How Thomas Tuchel’s Secret Munich Meeting Convinced FA for England Job

A previously undisclosed meeting at Munich airport played a pivotal role in Thomas Tuchel's appointment as England national team manager in October 2024. An exclusive extract from a forthcoming book by Rob Draper and Jonathan Northcroft reveals the intricate and discreet process undertaken by the Football Association (FA) to identify and secure Gareth Southgate's successor.

The FA's search for a new manager began in 2024, with Chief Executive Mark Bullingham initiating a data-driven approach. Two external data companies were engaged to profile successful international managers and align these profiles with England's player base. This analytical phase aimed to objectify the selection process, even if, as Bullingham wryly noted, the initial shortlist might have seemed obvious to casual observers.

Data-Driven Selection Process

The data analysis categorised coaches into "high potential," "elite," and "super-elite" tiers. A crucial filter was applied, prioritising coaches who had demonstrated success at the top level of English football and a proven ability to work effectively with English players. This narrowed the field to five "super-elite" candidates, with Tuchel emerging as a key target.

Bullingham highlighted the value of data in assessing specific coaching attributes, such as player development capabilities, knockout tournament performance, and the ability to overachieve relative to available resources. This "xG for managers" approach sought to identify coaches who consistently added value.

Initial Resistance and Subsequent Engagement

The FA's initial attempts to contact Thomas Tuchel were met with difficulty. However, a breakthrough occurred when he eventually took a call from John McDermott, the FA's men’s technical director. This initial conversation, intended to be brief, extended to over an hour, indicating Tuchel's growing interest and passion for the potential role.

McDermott described Tuchel as "all in" once engaged, noting the German's enthusiasm for English football and his extensive questions about the European Championships and England's players. Tuchel's prior experience at Chelsea, where he worked with assistant Anthony Barry, further highlighted his affinity for the Premier League.

Key facts:

A Clandestine Meeting in Munich

The discreet nature of the recruitment process culminated in a highly secretive meeting at Munich airport. McDermott, impressed by his discussions with Tuchel and Anthony Barry (who was desired as part of the coaching package), urged Bullingham to meet the pair. To maintain secrecy, the FA hired a private room at the airport, with Bullingham and McDermott arriving on separate flights to avoid detection.

During this clandestine meeting, Tuchel presented a comprehensive vision for the England team. Bullingham vividly recalled Tuchel "blowing them away" with a detailed PowerPoint presentation outlining his strategy "to put a second star on the shirt," referring to winning a major international tournament. This meticulous preparation and clear articulation of his plan were instrumental in convincing the FA leadership.

The Anthony Barry Factor

The inclusion of Anthony Barry as part of Tuchel's potential staff was a significant bonus for the FA. While the "super-elite" candidates were not English, the FA had also considered several English coaches in lower tiers, with an eye on future development. Securing Barry, an outstanding young English coach, alongside Tuchel meant integrating a promising local talent directly into the national team setup.

Bullingham addressed the decision to look beyond English candidates for the top job, explaining that the priority was finding someone who could win tournaments. He acknowledged that the talent pool of English managers capable of winning major international competitions was relatively small, necessitating a broader search.

This revelation sheds light on the FA's strategic approach to securing a high-calibre manager for the England national team, demonstrating a willingness to employ data-driven methods and undertake discreet negotiations to achieve their objectives.

Fuente: The Guardian Football RSS, https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/14/thomas-tuchel-england-fa-rob-draper-book-extract