a manager who cares about the whole situation.”
Ladbrokes, with the support of its owner Entain, has launched a multi-million-pound investment programme, Pitching In, designed to support and promote grassroots sports. For more info go to pitchinginvolunteers.co.uk
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.
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.
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.
Read more on why Tuchel REALLY IS the best man for the England job
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