Harry Kane has admitted he was “surprised” when Thomas Tuchel was named England head coach however mentioned the German brings extra “energy and enthusiasm” to the function than predecessor Gareth Southgate.
Bayern Munich ahead Kane had solely just lately stopped working at membership stage with Tuchel when the German was introduced as England’s first overseas head coach in over a decade in October final yr, 4 months after he had left his function as head coach of the Bundesliga facet.
The England captain had not pictured his former boss as a world supervisor at first, however mentioned that rapidly turned to pleasure when the realisation set in that they might be reunited.
“I was surprised, if I’m honest,” he mentioned forward of Tuchel’s first recreation in cost with Albania on Friday evening. “I didn’t expect it! I guess I wasn’t thinking of him as a national team coach. But once it was announced, I was really excited.
“I had the pleasure of working with him final yr, I knew what he may convey to the sort of squad that we’ve.
“We have solely been collectively a couple of days however he hasn’t upset and he is introduced precisely what I believed he would.
“Camp after camp, as he settles in and as we get to know him more, we’ll improve as we go, but ultimately it’s about building up until next year.”
Kane is probably the best-placed to guage the variations between Tuchel and Southgate, having performed for the latter as his captain throughout 4 main tournaments and in two finals earlier than his resignation final July.
Although he stopped wanting criticising his former supervisor, Kane did say the Three Lions had been unable to search out their rhythm in his ultimate event at Euro 2024 final summer season – and added that Tuchel had introduced extra “enthusiasm” to the function of England supervisor.
“They’re totally different characters, in the way they are on the pitch and probably off it too,” he mentioned.
“I had a great relationship with Gareth, we were similar in a lot of ways – quite quiet and understanding. We had a lot of conversations about things.
“Thomas brings much more power and enthusiasm, already within the coaching periods and conferences. He has a variety of ardour when he is speaking.
“I saw a lot of it last season, and he was a big reason why I went to Bayern in the first place. I know his attributes and how good a coach he is.
“All of the boys have been impressed with him, now we’re simply excited to get on the market and begin the subsequent chapter.”
Kane: Tuchel got best out of me at Bayern
Kane enjoyed the best goalscoring season of his career under Tuchel at Bayern last year, scoring 44 times in all competitions – including 36 goals in 32 Bundesliga games – and winning the European Golden Shoe for 2023/24.
The 31-year-old conceded that there is a marked difference between England’s and Bayern’s squads but says Tuchel was able to get the best out of him at club level in the single season they spent together.
“He did [get the best out of me] final season. There isn’t any actual guidelines to how I play – he sees me because the No 9, the man to be within the field and rating him the targets,” he said.
“However there have been instances within the build-up the place I used to be the man linking up the play, perhaps getting us out of a high-pressure scenario.
“If I did get on the ball, he spoke a lot about having runners for me, the wingers and a No 10 if I did drop.
“This week, he desires a variety of the ball within the opposition half, a variety of counter-pressing, and me being the one within the field and scoring the possibilities.
“He’s spoken a lot already about getting balls into the box as quickly as we can. Last season I had a really good season with him, this squad’s very different to that of course but I’m excited to start this England chapter with him.”
