Sóller instead of London: Why Tuchel and Scaloni choose Mallorca as a place of calm

Sóller instead of London: Why Tuchel and Scaloni choose Mallorca as a place of calm

If you stroll through Sóller on a hot morning, smelling freshly brewed coffee on the Plaça and hearing the soft bells of the old town, it is hardly noticeable that celebrities are putting down roots here, as seen with Mats Hummels recharges in Mallorca. Still, the small town on the northwest coast has received more attention in recent months: Thomas Tuchel, now 51 and since 1 January 2025 head coach of the England national team, has owned a villa in Sóller since the end of 2024. On the other side of the island, Lionel Scaloni, 47, lives with his family in Bunyola and spends about half the year here.

It reads like a celebrity cliché, but it feels different on the ground. In Sóller you mainly meet the baker's wife with her bread basket in the morning, the school bus and groups of road cyclists pedalling up the hills from Port de Sóller; professional teams have held camps here, such as Hamburger SV training camp in Mallorca. Tuchel's property is not on a sterile "celebrity mile", but embedded in the typical mix of citrus groves, stone walls and narrow alleys. The villa, casually referred to by locals as "the new house on the hillside", brings attention – yes – but also orders for small craftspeople and more visits to discount stores for everyday needs.

In Bunyola the pace is even slower. Olive trees and the nearby Finca Raixa shape the landscape; cyclists on the Ma-11 or walkers on old dry-stone walls are part of the picture. Scaloni, who met his future wife on Mallorca during his playing days in 2009, apparently chose this relaxed, family-oriented environment. For him it is the bike paths, the quiet and the proximity to familiar places that make life here attractive.

Why is this good news for Mallorca? First: it shows that the island is more than sun, sand and partying. The infrastructure – from good country roads and bike routes to small, reliable service providers – matters. Entrepreneurs, craftsmen, restaurateurs and small hoteliers certainly feel it when well-known names settle down for the longer term. Second: visibility can help diversify the island's image, while debates continue over how second homes outnumber permanent residences in Mallorca. Those looking for a quiet retreat now also consider places like Sóller or Bunyola, not just the hotel strips.

A positive everyday scene: on a weekday the market in Sóller is a meeting point for everyone. The vegetable seller laughs, the old man with the bowl of oranges de Sóller exchanges news with the woman at the cheese stall, and in one corner a driving instructor is warming up a group of young cyclists to race-ready condition. The feeling of normality remains, even if international faces occasionally appear among the locals.

For the island this presents a small opportunity: instead of fleeting headlines, longer stays by well-known personalities could strengthen local businesses, promote gentle tourism and encourage investment in maintenance and culture. More importantly: if respect and privacy are preserved, everyone benefits – residents and visitors alike.

A look ahead: Mallorca can use this moment to present itself as a calm, versatile island. That means better information for visitors who do not only want beaches, more support for cycling and hiking infrastructure and promotion of small accommodation providers. No grand plan is needed, rather practical steps: clear signage for bike routes, support for local markets and assistance for craftsmen who maintain housing, as outlined in a practical guide to making Mallorca your home.

Conclusion: That two international coaches have found a home here is not a major media event but rather a mood indicator: Mallorca remains an island where people of different backgrounds withdraw to balance everyday life and work. For the neighbourhood it brings new opportunities, income and maybe a few more cyclists on the Ma-11 – and certainly a fresh scent of citrus and coffee in the morning sky.