Former England manager Gareth Southgate has revealed how he would react if Thomas Tuchel were to win the World Cup with the Three Lions.
The ex-Premier League player, who managed England for around eight years, said he would "take off his hat" to Tuchel should the German coach achieve the same fate as the legendary 1966 squad.
He said: "I'd take my hat off to him. It would be brilliant!
"He'd have had to do an incredible amount of hard work to do that."
Southgate added: "I'm an England fan. So, I had more appearances for England than anybody else; I have been to eight senior tournaments as a player and a coach.
"Since I was this big, I had my England scarf on watching us play. So that's never going to change!"
Southgate, 55, resigned as manager on July 16 last year, just two days after his side lost the Euro 2024 final to Spain.
He held the role for eight years, leading England to two European finals and a World Cup semi-final.
Former England manager Gareth Southgate has revealed how he would react if Thomas Tuchel were to win the World Cup
|PA
In also revealed he quit his role as England manager because he had become "divisive" and was "polarising the fan base".
The former Three Lions star was appointed in 2016 after Sam Allardyce was sacked following a scandal.
Southgate has kept a low profile since departing, with the ex-Premier League star keeping details about his reign to himself.
Now, however, he's told The Sports Agents podcast that he quit being England boss because of the fans and how he felt they turned against him.
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| REUTERS“I felt my presence has become divisive… You couldn't deny that I was polarising the fan base.” he said.
“From a personal perspective, there was less joy in the wins, you know? And then you've got to think well, actually, ‘Why am I doing this?’”
In the chat with Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman, Southgate was also asked about Ben White.
The Arsenal star sensationally flew home from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, with reports at the time suggesting he'd walked out due to a row with England coach Steve Holland.
Gareth Southgate guided England to two major finals during his time in the dugout | PAWhite's last appearance for his country came in March of that same year and he's continued to be unavailable for selection in the years since.
Southgate, however, refused to give too much away on the former Brighton star and why he doesn't grace the international stage.
"I think that’s very sensitive. Because I think Ben would have to talk through that," he continued.
"I don’t think that’s for me to talk about. It certainly wasn’t anything that I felt personally let down [by].
"I felt I needed to support him at that moment, really. So, you do have… You know, players have lives outside of football, and, you know, lots going on."
One Year On: Thomas Tuchel’s Impact on England
It has been a year since Thomas Tuchel was appointed as manager of the England national team, and his tenure has already left a significant mark on the squad.
The German coach, who arrived with a reputation for tactical ingenuity and Champions League success, has reshaped England’s approach to the game.
The Football Association’s gamble on Tuchel’s European experience appears to be paying off, with several young players flourishing under his guidance.
England’s style of play has become noticeably more flexible, blending pragmatism with moments of attacking flair.
While critics initially questioned whether Tuchel’s methods would suit England’s fast-paced traditions, the team has shown resilience and adaptability in international competitions.
Despite not being English himself, the former Bayern Munich and Chelsea boss has fostered strong relationships with key players.
Fans have also embraced the new approach, seeing signs of a team capable of challenging for major trophies.
As England prepares for the next round of European qualifiers and the World Cup in 2026, confidence in Tuchel’s long-term vision remains high.