Thomas Tuchel said England can “free ourselves from history” and work to “make our dream come true” at the 2026 World Cup following his appointment as head coach.

German Tuchel, 51, was confirmed as the next Three Lions boss on Wednesday and will officially take charge on 1 January after signing an 18-month contract.

Tuchel said he is “sorry I have a German passport” when asked about becoming only the third non-British permanent head coach of the England men’s team, after some observers said the job should have gone to an English candidate.

He has been tasked with guiding England’s men to the 2026 World Cup, where they will attempt to end a 60-year wait for a major trophy.

“Nothing is impossible in sports,” Tuchel told BBC sports editor Dan Roan.

“The federation is there, the women did it, the under-21s did it, so there is no reason [we can’t].

“At some point we have to free ourselves from history, we have to focus on the process and this will start from January.”

The Champions League winner also explained he was initially unsure about making the switch from club to international football but added he is excited to work with a “very special and exciting group of players”.

In June, Tuchel ruled himself out of the running to take over at Manchester United – it was understood that he met Red Devils co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe in France.

Asked why he chose England over United, he said: “The idea and the way John [McDermott] and Mark [Bullingham] presented it was very fast and confidential. It was very straightforward, it was a decision for this job and not against anything else.”

Tuchel replaces Gareth Southgate, who resigned after eight years in charge following England’s loss to Spain in the Euro 2024 final in July.

He was first asked about his interest in the vacancy over the phone in August and he decided to accept the role after two further meetings.

“I understood very quickly that is it is a big job. I think always the job you are in is the biggest job and it makes no sense to compare, but it feels big and feels like a privilege,” Tuchel said at a media conference at Wembley on Wednesday afternoon.

“I think it is pretty obvious I am very emotional. I love what I am doing and am passionate about football.

“This role just brought the young me alive and brought back my teenage days, to get excited for such a big task.

“Everyone can be assured we will do it with passion and emotions. We will try to install values and principles and rules as quickly as possible to make the dream come true.”

When Tuchel gets to work in January, he will be tasked with trying to get the best out of a hugely talented group of players.

“We have an amazing generation of young and also experienced players, who play in the best leagues in the world, so there is no reason to be afraid,” Tuchel said.

“We want to create a style of play but also an atmosphere that pushes us the extra percentage that is needed, and then we need a bit of luck and to qualify first, but we believe we can do it.”