I have to earn right to sing national anthem – Tuchel

Thomas Tuchel, England manager, claims he must “earn the right” to sing the country’s anthem.

Tuchel, 51, announced his 26-man squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia on Friday, saying he won’t sing “God Save the King” before those games.

It is not just a given, in my opinion. You can’t just sing it. The German said, “I’ve already decided to not sing it in my first matches.”

Tuchel stated at the time of his appointment in October that he had “not decided” whether or not to sing the anthem.

The former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss made his first appearance for England on January 1st against Albania in the Three Lions’ dugout on March 21. He will take over as manager of Chelsea and Bayern Munich.

I’m proud to be playing for the English national team, and I think you have a very powerful, emotional, and meaningful national anthem, Tuchel said.

It signifies everything, he says. I can assure you that I have earned my right to sing it because it is so meaningful, emotional, and powerful.

Lee Carsley’s inability to sing the anthem was criticized during his interim year in charge of England.

After the squad announced the lyrics to the anthem, Tuchel joked in his press conference that he did know the words, but planned to get the chance to sing it with “results, building the group, and doing my job properly.”