Who is Hilario? England Fans Surprised by Thomas Tuchel’s Backroom Staff Choice
England fans have been caught off guard after realising that a familiar face from the Premier League is now part of Thomas Tuchel’s coaching team. As Tuchel steps into his new role as England manager, he’s brought in some trusted personnel, and one name in particular has sparked considerable reaction: Hilario, the former Chelsea goalkeeper.
Tuchel recently announced his first England squad, and alongside the expected player selections, the composition of his backroom staff has also drawn attention. To the surprise of many, Hilario, known for his time at Chelsea both as a player and a coach, has joined the England setup as the goalkeeping coach. This move reunites Tuchel and Hilario, who previously worked together at Stamford Bridge.
England is set to embark on a new chapter under Tuchel’s leadership, with crucial World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia on the horizon. The Three Lions will first play Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21st, followed by a home game against Latvia the following Monday. As Tuchel prepares for his debut in the Wembley dugout, Hilario will be right there alongside him, bringing his Premier League experience to the national team.
Key Takeaways:
- Surprising Appointment: Former Chelsea goalkeeper Hilario joins Thomas Tuchel’s England backroom staff as goalkeeping coach.
- Tuchel’s First Squad: New England manager Tuchel has named his initial squad and coaching team, creating buzz among fans.
- World Cup Qualifiers: England faces Albania on March 21st and Latvia the following Monday in crucial qualifying matches.
- Hilario’s Role: Hilario will be responsible for coaching England’s goalkeepers, having previously worked with Tuchel at Chelsea.
Former Premier League Star Hilario Takes on England Goalkeeping Coach Role Under Tuchel
Hilario’s journey to the England national team involved ending his long-standing 18-year association with Chelsea. He served Chelsea both as a player, arriving in 2006 during Jose Mourinho’s era, and later as a coach after his retirement from playing. His dedicated service at Stamford Bridge made his departure to join the national team a significant move.
Chelsea was reportedly hesitant to allow Hilario to split his time between club and country, leading to his resignation from the London club to fully commit to England. He joins Anthony Barry, Tuchel’s trusted No.2, and performance analyst James Melbourne as key members of the England coaching setup. Hilario succeeds Martyn Margetson, who departed after Gareth Southgate’s exit last summer, to take the reins of England’s goalkeeping department.
During his playing career, Hilario made 39 appearances for Chelsea across all competitions and even earned one cap for Portugal, adding to his credibility and experience. Now, he will be working closely with four talented England goalkeepers:
- Jordan Pickford (Everton)
- Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace)
- Aaron Ramsdale (Southampton)
- James Trafford (Burnley)
These four goalkeepers are set to compete for the coveted No.1 spot for England. Tuchel explained his decision to include four goalkeepers by stating, “These are the four goalkeepers that we think we can build our squad on. We want to straightaway give the message that this is a new start for everyone. At the same time, we can see how they work together and how the energy is between them.” This highlights Tuchel’s intention to foster competition and assess the dynamics within the goalkeeping unit.
The appointment of Hilario has certainly added an interesting dimension to Thomas Tuchel’s England tenure. Fans are eager to see how his Premier League expertise will translate to the international stage and impact the performance of England’s goalkeepers.
What are your thoughts on Hilario joining Thomas Tuchel’s England coaching staff? Share your opinions in the comments below!