Key Takeaways:
- Pep Guardiola had an initial verbal agreement to manage England before Thomas Tuchel was appointed in January 2025
- Clauses in Tuchel’s contract would have allowed either party to part ways only if England exited the World Cup before the quarter-finals, a scenario that did not materialise
- Thomas Tuchel is set to remain as England manager, preparing the team for the third-place play-off against France on Saturday
Background to Managerial Speculation
Fresh scrutiny has surrounded Thomas Tuchel’s future with the England national team following their dramatic exit from the World Cup, where Argentina overturned a deficit to defeat the Three Lions in the semi-final. The result, coupled with criticism of Tuchel’s tactics, has prompted renewed calls for change among fans and pundits.
Pep Guardiola, who departed Manchester City at the end of last season, has emerged as a leading candidate in these discussions. According to The Athletic, the Football Association (FA) previously reached a verbal agreement with Guardiola for him to succeed Gareth Southgate. However, the Catalan ultimately chose to extend his tenure at City at the time.
🚨🚨| NEW: Pep Guardiola had a 𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐁𝐀𝐋 𝐀𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 with the FA to become England manager in 2024 — before choosing to extend at Man City. 😳🏴
The FA then turned to Thomas Tuchel after Guardiola opted to stay at City.
{@TheAthleticFC} pic.twitter.com/b3IgigvSnh
— Goals Side (@goalsside) July 17, 2026
The Appointment of Tuchel and Contractual Provisions
After Guardiola’s decision, England shifted their focus to Tuchel, formally appointing him in January 2025. Guardiola’s status as a free agent has reignited speculation that he could be considered for the England position, as it is assumed he maintains an interest after the earlier agreement.
Despite mounting pressure, the likelihood of Tuchel’s dismissal remains remote. Following Wednesday’s defeat, the FA reaffirmed its commitment to the German coach, highlighting his contract terms. Specific clauses would have allowed either Tuchel or the FA to trigger an exit if England failed to progress past the quarter-finals, yet the team’s advance to the semi-final rendered these provisions void.
FA’s Long-Term Vision and Immediate Challenges
The FA has demonstrated its confidence in Tuchel by offering a contract extension earlier in the year, ensuring his position through Euro 2028. Tuchel himself has shown his dedication to the England role, reportedly rejecting an approach from Manchester United in January following Ruben Amorim’s departure.
The immediate focus now turns to rallying the side ahead of England’s third-place play-off fixture against France on Saturday. The FA’s procedural post-tournament review will evaluate the campaign, but for now, Tuchel’s position appears assured, despite ongoing debate regarding his popularity among supporters.
