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Graham Potter breaks silence on Thomas Tuchel England appointment

Graham Potter has branded Thomas Tuchel a 'great appointment' as Three Lions head coach, while remaining coy on whether he was interviewed for the role.

The Englishman was named Chelsea boss in September 2022 after a successful spell at Brighton which saw him take the Seagulls to ninth in the Premier League table - their highest finish in the competition at the time.

Potter suffered a setback within his first month at Stamford Bridge, slipping to a humiliating 4-1 defeat against his old side, and the manager struggled to revive his perception among the fans. He was fired in April 2023 with several games left in the season. 

After more than a year out of the public eye, the 49-year-old has recently made a number of media appearances but lost out on the England job, to which he was heavily linked, to Tuchel - the man who preceded him as Blues boss.

Potter has now told the BBC's Planet Premier League podcast that the German was a good choice to succeed Gareth Southgate, who departed after a heartbreaking Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain in July.

Graham Potter has branded Thomas Tuchel a 'great appointment' as Three Lions head coach

He lost out on the England job, to which he was heavily linked, to Tuchel who preceded him as Blues boss

The Englishman was appointed Chelsea boss in September 2022 after a successful spell at Brighton

He said: 'They've made a really good appointment for a coach that is obviously successful, and has won lots of things. 

'It feels like that was the movement towards how we need a winning coach, a top coach that can help these top players. [For that] Thomas is a fantastic coach and a great appointment.'

Potter also refused to shed light on whether he was one of the 'approximately 10 people' Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham claims were interviewed, but claimed he has 'had conversations with quite a few people'.

Tuchel's appointment led to criticism from many quarters with some insisting the job should have been handed to an Englishman.

Potter did not agree that the selection represented a worrying sign for the quality of English managers.

'Do I think that an English coach can win the World Cup or a major trophy? Yes, absolutely I do,' he said.

'You look at the previous Euros winners - the Spanish coach [Luis de la Fuente] I don't think was a Champions League-winning coach?

'I don't think the Argentinian coach [Lionel Scaloni] was a Champions League-winning coach?

Tuchel's appointment led to criticism from many quarters with some insisting the job should have been handed to an Englishma

Potter insisted the German was a good choice to succeed Gareth Southgate , who departed after a heartbreaking Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain in July

He added: 'You look at the previous Euros winners - the Spanish coach [Luis de la Fuente] I don't think was a Champions League-winning coach?'

'But at the same time, I understand if that's the criteria [being a winner at club level].'

Last month the former Blues boss was asked if he would be interested in the role of Three Lions manager on Sky Sports. 

'I think it's time for a commercial break isn't it!' he joked. 'As an Englishman it's a fantastic job, but I'm supportive of whatever the FA decide to do. 

'I'm open to anything, developing players, developing teams, making a difference.'

Source: dailymail.co.uk

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