Kyle Walker hits back at criticism of Thomas Tuchel after controversial appointment as England boss as Man City star makes plea for place in squad

Earlier this week, the FA appointed former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss Tuchel on an 18-month contract until after the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The German will take over from Lee Carsley starting on January 1, 2025, and will face his first challenge in the spring's World Cup qualifiers.

The FA and Tuchel have received a lot of criticism from fans, pundits and even coaches for the appointment of a non-English manager. Tuchel has become only the third foreign manager to take charge of the Three Lions after Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello. However, Walker has defended the German coach as he eyes a return to the England starting XI with his position under threat.

Speaking on the BBC podcast ‘You’ll Never Beat Kyle Walker’, Walker said: "I can understand the English public thinking it should be an English manager taking control of the national team.

"But for me it’s about who is going to get the results, he has proven at big clubs that he can manage big players with big characters, the likes of PSG, he went to Chelsea and won the Champions League against Manchester City, that is one that sticks firmly in my mind.

"It is a great appointment and it is an even better appointment if he puts me in the team again! I think it is a great appointment but the proof is in the pudding, we need to do it as a set of players."

As he doesn't officially begin his duties until 2025, Tuchel will likely watch on from afar for England's next two Nations League clashes against Greece and the Republic Ireland in November.