Thomas Tuchel is set to take charge of England for the first time at a major tournament as the Three Lions kick off their World Cup 2026 campaign against Croatia
Thomas Tuchel is mere hours away from overseeing his debut match for England at a major tournament. The Three Lions finally begin their World Cup 2026 journey on Wednesday evening by facing Croatia.
Their Group L curtain-raiser commences at Dallas Stadium, Arlington, following fellow tournament contenders France and Argentina claiming wins by netting three goals each .
Tuchel, 52, was named England head coach in January 2025 , with hopes that he could deliver the nation its sole World Cup triumph since 1966. Previous manager Gareth Southgate reached the semi-finals in 2018 and the finals of Euro 2020 and 2024.
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And Daily Star Sport looks at Tuchel's lesser-known existence beyond the pitch by exploring the former Chelsea and PSG chief's romantic history and present income.
The German's break up from his former wife grabbed headlines in Germany and worldwide while he was managing Chelsea. Tuchel was wed to his spouse, Sissi, for 13 years, marrying in 2009 before separating in 2022, reports the Mirror .
Their separation occurred just months after Sissi relocated to Surrey with the couple's two daughters, Emma and Kim, to be nearer to Tuchel during his second campaign at Chelsea.
At the time, the Blues boss remarked: "It was a long summer, but it did not feel so long because I was in Paris to help my family move the house and finish school for the kids over there.
"My wife took care of [the house move] so I did not get in the way too much. Now it is good that they have joined me and that they are close to me, this is how it should be. It is also nice to be back now. It is a good feeling."
However, the following April, the marriage was finished, with the pair reportedly having "exhausted all avenues" with no prospect of reconciliation.
The Independent revealed that the breakdown of Tuchel's marriage had become the subject of Chelsea dressing room gossip, and that the revelation had altered the players' view of their boss.
He was dismissed from his position at Stamford Bridge fewer than six months afterwards. "Sissi and Thomas have tried to avoid splitting, but in the end, there was no other way," a source told the Mail on Sunday at the time.
"It is very sad, and now it is all about making sure their daughters are the top priority. Papers were lodged last week to get the divorce underway."
New Girlfriend Reportedly just weeks after his divorce became public knowledge, Tuchel found romance once more with Brazilian mother-of-two Natalie Max, who is believed to be 13 years younger than the now-52 year old boss.
Following the spark of their relationship, the pair were spotted enjoying one another's company in Sardinia during summer 2022, reportedly residing in a lavish villa costing £20,000 per night.
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Tuchel and Max are understood to have been together since May 2022, merely a month after his marriage concluded, with associates of the manager claiming they are "very much in love".
Max, who serves as a director at consulting firm Natexo, has chosen to maintain a low profile since her relationship with Tuchel became public, though has been seen in the stands at various stadiums supporting him.