Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta discusses the possibility of managing England in the future following the appointment of Thomas Tuchel earlier this week.
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has left the door open to managing England in the future.
The Three Lions announced Gareth Southgate‘s permanent successor on Wednesday afternoon, when Thomas Tuchel was unveiled to the media at Wembley Stadium in London.
The 51-year-old has signed an 18-month contract with the FA, taking him up until the conclusion of the 48-team 2026 World Cup in North America.
Tuchel will begin his role as the new manager on January 1, 2025, ahead of two fixtures in March and beginning of qualification for football’s global tournament.
The German has been out of work since leaving Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich at the conclusion of the 2023-24 term, with Vincent Kompany now in charge at Allianz Arena.
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“I will tell you right now” – Arteta discusses possible England future
Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League trip to Bournemouth on Saturday evening, Arteta discussed his relationship with England when questioned over the possibility of him taking the Three Lions role sometime in the future.
The Spaniard said: “I look English. I have been here so long. I will tell you right now, the feeling I have for me this is like home. I’ve been here for 22 years”.
“I have that feeling towards it (this country) because I always feel respected, welcomed and inspired by this country and the history of football and how you get treated daily. I think that is something you should be really proud of as a country.”
The 42-year-old did little to prevent minds from wondering of a future in which he manages the England national side, although that is not set to become a reality in the near future.
Since taking charge of the Gunners in December 2019, Arteta has won 147 of his 242 matches in charge, although is yet to guide the North London side to the Premier League title.
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Arteta’s failed England move
Despite having a respectable playing career in the Premier League at Everton and Arsenal, Arteta was unable to earn a cap for Spain before his retirement.
Looking to enjoy international football, the former midfielder was keen on the idea of switching allegiances to England at the start of 2010.
Areta met with Fabio Capello – who was in charge of the Three Lions at the time – to discuss the switch, however FIFA rules prevented the deal from going through.