FA Encourages Tuchel to Include BME Coach in England Staff

According to reports, the Football Association (FA) is pushing for Thomas Tuchel’s England backroom staff to have a coach with a Black or minority ethnic (BME) background. The FA’s request is in line with its dedication to diversity, which is demonstrated by the Elite Coaching Placement Programme (ECCP), which was introduced in 2018, and Tuchel is scheduled to start his position on January 1. The goal of this project, which was created in collaboration with the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), is to improve diversity and representation in elite football coaching.

Both former England internationals Chris Powell and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink served as coaches under Gareth Southgate, which represented advancements in representation. However, BME participation in the elite coaching staff of England has decreased after Southgate left and Hasselbaink followed suit.

Portuguese goalkeeping coach Henrique Hilario is anticipated to join Tuchel’s coaching staff, which currently comprises English assistant Anthony Barry. The FA sees Tuchel’s hiring of a BME coach as a step in the right direction toward diversity, despite criticism over the choice of a non-English head coach. As Tuchel gets ready to lead the Three Lions in early 2025, final choices are expected to be made in the upcoming weeks.