SPILL THE T
Thomas Tuchel was unveiled as England manager in mid-October. Since then, he spent two-and-a-half months unofficially collecting his thoughts (and sizeable wage) during a pre-job gardening leave before officially starting on 1 January. Since then, Tuchel has spent the last two-and-a-half months making “an absolutely brilliant impact” and “building connections”, according to chief FA suit Mark Bullingham, despite Tuchel spending large stints working remotely in Germany. Fear not, though, Tuchel has spent some time in England, mainly in chauffeured vehicles and Premier League hospitality lounges. Sitting in heated seats a couple of times a week is rough work, but someone has to do it. It is sometimes said that the England manager’s job is the hardest in football. Just don’t tell that to the person cleaning the post-match bogs at your local Sunday League side.
Seemingly the only tangible thing that Tuchel has been required to produce in those months is a list of 26 male names for England’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Albania (65th in the Fifa rankings) and Latvia (140th), two giants of the modern game. And after whittling down an initial longlist of 55 names, said list was published on Friday to a … mixed reception.
There was plenty to digest. The naming of " target="_blank" class="link"> four naan goalkeepers was certainly a bold look, Marcus Rashford was back in, while the inclusion of Dominic Solanke, recently recovered from knack, over Bigger Cup quarter-finalist Ollie Watkins left more eyebrows raised than a Carlo Ancelotti lookalike convention. Dropping Harry Maguire and including another giant centre-back in the uncapped Dan Burn to head and kick the ball away from England’s goal is exactly the sort of tactical innovation that Tuchel has made a career out of. And although the German should be praised for calling up Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly, anyone with a pair of eyes and access to Luke Shaw’s medical records could probably have made that call, too.
Arguably the most surprising name on the sheet is Jordan Henderson. The talented yet ageing midfielder – who will turn 36 during the 2026 World Cup – has earned an unlikely recall despite a rocky last couple of years, including controversial moves to Saudi Arabia and Ajax. “I think his career and the way [Henderson] plays now and imposes himself at Ajax is just so impressive,” justified Tuchel, seemingly unaware that Henderson missed Ajax’s Bigger Vase last-16 second-leg defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday through suspension after dissent towards Italian referee Simone Sozza in the first leg – a dismissive gesture later described as “very stupid” by Henderson himself.
“Jordan builds on character, personality and energy that he brings to the team,” continued Tuchel, undeterred. “For me, Jordan is a similar call-up for the same reasons as Dan Burn. They carry these values on their shoulders and they carry their teams,” continued the German, seemingly unaware that Henderson is not even a starter these days for Ajax, named on the Dutch club’s substitute bench for each of the last three league matches. Roll on, and roll over (please), Albania and Latvia!
LIVE ON BIG WEBSITE
Join Michael Butler for a live Women’s Super League clockwatch, featuring Everton 1-2 Arsenal and Liverpool 1-2 Manchester United, from 7pm (GMT).
QUOTE OF THE DAY
You can only sit around the house and cry for so long. I’m a fighter. I didn’t have a playing career, so I’ve had to scrap to get where I am. I’ve been through a huge amount, so it’s made me quite tough. And it was two-way, right? What the fans did was incredible. It was important for me to show them my appreciation and the way I can do that is being on the touchline driving their club. It was my way of giving back a little bit. I know there were a few reservations from a few people: ‘Is it too early?’ But it just felt right” – the Bristol City manager, Liam Manning, talks to Ben Fisher about returning to football after the death of his baby son, Theo, last year.
FOOTBALL DAILY LETTERS
I’m sorry for disagreeing with an octogenarian (Guy Robert, yesterday’s letters) whose knowledge I would otherwise bow [to], but a penalty miss is a miss whether saved or not. By the way, I’m only 50 and reading the Football Daily is a highlight of my day. Is this (arguing with my elders and betters) as good as it’s going to get for the next 30 years? Probably” – Andy Morrison.
Since pedantry is suddenly in fashion again: Thursday’s Football Daily referred to ‘an agonising afternoon’ for Villa as they lost at home to Ipswich in 1981. Not so: it was actually an evening game” – Glyn Berrington (and others).
I like Thomas Tuchel primarily because he was involved in that wonderful handshake spat with Antonio Conte while he was the manager of Chelsea. But I can’t look at him without thinking how much he resembles the figure in Edvard Munch’s ‘The Scream’. And judging by the response to his appointment from the unhinged wings of the British press, I have a feeling Munch’s masterpiece is a premonition of the pressure he’s signed up for” – Colin Reed.
Send letters to [email protected]. Today’s prizeless letter o’ the day winner is … Rollover. Terms and conditions for our competitions can be viewed here.
RECOMMENDED LISTENING
On the latest Women’s Football Weekly, Baroness Sue Campbell joins Suzanne Wrack and Sophie Downey to reflect on her remarkable career in sport. Listen in all the usual places.
NEWS, BITS AND BOBS
Overpaid? Not good enough? Bruno Fernandes told Big Sir Jim that wasn’t a very nice thing to say, after banging in a hat-trick against Real Sociedad. Meanwhile, Ruben Amorim has said the Manchester United captain deserves a trophy or two.
The Premier League is almost certain to have five Bigger Cup qualifying spots this season, which is great news for plucky upstarts Manchester City, currently in fifth. “We have to reach the highest possible level to qualify for Europe,” trilled Pep Guardiola. “We are not like we were.”
Eight of the world’s leading women’s clubs, including big-name sides from the US and Europe, will compete in a new, lucrative seven-a-side tournament in Portugal during the week leading up to this season’s Women’s Big Cup final.
Mikel Arteta is proud to see Myles Lewis-Skelly in the England squad and Ethan Nwaneri involved with the U21s. “We’re involved in [their] development. It’s one of the proudest things you can achieve as a footballer. Being part of that is great,” the Arsenal manager beamed.
John McGinn roared that Aston Villa will fear no one in Bigger Cup after brushing aside Club Brugge and advancing to a quarter-final against PSG (who they probably should fear, to be honest).
Jack Butland was the spot-kick hero for Rangers after a 2-0 home defeat by Fenerbahce took their Big Vase tie to penalties. Elsewhere, Wilson Odobert’s double helped Tottenham past AZ Alkmaar in Big Vase.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall edged Chelsea past Copenhagen in Tin Pot, taking them one step closer to the most underwhelming European trophy of all time.
After a serious knee injury, Sam Kerr is nearing a return for Chelsea after being included in the Blues’ squad for the Women’s Big Cup knockouts.
And Sunderland shirts will feature an altered version of their retro badge for the trip to Coventry on Saturday to highlight the impact of the climate crisis on England’s northeast, both now and in the future.
STAY HUMMELS
Roma’s Bigger Vase journey is over after they lost to Athletic Club in the last 16, with Mats Hummels’ early red card the catalyst for a turnaround in Bilbao, the hosts winning 3-1 to prevail 4-3 on aggregate. After giving the ball away and then bringing down Maroan Sannadi in the 11th minute, the veteran centre-back posted an apology on social media, but it wasn’t your typical copy-and-paste effort.
“I am so sorry. I want to apologise to our fans and my teammates,” Hummels wrote on various Social Media Disgraces. “I let everyone down today with a mistake that was simply stupid and horrendous. These games used to be the games my team could rely on me, now I [effed] up and cost the whole club the dream of winning the Europa League. Don‘t know what else to say, I am as disappointed in me like all of you.”
STILL WANT MORE?
The Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is seeking to suppress his players’ emotions rather than embrace them before Sunday’s Fizzy Cup final against Liverpool, writes Louise Taylor.
Injuries will hand Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah – out of position, but in favour with Arne Slot – a chance to make his mark at Wembley, writes Andy Hunter.
Nottingham Forest are rebelling against football’s tactical orthodoxy, while Bournemouth must rediscover their ruthlessness. It’s 10 things to look out for in the Premier League this weekend.
And how Sonia Bompastor took on the unenviable task of replacing Emma Hayes at Chelsea and succeeded, by Sophie Downey.
MEMORY LANE
Twenty-three years ago this weekend, the “Battle of Bramall Lane” between Sheffield United and West Brom was abandoned after three red cards and two injuries reduced Neil Warnock’s hosts to just six players. “I’ve been in professional football since 16 and I’m 42 now. I’ve never ever witnessed anything as disgraceful as that,” said the West Brom manager, Gary Megson. His team were leading the game 3-0, and the result was subsequently allowed to stand. “I wouldn’t imagine Gary will be having a drink with me tonight,” chirped Warnock afterwards.
