I think it’s great – Georgia Stanway welcomes Thomas Tuchel appointment

Georgia Stanway has welcomed Thomas Tuchel’s appointment as head coach of the England men’s team.

England midfielder Stanway, who plays her club football in Germany with Bayern Munich where Tuchel was in charge of the Bundesliga club until the end of last season, was part of the Lionesses team which became European champions under Dutchwoman Sarina Wiegman in 2022.

Indeed, the 25-year has met both Tuchel, who will take up his role in January, and assistant Anthony Barry on several occasions and delivered a glowing endorsement of both.

Asked about the furore surrounding the appointment of a German as head coach of the England team, she told a press conference: “I think it’s great.

“I’ve obviously got a Norwegian manager [Alexander Straus] at Bayern as well and it’s just whoever is best for the job, whoever the people feel like is suitable for the players.

“I actually had a few experiences with Tuchel at Bayern and he was really invested and really interested in the women’s game. He wanted to get to know the players.

“Both him and Ant Barry, I’ve spoken with them a few times and they were just really invested, really nice people, coming to a few games, seeing them at a few events, and they always had time for us so so far I can only say good things.”

Stanway’s comments came as she prepared for Friday’s friendly clash with Germany at Wembley in which she could come up against current club-mates, several of whom played in the Euro 2022 final which the Lionesses won 2-1 after extra time.

She said: “The girls are just excited because the last experience they had was obviously the Euro final and despite the result, they said it was one of the most amazing days.

“The atmosphere, the fans, the whole day itself is something that is absolutely unforgettable, so I know that they want to be able to relive it again.”