In 2015, Tuchel began his next challenge, replacing Liverpool-bound Klopp as boss of Borussia Dortmund.
During Klopp’s seven years at Dortmund, he had won the Bundesliga twice and reached the Champions League final, and Tuchel had to win over his new players, with not all of them keen.
“I honestly didn’t expect much when it was announced he was going to be the new manager. I was even in talks maybe to leave the club,” recalled former Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.
“I had one phone call with him and he presented himself to me when I was on holiday in the summer break, and it was actually a really good call.
“He tried to explain a few things, how he wanted us to play, how he wanted us to train and everything he said he proved during that season.”
Gundogan joined Manchester City after Dortmund finished second in the Bundesliga at the end of that 2015-16 campaign, while Tuchel claimed the first major trophy of his career, beating Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 in the final of the German Cup in May 2017, in what proved to be his last match at the club.
Former Germany international Gundogan, though, was completely won over by Tuchel in their sole season together.
“I can only say positive things about him from when we were at Dortmund,” he added. “He’s outstanding tactically and extremely honest and open. Personally, I got along very well with him.”
Hitzlsperger felt Tuchel’s man-management skills would be key to success with England and added: “The players Tuchel has worked with in the past are very positive about him, and the way he communicates his ideas to them.
“I don’t think the fact he is German will make any difference. Most of the England players work under foreign managers, or have done. He’s a top manager so they will be open to his ideas and used to most of them, so it should be a smooth transition.”
Rangnick added: “He’s somebody who loves to improve people. As a head coach, you need to be analytic and intelligent. He is curious, funny with a good sense of humour. A very specific humour and, if you know the humour, he can be funny.”
