England manager Thomas Tuchel gave a tactical masterclass to an under-11 grassroots team during a visit to St George's Park, offering a rare insight into elite match preparation. The junior side, coached by Amir Shaed, toured the national football centre and joined an on-pitch training session led by FA coaches.
The day included a presentation from England's Head of Physical Performance and Nutrition, Steve Kemp, before Tuchel himself delivered a tactical briefing in the changing rooms. The young players and their coach gained practical tips to take back to grassroots level.
The visit was part of the Chase football coaching programme, which provides fully funded coaching qualifications to aspiring coaches across the UK. Research by YouGov, commissioned by Chase, found that nearly half (44%) of respondents said financial support would make them more likely to continue coaching.
Tuchel said: 'I fell back in love with football when I became a coach. It was a pleasure to meet Amir and his team and share insight into how we prepare for major tournaments.' Shaed described the experience as 'once in a lifetime' and said he left with 'fresh inspiration and real confidence'.
Chase's Chief Marketing Officer, Deborah Keay, said the programme aims to create 'lasting impact across the UK by opening up more pathways into the game'. The programme supports participants in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
