The Football Association (FA) had a tall task on its hands when Gareth Southgate stepped down as the coach for the England national team. Despite having high hopes of convincing him to stay for another couple of years if England defeated Spain in the Euro 2024 final, his departure forced the FA to turn its attention elsewhere. Months after Southgate’s resignation, Thomas Tuchel was announced as England’s new coach, signing an 18-month contract with the FA.
A shortlist of potential successors for Southgate was drafted before the European championship. The FA’s ideal candidate was Pep Guardiola, but he did not commit to the position. Lee Carsley, interim manager of the team, experienced some controversial treatment, left to answer questions about his interest in the position after Tuchel had signed on. Furthermore, Tuchel will not attend England’s second two games of the year, as he officially begins his role on Jan. 1, 2022.
When looking for Southgate’s successor, the FA had one principle in mind: to find a coach that would give the team the best chance at a win during the 2026 World Cup. While having an English coach was not an absolute requirement, experience in English football and with English players was. Guardiola would have been a perfect candidate since he has earned a myriad of trophies during his career and has a deep understanding of English football. However, he was not able to commit and did not know what his career would look like after his contract with Manchester City concludes.
With Guardiola not taking the position, the FA considered Jurgen Klopp, Mauricio Pochettino, and other coaches. English candidate Graham Potter was a potential choice, but contact never went beyond the casual stage. The FA was also interested in Eddie Howe, but there was no direct approach made towards him. Ultimately, it was Tuchel who met several of the FA’s criteria, considering his past successes at Chelsea, strong connections with English football, and his implementation of modern coaching tactics.
Once Tuchel was pinpointed as the preferred choice, the FA moved quickly and confidentially to lock him in. Tuchel impressed in his first two meetings with the FA, providing a clear vision for his tenure. His agent, Olaf Meinking, made the deal with the FA. However, there were some doubts over the rush to push Tuchel’s appointment, a matter that was hurriedly decided on a virtual meeting.
Despite Tuchel’s late start date, his appointment has been received positively by fans. He is expected to advance England to the top of the world’s football stage in 2026. However, it is a risky decision. If Tuchel does not achieve the targeted trophy, England may have to start over.
