LONDON, 15 March 2025 (BSS/AFP) – England manager Thomas Tuchel has stated that he must “earn” the right to sing the national anthem, revealing that he will refrain from joining in during his first matches in charge.
The subject of whether Tuchel, a German national, would sing “God Save the King” arose as he announced his first England squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia.
Speaking ahead of his England debut at Wembley on 21 March, the 51-year-old explained his stance.
“I think, first of all, you have a very powerful, emotional and meaningful national anthem, and I could not be more proud to stand on the sidelines as manager of the England national team,” Tuchel said.
“It means everything. It means a lot to me, I can assure you, but because it carries so much meaning and emotion, I feel I must earn my right to sing it.”
Tuchel, who is only the third non-British manager to lead England, confirmed that he knows the words to the anthem but has decided not to sing it for now.
The debate over the anthem has arisen before. Last year, interim manager Lee Carsley, who previously represented the Republic of Ireland, made headlines when he chose not to sing it during his brief tenure.
“I feel that singing it is not just a given. You cannot just do it automatically,” Tuchel continued.
“That’s why I decided that I will not sing it in my first matches. I want to earn it through results, through building a strong team, by doing my job properly and creating a connection where people might eventually say, ‘Now it’s time. He has earned it. He should sing it.’
“Perhaps I need to immerse myself more in the culture and gain that recognition from the players, the supporters, and even from you [the media]. At some point, when people feel I am truly England’s manager, then I will sing it.”
Tuchel Defends Work-Life Balance
The England boss also addressed criticism over his work-life balance, having missed certain Premier League fixtures during the first ten weeks of his tenure.
Since taking charge in January, Tuchel has occasionally worked from Germany, prompting questions about his level of commitment. However, he was quick to clarify his approach.
“I have attended 25 matches in the last nine weeks,” he stated. “On Premier League weekends when I do not travel, I still watch at least five matches live on a wide-angle screen.
“In fact, I see more football when I’m not at a stadium. If I attend a match on a Saturday, I miss the one before and the one after. Watching remotely allows me to see more.”
Addressing concerns over his time spent in Germany, Tuchel explained: “There is no secret about it. I travel from time to time to see my children in Munich. That’s simply it.
“My daughters are used to watching Premier League football on television. On those weekends you mention, they are either with their father or in the next room while I watch football. That’s all there is to it.”
Context:
Tuchel’s Challenge in Adapting to England:
Tuchel’s appointment as England manager was met with mixed reactions, given his nationality and managerial style. While he boasts an impressive résumé with Chelsea and Bayern Munich, managing a national team presents a different challenge, particularly in terms of cultural integration.
The national anthem has long been a sensitive topic in English football, particularly for foreign-born managers and players. Sven-Göran Eriksson, England’s first non-British manager, sang “God Save the Queen” during his tenure, while Fabio Capello, another foreign appointee, largely avoided the anthem debate.
Tuchel’s measured approach suggests he is conscious of earning the respect of England fans. However, his success will ultimately be judged by performances on the pitch. With World Cup qualifiers looming, the focus will soon shift from pre-match traditions to results.