'Tuchel is a German spy', jokes former Spurs boss Redknapp

Tuchel took charge in January and has overseen World Cup qualifying wins over Albania and Latvia in his first two games. Redknapp, who had spells at West Ham, Portsmouth and Tottenham during a long managerial career, made the remarks at a London venue when asked whether England had been right to appoint the German.

"I don't know," said the 78-year-old before making comments designed to amuse his audience. "I'll be honest with you, I think he's a German spy. I'm telling you." Redknapp joked that Tuchel, formerly in charge of Paris-Saint German, Chelsea and Bayern Munich, had been sent to England to create problems for the Three Lions.

"He has," he added. "Listen, I'm telling you, he's like Lord Haw Haw in the war 'We have your best soldiers captured' and all that." Lord Haw Haw, whose real name was William Joyce, was a radio personality who broadcast German propaganda to Britain during World War II.

In the video, Redknapp imagines an instruction given to Tuchel: "Go over and ruin that team". He then puts on a German accent, saying "Ja" and lifts his left arm in a gesture that appears to resemble a Nazi salute. The remarks were made before England's 2-0 win against Albania last week and a 3-0 victory against Latvia on Monday, according to the Guardian.

Tuchel, who replaced Gareth Southgate in the England hotseat, is the third non-British permanent manager of the men's national team after Sweden's Sven-Goran Eriksson and Italian Fabio Capello. The 51-year-old has been given an 18-month contract with a daunting brief to qualify for and win next year's World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Tuchel told reporters "sorry I just have a German passport" when asked in October about his status, saying he was "proud" to be the England manager. Earlier this month, he said he needed to "earn the right" to sing the national anthem.

Fans held a banner at the Albania match that read: "Welcome to the home of football, Thomas." Redknapp was the last English manager to win a major domestic trophy -- the 2008 FA Cup with Portsmouth -- before Eddie Howe led Newcastle to victory against Liverpool in this month's League Cup final.