London, March 15, 2025 – England manager Thomas Tuchel has said he will not sing “God Save the King” during his first matches in charge of the national team, stating that he must “earn the right” to do so.
The 51-year-old German, who officially took over as England’s head coach on January 1, made the comments on Friday after naming his 26-man squad for this month’s World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia.
Tuchel, a former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss, will make his debut in the England dugout against Albania on March 21.
Speaking at a news conference following the squad announcement, he acknowledged the significance of the anthem but said he did not feel it was something he could simply adopt without proving himself first.
“I think, first of all, you have a very powerful, emotional and meaningful national anthem, and I could not be more proud to be on the sidelines and be in charge of the English national team,” Tuchel said.
“It means everything. It means a lot to me, I can assure you, but I can feel because it is that meaningful, that emotional, and that powerful, that I have to earn my right to sing it.”
The decision not to sing the anthem has generated discussion, particularly after Lee Carsley, who managed England on an interim basis last year, faced criticism for the same reason.
However, Tuchel appeared prepared for the scrutiny, joking that he does know the words but intends to prove his worth through his performance as manager.
“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 said.
Tuchel’s comments reflect an awareness of the cultural and emotional connection between the national team and its supporters.
Having taken over from Gareth Southgate, who stepped down after England’s disappointing UEFA Euro 2024 campaign, Tuchel faces the challenge of restoring confidence in the team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
His squad announcement on Friday included key players such as Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and Bukayo Saka, signaling his intent to build around England’s established core. However, Tuchel also made a few surprise selections, demonstrating his willingness to make bold decisions.
While some fans may see his reluctance to sing the anthem as a sign of detachment, others may appreciate his measured approach to embracing the role.
Tuchel, who has spent much of his managerial career in Germany, France, and England, is no stranger to cultural integration, having adapted to different footballing environments.
For now, his focus remains on delivering results on the pitch. “I want to show my commitment through my work, through performances, through results, through building the group and doing my job properly,” he said.
England will face Albania at Wembley Stadium before traveling to Latvia as they begin their World Cup qualification campaign.
Whether or not Tuchel will eventually sing the anthem remains to be seen, but his priority, for now, is ensuring his team performs where it matters most—on the field.
