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Michael Owen has launched an attack on the decision to appoint Thomas Tuchel as England manager, insisting that only Englishmen should be in charge of the Three Lions. In fact, Owen thinks everyone within the England set-up - even down to the team's doctors - should be English. The former Liverpool, Manchester United and England striker has previously voiced his disapproval over the FA's choice to bring in the German coach as Gareth Southgate's successor, rather than nurturing homegrown talent.
Tuchel, 52, inked an 18-month contract which started in January, with his sole objective being to win the 2026 World Cup in North America next summer. However, the move to hire a foreign coach has been met with criticism from numerous ex-England players and managers. Owen, who netted 40 goals in 89 appearances for his country, contends that giving Tuchel the job contradicts the very essence of international football.
In an exclusive interview with Daily Star Sport, via betting site BetSelect, Owen explained: "The Premier League is obviously multinational. We're watching the greatest players, the greatest managers, the greatest coaches.
"We're being cared for by the greatest physios, doctors, and psychologists. The Premier League employs the greatest people from all over the world, and that's fantastic. It makes us what we are.
"But I think [having a foreign coach] defeats the whole purpose of international football. It should be the best of what England has to offer against other nations. There's no xenophobia about it at all. It's just that's what international football is.
"It's our country against your country. And that should extend right through the squad, whether you're a masseur or a bus driver, or whatever your role is; it's England's best, because these things matter.
"It should be an Englishman. It should be English coaches. It should be English doctors. It should be English everything. That's what it is. That's international football, and that's what it should be."
When discussing potential homegrown managerial options for England, Owen suggested: "People would ask, but who then? I'd say, what about Frank Lampard? And they'd be like, No, no, no. Tuchel is way more qualified.
"Well, that's the whole point of it. That's the whole point of it. If we're not producing managers, then that's our fault.
"That's why we've spent millions on St. George's Park. Let's get our a*** into gear and start producing [English managers]. We might be one of the best footballing nations in the world again if we start doing things like this.
"We need to be able to say we've got great referees, managers, coaches, linesmen, administrators, whatever you want. Let's have our nation be a great footballing nation throughout, not just great footballers.
"The team will go out on the pitch, but it needs a huge backup team and great people in the backup team to influence the results as well. And that would be my take on it.
"So I've got nothing against Thomas Tuchel. He's a great manager. He could do great things. But if we win the World Cup and a German manager is lifting the World Cup, I mean, really?
"What would happen if Gareth Southgate were to manage Brazil and lift the World Cup? I'd be looking at it, thinking it's just not right.
"Whether it's a foreigner managing England or an Englishman managing a foreign national team. In my eyes, it's just not right.
"If you're English, the only team you can play for is the team you're qualified to play for. Once you nail your team, once you nail your colours to the mast, then that's it. That should go through right throughout, including management."
England are set to face Wales in their next match - a friendly - at Wembley this Thursday (October 9) before heading off to take on Latvia in another World Cup qualifier next Tuesday (October 14).