Mason Greenwood refusing to give up on England dreams and wants to speak to new boss Tuchel as Jamaica wait in wings
MASON GREENWOOD wants Thomas Tuchel to tell him if he stands a chance of being part of his England revolution.
Tuchel has been named as Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions successor on an 18-month deal.
Mason Greenwood wants to know if he could play for England under new boss Thomas TuchelReuters
Greenwood is enjoying success at Marseille after leaving Manchester UnitedAFP
Tuchel was named as Gareth Southgate’s successor at EnglandGetty
The German will not take over as boss until January 1 — but Marseille star Greenwood hopes a change of regime could see him add to his one senior cap.
If not, the former Manchester United forward will accept Steve McClaren’s invitation to switch allegiance and play for Jamaica.
Greenwood’s international future has been in limbo since he spent 18 months out of the game after being charged with attempted rape, assault and coercive behaviour in January 2022. The charges were later dropped.
A source told SunSport: “Mason knows his chances of playing for England again are very slim. But he wants to check with the FA and Tuchel now he has been appointed, to see what they think.
“He is determined to play at the highest level and that means the World Cup.
“So if England don’t want him, he’ll switch to Jamaica and try and get to the 2026 World Cup that way.”
Greenwood knew he would not play for England — where he won his only cap against Iceland in 2020 — again under Southgate.
He left United following a club investigation and spent last season on loan at Spanish side Getafe before moving to Marseille for £26.6million this summer.
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ANDY DILLON: Thomas Tuchel has all the ingredients to become a classic England manager – tactical nous, drive and a tangled love life
By Andy Dillon
THOMAS TUCHEL possesses all the ingredients to become a classic England manager.
Tactical nous, drive, energy, experience – a tangled love life.
English football should welcome back the most explosive, dynamic, charismatic and impossibly tall and gangly coach to have lit up the Premier League.
Chelsea’s colourful former boss has been leading a settled life in Munich of late.
Far enough away from ex-wife Sissi but close enough to see his two daughters.
Walking his dog in the streets in the east of Germany’s most fashionable city, residing in the posh Bogenhausen area. Living relatively quietly with his Brazilian girlfriend.
Tuchel is a vastly different personality to the man who led England quietly but assuredly to the brink of World Cups and European Championships.
An excitable nature can make him hard to handle for those seeking calm and who like to impose their way on a manager they view very much as an underling.
Read more on why Tuchel REALLY IS the best man for the England job
Greenwood, expecting his second child, has scored five times this season. Despite winning a cap with England, Fifa allow players to switch if they have played fewer than four competitive appearances before the age of 21.
Therefore, Greenwood can play for Jamaica — who he qualifies for through his dad.
Reggae Boyz boss McClaren plans to try and recruit foreign-born stars in the Prem to play for his team.
After being appointed in the summer, he said: “I had a little chat with Mason.
“I will be making sure that we have a conversation with all the players. We have a list.”
Jamaica last qualified for the World Cup in 1998.
Inside FA’s thrilling chase for Tuchel
THE FA’s path to securing Thomas Tuchel’s signature was not a straightforward one.
They tried to lure Pep Guardiola from Manchester City over the summer.
They even made contact with Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti after deciding to target trophy-laden foreign gaffers.
The FA’s determination to go international was summed up by their decision NOT to interview Newcastle boss Eddie Howe.
Initial talks with Tuchel saw him express a slight interest in replacing Gareth Southgate.
But he was waiting to see what would happen at Manchester United, with Erik ten Hag’s future under the spotlight.
Man Utd owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe eventually decided to stick with Ten Hag – and that opened the door to the FA getting their man.
Read the full story on England’s thrilling pursuit of Thomas Tuchel.
