Thomas Tuchel has emphasised his "personal connection" to English football following his announcement as the new manager of the England national team.

Tuchel becomes only the third non-Englishman to manage the Three Lions, following in the footsteps of Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello. The German has replaced Gareth Southgate, who resigned after England's defeat in the Euro 2024 final.

There has been some opposition to Tuchel’s appointment, with Harry Redknapp suggesting that the Football Association (FA) should have chosen an English manager. However, Tuchel responded, saying: "I am very proud to have been given the honour of leading the England team.

"I have always felt a personal connection to football in this country, and it has already provided me with some unforgettable moments. Having the opportunity to represent England is a huge privilege, and the chance to work with this special and talented group of players is incredibly exciting.

"Together with Anthony [Barry] as my assistant coach, we will do everything possible to make England successful and make the supporters proud. I want to thank the FA, especially Mark and John, for their trust, and I am looking forward to beginning our journey together."

Tuchel previously spent 17 months managing Chelsea, during which he notably won the UEFA Champions League in 2021. He has spoken fondly of his time in England. "It’s no secret that I loved my time at Chelsea, I loved being in England, and I certainly loved managing in the Premier League. It was an incredibly special period in my career, and I remember it fondly," Tuchel said in an earlier interview with TNT Sports.

In a separate conversation with ESPN, Tuchel also shared that he feels more appreciated in England than in his native Germany. "Yes... it’s a straightforward answer," he said. "In Germany, we tend to be very critical of each other, especially of players and managers, myself included.

"It’s quite hard to escape the criticism once you’re caught in it... so there’s a certain image that stays for years. I did feel more appreciated in England. That’s just the reality."

Tuchel has been backed to lead England to their first major tournament victory since the 1966 World Cup. FA chief Mark Bullingham explained: "Our main objective in appointing a coaching team was to give us the best possible chance of winning a major tournament, and we believe Thomas and his staff will do exactly that.

"Thomas and the team have a clear, determined focus on giving us the best chance to win the World Cup in 2026. These are exciting times for England supporters."