Henrique Hilário is leaving Chelsea after an 18-year association with the club to take on the role of goalkeeping coach for the England national team. This move sees Hilário, a former Portugal goalkeeper, reunited with Thomas Tuchel, who worked with him during his time at Stamford Bridge. The decision comes as part of Tuchel’s reshaping of England’s backroom staff ahead of his new role with the national team, which begins on January 1, 2025.
Hilário’s departure marks the end of a long-standing connection with Chelsea, where he initially joined the club as a player in 2006. Over the years, Hilário became a well-respected figure within the Chelsea setup, transitioning into a coaching role after retiring as a player. He made a total of 39 appearances for the club and was part of the squad during several of their successful campaigns. He also earned a cap for Portugal, contributing to his reputation as a solid and dependable goalkeeper.
Tuchel, who previously managed Chelsea, quickly moved to recruit Hilário to join his staff as England’s goalkeeping coach. Tuchel and Hilário have a strong working relationship, with Tuchel having worked with Hilário during his Chelsea tenure. This familiarity made Hilário an appealing choice for the role, as Tuchel looks to build a coaching staff that he can trust and rely on. One key aspect of Tuchel’s approach to managing England is his preference for a smaller, more streamlined backroom team. Hilário’s expertise in goalkeeping aligns with Tuchel’s desire to focus on strengthening specific areas within the national team’s coaching setup.
Hilário’s move to the England team follows the departure of Martyn Margetson, the previous goalkeeping coach, who left when Gareth Southgate stepped down as manager. With the coaching staff reshuffle under Tuchel, Hilário’s role is seen as crucial in maintaining the high standards expected from the national team’s goalkeepers. It didn’t take long for the deal to be finalized, but Chelsea was initially reluctant to allow Hilário to take on the dual role of coaching for both Chelsea and England. This led to Hilário handing in his resignation at Chelsea, making his full-time commitment to the England role possible.
Chelsea is unlikely to replace Hilário immediately, as the club already has a comprehensive goalkeeping department in place. Under the management of Enzo Maresca, Chelsea’s current coaching team includes Michele De Bernardin as the goalkeeping coach, and Willy Caballero, the former Chelsea goalkeeper, is also part of the staff. In addition, Ben Roberts serves as the club’s head of global goalkeeping, while James Russell oversees first-team goalkeeping and is also responsible for academy goalkeeping development.
The decision to not replace Hilário immediately reflects Chelsea’s confidence in the existing structure of their goalkeeping department. The club has a wealth of experience in goalkeeping coaching, with several key figures already in place to support the first team and academy goalkeepers. The departure of Hilário, while significant, will not leave an immediate void that Chelsea is unable to fill with the resources currently at their disposal.
Meanwhile, Tuchel’s reshaping of the England staff goes beyond just the addition of Hilário. Anthony Barry, a coach who has been working with the Portugal national team, will also be leaving to take up the role of Tuchel’s No 2 with the England team. Barry’s move highlights Tuchel’s commitment to bringing in staff members with whom he has previously worked, as he continues to build a team that will support his vision for the England national team.
Additionally, former Chelsea player Ashley Cole is set to return to England’s under-21 setup, where he will assist Lee Carsley. Cole’s transition back to the under-21s is part of a broader restructuring within the England coaching ranks. Joleon Lescott, who was previously part of the under-21s coaching staff, will no longer be involved in this capacity, with the changes reflecting a shift in the priorities and direction of England’s development programs.
As England’s coaching staff takes shape under Tuchel, the emphasis on trusted, familiar faces highlights Tuchel’s approach to ensuring cohesion within the national team setup. By bringing in figures such as Hilário, Barry, and Cole, Tuchel is aiming to create an environment where continuity and mutual understanding will be central to England’s success on the international stage. The reshuffling of the coaching staff, including Hilário’s significant move to the national team, is set to play a key role in England’s preparations for future international competitions.
