A former Accrington Stanley player has been named as England’s new number two following the appointment of Thomas Tuchel.

The Football Association announced today that the German Tuchel would succeed Gareth Southgate as the Three Lions’ head coach.

Tuchel, 51, is the third non-English coach to take the national team job and has previously managed Chelsea and Bayern Munich in a glittering club career.

He will be supported in the job by Englishman Anthony Barry who has been named assistant coach and is described the FA as an “internationally-renowned coach”.

Barry, 38, enjoyed two spells at Accrington Stanley at the beginning and end of his playing career.

Anthony Barry, centre, pictured with Tuchel at Chelsea in 2021Anthony Barry, centre, pictured with Tuchel at Chelsea in 2021 (Image: PA) The ex-midfielder played 26 times during the 2005/06 season for Stanley, before returning on loan to feature 13 times in 2014/15, and then a further eight times the following season as a permanent player.

Upon retiring from playing he has held a number of assistant roles, beginning at Wigan Athletic before jobs at Chelsea and Bayern Munich under Tuchel, as well as with Ireland, Belgium and Portugal.

On his appointment, Barry said: “For any Englishman in football, working with the national team is the pinnacle and I didn’t hesitate when Thomas asked me to come and join him again.

Anthony Barry in his playing days at AccringtonAnthony Barry in his playing days at Accrington

“I know what a great place St. George’s Park is and how much of an advantage it gives our England teams, and the support it gives to coaches.

"This squad is very talented and have done so much to bring the country together, I look forward to meeting and working with them on this exciting project.”

While at Chelsea he helped Tuchel lead the club to a UEFA Champions League triumph, plus victory in the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup, and he specialises in set-piece routines.

Tuchel, who hails from the Bavarian town of Krumbach, said: "I am very proud to have been given the honour of leading the England team.

"I have long felt a personal connection to the game in this country, and it has given me some incredible moments already.

"To have the chance to represent England is a huge privilege, and the opportunity to work with this special and talented group of players is very exciting."

Chief executive Mark Bullingham said the FA had appointed "one of the best coaches in the world".

He is only the third foreign coach to lead the national side, after the late Sven Goran-Eriksson and Fabio Capello.