Thomas Tuchel decides on stripping Harry Kane of England captaincy as pair reunite

Thomas Tuchel and Harry Kane will reunite in the England set-up (Image: GETTY)

England captain Harry Kane has been assured he will remain the Three Lions' captain by Thomas Tuchel. The duo will reunite in the New Year with Tuchel becoming the national team's new manager.

Tuchel has confirmed that he has no plans to "cross the river" and change the captaincy before the 2026 World Cup.

Despite being dropped for England's Nations League victory in Greece last month, Bayern Munich star Kane, who is 31, continues to break goalscoring records.

He was signed by Bayern Munich from Tottenham while Tuchel was at the helm. Tuchel made it clear that he is not in a hurry to strip England's all-time leading goalscorer of the armband, even though Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham are potential long-term candidates.

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Tuchel confessed that he hasn't been thinking too far ahead, but stated: "No, not that far, but there's at the moment no need to think about the change. I'm in charge from January.

"Harry was also always a top captain for England. So why do you even think about it at the moment? You cross the river when you're at the river.

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"First come January, then we will be in touch with everyone and get the feeling for St George's Park and also for the players. And until March, there's still a lot of football to be played and then we will try to find the best group for the games that await."

Tuchel says he has come forward to "prove himself" after acknowledging the mixed responses to his appointment.

Harry Kane will retain the captain's armband under the new manager (Image: Getty)

A dream ticket to the 2026 World Cup is in sight following an advantageous qualifying group. Tuchel received his passport to potential glory with a group featuring Serbia, Albania, Latvia, and Andorra.

Post-draw, at FIFA's Zurich base, the first German manager to lead England - and on an 18-month contract - expressed his eagerness to kick off his tenure and sway any remaining sceptics.

Tuchel said: "Of course, it will always be mixed. No hard feelings for that! So now I have to prove myself, and to the people who are maybe a bit concerned - to prove to them how much it means to me and that it's a dream job for me that I will give my everything, and I'm the man for the job.

"I feel good. I feel full of energy, and I can't wait to be back on the pitch and be close to players and feel them, and feel the dressing room. It's the best [place] you can be.

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Thomas Tuchel made his first appearance for England at the World Cup qualifying draw (Image: Getty) SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

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"The most important thing is we focus fully on the qualification and we take it seriously and give it our respect and prove a point that we want to go to the USA."

England have been placed in a five-team group for the qualifiers, set to kick off in March. They will face Latvia, currently ranked 140th in the world by FIFA, for the first time.

Their only encounter with Serbia was during last summer's Euros. Serbia were slapped with a £25,000 fine and a ban on ticket sales for their next away game following racist behaviour from their fans.

This week, they received another blow - a £41,000 fine and a two-game ticket sale ban after more racism allegations surfaced from a match against Switzerland last month.

Thomas Tuchel decides on stripping Harry Kane of England captaincy as pair reunite

Thomas Tuchel decides on stripping Harry Kane of England captaincy as pair reunite

Thomas Tuchel decides on stripping Harry Kane of England captaincy as pair reunite

Thomas Tuchel decides on stripping Harry Kane of England captaincy as pair reunite

Thomas Tuchel decides on stripping Harry Kane of England captaincy as pair reunite