Thomas Tuchel’s tenure as England manager has kicked off with an unexpected twist, as Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White revealed a peculiar phone conversation with the German tactician that secured his late call-up to the Three Lions squad. The exchange, which took place on Sunday evening, has quickly become a talking point among fans and pundits as Tuchel prepares for his first matches in charge—World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia.
Gibbs-White, 25, was initially left out of Tuchel’s 26-man squad announced last Friday, a decision that raised eyebrows given his standout performances for high-flying Nottingham Forest, currently third in the Premier League. The attacking midfielder, who has notched five goals and seven assists this season, admitted to being “upset and disappointed” by the snub. However, an injury to Chelsea’s Cole Palmer on Sunday opened the door for a dramatic reversal—and an odd moment of candor from the new England boss.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Gibbs-White recounted the exchange: “It was about four or five o’clock on Sunday. The manager, Thomas, sent me a message saying, ‘Are you free to talk?’ I replied within 30 seconds, ‘Yeah.’ He phoned me up and said, ‘Are you still upset with me, or do you want to come and join us and fancy training tomorrow?’” The lighthearted yet slightly awkward question left Gibbs-White grinning “from ear to ear,” as he eagerly accepted the invitation to join the squad at St. George’s Park.
The call has been dubbed “weird” by some England supporters on social media, with posts on X highlighting Tuchel’s playful approach to breaking the ice. One fan wrote, “Tuchel asking Gibbs-White if he’s still mad is the most bizarrely human thing a manager’s done in ages.” Another quipped, “Imagine Gareth Southgate pulling that line—nah, Tuchel’s already bringing the chaos we didn’t know we needed.”
Despite the initial omission, Gibbs-White praised Tuchel’s personal touch, noting that the former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss has been proactive in reaching out to players since taking the job in January. “He’s been incredible,” Gibbs-White said. “As soon as he got the job, he’s been in contact with most of the players. He’s really easygoing, nice to speak to, and it’s top from him to start that relationship before even meeting us.” The midfielder also admitted to voicing his frustration during the call, telling Tuchel, “I feel like I’ve done enough to get the call-up, considering the form we’re in, but you’re the manager, and I respect that totally.”
Tuchel, for his part, had earlier explained Gibbs-White’s exclusion by pointing to the “world-class” competition in midfield, including Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, and Eberechi Eze. But the Forest captain’s dazzling display in a 4-2 win over Ipswich Town on Saturday—where he set up Jota Silva’s goal—may have forced the German’s hand when Palmer’s injury created an opening. Nottingham Forest fans, already vocal about the snub, celebrated the call-up with renewed chants of “England’s No. 10” echoing around Portman Road.
The quirky exchange adds a layer of intrigue to Tuchel’s early days with England, as he transitions from club football’s daily grind to the international stage. Gibbs-White, who debuted under interim boss Lee Carsley last year, described Tuchel’s first training session on Monday as “intense,” hinting at the high standards the 51-year-old intends to set. With his first match against Albania looming on Friday, followed by Latvia at Wembley on March 24, Tuchel will hope his unorthodox charm offensive pays dividends on the pitch.