Recently, ex-Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel was appointed as the newest manager of the England national team – it was a decision that sparked disappointment in the mind of former Arsenal forward Alan Smith.

While Smith did not doubt Tuchel’s credentials as a head coach, he thinks that he will not have the same relationship with the job that an English manager would have. He called Tuchel a ‘gun for hire’ and fears he could merely use the England job as a way to bolster his own career.

Nevertheless, Smith is aware that people will not ‘care’ if Tuchel is successful – if England win the World Cup under his stewardship, there will be no criticisms to be had.

Former Arsenal man Alan Smith speaks on Thomas Tuchel

Speaking in an interview with AceOdds, Smith mused: “When it was announced, I thought it was a shame that we couldn’t find an English coach, and the message it sends out. But it is more of a global game these days, in the Premier League you are picking from a global pool player wise and coach wise. Clearly the FA didn’t see an English candidate good enough. There’s a sparse amount.

“It’s a different relationship with Tuchel. It’s another inclusion in his CV. Does well for England, and it helps him get a better job in club football because I don’t see him staying as long as Southgate did. You wouldn’t be surprised if he left after the next World Cup. He’s a gun for hire really. Brought in to do a job.

“It’s such a different relationship to the one an English manager would have. You don’t see Germany, Italy, Spain doing it at all really, but we do in that search for success. If we win the World Cup will anybody care? Probably not. But in an ideal world, I’d like to have seen an Englishman.”