- Thomas Tuchel took charge of his first match as England boss on Friday night
- The German is tasked with ending the nation’s 59-year wait for a major trophy
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Is England’s squad good enough to win the World Cup?
Thomas Tuchel opted against singing the national anthem before his first game in charge of the Three Lions against Albania on Friday night.
The German’s appointment in October sparked furious debate in some quarters over whether he would join his players in singing ‘God Save The King’ ahead of England matches.
After his first squad was revealed last week, Tuchel said that he would sing the national anthem – but only after earning the right to do so by winning matches.
As a result, his maiden game as England manager was always unlikely to be the occasion for England fans to hear the vocal range of their new boss.
Against Albania, the former Chelsea and Bayern Munich head coach stood motionless and as the crowd sung that anthem at Wembley.
His comments earlier this month would suggest that he could one day join them, and given his conditions for doing so, it is likely to mean he has achieved success.
A similar furore engulfed Lee Carsley, who took temporary charge of the Three Lions after Gareth Southgate‘s departure after Euro 2024.
Though he was born and raised in the Midlands, Carsley represented the Republic of Ireland 40 times during an accomplished playing career.
To further complicate his situation, his first game in charge came against The Boys in Green at the Aviva Stadium.
Luckily for Tuchel, his case is straightforward.
‘You have a very powerful, emotional and meaningful national anthem,’ said Tuchel earlier this month.
‘And I could not be more proud to be on the sideline and be in charge of the English national team.
‘It means everything. It means a lot to me, I can assure you. But I feel because it is that meaningful and it is that emotional and it is so powerful I have to earn my right to sing it.
‘I feel that it is not just a given. You cannot just sing it. That’s why I decided that I will not sing it in my first matches.’
The 51-year-old added: ‘I will earn it with results, with building a group, with doing my job properly and by creating a feeling where maybe even you guys say at some point, “Now it’s time that you sing it, it feels like you’ve properly earned it and you’re a proper English guy now”.
‘Maybe I have to dive more into the culture and earn my right from you, from the players, from the supporters, so everyone feels like, “He should sing it now, he’s one of our own, he’s the English manager, he should sing it”.’
