Harry Kane reveals 'honest' reaction to discovering Thomas Tuchel's appointment as England manager following year together at Bayern Munich

Tuchel was announced as the permanent successor to Sir Gareth Southgate in October 2024, officially taking up his role from January 2025. He signed an 18-month contract running until the end of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Three Lions captain Kane already has a close relationship with Tuchel. The German coach was instrumental in Bayern Munich signing the striker from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2023. But Kane has admitted he did not expect his former boss to take the step into international management having left his post at the Allianz Arena at the end of the 2023-24 season.

When asked by the English press on Thursday how he reacted to Tuchel's appointment, Kane replied: "I was surprised if I'm honest. Yeah, didn't expect it. I guess I just wasn't really thinking of him as a national team coach.

"But yeah, once it was announced, I was really excited because obviously I had the pleasure of working with him last year and I know what he can bring. I knew what he could bring to this type of squad that we have.

"And obviously we've only been together a few days, but it hasn't disappointed. He's bringing us up to what I thought he would. And I think camp after camp, as he settles in, as we get to know him more, I think we'll improve as we go. But ultimately is about building up until next year and these are important camps to do that."

Kane is expected to lead the line for England during Friday's World Cup qualifier at home to Albania. Tuchel's first game in charge of the Three Lions will come in front of a sold-out Wembley Stadium.