England Calling! Tuchel Leans On A National League Legend

Thomas Tuchel Tuchel is the permanent successor to Gareth Southgate, who resigned after England's defeat to Spain in the final of Euro 2024 in July.

The 51-year-old will lean on Anthony Barry, who has been announced as the German coach’s number two.

Barry spent 13 years as a midfielder enforcer in the lower tiers, plying his trade in the National League for Wrexham, Forest Green and Chester.

The 38-year-old is a natural winner, helping Accrington Stanley realise their EFL dream in 2006.

He also took Fleetwood Town to promotion to League Two in 2012 playing alongside Jamie Vardy, who went on to represent England 26 times.

Oldham Athletic Micky Mellon was Barry's boss at Fleetwood and he is proud to see him reach an incredible career high.

"He was meticulous in everything he did, so when I see him now as a coach I am not surprised," the Scot told BBC Sport.

"I am not going to sit here and say I expected him to be England's assistant manager.

“You can't say that about anybody. But looking back and knowing the qualities that Anthony has - the professionalism, he's a real student of football - I'm delighted he has got an opportunity to go and work for the national team.

"We got promoted to the Football League. Anthony was a big part of that group and was always a good lad to have around the place."

Tuchel clearly thinks Barry’s journey turned him into the coach he is today.

"He has the whole package - personality-wise, the love for the game, the love for the job, the passion for it and the quality," Tuchel said of Barry last year.

Let’s hope the pair can take England to new heights!