Following the appointment of Thomas Tuchel as the head coach of the England national team earlier this week, debates have been ongoing throughout the country. Including, why did England not appoint an Englishman? and why, with the rivalry between the two nations has a German been given the job?
Whether Tuchel can lead England to success remains to be seen; however, he is no stranger on these shores and is only one of a long line of German success stories in England. Today we look back at just some of these players and managers who have won trophies and became idols to those on the terraces.
With this in mind, does it matter that Tuchel, a German, is the new England head coach? If he brings success, the answer is an emphatic no. Even if success evades him, his nationality should not be such a big debate.
Read More: New England Head Coach Announced
German Success Stories in English Football
Bert Trautmann
One of the most famous Germans in the history of football. Goalkeeper Burt Trautmann joined Manchester City just four years after the end of the Second World War. His arrival was met with hostility as an estimated 20,000 fans stood outside Main Road, making it clear he wasn’t wanted.
Despite this, Trautmann was determined to prove his worth. In time the City fans began to adore him and between 1949 and 1964, the German made 545 appearances and is now considered a legend.
Despite his heroics in many of these games, he is remembered by many for one—the 1956 FA Cup Final.
City went on to win the trophy; however, with 17 minutes left to play, Trautmann dived at the feet of the opposition forward who caught the keeper with his knee on the neck, knocking him out. City’s number one regained consciousness and somehow played the remainder of the game, making vital saves. Three days later, it was discovered that he had played with a broken neck.
Jurgen Klinsmann
Playing just 68 games over two spells at Tottenham Hotspur, Jurgen Klinsmann lit up the Premier League with his own unique style and goal celebrations.
During his first spell which began in 1994 and would last just 10 months, Klinsmann scored 29 goals, dived across the pitch after each one, got knocked out at Sheffield Wednesday, was carried off unconscious at Aston Villa, played for two managers, won the Footballer of the Year award and annoyed the then Spurs chairman Alan Sugar when he decided he had had enough.
He would return though in 1998 helping Spurs in the relegation battle by scoring nine goals in 15 league appearances including four in a 6-2 victory over Wimbledon. His goals helped the club avoid relegation and cement himself as a legend in the white half of North London.
Michael Ballack
A four-year stay in London with Chelsea brought Germany’s captain and one of the best midfielders of his generation much success.
He collected every trophy available in English football. The Premier League title, three FA Cups, one League Cup and one Community Shield. He also collected a Champions League and League Cup runner-up medals.
In 166 games (105 in the league which saw him on the losing side just 10 times), Ballack would become a fan favourite and play a major part in Chelsea’s success during his time at the club.
Jurgen Klopp
The man who brought the good times back to Liverpool. In nine years at Anfield, Klopp would win the Holy Grail of English football, the Premier League title. It was the first time Liverpool had won it in 30 years.
He would also lead the Reds to success in the Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, Super Cup, Club World Cup and the Community Shield.
Klopp brought success not seen at Liverpool since the 1980s, and doing it with an attacking team that excited, gave fans great games and brought plaudits from around the football world. He left a true Anfield legend never to be forgotten.
Thomas Tuchel
The newly appointed England manager is no stranger to Three Lions fans. Tuchel was appointed Chelsea boss midway through the 2020/21 season with the Blues in midtable. By the end of the campaign, Tuchel had led his new team to a top-four finish, an FA Cup final and a Champions League final.
Despite defeat in the FA Cup final against Leicester City, Chelsea bounced back to defeat Manchester City in the Champions League final.
The following season brought more success with a top-three finish, Super Cup and Club World Cup wins and two more Wembley finals.
A change of ownership saw Tuchel dismissed; however, few could argue that he didn’t leave his mark on Chelsea.
IIkay Gundogan
Pep Guardiola’s first signing as Manchester City manager in 2016, midfielder Gundogan will go down in City history as the first captain to lift the Champions League trophy.
Add that accolade to five Premier League title wins, two FA Cups, four League Cups and winner of the Community Shield, IIkay Gundogan is a legend in the blue half of Manchester.
In 2023 he left City for Barcelona but before this, he scored twice in the FA Cup final to defeat rivals Manchester United. Upon his departure, Pep Guardiola said: He’s so intelligent Gundo, so clever and competitive. Under pressure, he handles it without a problem. He’s one of the best players I ever trained in my career in terms of the whole package. He’s top, top class.”
He would spend just one year in Spain before his adopted home came calling again. And with City once again looking set to compete for multiple trophies, who would bet on Gundogan adding to his already impressive list of accomplishments.
