Summary

  • England manager Thomas Tuchel news conference before his first match on Friday

  • Tuchel says the England squad were 'afraid' to lose at Euro 2024 under Gareth Southgate, despite reaching the final but says he's excited by the players

  • Captain Harry Kane also spoke and said the players need to be able to have 'uncomfortable conversations' with each other

  • England face Albania at Wembley in Group K before hosting Latvia on Monday; Serbia and Andorra also in the group

  • Tuchel was appointed manager in October before starting the job on January 1

  • Get Involved: #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

  1. 'It is necessary we stay open to adapt'published at 13:45 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

    England v Albania (Fri, 19:45 GMT)

    England

    England manager Thomas Tuchel was also asked about his philosophy: "I think offensively we try implement out style, structure and rhythm. Put players into positions where they feel comfortable and express themselves, hopefully to their full potential. In modern football and the quality of the opponent, Albania, and the respect you have to give every opponent, especially off the ball it is necessary we stay open to adapt.

    "Be it in structure-wise or in the line-up and do what is needed. I don't think we can be ignorant and say we do what we want and we do what we do and everyone else will adapt to us. this will happen but everyone will try to find a solution against us and that is why we want to adapt off the ball."

  2. 'I have to make people believe in me'published at 13:44 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

    England v Albania (Fri, 19:45 GMT)

    England

    England manager Thomas Tuchel on changes in perception at his appointment: "I have felt the excitement in the camp. There is a buzz for the first match tomorrow. I have to make people believe in me."

    More to come on this.

  3. 'I missed it a lot'published at 13:42 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

    England v Albania (Fri, 19:45 GMT)

    England

    England manager Thomas Tuchel on coming back to management: "I missed it a lot. It's a unique energy in a football team and in a dressing room. It was very nice to see they spend a lot of time together."

    More to come.

  4. 'The players are why I am excited to have this job'published at 13:41 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

    England v Albania (Fri, 19:45 GMT)

    England

    England manager Thomas Tuchel has faced the press before the team take on Albania tomorrow night. He was first asked about how camp had been: "It's also been a crash course for me in international football [as well as the players having a crash course with Tuchel as a manager] and how to adapt to the rhythm and being with the squad. We've been together for only together 10 days but only three training sessions to prepare matches.

    "They reminded me in the first lunch together and in the first training session why I was so excited about the job. It is because of them. They were outstanding in the way they behaved and how they interacted as a group. On the pitch they were amazing, we had high quality and very sharp training sessions. Everyone was open to giving their very best, good energy, good atmosphere."

  5. 'I want us to play with the excitement'published at 13:39 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

    England v Albania (Fri, 19:45 GMT)

    England

    England manager Thomas Tuchel doesn't want his side to play with a fear of losing: "I want us to play with the excitement, hunger and the joy to win. The acceptance of failure is a part of it."

    More to come on this.

  6. Postpublished at 13:38 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

    England v Albania (Fri, 19:45 GMT)

    England

    England manager Thomas Tuchel adds that he will "put players in positions where they express themselves."

    More to come shortly.

  7. Postpublished at 13:36 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

    England v Albania (Fri, 19:45 GMT)

    England

    England manager Thomas Tuchel says there has been "good energy" at training and this is what he "loves the most."

    Full quotes to come.

  8. Postpublished at 13:35 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

    Here they are!

    We'll have full quotes very soon.

  9. Any moment nowpublished at 13:33 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

    Thomas Tuchel and Harry Kane will be with us any moment now so stick with us!

    Remember, you can watch the news conference by clicking the 'watch live' tab at the top of this page.

  10. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 13:31 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Have I been impressed by Tuchel so far? Is that how low the England manager fan expectations are currently set? No, I have not. If I could fast forward to the next Euros, and completely ignore this upcoming World Cup, our squad and manager I absolutely would. Roll on 2028.

    Chris

  11. When and where is the World Cup?published at 13:29 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

    A major tournament in men's football is creeping up on us with the World Cup in 2026.

    Argentina are the defending champions for the tournament, which is being held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

    The competition will start on 11 June and end with the final on 19 July.

  12. Postpublished at 13:28 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

    We are just minutes away from the arrival of Thomas Tuchel and Harry Kane, as you can see below by the number of journalists in the room!

  13. Lots of eyes await Tuchel and Kanepublished at 13:27 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

    Gary Flintoff
    BBC Radio 5 live reporter

    There is a lot of interest in the new England manager. The news conference room at the Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre is filling up ahead of the arrival of Thomas Tuchel and Harry Kane.

    Room ahead of Tuchel and Kane news conference.
  14. England start World Cup qualifying campaignpublished at 13:25 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

    England

    England kickstart their bid to reach the 2026 World Cup tomorrow night at Wembley Stadium.

    Thomas Tuchel's first game in charge will see the Three Lions take on Albania in Group K - while Andorra host Latvia.

    On Monday evening, England will host Latvia as they look for a 100% start under Tuchel.

  15. Tuchel getting his message across straight awaypublished at 13:23 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

    Alex Howell
    BBC football news reporter at Tottenham Hotspur's training ground

    I'm in place at Tottenham Hotspur's training ground waiting for the press conferences with England head coach Thomas Tuchel and captain Harry Kane to start.

    The chat already has been about those Tuchel comments where he describes England as 'afraid' last summer.

    It's a strong summary considering England did make the final.

    We have heard from players this week about Tuchel's intense and direct speeches, so it looks as though he's trying to make sure the players know exactly how he wants them to play from week one.

  16. John Terry excited for Tuchel erapublished at 13:21 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

    Nizaar Kinsella
    BBC Sport football news reporter

    John Terry ChelseaImage source, Getty Images

    John Terry says Thomas Tuchel can be the “missing piece of the puzzle” and will be ready to make big decisions for England after his positive work at Chelsea.

    The former England and Chelsea captain told BBC Sport: “I’ve seen him from both closely and afar at Chelsea. He was successful winning the Champions League and being in the later stages of all competitions. I am delighted to have him as England manager.

    “We’ve had foreign managers before, so it is not an issue for me at all. In terms of what he has achieved in the game before, it is great because I think he could be the missing piece in the puzzle.

    “I think we have a really good squad of players and I know before that through Steve Holland and Gareth Southgate that the players enjoyed a real close relationship with the management.

    “I know the players had that same connection at Chelsea with Thomas. People loved him and loved working for him, so he is a really good addition as England manager.”

    Terry spoke as global broadcaster DAZN launched their coverage of this summer's FIFA Club World Cup.

  17. Who will start Tuchel's first game?published at 13:19 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

    That is the question everyone wants to know the answer to. Will we get more of an insight today? Possibly.

    Will Jordan Henderson get some minutes for the first time for his country in over a year? Will Dan Burn make his debut?

  18. Watch Tuchel and Kane livepublished at 13:17 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

    If you want to watch Thomas Tuchel and Harry Kane's news conference then the 'watch live' tab is up and running at the top of this page.

    We're due to get under way in just under 15 minutes so make sure you stick with us!

  19. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 13:15 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

    #bbcfootball on X, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Germany will be forever entwined with England's World Cup successes. It's written in the stars they will win it with a German manager!

    Paul, Aylesbury

  20. Where can you watch England news conference?published at 13:12 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March

    England manager Thomas Tuchel and captain Harry Kane will be in the hot seat from 13:30 GMT.

    Fans will be keen to hear from the two key figures in England camp and you can watch along at the top of this page. We will let you know when Tuchel and Kane are chatting away.

    If you cannot watch along, don't worry. We will bring you all the updates on this page.