German legend defends Thomas Tuchel over unique England national anthem decision

Tuchel is the first German to ever manage the Three Lions and he is the first foreign boss to be in the job since Fabio Capello in 2011.

Capello never sang the English national anthem as he felt that it was wrong to do so for another nation, but Sven Goran Eriksson attempted to get involved.

Lee Carsley took interim charge after Gareth Southgate departed and there was controversy over his decision not to sing while in the role.

The Birmingham-born 51-year-old is England U21 manager but represented the Republic of Ireland at international level.

Now, ex-Chelsea boss Tuchel has emulated Carsley's decision, revealing ahead of Friday night that he won't be joining in…

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Why is Tuchel not singing the national anthem?

Tuchel believes that he has to 'earn the right' to sing the English national anthem.

The new England manager announced his first squad last week and during the press conference, he was asked whether he'd be singing.

"First of all, you have a very powerful, emotional and meaningful national anthem and I could not be more proud to be on the sideline and be in charge of the English national team," he replied.

"It means everything. But I can feel because it is that meaningful and it is that emotional and it is so powerful that I have to earn my right to sing it. I feel that it is not just a given.

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"You cannot just sing it. That's why I decided that I will not sing it in my first matches.

"I will earn the right with results, with building a group, with doing my job properly and by creating a feeling where maybe even you guys [in the media] say at some point: 'Now it's time that you sing it. It feels like you properly earn it and you're a proper English guy now!'

"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 did admit though, that he has learned the words to the anthem.

The tireless debate has split with fans, with some arguing that with the manager being German, fans shouldn't expect him to sing the national anthem of another country - as Capello once said.

Others are of the belief that as an England manager, you should be singing it.

However, ex-Arsenal goalkeeper and German footballing legend Jens Lehmann has backed Tuchel's decision and believes that he shouldn't be judged on it.

Lehmann told talkSPORT Breakfast on Monday: "We always think about...would an Englishman ever coach the German national team?

"So the English made a decision. It's a little bit of a strange one.

"I always liked Gareth Southgate, and I think he was very close to winning titles with the English national team, unfortunately, he didn't, so it's a high burden for Thomas Tuchel to actually get where Gareth was.

"You always have to credit a coach's decision by picking players because he's doing the whole day, nothing else than watching players and making a decision who's going to be for me, for my team, and who's not.

"So he's the absolute expert in that, and he's watched all the games probably with his staff.

"In that respect, I think you cannot criticise his decisions, particularly at this point at his first match, and what you will have to see is whether he's good enough to bring the English back to trophies."

Tuchel will step out at Wembley Stadium as England manager for the first time this Friday night.

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