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Thomas Tuchel was unveiled as England manager in mid-October. Since then, he spent two-and-a-half months unofficially collecting his thoughts (and sizeable wage) during a pre-job gardening leave before officially starting on 1 January. Since then, Tuchel has spent the last two-and-a-half months making “an absolutely brilliant impact” and “building connections”, according to chief FA suit Mark Bullingham, despite Tuchel spending large stints working remotely in Germany. Fear not, though, Tuchel has spent some time in England, mainly in chauffeured vehicles and Premier League hospitality lounges. Sitting in heated seats a couple of times a week is rough work, but someone has to do it. It is sometimes said that the England manager’s job is the hardest in football. Just don’t tell that to the person cleaning the post-match bogs at your local Sunday League side.
You can only sit around the house and cry for so long. I’m a fighter. I didn’t have a playing career, so I’ve had to scrap to get where I am. I’ve been through a huge amount, so it’s made me quite tough. And it was two-way, right? What the fans did was incredible. It was important for me to show them my appreciation and the way I can do that is being on the touchline driving their club. It was my way of giving back a little bit. I know there were a few reservations from a few people: ‘Is it too early?’ But it just felt right” – the Bristol City manager, Liam Manning, talks to Ben Fisher about returning to football after the death of his baby son, Theo, last year.
I’m sorry for disagreeing with an octogenarian (Guy Robert, yesterday’s letters) whose knowledge I would otherwise bow [to], but a penalty miss is a miss whether saved or not. By the way, I’m only 50 and reading the Football Daily is a highlight of my day. Is this (arguing with my elders and betters) as good as it’s going to get for the next 30 years? Probably” – Andy Morrison.
Since pedantry is suddenly in fashion again: Thursday’s Football Daily referred to ‘an agonising afternoon’ for Villa as they lost at home to Ipswich in 1981. Not so: it was actually an evening game” – Glyn Berrington (and others).
I like Thomas Tuchel primarily because he was involved in that wonderful handshake spat with Antonio Conte while he was the manager of Chelsea. But I can’t look at him without thinking how much he resembles the figure in Edvard Munch’s ‘The Scream’. And judging by the response to his appointment from the unhinged wings of the British press, I have a feeling Munch’s masterpiece is a premonition of the pressure he’s signed up for” – Colin Reed.
This is an extract from our daily football email … Football Daily. To get the full version, just visit this page and follow the instructions.
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