Building a Winning Brotherhood: Anthony Barry on Thomas Tuchel’s Influence

England’s assistant head coach, Anthony Barry, has drawn an intriguing comparison between Thomas Tuchel and a “UFO,” attributing to him the unique qualities needed to secure World Cup glory.

Barry, who has been a devoted supporter of Tuchel since they first collaborated at Chelsea, continued to follow him to Bayern Munich and eagerly joined Tuchel’s staff with the England national team, focused on achieving victory in next summer’s World Cup.

At 39, Barry, who began his coaching career with Accrington’s under-16 team in his mid-20s, has rapidly established himself as an elite coach. He acknowledges that working alongside Tuchel has profoundly influenced his development.

“I often describe it as a meeting of minds and personalities,” said Barry, who hails from Liverpool. “To say I fell in love with his approach would not be an exaggeration. He arrived at Chelsea as if floating, presenting a personality and methodology I had never witnessed before.

“For me, he was akin to a UFO—something entirely unlike anything I had encountered. It’s not solely his methods; there’s an intrinsic quality about Thomas that I can only describe as stardust. It’s an elusive X-factor that one cannot teach; it is perhaps a divine gift. Even now, he continues to embody that special essence.”

Barry describes Tuchel as someone with “zero ego” and notes their frequent late-night exchanges. “His messages come at all hours; his mind is always active,” Barry explained. “For both of us, there’s always another clip, another training session, another game. We are perpetually striving for improvement. He is driven by a passion for developing teams and players, which is why our philosophies align so well.”

Barry believes that fostering a “brotherhood” among players is essential for England to achieve World Cup success. This emphasis on unity has been evident in Tuchel’s surprising selections, notably excluding high-profile players such as Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden from initial international camps, although both have recently been named in the squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania.

Barry emphasizes the necessity of identifying England’s optimal XI rather than simply including the most renowned players. He asserts that the foundation of success lies in creating a cohesive spirit rather than replicating successful club teams. “Our mission is clear: to win the World Cup and secure the second star for England,” he stated.

“However, more importantly, we aim to build ‘Team England.’ International football thrives on connection—between teammates, the mission, and the game model. If we can cultivate a brotherhood that resonates with the nation, we stand a better chance. What you represent and who you are significantly outweighs individual accomplishments.

“In international football, replicating the style of legendary teams like Barcelona or recent Manchester City is implausible. Yet, if we can forge a brotherhood, an energetic connection between players, that becomes the vital fuel for success in international play. We must create an environment where every player wishes to belong, a brotherhood that embodies Team England.”

As England concludes their World Cup qualifying campaign, they will face Serbia and Albania later this month.