England U21s, Germany Clash in Slovakia with Tuchel Expected

England senior manager Thomas Tuchel is making a significant effort to attend the UEFA Under-21 European Championship final in Slovakia, where England faces Germany, his home nation. Tuchel, currently in the United States for the Club World Cup, plans to fly to Bratislava to support and assess the young players who could feature in the 2026 World Cup squad, highlighting the strong relationship he has built with the Under-21s manager Lee Carsley. The Young Lions, who are defending champions, are motivated by Tuchel’s potential presence, with captain James McAtee stating it would provide extra inspiration to impress the senior coach. England’s Under-21 side, guided by Carsley, has shown resilience and growth throughout the tournament, with key players performing well despite a tough group-stage loss to Germany. Germany remains unbeaten and boasts a prolific striker, Nick Woltemade, who poses a significant challenge for England. The final is seen as a vital step in England's preparation for the 2026 World Cup, with Tuchel’s attendance underscoring his commitment to nurturing the next generation of talent.