Rio Ferdinand has shared how he thinks the England players will react to the news that Thomas Tuchel is set to take over as manager.
On Tuesday, it was heavily reported that former Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Paris Saint Germain and Borussia Dortmund boss Tuchel is set to become England’s new permanent manager.
The 51-year-old is set to replace Gareth Southgate and become England’s third foreign manager after Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello.
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However, the FA’s decision to appoint Tuchel, a German manager, to lead the Three Lions has been hit with criticism from fans who wanted a homegrown coach to be in charge.
Former England and Manchester United defender Ferdinand has since hit back at the complaints and also revealed how the players would feel about Tuchel.
He said on his YouTube channel: “I’ve seen murmurings, I’ve seen articles that are written by people, ‘the FA should be patriotic, we should have an English manager, there are so many good English managers, young ones that are waiting’, Graham Potter, I keep seeing his name put in there.
“You want the best to do it. I don’t care, I’m one of those guys, if we win a World Cup or a Euros, all those guys who are writing those articles, I’m going to save them, because they’re the guys who will be screaming, waving their legs about, losing their voice, drinking 12 pints after it and celebrating, and they will not be talking about, ‘oh no, we’ve got a German who’s managing us’.
“That will not be the conversation because if he [Tuchel] wins it, it’s immortal. This is an opportunity for these guys to become immortal, and this is why I think Thomas Tuchel is licking his lips, this is the chance to put himself above anybody in this country right now, up there along with Sir Alf Ramsey.”
Ferdinand added: “I think the players will be happy. They want to be led to the Promised Land. I know for a fact, these players will be ringing each other asking what he’s like. Asking Mason Mount. [Bukayo] Saka asking Kai [Havertz] at Arsenal, Declan Rice the same. They’ll be texting all of their mates who’ve played under him going ‘what was he like? Am I the kind of player he likes?’ That’s what all the conversations will be.
“Players will be questioning themselves. They might have been in the doldrums or the shadows before, but it will invigorate and galvanise some. There will be a little bit of anxiety and apprehension, but I’m sure he will settle that on day one and talk them through how he’s going to get them to win a trophy.”
Topics: Rio Ferdinand, Thomas Tuchel, Football, England
Marcus Chan