After years of near-misses and heartbreak, England is set to enter a new chapter in their footballing history as Thomas Tuchel takes charge in the new year. The German is a proven winner, with titles at Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, and Borussia Dortmund, and promises to inject a fresh mentality into the national team at a time when sports betting odds have them as one of the favourites for the 2026 World Cup.
His appointment comes after a brief yet stabilising stint by Lee Carsley, who won four of his five matches in charge as interim manager.
Carsley’s tenure saw him reintegrate out-of-favour stars like Jack Grealish and Trent Alexander-Arnold while handing opportunities to exciting young talents such as Curtis Jones and Angel Gomes, who impressed on the international stage.
With Tuchel now at the helm, England’s exciting generation of players may finally have the leadership required to turn potential into silverware.
England fans have reason to hope as Tuchel takes charge, bringing a winning pedigree to a talented squad. Before his arrival, several managers tried to guide the Three Lions to glory, each leaving their mark. Here’s a look back at the last five managers to have graced the England dugout.
Gareth Southgate (2016–2023)
Gareth Southgate transformed the England team’s culture, reconnecting fans with the players and fostering a sense of unity and pride.
His calm demeanour and ability to create a great culture at the club led to some memorable tournament runs, including reaching the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and the Euro 2020 final.
However, his tenure was defined by near-misses, with critics pointing to his lack of a ruthless winning mentality when it mattered most. Despite his achievements, England’s inability to secure silverware left fans longing for more after this summer’s loss to Spain in the Euro 2024 final.
Sam Allardyce (2016)
The shortest-serving permanent manager in England’s history, Sam Allardyce’s reign will forever be remembered for its brevity.
Taking charge after a successful spell at West Ham, “Big Sam” boasted a 100% win record, albeit from a solitary match—a 1-0 victory over Slovakia that saw Adam Lallana score in the 95th minute.
His tenure ended in controversy after just 67 days, as allegations of misconduct forced his resignation. Despite the scandal, many believed Allardyce could have brought a pragmatic edge to the role.
Roy Hodgson (2012–2016)
Roy Hodgson was a respected figure in English football, admired for his vast experience at clubs like Inter Milan, Fulham, and Liverpool.
The players appreciated his calm and approachable demeanour, but he often lacked the charisma and boldness expected of an England manager.
Hodgson endured a disastrous 2014 World Cup campaign, crashing out in the group stage, but stayed on to lead England to Euro 2016. Ultimately, his tenure unravelled after the infamous defeat to Iceland, which marked the end of his time in charge.
Fabio Capello (2008–2012)
Fabio Capello arrived with an aura of winning pedigree, and many thought his appointment was a masterstroke.
The Italian had mixed fortunes in tournaments, with his disciplined approach yielding solid qualifying campaigns but falling short at the big stage.
The 2010 World Cup saw England crash out to Germany after Frank Lampard’s disallowed goal—a decision that symbolised his bad luck. Capello resigned after a fallout with the FA over the decision to strip John Terry of the captaincy, feeling undermined in his role.
Steve McClaren (2006–2007)
Steve McClaren’s time as England manager is remembered for all the wrong reasons. Once a promising assistant at Manchester United, he failed to translate that success into the top job.
His inability to qualify for Euro 2008, culminating in the infamous “Wally with the Brolly” moment during a rain-soaked defeat to Croatia, sealed his fate. McClaren’s struggles to harness the talent of England’s Golden Generation ultimately defined his ill-fated tenure.
