Tuchel appoints former Chelsea goalkeeper to his coaching staff

Thomas Tuchel has officially taken over as England manager and has appointed a former Chelsea goalkeeper to join his coaching staff.

After officially taking up the reins this week, Tuchel announced his extended coaching staff. The German coach was appointed as Gareth Southgate's permanent successor last October and his assistants will include Anthony Barry, while Nicolas Meyer, James Melbourne and former Chelsea goalkeeper Enrique Hilario will also join the team. The new Three Lions coach will watch Tottenham's game against Newcastle on Saturday to start preparations for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. England will face Albania and Latvia in March next year.

Although Tuchel was criticised for not taking up his post for the Nations League games against Greece and the Republic of Ireland in November, he stressed at last month's World Cup qualifying draw that work had already begun. The team is a key part of the 51-year-old's plans as he aims to lead England to the 2026 World Cup.

Tuchel worked with Hilario during his time as Chelsea manager, but the Portuguese is better known for his time at Stamford Bridge as a player. He played for Chelsea between 2006 and 2014, making just 39 appearances in eight seasons. But as a member of the team, he participated in the glorious achievements of the 2010 Premier League championship and the 2012 Champions League championship. Melbourne was a member of Tuchel's team at Chelsea, while Meyer previously played for Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.

With the coaching staff confirmed, Tuchel will focus on the players. He plans to go to Anfield to watch Liverpool vs. Manchester United on Sunday after watching Tottenham vs. Newcastle on Saturday. Tuchel also He has about two months to select his first national team roster and prepare for two important matches in March. In these two games, he will face considerable pressure and must go all out to win.