The Football Association remains committed to diversity in the England men’s senior team coaching staff, with fresh appointments to Thomas Tuchel’s group due to be made in the coming weeks, sources at the governing body have told the PA news agency.
None of the coaching group appointed by new head coach Tuchel so far are from ethnically diverse backgrounds, but sources close to the governing body insist diversity remains a top priority.
Ashley Cole has reverted to his role with the under-21s, having served as an interim assistant for the senior team alongside Lee Carsley in the autumn.
While Anthony Barry has effectively filled Cole’s role, there remain vacancies within the senior coaching group and it is expected Tuchel will assess suitable candidates in the coming days, having officially started work on January 1.
Thomas Tuchel begins #ThreeLions head coach role with triple coaching team appointment ⬇️
— England (@England) January 2, 2025
The FA has operated an elite coaching placement programme with the support of the Professional Footballers’ Association to boost diversity since 2018, but it is understood any new appointments to the senior coaching group would not be part of that programme.
Cole’s appointment was not linked to the programme and nor was that of Paul Nevin, who worked in the England coaching group at different levels over two spells before leaving to join Stoke earlier this week.
Three further appointments to Tuchel’s backroom team were confirmed on Thursday.
Former Chelsea goalkeeping coach Henrique Hilario will occupy the same role with England, Nicolas Mayer has been confirmed as a performance coach and James Melbourne joins as an analyst.
The FA confirmed the first match Tuchel would attend as England head coach would be the Tottenham v Newcastle Premier League match on Saturday lunchtime, before taking in other top-flight matches across the weekend.
