Former Bayern Munich manager, Thomas Tuchel, is reportedly in discussions with the English Football Association about becoming the next head coach of the England national team.
Tuchel, who has been out of work since parting ways with Bayern Munich earlier this summer, has been frequently linked with the England job.
His name has emerged as a top contender ever since Gareth Southgate resigned following England’s Euro 2024 exit.
Tuchel is already well-known to English football fans, having managed Chelsea between 2021 and 2022. During his 17-month tenure at Stamford Bridge, he famously led the Blues to Champions League glory.
At 51, Tuchel boasts an impressive resume, including stints at Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund, further enhancing his credentials for the England role.
According to reports first published by WELT, the German tactician is in “advanced negotiations” with the English FA, and a deal could be finalized swiftly, enabling him to replace interim coach Lee Carsley.
The story was later confirmed by prominent football journalist Christian Falk, who reiterated the claims that Tuchel is indeed in talks with the FA.
Tuchel has been consistently linked with a return to English football, with Manchester United previously expressing interest in him. However, the Red Devils are expected to remain committed to Erik ten Hag for the foreseeable future.
Meanwhile, The Telegraph offers a slightly different perspective, suggesting that no formal contact has been made with Tuchel or any other candidates for the England job.
It reported that while informal discussions have taken place with several potential contenders, the notion of “advanced negotiations” is categorically denied.
Interim manager Lee Carsley has been managing the national team since Southgate’s departure. However, following England’s recent 2-1 defeat to Greece, he downplayed the possibility of securing the role permanently.
Carsley had initially enjoyed a strong start to his tenure, guiding the team to back-to-back 2-0 victories against the Republic of Ireland and Finland.
However, Thursday’s loss at Wembley dimmed the optimism around his appointment.
Reacting to speculation that the job might be his “to lose,” Carsley admitted he was “surprised” by the notion. “I was quite surprised after the last camp,” Carsley remarked. “In terms of like, ‘the job’s mine,’ like it’s ‘mine to lose’ and all the rest of it. No, my remit has been clear from the start. I’m doing three camps, there’s three games left, and then, you know, hopefully I’ll be going back to the 21s.”
When asked by a reporter to clarify his comment about “hopefully” returning to the Under-21s, Carsley added, “Well, I said at the start that I wouldn’t rule myself in or out, and that’s still the case.”
This has left the door open for the FA to consider external options, with Tuchel, Graham Potter, and Eddie Howe all reportedly in the frame as potential candidates for the top job.
With Carsley expected to complete his interim spell, and no clear long-term successor in place yet, the FA’s next move will be pivotal for England’s footballing future.
