Thomas Tuchel: How new England manager has gone from barman to Three Lions
In 2015, Tuchel began his next challenge, replacing Liverpool-bound Klopp as Borussia Dortmund’s boss.
During Klopp’s seven years at Dortmund, he won the Bundesliga twice and reached the Champions League final, while Tuchel had to win his new player, not all of whom were sharp.
“Honestly, I didn’t expect too much when it was announced that he would be the new manager. I might even leave the club during the conversation,” recalled former Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.
“I made a phone call with him and when I was on vacation on the summer vacation, he showed me himself and it was actually a good call.
“He tried to explain something, the way he wanted us to play, how he wanted us to train and everything he said proved that season.”
At the end of the 2015-16 season, Dortmund finished second in the Bundesliga, while Tuchel won the first major trophy of his career, defeating Manchester City 2-1 in the German Cup final in May 2017, his last match at the club.
However, former German International Gundogan has won a complete victory in Tuchel’s sole season.
“From when we were in Dortmund, I can only say positive measures about him,” he added. “He is very tactical and open. Personally, I get along well with him.”
Hitzlsperger believes Tuchel’s management skills will be the key to success with England, adding: “Tuchel’s past players who worked with him were very positive about him and the way he conveyed his ideas to them.
“I don’t think he’s a German with any different facts. Most English players have worked or done under foreign managers. He’s a senior manager, so they’ll be open to his ideas and get used to most people, so it should be a smooth transition.”
Rangnick added: “He’s a guy who loves to improve people. As a head coach, you need to do analysis and be smart. He’s curious, funny, and a sense of humor is fun. A very specific humor, and if you know the humor, he’s funny.”
