Barry and Tuchel Join Forces to Lead England

England’s new coaching duo, Thomas Tuchel and Anthony Barry, are preparing for their first matches in charge of the Three Lions, but the absence of Marc Guehi has created an early challenge. The Crystal Palace defender suffered a foot injury during the Europa Conference League victory over AZ Alkmaar, leaving both club and country short of defensive options.

Barry and Tuchel, who have worked together at Chelsea and Bayern Munich, recently agreed to lead England following Gareth Southgate’s long tenure and Lee Carsley’s interim spell. The partnership has been welcomed within the FA, with technical director John McDermott describing Barry as the ideal assistant for Tuchel due to their tactical synergy and shared footballing philosophy.

At 39, Barry sees the opportunity as both a homecoming and a challenge. Speaking to The Times, he expressed pride in joining the national team setup and confidence in the players’ ability to succeed on the world stage.

“It’s an incredible honor to work with this group,” Barry said. “The satisfaction comes from helping this generation of players realize their potential.”

He recalled a meeting with Tuchel in a Munich café, where the two discussed their vision of bringing a “second star to England” — a reference to winning a second World Cup title.

“We began by analyzing the squad and the mission,” Barry explained. “It quickly became clear that winning the World Cup is achievable — not only because of the players’ skill but also their character.”

The England coaching team is conducting detailed psychological, technical, and tactical profiles of players, aiming to build a cohesive and balanced unit. Barry emphasized that creating the right team environment will be as vital as tactical innovation:

“In international football, it’s almost impossible to play like Barcelona or Manchester City. What matters is connection, brotherhood, and energy — that’s the real fuel for success.”

With England already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, their upcoming fixtures against Serbia at Wembley and Albania in Tirana will serve as vital preparation. The absence of Marc Guehi, who remains on crutches with a severe bone bruise, will test England’s defensive depth. Meanwhile, Jude Bellingham returns to the squad after recovering from a shoulder injury, hoping to regain his place in the starting XI.

For both Tuchel and Barry, this international break will be a crucial first step in implementing their vision for a more unified and mentally resilient England side.