‘We don’t know’ - Man City and England star has his say on Thomas Tuchel appointment

Rico Lewis has said Thomas Tuchel’s appointment as England manager is ‘exciting’ but admits that, as with any new appointment, there are uncertainties about what the future now holds.

Tuchel was confirmed as Gareth Southgate's long-term successor last week and the German will begin his new role in January. Given the news was confirmed after England’s double header over the international break, and before the recent round of Premier League matches, few players have spoken publicly on the appointment.

But Lewis was quizzed on the matter ahead of City’s Champions League clash against Sparta Prague on Wednesday, and revealed he was surprised by the news.

“It's something that was unexpected at the time, but I think it’s exciting,” said the teenager. “A new manager, a new era, a chance to go and win something. We don't know what he's going to do, what his system is, it is going to be new for everyone. So it's an exciting time.”

Lewis has earned four senior England caps so far, three of which came under interim boss Lee Carsley. But as a regular for City at the age of 19, he is likely to be a prominent figure in the squad over the coming years.

The City youth graduate has played in several roles this season for club and country - right-back, left-back, defensive midfield and as a box-to-box player - and said he is enjoying his on-field variety.

“I’ve not really given too much thought to nailing down a position. I think the more positions I can play the bigger chance it gives me of playing,” he explained. “If I had one position, I wouldn’t have had played as much this season. There’s both ways to think about it. But I’m thinking about playing as well as I can and working as hard as I can.”