Former England defender Rio Ferdinand has claimed that Thomas Tuchel would have been a “huge, huge bonus” for his famed Golden Generation, praising the current England manager’s tactical clarity and unfiltered honesty.
Softfootball understands that Ferdinand had earlier spoken on who he believes should be England’s no. 10 between Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham and Cole Palmer and is now speaking on his podcast in a video uploaded via the official X account, Rio Ferdinand Presents.
Ferdinand reflected on the era featuring David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Frank Lampard, and Steven Gerrard, a midfield quartet often lauded as one of England’s finest. Yet, he admitted that their collective brilliance may have hindered team balance.
He explained:
I look back on my generation: Beckham, Scholes, Lampard, and Gerrard. We were the best four midfielders that we had at that for a long period of time, right?
But you have Michael Carrick, and you had Owen Hargreaves waiting around in the wings who I feel would have been a better blend with one of those in that centre-midfield position.
So one of those players should have had to drop out. It didn’t happen so I don’t think this manager is going to leave it like that and I don’t think he’s going to sit there and go I’ll have to play the best players the biggest names.
It’s all about the mix the blend the balance that makes the best team and I think in this summer there will be some noses at a joint.
Watch the video below:
Ferdinand believes Tuchel’s no-nonsense approach, both in selection and press conferences, would have forced the tough decisions that previous managers avoided. He emphasised that Tuchel prioritises team balance over individual stardom, a philosophy that could have maximised England’s talent during the 2000s; his man management was very evident in England’s latest 2-nil victory over Albania.
Ferdinand predicts that under Tuchel, there will be some noses out of joint this summer as the manager makes bold selections based on tactical fit, not reputation.
He explained:
I think someone like Thomas Tuchel for the Golden Generation would have been a huge, huge bonus. I really liked Thomas Tuchel.
I love the way he’s very honest, and I’m sure that the hierarchy at the FA are always holding their breath when he goes into press conferences because he speaks and he shoots from the hip and whatever is in his mind, there’s no filter, and I absolutely love it.
With England having qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a perfect record, Ferdinand believes Tuchel’s arrival marks a turning point, bringing the clarity and courage that past regimes lacked.
