Tuchel begins work, and the scrutiny builds
It’s rather fitting that for his first England scouting mission Thomas Tuchel is off to watch two teams who enjoyed some of their best days in the 1960s. Tottenham Hotspur (last title 1961*) versus Newcastle United (last trophy 1969) offers plenty of likely players for the new head coach of England (last trophy 1966). The cameras will pan to Tuchel in the stands every time there’s an on-field moment involving Dominic Solanke, James Maddison, Tino Livramento, Lewis Hall, Anthony Gordon and, a longer shot given he turns 30 next month, the admittedly in-form Jacob Murphy.
It's always like this with new England managers. It’s like some grand sporting dating show to see who he favours. Sven-Goran Eriksson’s first taste of English football as England manager saw him attend West Ham’s match to Sunderland at Upton Park in January 2001. A fan in the Bobby Moore Stand waved a sign towards the Swede declaring “THE ICEMAN COMETH”. Eriksson, smartly attired in blue suit and tie, smiled beatifically.
Any clue of Eriksson’s intentions were sought by the media. Harry Redknapp was typically helpful with a quote. “I met Sven-Goran Eriksson after the game and he was obviously very impressed with Joe Cole and he said that he's special, a very good player,” the West Ham manager said. “Sven hot on Cole” ran the headlines. Eriksson gave Cole his England debut and a further 36 caps (of his eventual 56). Fabio Capello’s first game was the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final between Arsenal and Spurs in 2008, followed by plenty of talk of how impressed he must have been by Theo Walcott and his equaliser.
So prepare for yourself for every game that Tuchel attends to become a preview to his first squad - which is 69 days away. (Tuchel’s first England game is against Albania on March 21 with the squad likely to be announced on March 13). The FA’s announcement that Tuchel would be attending Saturday’s lunchtime game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was inevitably followed by talk about who he would be watching.