Foreign vs Domestic National Football Team Managers: Is Tuchel Right For England?

A last-minute winner or a missed penalty. There is a fine line between winning and losing, especially at tournaments. England has had its fair share of these in recent years. Since the English FA promoted Gareth Southgate from its under-21 team in September 2016, the Three Lions have once again become a serious contender at major tournaments. Under Southgate, England reached two Euro finals, the semifinal of the 2018 World Cup and matched their highest FIFA ranking (third) in September 2021.¹

Yet despite coming close, his appointment did not bring the desired silverware. Not helping matters was the public believing the team underperformed given the players available and finding England to have a negative playing style. Mounting outside pressure contributed to Southgate resigning after the lost Euro 2024 final. To bring the desired silverware, the FA has now appointed German Thomas Tuchel on an initial 18-month deal. It is only the third time a foreign coach manages the Three Lions. A choice stirring debate.

So, why did the FA appoint a foreign manager? How often do countries look beyond their own borders for a manager? And how successful has that strategy been in the past?

English manager who knew the FA and players

Southgate oversaw the England side for eight years before he called it quits in July 2024. He had previously managed Middlesbrough for over three years. During his 151 matches in charge, the club won 31 percent of its games. Scoring on average 1.2 goals per match while conceding 1.4. Boro were relegated from the Premier League under his guidance at the end of the 2008/09 season.²

In 2011, Southgate became head of elite development for the English FA. A role he held for a year and a half. In August 2013, he became in charge of the under-21’s. For three years, he managed England’s young generation. Working with players such as Harry Kane (13 appearances under Southgate), John Stones (12), Jordan Pickford (nine), Luke Shaw (five), Jack Grealish (four) and Raheem Sterling (three).² Players who have eventually also won caps for England’s senior side. Southgate managed 33 matches and accomplished a win percentage of 82 percent. Losing only three matches, his teams scored four times as many goals (80) as they conceded (20).

Gareth Southgate’s managerial positions and record²

Promoting internally

So, an English manager who had already worked with several players and had a high win percentage with the under-21 side. Not the biggest name with the most experience, but a solid and long-term choice for England’s men’s national team.

First, Southgate led England as interim manager for four matches following Sam Allardyce’s departure. Allardyce had only been in charge for 67 days when an undercover investigation brought to light inappropriate conduct on his part. It resulted in him leaving his position as manager by mutual agreement. In November 2016, the FA appointed Southgate permanently on a four-year deal which was reportedly worth up to £2 million per year. The manager said he wanted to give the ”country a team that they’re proud of and one that they’re going to enjoy watching play and develop”.

Although not straight away, England saw a national team who became better with time, including the emergence of talented youth. Ranked 12th in the world when Southgate took over, England was 16th at the beginning of 2018.¹ From then onwards the Three Lions climbed the world ranking due to good results, including the semifinal during the 2018 World Cup in Russia. In it they lost to Croatia (2-1) after extra time, before missing out on third place to Belgium (0-2). By September 2021, England was ranked third in the world. Their highest ever position, which they had only achieved in 2012.

Importance of defence at major tournaments

With England scoring 2.3 goals per match under Southgate, while conceding 0.8, one could mistakenly believe there was enough excitement for fans. However, they were not overjoyed about the team’s playing style. England scored more outside of tournaments (2.4 per match), where they generally faced smaller nations. During the four major tournaments Southgate managed, England scored on average 1.7 goals per match (26 matches). Surprisingly, England conceded on average less per match at major tournaments (0.8) than during qualification and friendlies during Southgate’s spell (0.9). Furthermore, during 43 percent of their 14 knockout matches, England went to extra time (six). While penalties had to be the deciding factor on three occasions, including the lost Euro 2020 final.

Conceding less at major tournaments, while likely facing better competitors, could be a result of the importance Southgate gives to his team’s defence. In 2021, Southgate praised the French and Portuguese teams, noting how their savviness and experience contributed to their success. He also said England needed to ‘find a balance’ and to defend well as a team to be able to win big matches. Midfielder Declan Rice underlined England’s defensive solidity and importance, saying ‘we’ve built this team off clean sheets’. With England keeping a clean sheet in 42 percent of Southgate’s matches at major tournaments (11 out of 26).

England’s record under Gareth Southgate²

Like Southgate with England, France’s manager Didier Deschamps has received similar critique that his playing style is anything but exciting especially given the players available. However, the difference being that Deschamps won the 2018 World Cup, 2020/21 Nations League and reached a further two major finals (2016 Euro and 2022 World Cup).

The job is to win

Winning silverware is required when the playing style does not entertain fans. Losing in consecutive Euro finals and mounting outside pressure made Southgate ultimately decide to step down. Like the FA had done with Southgate, they first promoted the under-21 manager, Lee Carsley, to the senior side on an interim basis.

When Carsley won his first two matches with a more attractive playing style, questions were asked whether he could be in the mix for the permanent job. But just like there is a fine line between winning and losing, there is also a fine line between being the hero and zero for managers.

When Carsley lost his third match in charge against Greece (1-2), the public was less enthusiastic. In the end the job for the England manager is ‘not just to have a philosophy, the job is to win matches’, as Southgate had previously noted.

Job requirements

Something the FA believes is essential for the current England manager. Just after Southgate left his position in July, the FA started an extensive search for a new manager. They had already identified a few candidates when they shared their job requirements with the public. The most important requirement being to be able to “lead and develop the England senior men’s team to win a major tournament”. Furthermore, the new manager had to have “significant experience of English football” and “strong track record delivering results in the Premier League and/or leading international competitions”.

Those requirements did not really put Carsley in the mix to follow in Southgate’s footsteps. As his only topflight experience had been as assistant manager. Other names mentioned were that of Newcastle United’s Eddie Howe and Graham Potter. Both English with significant experience in English football, the two have been lauded for their work in recent years. Howe for his time at Bournemouth where he managed for almost 10 years across two periods. While at Newcastle he started out great, leading the Magpies out of the relegation zone and into the Champions League. However, the tide has since turned a bit and the consortium led by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) who took over in September 2021 could well decide to replace him.

Potter was likewise lauded for his three-year period at Brighton & Hove Albion. Yet, his time at Chelsea was not as successful. The London club paid a reported compensation fee of £21.5 million to Brighton, but dismissed Potter just seven months into the job after having won 39 percent of the 31 matches he managed.²

Tuchel one of 10 candidates interviewed

Despite both having a better track record than Southgate had when getting the England job, the question remains whether they could do a better job. FA chief executive Mark Bullingham revealed the organisation interviewed 10 candidates. Which did not include Howe, according to himself, and which was reportedly due to a £6 million compensation fee that needed to be paid. Despite interviewing English managers as well, the FA eventually believed to have found the best option beyond its own borders. In October 2024, they announced German Thomas Tuchel as new national team manager (starting in January 2025).

Believing Tuchel has a good chance of bringing silverware is the most important reason for his appointment. Furthermore, the German has “significant experience of English football”, having managed Chelsea for 100 matches in 2021 and 2022. Winning 63 percent of his matches, he won the Champions League, Clubs World Cup and Super Cup with the Blues. He meets the requirement of having delivered results in major competitions. As in addition to Chelsea, he has also managed and won silverware at Dortmund, PSG and Bayern Munich.

Thomas Tuchel’s managerial record and honours²

Tuchel’s stint in England shows his ability to deliver major trophies and work in an English environment. He also worked with several players who have a realistic chance of being called up. For example, he worked with Reece James, Ben Chilwell and Mason Mount at Chelsea. While he brought Harry Kane for £100 million from Tottenham to Bayern Munich in the summer of 2023. Under the German, Kane had his most prolific season, scoring 44 goals in 45 matches.²

To lessen the impact of Tuchel being foreign, the FA simultaneously announced that Anthony Barry would assist him. Tuchel has worked with the ‘internationally-renowned English coach’ before at Chelsea and Bayern winning four trophies.

Going foreign not new

It is not the first time the FA has appointed a foreign manager. Tuchel will become the third foreigner to manage the men’s national team. Sven-Göran Eriksson became the first one when he was appointed in 2001. The Swede’s stint of five and a half years as England manager is currently the fifth longest. He oversaw 66 matches collecting two points per match and had a win percentage of 59 percent.² He took the reins from Kevin Keegan under whom England did not reach beyond the group stage of Euro 2000 in Belgium and the Netherlands. With Eriksson, England reached the quarterfinals of three consecutive tournaments: the World Cups of 2002 and 2006 and Euro 2004.

After the Swede left, England failed to qualify for Euro 2008 under Steve McClaren. He was replaced after only 18 matches by Fabio Capello. The Italian won 67 percent of the 42 matches he oversaw of the Three Lions (2.19 points per match). At the 2010 World Cup, England won one group stage match while drawing another two. They advanced to the knockout stages but were eliminated by Germany (4-1) in the round of 16.

Neither Eriksson nor Capello had previously worked as a manager in England. After the England job, Eriksson did manage at Manchester City and Leicester City.

England record of foreign managers²

Going for a foreign manager worked for the women

For the women’s team, the FA has also appointed a foreign manager. In September 2021, Sarina Wiegman became the first non-British permanent manager of the women on a four-year deal. The FA saw Wiegman as the ideal manager and were willing to wait for over a year so she could honour her commitments to the Dutch FA. With the Netherlands the Dutch manager was successful by winning Euro 2017 as host, while also leading them to the 2019 World Cup final.

The FA were vindicated in their long-term planning as Wiegman has brought similar success for England. In 2022, the Lionesses won the European Championships for the first time. It made Wiegman the first manager to win the Euros (men and women) with different nations (and in both cases as host). England subsequently won the 2023 Women’s Finalissima. Wiegman also led her team to the World Cup 2023 final in Australia and New Zealand, in which England lost to Spain (1-0).

Do foreign managers bring success?

Appointing a foreign manager often leads to debate though, especially for major football nations. Can we as a nation not educate managers who are good enough to lead our national side, is a question often asked. Of the top 20 ranked nations (as of November 2024), 75 percent (15 nations) have a manager from their own country. [Note: England’s interim manager Lee Carsley was born and raised in England, despite earning 40 caps for the Republic of Ireland.] A further two countries, Colombia and Uruguay, have a foreign manager whose native language is the same. They are two of four high ranked nations with an Argentinian manager in charge.

Where many nations will have a language barrier when appointing a foreign manager, this is probably less of a problem for English speaking nations, like England and the USA. The co-host of the 2026 World Cup appointed Argentinian Mauricio Pochettino to replace American Gregg Berhalter in September 2024. Having worked in the Premier League for years he will likely have no problem with the English language, as will Tuchel.

Language important in appointing a manager

Across the Big Five leagues, language also seems an important factor when appointing a manager. Excluding the Premier League, in the other four leagues at least half of the managers is domestic (as of the beginning of November 2024).² In the Serie A, even 80 percent (16 out of 20) of the clubs are managed by an Italian manager. The Premier League has the most foreign managers, with only three English managers in charge (four if you include Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna who was born in London but represented Northern Ireland).

The many foreign managers could be due to the Premier League being considered the best league in the world with the most money. Which allows clubs to appoint the best managers, foreign or domestic. Furthermore, English is a more common language, and it is therefore easier for foreign managers to adapt.

Only one English manager currently manages in one of the other Big Five leagues. Liam Rosenior manages Ligue 1’s Strasbourg. Which indicates a lack of English managers at the highest level. Underlining the FA’s belief that there are a lot of great young English managers around, with the strategy at St George’s Park working, but that they are not quite there yet. And thus, for now a foreign manager seemed like the right strategy.

Foreign managers have never won the World Cup

The only manager to have won a major trophy with England so far is Englishman Alf Ramsey. Like with Ramsey, all other 21 teams to have won the World Cup since its first edition in 1930 were managed by domestic managers. Of the eight different nations to have won the prestigious tournament, only the inaugural champions Uruguay currently employs a foreign manager (Argentinian Marcelo Bielsa). From January 2025, 1966-champion England will be the second one.

Of the 17 European Championships played so far, only once was it won by a nation managed by a foreign manager. In 2004, German Otto Rehhagel led Greece past Portugal in the final (1-0). Rehhagel only managed German clubs during the rest of his managerial career, but managed Greece for almost nine years.

Amongst major tournaments, the Asian Cup has most often been won by a foreign manager (56 percent of the 18 editions). Six times a European managers won, while four times a Brazilian manager (including Carlos Alberto Parreira twice). 16 times did a foreign manager win the Africa Cup (47 percent of the 34 editions). Of which 15 were European and one Brazilian. Frenchman Hervé Renard won the prestigious tournament with Zambia and Ivory Coast in 2012 and 2015 respectively. While Englishman Mike Smith won with Egypt in 1986. The only other English manager to win a major tournament is Jack Greenwell, who won the Copa América with Peru in 1939. He is one of only five foreign managers to have won the Copa.

Majority of big nations have a domestic manager or one with same native language

So, it is rare for a foreign manager to win the World Cup or the European Championship. Which has also something to do with how many foreign managers are in charge. At Euro 2024, 67 percent of the managers were domestic (16 out of 24). At the 2022 World Cup, this was 72 percent (23 out of 32). The nine foreign managers active in Qatar were all from European or South American origin.

At the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, 52 percent of the managers had the team’s nationality. Including Ivory Coast manager Emerse Faé who took over from Frenchman Jean-Louis Gasset after the group stage and led Les Éléphants to the championship as hosts.

At the Copa América 2024 (25 percent) and the 2023 Asian Cup (13 percent) the percentage of domestic managers was far lower. However, at the Copa 88 percent of the teams had a manager whose native language matched that of the nation they managed. While this was only 17 percent at the Asian Cup, with 15 out of 24 nations (62.5 percent) having a European manager in charge.

It shows how most nations would prefer to recruit a domestic manager. However, that is not always a possibility. Especially for smaller football nations. When nations must look beyond their borders, they look for a manager who speaks the same language. Luckily for England, this is not as big of a problem as for some other nations. For now, England is desperately looking to win their second major tournament and hopes Tuchel and his coaching team will do just that. However, there is no guarantee that silverware will ultimately be achieved with the line between winning and losing as fine as it is.