Exclusive: Tuchel Can End England’s Trophy Drought, Says Former International – But Urges Game Time for Grealish and Gallagher

Former England international Terry Fenwick is optimistic England manager Thomas Tuchel will lead the national team to success during his time in charge, and deliver some major silverware. 

The Three Lions have had to contend with near misses since winning the FIFA World Cup in 1966, finishing as runners-up in two recent European Championships. 

With England targeting qualification to the 2026 World Cup after winning their opening two games, Terry has backed the former Chelsea manager to deliver the coveted ticket and then go on what promises to be an exciting adventure at the mundial next year. 

Terry 65, was part of the England side that starred at the 1986 edition, helping the side into the quarterfinals before they were ousted by eventual champions Argentina. 

Tuchel has proven himself a serial winner, having won nearly every available honour in club football, thanks to the splendid days he's spent with the likes of Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint Germain and the London outfit. 

"I like Thomas Tuchel as a manager, doesn't take any prisoners. I think he's very direct himself as a man", Fenwick told SportsBoom.com, exclusively.

"You look at that all through his career, very disciplined every club that he's gone to, he's won and was tough hard to beat."

"And I think with the quality of players that he's got in the English national team, I fully expect them to win something under him, maybe even deliver something memorable at the world cup, why not?"

CALLS FOR GAME TIME FOR GALLAGHER AND GREALISH

Tuchel last week released his squad for next month's matches against Andorra and Senegal, and Manchester City ace Jack Grealish was conspicuously missing from the list.

Grealish has earned 39 England caps for the senior side since his debut in September 2020, but will now watch his mates from the sidelines when the games roll around in June. 

"I think one has to wonder why Jack [Grealish] isn't getting a game for England," Terry queried. 

"He's being left out of the two European Cup Finals that we lost. We actually lost on penalties."

"Now I think at that level, at that national team level, it's not about development anymore, it's about winning."

"And so our top players have got to stand up and be accountable, and I think players like him that want the ball, want to create chances, want to score goals are better suited in these kind of games than bringing three teenagers off the bench, that yes, they could play but they're not ready like him."

"And I think that's a mistake that past managers have made. I don't think Thomas will, because he wants to win."

"Thing is given the quality he gives you on the ball for the time going forward — I look at his Manchester City teammate Phil Foden, he's not playing nearly as well for England as he does for City."

"If he's not playing that well, change it up, we've got the players after all."

"Look at Conor Gallagher who's gone from Chelsea to Madrid. He was the player of the season at Atletico Madrid last season in the Spanish La Liga. Why is he not getting in the England XI?"