Thomas Tuchel’s Immediate Impact: England Training Schedule Shaken Up
Published: 08:54 GMT, March 18, 2025
New England manager Thomas Tuchel has wasted no time in stamping his mark on the national team setup, immediately implementing a significant change to Gareth Southgate’s established training regime at St George’s Park.
The former Chelsea boss is preparing to lead the Three Lions for the first time this Friday in a crucial World Cup qualifier against Albania at Wembley Stadium.
The international camp commenced on Monday, with all 26 players of Tuchel‘s squad reporting to the national football centre at St George’s Park around midday. Among the players arriving were Newcastle United defenders Dan Burn and Tino Livramento, fresh from celebrating their Carabao Cup final victory over Liverpool just the previous day.
However, it wasn’t business as usual. Tuchel opted to deviate from the long-standing plan implemented by his predecessor, Southgate, during all previous international breaks at the state-of-the-art training facilities.
According to reports from the Daily Mirror, in contrast to Southgate’s usual practice of conducting training sessions in the morning, Tuchel has switched the schedule, opting for afternoon training sessions instead. This marks a notable alteration to the daily rhythm of England’s international camps.
Image: Twitter/@England
Why Afternoon Training? Tuchel Replicates Matchday Conditions
A key reason behind Tuchel’s scheduling change is believed to be an attempt to better simulate match conditions for the upcoming fixtures. Both the Friday match against Albania and the following Tuesday’s game against Latvia are scheduled for evening kick-offs at 7:45 pm GMT. By training in the afternoons, Tuchel aims to prepare the squad’s bodies and minds for peak performance during the evening match times.
Instead of morning training, Tuchel will utilise the earlier part of the day for individual player meetings and full squad gatherings. This time will be crucial for tactical discussions, individual coaching, and team bonding as Tuchel begins his tenure.
While the timing of training has been ‘flipped’, reports suggest that Tuchel is aiming for continuity in other aspects, ensuring a smooth transition from the previous regime. This suggests a measured approach to implementing his own style without completely dismantling existing structures.
Alongside the training schedule adjustment, Tuchel has also brought in fresh faces to his coaching staff. His former Chelsea assistant coach, Anthony Barry, has joined the England setup as assistant manager, bringing valuable Premier League experience. Justin Cochrane, previously Head of Coaching at Brentford, also joins the team, adding further coaching expertise. Completing the new appointments is former Chelsea goalkeeper Henrique Hilario, who will take on the role of goalkeeping coach.
While some members of Southgate’s backroom staff remain in place to ensure stability, England’s players will largely be working with a refreshed coaching team during their time at St George’s Park under Tuchel’s leadership.
Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Thomas Tuchel, England National Team, Gareth Southgate, Football Training, World Cup Qualifiers
What do you think of Tuchel’s immediate changes to England’s training schedule? Let us know in the comments below! Share this article with fellow football fans.