Almost everyone will tell you at some point during an England football game, that they would do a much better job than the current clueless gaffer in charge. Managing England’s men’s team comes with an almost incomparable amount of scrutiny – expectations are frequently astronomical and patience is often absurdly minimal. So why on earth take on the job when no manager has tasted unbridled success since Sir Alf Ramsey, a man born over one hundred years ago?

“Is it a big deal that Tuchel himself is not English? And will England finally end – checks notes – 58 years of hurt?”

I wanted to speak to a variety of students here at Cambridge, from those who still glorify Chelsea’s time under the tutelage of Tuchel-ball, to those who have experienced his impact in Germany, and even to those who hadn’t yet clocked on to Southgate’s departure. Can Thomas Tuchel, England men’s brand new manager and the nation’s new household name, take advantage of the immense attacking potential rife within this English side? Is it a big deal that Tuchel himself is not English? And will England finally end – checks notes – 58 years of hurt? Let the students talk you through all this and more.

The first Cambridge student I discussed Tuchel’s hiring with was Jamie, a man who has had the pleasure (often pain) of watching England play at Wembley several times over the last year. Jamie was present for England’s embarrassment of a loss to Greece, where he understandably grew tired of interim manager Lee Carsley’s ‘laissez-faire approach’. Speaking on Gareth Southgate, Jamie did express great gratitude towards the former manager, a man who he believed improved the inherent psychology of the English set-up, demonstrating to the players that success in major tournaments was by no means insurmountable. However, as was the consensus, a change was necessary to take England over that final hump. Jamie illustrated to me his excitement to see what Tuchel can do with England’s often isolated wingers, whilst also making the excellent point that the German’s style of bombarding players with problems and queries in training may help to reduce the English fondness of ‘overthinking’ that has too often plagued our national team’s play. As a final point, Jamie clarified his position on whether an England manager should be English – frankly, he doesn’t care one bit. Trophies count, nothing else.

“As a final point, Jamie clarified his position on whether an England manager should be English – frankly, he doesn’t care one bit. Trophies count, nothing else”

Next, I spoke to my friend Tarkan, a Cambridge student and editor of the sports magazine ‘The Coverage’, about his analysis of Tuchel’s hiring. Whilst mentioning that Tuchel has found success with a back four in the Bundesliga, Tarkan spoke to me about his desire to see the German introduce his trademark back-three system, akin to what was deployed in Chelsea’s Champions League triumph, in the upcoming Three Lions set-up. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s potential in this formation as a marauding wing-back, with the licence to deliver pin-point crosses from the flanks, was emphasised by the student writer, whilst Tarkan also noted how a narrower front three would allow the effective usage of two of Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Jack Grealish or Morgan Rogers to support Harry Kane, who can not afford to be isolated in the final third like he was at the Euro’s. Anyone who watched the tournament will know that unlocking Harry Kane’s brilliance is absolutely essential for English success. Southgate had such little joy with this over the summer, so how about reuniting Kane with the man who coached him to the European Golden Shoe award last season? Tarkan is certainly looking forward to the potential for a new tactical approach, and was sure that many nostalgic Chelsea fans would agree –  just without Mason Mount and Reece James playing key roles this time around!

“Of course, when you think of the current England squad it does appear fairly cohesive, but an inability to incorporate unity amongst stars has been the untimely undoing of previous England managers”

Unlike previous England managers, not all Cambridge students reside in the UK. Elliott, a languages student currently on his year abroad in Munich, was perfectly placed to comment on Tuchel’s appointment, given that the manager’s most recent post was with the Bavarian giant Bayern Munich. Speaking to the Bayern fans, Elliot informed me that many commented on Tuchel’s painful lack of media presence in press conferences during his tenure at the club. If this were to continue as he addresses the English media, patience may very well wear thin, especially if this were to be coupled with poor results. The Bavarians also spoke to Elliott about Tuchel’s tendency to mishandle big egos. Of course, when you think of the current England squad it does appear fairly cohesive, but an inability to incorporate unity amongst stars has been the untimely undoing of previous England managers. Clearly, there are some warning signs regarding Tuchel’s appointment, but the overall picture Elliott gathered was positive. A simpler environment for a coach whose downfall has too often been triggered by meddling in his club’s transfer affairs may focus the German’s mind, allowing him to prioritise concentrating on unlocking England’s magnificently star-studded attack. Tongue in cheek or not, many Bavarians think that Tuchel could actually help England win something.

In the interest of gaining a holistic perspective, I made sure to speak to some of my University friends who even confessed to a lack of knowledge of the Men’s football team. When I spoke to them, the Tuchel name understandably didn’t ring a bell – one friend even misheard my question and wanted to double-check if Tom Tugendhat was really the new boss. Of course, English fans will be hoping that only one of these two remains on the conservative side of things this coming year. When I questioned the same pals about the controversy surrounding a foreign manager, they made the valid point that if English players are playing abroad (think Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane), then there should be no such stigma surrounding the manager. Especially when Tuchel can bring over both his own foreign coaching principles, as well as his English football experience cultivated whilst in charge of Chelsea.

“When I spoke to them, the Tuchel name understandably didn’t ring a bell – one friend even misheard my question and wanted to double-check if Tom Tugendhat was really the new boss”

A true Cambridge student’s sporting perspective would of course be incomplete without speaking to a fellow Varsity sport writer, Will Jonas! Will expressed discipline, confidence and hope as the three key attributes that Tuchel introduced at Chelsea, as Tuchel-ball somehow led a team fronted by Timo Werner’s nightmare-inducing finishing to Champions League glory. I was therefore persuaded that if that Chelsea side can win the biggest club trophy of them all, then there is no doubt that a mouth-watering trio of Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer and Harry Kane can deliver English success in abundance.

After an initial shocked reaction at seeing such a marquee name being named England’s coach, I can now agree with many of the Cambridge students I have spoken with – I am very excited. Tuchel’s spells in both Germany and England not only bring invaluable experience but most importantly a proven winning record. England keep coming tantalisingly close – let’s see if Thomas Tuchel takes them to the top.