Thomas Tuchel appointed England manager | Back Pages Tonight

Title: Back Pages: A First Look at the Sports Stories in the Morning’s Newspapers

Guests: Miguel Delaney, Chief Football Writer for The Independent, and Charlie Wyett, Football Editor for The Sun

Summary: In this episode of Back Pages, Miguel Delaney and Charlie Wyett join us to discuss the latest sports stories from the morning’s newspapers. The main topic of conversation is the appointment of Thomas Tükel as the new manager of the England national team. The panel discusses the pros and cons of Tükel’s appointment, including his lack of experience managing a top-tier team and his reported €2 million annual salary. They also touch on the resignation of Sir Alex Ferguson from his role as a club ambassador at Manchester United, and the potential implications for the club’s future.

Transcript:

Miguel Delaney: "The Times says Tükel’s appointment is a response to England’s failure to win a major trophy since 1966, and that he is the right man to change the team’s fortunes. However, I think it’s a sign of desperation on the part of the FA, and that they are willing to take a risk by appointing a manager with no experience of managing a top-tier team."

Charlie Wyett: "I think Tükel is a great appointment for England, and he will bring a fresh perspective to the team. He has a good understanding of the English game, and his experience managing Bayern Munich will be invaluable in terms of preparing the team for the World Cup."

Miguel Delaney: "I agree that Tükel has the potential to be a great manager, but I think the FA should have taken a more patient approach and given an English coach a chance to develop. The fact that they have bypassed Eddie Howe and other up-and-coming coaches is a concern, and it may indicate that the FA is more interested in sensationalism than success."

Charlie Wyett: "I disagree with that assessment. The FA has a right to appoint the best manager they think can lead England to success, regardless of nationality. And if Tükel is the best man for the job, then that’s what matters. I think he will be a great fit for the team and will lead them to success."

The panel also discusses the removal of Sir Alex Ferguson from his role as a club ambassador at Manchester United, citing the club’s need to cut costs due to the pandemic. They agree that it was likely a difficult decision, but one that was necessary given the club’s financial situation.

Miguel Delaney: "I think Sir Alex Ferguson deserves better treatment from the club. He is a legend of the game and has given so much to Manchester United. It’s sad to see him being let go like this."

Charlie Wyett: "I agree that Ferguson is a legend, but I think the club has a duty to act in the best interests of the organization. Unfortunately, that means making tough decisions like this. I’m sure Ferguson will still be welcomed back at the club in some capacity in the future."

The panel concludes by discussing the potential future of Manchester United, including the impact of their new sporting director, Martin Streller, and the possibility of Thomas Tükel being appointed as the club’s manager.

Miguel Delaney: "I think United have a bright future ahead of them, but it will depend on the sporting director and the manager they appoint. If they can get the right combination of experience and youth, they could be a force to be reckoned with in the near future."

Charlie Wyett: "I agree, but I think it’s a big if. Manchester United have a lot of work to do to get back to the top of the Premier League, and it won’t be easy. They need to make shrewd decisions and stay committed to their vision if they want to succeed."

The episode ends with the panel summarizing their thoughts on the day’s biggest stories and looking ahead to the challenges and opportunities facing Manchester United and the English national team.