Thomas Tuchel reacts as Nottingham Forest make England announcement
Thomas Tuchel reacts as Nottingham Forest make England announcement
The home of Nottingham Forest is set to welcome its doors to international football in 2025, with Thomas Tuchel’s England to face Senegal.
There are not many stadiums with more satisfied fans than at the City Ground this season, with Nottingham Forest’s pursuit of Champions League qualification delighting Reds fans throughout.
With the City Ground set to be redeveloped in 2026, the famous old stadium will have the chance to show off its grandeur to a wider audience in June as the English national team hosts Senegal in an international friendly.
The City Ground will have a similar capacity to Everton’s new stadium when it is redeveloped in 2026 but for the England game, new boss Tuchel will be backed by a capacity of 30,000 which will likely sell out as the match will be the first time the City Ground hosts the men’s national team since 1909.
Whilst it won’t be his first game in charge, Tuchel will still be new to the monumental role and could even call up some of the Forest squad as a reward for this season’s form as Dion Dublin thinks Elliot Anderson deserves an England spot.
The occasion will be exciting regardless of whether there are any Forest stars on show, though, highlighted by Tuchel’s reaction to the announcement.
Thomas Tuchel is excited about his City Ground assignment
England will play Senegal on the 10th of June before returning to Wembley to host Wales, as Tuchel attempts to size up his new squad ahead of the World Cup in 2026.
The German coach doesn’t seem to be daunted by this task, though, as speaking to the England national team media, he said: “The games against Senegal and Wales will present good challenges for us against two very different opponents.
“Facing a strong African team in a passionate city with rich football heritage and then a derby match at the iconic Wembley; two big occasions that can only help us on the road to the World Cup.”
Delving more into his excitement about playing at the City Ground, Tuchel said: “While I know Wembley is our home, I also understand the importance of taking the team around the country when we are able to and the opportunity to experience playing at a famous old English stadium such as the City Ground is one we can all look forward to.”
Whilst seeing Anderson in an England shirt in June is more of a hope than an expectation, one Forest star will be bitterly disappointed if he doesn’t make the Three Lions squad after Jamie Carragher tipped him to do so in January.
Jamie Carragher tipped Morgan Gibbs-White for England future
Speaking on Monday Night Football after Forest had dispatched Wolves 3-0, Carragher picked out Morgan Gibbs-White for praise with Tuchel watching on from the stands.
Carragher said: “I think he is absolutely fantastic and I think Thomas Tuchel is in the stadium tonight. He has been a revelation, not just this season, a brilliant buy from Steve Cooper to bring him in from his former club Wolves.”
In an interview with Carragher and Sky Sports after the game, Gibbs-White responded to this praise and learned of Tuchel’s presence, saying: “I didn’t even know he was here!
“I didn’t know but now I know and I’ve got a little smile on my face, […] I’ve just got to focus on club level at the minute and hopefully it comes.”
Lee Carsley gave Gibbs-White his first England cap in September and as his form has continued ever since, the Forest star will be hoping to make the team once more in March before walking out as an England player at the City Ground in June,
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