THOMAS TUCHEL has further pillaged former club Chelsea as he prepares to take charge of England.
The FA officially announced the out-of-work German as Gareth Southgate’s successor in October.
But he won’t take charge of the Three Lions - who he’s signed an 18-month deal with - until January 1.
Tuchel, 51, is using the time off to get his backroom team in place.
And SunSport can reveal he’s set to add Chelsea’s goalkeeping coach Henrique Hilario to his team.
Multiple sources have confirmed Tuchel has persuaded the former Blues stopper to swap club coaching for international football.
Hilario has been part of Chelsea's coaching team for eight years after being given a job by former boss Antonio Conte.
And SunSport understands the FA will make a formal approach for the 49-year-old, who made 39 appearances for the Blues, after today's London derby with Arsenal.
Hilario won’t be the only asset Tuchel has plundered from Chelsea, who he guided to Champions League glory in May 2021.
He’s also convinced Chelsea’s current performance analyst James Melbourne to join him.
Hilario and Melbourne will be welcomed by a familiar face in former Blues coach Anthony Barry, who Tuchel has installed as his No2.
Tuchel is champing at the bit to get started with the Three Lions, saying upon his appointment: "I’m obviously very excited and honoured to be the new head coach of England.
“I want to take the opportunity to thank the FA for their trust and I am very excited to start this journey in January with a very special and exciting group of players to make our dream come true in America.
“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.”
He added: "I’m sorry, I have a German passport.
"All of those supporters maybe [have] felt my passion for the English Premier League and the country and how I love to live and work here.
“Hopefully I can convince them and show them and prove to them I am proud to be an English manager and do everything to show respect to this role and this country and the target for the next 18 months.”
