Gary Lineker amused by Germany's reaction to Thomas Tuchel joining England

Thomas Tuchel is the new England manager (Image: The FA via Getty Images)

Gary Lineker couldn't contain his amusement at Germany's response to the news of Thomas Tuchel taking over as England manager.

During Thursday's episode of The Rest Is Football, the BBC sports presenter engaged in a lively discussion with German journalist Raphael Honigstein about Tuchel's new role and the potential impact he could have on the English squad. Intrigued by the international perspective, Lineker probed into the German sentiment regarding one of their own helming a historic rival's team, especially in light of the deep-rooted football rivalry stemming from England's 1966 World Cup victory.

Lineker queried: "Rafa, in Germany, what are they saying? A German coach managing England - what are they saying? I'll be fascinated to know," eliciting Honigstein's observation: "Well so far I haven't really seen any big think pieces or big opinions, I think it's just very matter of fact - 'Hooray there's another German manager in a top position'."

Honigstein continued, "That reflects well on German football, it reflects well on German coaching. It's England and Wembley for places which is really seen as something which is sacred and a hallowed turf and so on. And I think people, by large, are just sort of proud that there is a German at the helm of this storied football nation. I think that is the grounds of opinion."

"When it goes towards tournaments - and god forbid we play each other in the knockouts, it goes to penalties - I don't know what's going to happen."

Lineker laughed at Honigstein's assessment (Image: The Rest Is Football)

Lineker then suggested an England vs Germany final could be destiny, chuckling as he said: "And in the end, the German always wins - not the Germans."

Honigstein voiced uncertainty over Tuchel being embraced for the England managerial role anytime soon but noted there's no animosity towards English football currently. He expanded: "My best hunch is that it wont for two reasons. One, as I said, I think people think it's cool as a German manager coaching England.

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"And second, there is no real dislike towards England as a football nation. If anything, I think it's sort of a mild, positive attitude. We look up to England, we like English football, we sometimes make fun of them when they don't win - which happens not so frequently any more, they win a little too much for my taste."

He rounded off by saying, "It's much more good-natured I would say from our perspective - then there's more sort of real animosity for example that we have with the Italians and the Dutch. England is a much milder rivalry, and of course, it's also easier to have good relations with a nation that doesn't win anything. So that's helped in the last sixty-odd years."

Could Tuchel bring England glory? (Image: The FA via Getty Images)

Linker couldn't help but chuckle at Honigstein's concluding remark, quipping: "Well let's hope that a German can change that."

England's solitary major tournament triumph dates back to the 1966 World Cup final at the original Wembley Stadium, where they clinched a 4-2 victory against West Germany.

The match kicked off with Helmut Haller putting the Germans in front at the 12th minute, only for Geoff Hurst to level the score shortly after. Martin Peters nudged England ahead with a volley at the 78-minute mark, but Wolfgang Weber's last-gasp equaliser from a free-kick sent the game into extra time.

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It was Geoff Hurst who ultimately secured the World Cup for England, completing his hat-trick during extra time and sealing the memorable 4-2 win.

English football enthusiasts are now pinning their hopes on the newly appointed 51 year old Tuchel, who succeeded Gareth Southgate on Wednesday. Tuchel brings a rich pedigree of club success, having led Borussia Dortmund to a DFB Pokal in 2017, Paris Saint-Germain to two Ligue Un titles, two Trophees des Champions, as well as one Coupe de France and one Coupe de la Ligue.

Tuchel, who led Chelsea to Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup victories in 2021, and recently guided Bayern Munich to a Bundesliga title in the 2022/23 season, is set to take on a new challenge. The German tactician will be aiming to lead England to their first major tournament victory in six decades at the 2026 World Cup in North America.

Gary Lineker amused by Germany's reaction to Thomas Tuchel joining England

Gary Lineker amused by Germany's reaction to Thomas Tuchel joining England

Gary Lineker amused by Germany's reaction to Thomas Tuchel joining England

Gary Lineker amused by Germany's reaction to Thomas Tuchel joining England

Gary Lineker amused by Germany's reaction to Thomas Tuchel joining England