THOMAS TUCHEL and the FA could have ended things after the World Cup due to a secret contract clause – but only if the Three Lions lost before the quarter-finals.
According to The Athletic, either party would have been able to initiate a split should England have crashed out early this summer.
Thomas Tuchel and England could have split at the World Cup Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
A secret clause would have allowed the German or the FA to walk away this summer Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Both sides would have been entitled to huge compensation should the other have backed out of their short-term relationship.
Tuchel has batted away interest from Manchester United since being appointed as England boss, for example, and is on massive pay for his role as an esteemed foreign head coach.
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But everyone agreed to make an exemption when it emerged that England could come up against tournament co-hosts Mexico in their own back yard in the last-16.
Under the contract, a defeat in that game would have allowed either Tuchel or the FA to call it quits there and then.
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Such was the challenge of playing an effective away game in the rowdy Azteca at altitude in that scenario, they agreed to waive it – and they shouldn’t have worried.
England managed one of their best ever results – winning 3-2 in Mexico City and securing a place in the quarter-finals.
But Tuchel has faced immense backlash this week despite going a step further and beating Norway in the next round.
His handling of the final 40 minutes in the semi against Argentina on Wednesday has left England fans furious.
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The former Chelsea boss has been slammed since the semi-final loss to Argentina Credit: Getty
The German boss made defensive changes to try and see out a 1-0 win after Anthony Gordon‘s goal opened up a tight game.
And it backfired with an already retreating side dropping deeper and deeper.
England had just 12 per cent of the ball between Gordon’s goal and Lautaro Martinez heading in a winner for Argentina in stoppage time.
There was no way back, and many have lost it with Tuchel, who was meant to be the experience, elite manager to deliver success – not another disappointing lack of control when it really mattered.
But Tuchel is not about to step down or get sacked ahead of the home Euros in 2028.
The FA are backing their expensive hire to come good in two years.
It has now been revealed that Pep Guardiola had reached an agreement to take over the national team role in 2024.
He then went on to make a U-turn on his Manchester City future and England turned to Tuchel instead.
It was still seen as a giant coup – landing a manager as established and highly rated as this.
And all was going well – until the finish in Atlanta which has soured the feeling entirely.
Tuchel himself has expressed frustration at the English “DNA”, claiming that the nation’s history is simply not there – only making things worse with supporters.
An exclusive JattvibeSport poll revealed that nearly 60 per cent of voters – out of 15,000 – felt he should be AXED.
Just 32 per cent thought Tuchel should keep his job, and high profile pundits are also split on the future.
Pep Guardiola had agreed to take over from Gareth Southgate in 2024 but a U-turn on his Manchester City future Credit: PA
Michael Owen slammed the former Chelsea man, labelling the approach as “rubbish” and like a “pub team.”
Gary Lineker was left unimpressed with the tactics and joked about Tuchel being a “German Spy.”
Fans watching a Tuchel interview laying into performances under Gareth Southgate have been upset by his own lack of invention and bravery on the biggest stage.
Even Lionel Messi felt England “didn’t want it” when Argentina turned up the heat.
Tuchel, 52, was appointed as Southgate’s permanent successor in late 2024 – starting on January 1, 2025 – and signed an extension until after Euro 2028.
That tournament is due to be played in England – but the initial goal was for Tuchel to deliver a second ever World Cup title and a second star on the shirt.
Now he has failed with that – and the manner in which it all turned ugly – has left questions over Tuchel’s position.
The FA will carry out a regular review of the tournament – which had mostly been a success until it all spiralled away in one half hour blitz.
Tuchel is expected to remain in charge. And making a change now will be extremely costly with none of the contract clauses triggered.
