Thomas Tuchel takes first steps on England journey targeting World Cup glory

LONDON – Over five months on from Thomas Tuchel’s appointment as England’s new manager, the German will finally take charge of the team for the first time in a World Cup qualifier against Albania at Wembley on March 21.

The 51-year-old is under no illusions about his objective with the Three Lions after being handed a contract only until the end of the 2026 World Cup in North America.

England have not won a major tournament since the 1966 World Cup at home, although they have come agonisingly close to ending that drought in recent years.

Under Tuchel’s predecessor Gareth Southgate, they twice lost in the European Championship final and reached the latter stages of the last two World Cups.

The English Football Association has placed much faith in Tuchel’s track record as a serial winner at his former clubs Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, ignoring criticism for not trusting an English coach with a talented generation of players.

A qualifying group also containing Serbia, Latvia and Andorra should pose few problems for the side ranked fourth in the world. However, the next week will offer some pointers towards what to expect from Tuchel’s England.

His first squad announcement contained a number of surprises.

Jordan Henderson and Marcus Rashford returned after being sidelined in the latter stages of Southgate’s era and under interim boss Lee Carsley.

There was also a first call-up for 32-year-old Newcastle United defender Dan Burn, who scored in the League Cup final triumph over Liverpool on March 16.

Tuchel was adamant that all three are real contenders to go to the World Cup, and that a blend of experience and emerging talent is needed to thrive at international tournaments.

Henderson has not featured for England since November 2023, but Tuchel believes the 34-year-old Ajax Amsterdam