Michael Owen has weighed in on the debate surrounding the England managerial role, insisting the national team should be led by an English coach, rather than appointing a foreign manager like Thomas Tuchel.
The former England striker who doesn’t mince words on the matter spoke in a recent candid interview on Rio Ferdinand’s podcast, Owen laid out his unequivocal stance that the England manager should absolutely be English.
However, the former Liverpool and Real Madrid forward also said that he got nothing against the former Chelsea manager, reiterating that he is a great coach.
For the third time in the history of the England team, the FA have selected a foreign coach as Three Lions manager. Sven-Goran Eriksson’s 2001 appointment caused a stir among the tabloid when he got the job, but those same red tops tempered their outrage when the Swede led the Three Lions to their iconic 5-1 victory over Germany in Munich.
Eriksson’s record of three straight quarter-final exits was something of a disappointment given the talented ‘Golden Generation’ he had at his disposal, but the FA would quickly look overseas again following Steve McClaren’s poor 18-match tenure.
Fabio Capello was the next man up and he would manage a last-16 World Cup appearance in 2010 before leaving in the build-up to Euro 2012. Now, 13 years later, England are again under foreign management and while Tuchel’s appointment has not set tongues wagging like they did back in Eriksson’s day, it remains an issue for some.
Michael Owen was one of a select band of players to play under both Eriksson and Capello and he has a very clear stance on the issue. In an interview with Rio Ferdinand as seen on former England defender’s Facebook page, Owen insists on getting a home grown coach to manage the England national team.
The former Manchester United player’s argument boils down to the essence of international football, it’s about national identity, shared experience, and that intangible bond between a leader and his squad.
Owen didn’t stop at the philosophy behind his view, he threw names into the hat, suggesting Frank Lampard or Steven Gerrard as viable options. Two midfield maestros who know the English game inside out from their stints at Chelsea and Liverpool, respectively. You can watch the video below:
Owen’s call for an English manager aligns with voices like Sam Wallace, who branded foreign hires as “a form of cheating” for cash-rich associations. It’s a reminder that while club football thrives on global melting pots, internationals are about sovereignty on the pitch. As Owen put it, it’s about giving the job to someone who bleeds the same colours.
In an recent post, England boss Thomas Tuchel was pleased with his side’s 2-0 win over Andorra at Villa Park in their World cup qualifying game on Saturday but admitted the Three Lions could have been far more clinical in front of goal.
