Thomas Tuchel already knows when he could quit England job as German coach aims for 2026 World Cup glory

The Three Lions had been on the lookout for a head coach since July after Gareth Southgate left in the wake of the Euro 2024 final loss to Spain. Earlier this week, Tuchel signed on as England manager on an 18-month deal that starts from January 1, 2025.

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  A lot of hope has been placed on Tuchel’s shoulder following his appointment as the FA deviated from the regular practice of having an English coach at the helm of the Three Lions. Tuchel’s current contract will be up after the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, and the German has revealed that he is likely to leave the team if their World Cup campaign is considered a flop.
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  WHAT TUCHEL SAID

  Speaking to the media, Tuchel was asked if the 2026 World Cup would be ‘win or bust’, the German responded: “I don’t know, it depends.

  “I know what you’re saying, no, it’s not a gamble, but we speak it out now very clearly why we are here and what we want to achieve. We are not shy of it.

  “We are absolutely open about it. It does not help the more often we speak about it, but it should be out there and then we can set the standards and set the values and principles because then we have to live up to them for 18 months.

  “Let’s judge it when we have done it. If we decide it was a failure, then we will not continue. If we decide it was not a failure, then we will continue. Let’s see.

  “No one can predict the future. It feels absolutely right for me to do so, it feels clear and it feels easy for me to explain. When it’s easy to explain, it’s normally good.”

• WHAT NEXT FOR TUCHEL?

  Interim boss Lee Carsley will remain in charge for the rest of the year and will manage England in their next two Nations League group-stage clashes. Tuchel will officially take over as head coach after the turn of the year.