What Thomas Tuchel has said previously about singing England’s national anthem

Thomas Tuchel will be looking to guide England to a perfect start to their World Cup campaign when they take on Croatia in Dallas this evening.

But right before their Group L opener gets underway, an intriguing subplot will be whether Tuchel decides to sing the national anthem or not.

The German boss has discussed the issue at length throughout his tenure, insisting that he has to ‘earn the right’ to sing God Save the King before games.

Speaking at his unveiling as England manager in October 2024, Tuchel said at the time: ‘I understand it is a personal decision; there are managers who sing and some who don’t.

‘I have not made my decision yet. No matter what decision I take, I will always show my respect to the country and a very moving anthem.’

Tuchel subsequently decided not to sing the national anthem and has remained silent before the start of all his matches in charge of the Three Lions.

Addressing the issue again last year, Tuchel said: ‘First of all, you have a very powerful, emotional and meaningful national anthem and I could not be more proud to be on the sideline and be in charge of the English national team.

‘It means everything. But I can feel because it is that meaningful and it is that emotional and it is so powerful that I have to earn my right to sing it. I feel that it is not just a given. You cannot just sing it.

‘I will earn the right with results, with building a group, with doing my job properly and by creating a feeling where maybe even you guys [in the media] say at some point: ‘Now it’s time that you sing it. It feels like you properly earn it and you’re a proper English guy now!’

‘Maybe I have to dive more into the culture and earn my right from you, from the players, from the supporters, so everyone feels like: ‘He should sing it now, he’s one of our own; he’s the English manager, he should sing it.’

Tuchel has also been asked if he has learned the words to the song, replying wryly: ‘Yeah. It’s not hard.’

The 52-year-old has also addressed those who believe an Englishman should be in charge of the English national team, with his appointment having originally been met with some disquiet.

Tuchel insisted: ‘I’m sorry, I have a German passport. Everyone has their opinion and I can understand when someone says: ‘I would fancy an English coach for an English team.’

‘All of those supporters maybe felt my passion for the English Premier League and the country and how I love to live and work here.

‘I think we deserve a fair chance and the credit for having a good record in the country and never being shy of how much we love the country and love working with the players in the Premier League.

‘Maybe this counts towards a British edge on my German passport. We will try to convince them with results and the way we play.’

Have other non-English managers sung the national anthem?

Sven-Goran Eriksson (2001-2006) and Fabio Capello (2008-2012) are the only other non-English permanent managers to have taken charge of the England men’s team.

Eriksson did sing the national anthem before games, although the late Swede admitted he never quite ‘mastered’ God Save the Queen.

Capello, on the other hand, chose not to join in, with the Italian insisting it is wrong for someone to sing the anthem of a country they are not from.

Lee Carsley, who managed England on an interim basis for six games in the autumn of 2024 before Tuchel officially took over, attracted criticism for not singing God Save the King.

Carsley, who insisted the decision was so he could remain focussed on the job at hand, has dual British and Irish citizenship and played 40 times for the Republic of Ireland.

England women’s manager Sarina Wiegman, meanwhile, remains silent during the anthem, with the Dutch head coach doing so out of ‘respect’.

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