Zinedine Zidane admission speaks volumes as England's Thomas Tuchel in league of his own

Thomas Tuchel has faced off against lots of top quality managers, but few were as impressed as Zinedine Zidane when he was manager of Real Madrid

Zinedine Zidane was completely helpless when his Real Madrid side were defeated by Thomas Tuchel's Champions League winning Chelsea.

Tuchel, 52, has been officially appointed as the new manager of the England men's football team. He becomes the first ever German to take over the reins of the Three Lions and the third foreign manager after Fabio Capello and Sven Goran-Eriksson to manage the men's team.

While the former Bayern Munich manager's appointment hasn't gone down well with everyone, nobody can argue with Zidane's testimony of Tuchel's tactical nous. The Frenchman's Real Madrid side faced the west Londoners in the 2021 Champions League semi-final.

After holding the Blues to a 1-1 draw at home, Zidane's side were dominated at Stamford Bridge in the return leg as goals from Timo Werner and Mason Mount took Chelsea through to the final. After the match, Zidane admitted his side were completely outclassed.

After the second-leg defeat, Zidane said: “They were superior, they deserved to win. They were more effective over the course of the match, they had a lot of chances too.

"Over the course of the two matches, they deserve the qualification. These are matches of a very high level, [and] we missed something tonight. It is not about organisation, even though in the duels it was difficult.

"But anyway I have said that, but I remain very proud of my players. The path they have achieved with the difficulties that we have experienced. We have to congratulate ourselves for getting here. We were one match away from the final. But tonight they were better.”

Tuchel is the only manager to face Zidane five or more times and not lose, demonstrating his ability on the biggest stage and against a manager who has won three Champions League trophies of his own. The Frenchman is also regularly linked to the biggest jobs in club football, not least Manchester United, showing how much of a coup it is for the FA to get someone who's rated so highly by one of the most sought after managers around. All in all, it would appear to bode well for the Three Lions.

Tuchel would go on to inspire a tactically brilliant 1-0 victory over Manchester City in the final of the Champions League later that year. Asked what it is like to face the German, Guardiola said: "He's so creative. [He is] one of the few managers I learn constantly from to develop as a better manager. [He is] excellent in all departments.

"I enjoyed him since he was in Mainz. I enjoy watching his teams and the way he's playing and the approach. He makes world football better. When you find a manager who always wants to be positive in the way they play, it's good."

Tuchel is expected to start work as Three Lions boss in 2025. Current interim boss Lee Carsley will remain in charge for England's final two Nations League matches against Ireland and Greece, before he returns to the U21s side.

When he was unveiled as manager, Tuchel said: "I am very proud to have been given the honour of leading the England team. I have long felt a personal connection to the game in this country, and it has given me some incredible moments already.

"To have the chance to represent England is a huge privilege, and the opportunity to work with this special and talented group of players is very exciting."

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