- Teen Konstas to open for Australia in Boxing Day India Test
- Asian stocks mostly up after US tech rally
- US panel could not reach consensus on US-Japan steel deal: Nippon
- The real-life violence that inspired South Korea's 'Squid Game'
- Blogs to Bluesky: social media shifts responses after 2004 tsunami
- Tennis power couple de Minaur and Boulter get engaged
- Supermaxi yachts eye record in gruelling Sydney-Hobart race
- Hawaii's Kilauea volcano erupts, spewing columns of lava
- El Salvador Congress votes to end ban on metal mining
- Five things to know about Panama Canal, in Trump's sights
- NBA fines Minnesota guard Edwards $75,000 for outburst
- Haitians massacred for practicing voodoo were abducted, hacked to death: UN
- Inter beat Como to keep in touch with leaders Atalanta
- Mixed day for global stocks as market hopes for 'Santa Claus rally'
- Man Utd boss Amorim questions 'choices' of Rashford's entourage
- Trump's TikTok love raises stakes in battle over app's fate
- Is he serious? Trump stirs unease with Panama, Greenland ploys
- England captain Stokes to miss three months with torn hamstring
- Support grows for Blake Lively over smear campaign claim
- Canada records 50,000 opioid overdose deaths since 2016
- Jordanian, Qatari envoys hold talks with Syria's new leader
- France's second woman premier makes surprise frontline return
- France's Macron announces fourth government of the year
- Netanyahu tells Israel parliament 'some progress' on Gaza hostage deal
- Guatemalan authorities recover minors taken by sect members
- Germany's far-right AfD holds march after Christmas market attack
- European, US markets wobble awaiting Santa rally
- Serie A basement club Monza fire coach Nesta
- Mozambique top court confirms ruling party disputed win
- Biden commutes almost all federal death sentences
- Syrian medics say were coerced into false chemical attack testimony
- NASA solar probe to make its closest ever pass of Sun
- France's new government to be announced Monday evening: Elysee
- London toy 'shop' window where nothing is for sale
- Volkswagen boss hails cost-cutting deal but shares fall
- Accused killer of US insurance CEO pleads not guilty to 'terrorist' murder
- Global stock markets mostly higher
- Not for sale. Greenland shrugs off Trump's new push
- Sweden says China blocked prosecutors' probe of ship linked to cut cables
- Acid complicates search after deadly Brazil bridge collapse
- Norwegian Haugan dazzles in men's World Cup slalom win
- Arsenal's Saka out for 'many weeks' with hamstring injury
- Mali singer Traore child custody case postponed
- France mourns Mayotte victims amid uncertainy over government
- UK economy stagnant in third quarter in fresh setback
- Sweden says China denied request for prosecutors to probe ship linked to cut undersea cables
- African players in Europe: Salah leads Golden Boot race after brace
- Global stock markets edge higher as US inflation eases rate fears
- German far-right AfD to march in city hit by Christmas market attack
- Ireland centre Henshaw signs IRFU contract extension
England boss Tuchel deserves unconditional support: Guardiola
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola insists new England manager Thomas Tuchel deserves to be supported "unconditionally" after criticism of the Football Association's decision to hire a foreign coach.
The German is the third non-English coach to take charge of the Three Lions, with his appointment sparking an intense debate over whether the role should have gone to a homegrown manager.
Tuchel, who will officially start the England job on January 1, jokingly apologised for having a German passport at his unveiling press conference on Wednesday and admitted he is yet to decide whether to sing the national anthem before matches.
The most patriotic sections of England's fanbase have accused the FA of betraying their heritage by hiring the former Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea boss.
But Guardiola is adamant it does not matter where a national team manager is born, because the criticism will be just as fierce for a homegrown boss if results go badly.
"We don't decide where we're born. Mum and dad decide that and nine months later we're here. I didn't decide to be Catalan, you don't decide to be English. The federation decide for a foreign manager with a great record. My view is I would support him unconditionally," Guardiola told reporters on Friday.
"If he wins he will be praised and if he loses he will be destroyed. But it doesn't matter his nationality."
Guardiola had been strongly linked with the England job himself, with reports claiming he was approached by the FA after Southgate quit following the Euro 2024 final loss to Spain in July.
Asked if he had spoken to the FA, the Spaniard refused to answer, instead saying: "Thomas Tuchel is the manager, so forget about it. I am the manager of Manchester City. This is the most important thing. The rest is not important."
- 'The world is so big' -
England's previous three permanent managers had been homegrown, with Gareth Southgate following Sam Allardyce and Roy Hodgson in the job.
Italian Fabio Capello was England's last foreign coach from 2008 to 2012, while Swede Sven-Goran Eriksson managed the Three Lions from 2001 to 2006.
"I know we are proud of where we are from, but the world is so big. You have to be open-minded," said Guardiola. "I don't like that people criticise just because somebody is born in a different place."
Guardiola's view may have been coloured by his acknowledgement on Friday that he will be interested in international management when he eventually leaves City.
The 53-year-old's future with the Premier League champions remains uncertain, with his contract due to expire at the end of this season.
A report this week said Guardiola could sign a contract extension even if City loses their ongoing legal battle against alleged breaches of the Premier League's financial rules.
But, ahead of Sunday's trip to bottom-of-the-table Wolves, Guardiola once again demurred when pressed on his future plans.
"I have to decide. I said many times. I didn't take a decision already. When I take a decision I will inform you, 100 percent. My only concern is Wolves," he said.
"I'm pretty sure the club have options when Pep will leave. Sooner or later it will happen and they have to prepare. It will not be a surprise."
D.Schneider--BTB