Manchester City's Kyle Walker goes down injured during the UEFA Champions League quarter final, second leg match at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, Madrid. Picture date: Wednesday April 13, 2022. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Man City. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire.
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Manchester City and England defender Kyle Walker has weighed in on the recent appointment of Thomas Tuchel as the new head coach of the England national team.
Amid widespread and often harsh criticism from the English media regarding Tuchel’s hiring, Walker has expressed his views on the decision, offering a strong defense of the Football Association’s (FA) choice to bring in the German tactician ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Walker voiced his full support for the FA’s decision, highlighting Tuchel’s impressive track record and winning mentality as key factors that make him well-suited to lead the Three Lions on the global stage.
He noted that Tuchel’s past success, which includes leading Chelsea to a Champions League title and excelling in European competitions, speaks volumes about his ability to manage at the highest level.
In his statement, Walker acknowledged the skepticism surrounding the appointment but urged critics to focus on Tuchel’s credentials. “His accomplishments and approach to the game have proven that he has what it takes to guide a team like England.
We need to trust in his expertise and give him the support he needs to succeed,” Walker said.
With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, Walker’s endorsement of Tuchel reflects a growing belief within the squad that the German coach can bring fresh ideas and a competitive edge to England’s World Cup campaign.
Speaking on the BBC podcast ‘You’ll Never Beat Kyle Walker’, Walker made his point by stating, “I can understand the English public thinking it should be an English manager taking control of the national team. But for me it’s about who is going to get the results, he has proven at big clubs that he can manage big players with big characters, the likes of PSG, he went to Chelsea and won the Champions League against Manchester City, that is one that sticks firmly in my mind. It is a great appointment and it is an even better appointment if he puts me in the team again! I think it is a great appointment but the proof is in the pudding, we need to do it as a set of players”
