Thomas Tuchel, the newly appointed England manager, took charge of his first training session with the Three Lions on Monday, marking the beginning of his tenure as he prepares the squad for his debut match later this week. The German tactician, who officially started his role on January 1 after being appointed in October 2024, exuded enthusiasm as he welcomed players to St George’s Park, setting the stage for an intense “crash course” in his tactical vision.
Tuchel’s first session comes ahead of England’s World Cup qualifying matches against Albania on Friday, March 21, and Latvia on Monday, March 24, both to be played at Wembley Stadium. With less than 18 months until the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss has been tasked with ending England’s 60-year wait for a major trophy—a challenge he embraced with a smile as he led his squad onto the training pitch.
The 51-year-old manager was all smiles as England’s stars reported for duty, with notable moments including warm embraces with recalled players Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson. Rashford, on loan at Aston Villa from Manchester United, returns to the fold after a year-long absence, while Henderson, now with Ajax, makes a surprise comeback at 34 after being overlooked by predecessor Gareth Southgate. Newcastle’s Dan Burn, 32, also joined the squad for his maiden call-up, adding experience to a group that includes emerging talents like Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Tuchel wasted no time implementing his philosophy, reportedly flipping the training schedule used under Southgate to emphasize intensity and attacking flair—hallmarks of his successful club career. “We will try to implement a direct, attacking style, to increase our rhythm and intensity,” Tuchel said last week when announcing his 26-man squad. With only three training sessions before his first match, he has described the preparation as a “60-day crash course” spread across six international camps, aiming to transform England into a Premier League-style force on the international stage.
The session saw assistant coach Anthony Barry, who worked with Tuchel during Chelsea’s 2021 Champions League triumph, reconnecting with players like Reece James. Meanwhile, Tuchel’s decision to recall veterans like Henderson has sparked debate, with the manager citing the midfielder’s leadership as a key factor. “Jordan embodies everything we try to build,” Tuchel noted, signaling a blend of experience and youth in his approach.