LONDON — The recent appointment of German coach Thomas Tuchel to lead the England national soccer team has been met with disappointment and a touch of resignation among British soccer managers. The decision comes after Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham revealed that several English candidates were interviewed, although he did not specify how many. Ultimately, Tuchel was selected as the best option to guide England in their quest for their first major title since the 1966 World Cup.

Tuchel, who has previously managed notable clubs such as Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayern Munich, becomes the third non-British coach to take on this role in the present century. The earlier foreign managers were Sven-Goran Eriksson from Sweden, who held the position from 2001 to 2006, and Italy’s Fabio Capello, who coached from 2007 to 2012.

Russell Martin, one of several British and Irish managers leading teams in the Premier League, expressed that there are numerous English coaches qualified for the position. “There are many English coaches who are more than capable of taking on this job,” said Martin, the Southampton manager. He suggested that perhaps English managers are not receiving the recognition they deserve or are perceived as less competent by influential decision-makers in the sport.

Martin, who earned his place in the Premier League after achieving promotion with Southampton, questioned the effectiveness of the coaching pathway program at St. George’s Park, England’s national training center. “This could spark significant discussions within the FA,” he noted, pointing out the irony of having a respected coaching education system while turning to foreign talent for leadership.

Sean Dyche, the English manager of Everton, shared his thoughts on the situation, stating that it reflects the current landscape of professional soccer, where homegrown coaches often miss out on opportunities. He confirmed he was not part of the interview process conducted by the FA.

Leicester manager Steve Cooper, a Welshman who previously led England’s U17 team to World Cup victory in 2017, expressed hope that British coaches will eventually gain recognition as some of the best in the world. “For now, we must seize every chance we receive and perform effectively,” said Cooper, who also has experience managing Nottingham Forest in the Premier League. He emphasized his belief in the British coaching culture and the importance of the educational pathways available to aspiring coaches.