THE spectre of his old rival Pep Guardiola will now always be over Thomas Tuchel’s shoulder.
It is not even two months since Guardiola left Manchester City saying he needed a complete rest after an incredible decade at the Etihad.
Thomas Tuchel was unable to guide England to the World Cup final Credit: Getty
Pep Guardiola is interested in international management Credit: Getty
So England fans may be deluded to think he would be tempted by such a quick return to these shores to take over as Three Lions boss.
Guardiola, 55, is certainly not ready yet.
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He said: “People say that I’ll come back in three months. Or six months. Maybe. But that’s not what I’m feeling at this moment. Maybe one day I’ll wake up and say, ‘OK, I want to come back’.
“Maybe I will feel like proving again I’m a good coach, working with players again. But at this moment that’s not what I feel.
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“If I miss it and someone wants me I’ll be back. Otherwise I’ll continue like this. I’m not young anymore.”
So the most popular threat to Tuchel’s job might not be there now.
But should there be any struggles over the next 12 months, the possibility of Guardiola being keen cannot be ruled out.
In late 2024, provisional talks were held to see if it would be possible to bring him in as Sir Gareth Southgate’s successor.
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He stuck to his word not to leave his City bosses in the lurch — paving the way for Tuchel to land the job instead.
Those close to the Catalan are sure he would fancy a go if the stars align in the future.
He loves England as a nation — admitting last season he felt ‘part of the country’ having lived here for a decade.
Around the time of the World Cup draw, he said he would be delighted if his adopted home went all the way across the Atlantic.
Guardiola’s belief the Three Lions have the players to end their long wait for a major trophy has been well documented.
He enjoyed last summer’s Club World Cup and was devastated when City were surprisingly bundled out by Al-Hilal.
And a few months after leading City to that historic Treble in 2023, he was asked about future ambitions.
He responded: “I would like to train a national team for a World Cup or a European Championship or a Copa America.
England fell too deep after taking the lead in the semi-final Credit: Getty
Pep Guardiola is without a team after leaving Manchester City Credit: Getty
“I don’t know if that would be in five, ten or 15 years’ time. I would like that experience.
“But I don’t know who would want me.
“To work for a national team would have to want you — just like a club.”
Guardiola knows full well a host of national FAs would be falling over themselves to get the services of one of the greatest managers in history.
Despite his 47 caps for Spain as a defensive midfielder, he is not seen as an obvious coach of them — due to being a proud Catalan.
Guardiola’s affection for England was obvious to those who welcomed him to City in 2016.
Asked for his World Cup tips in the winter, he said: “I’ve been here for many years and been part of this country — so I would like it if Thomas and England do well.”
City return to pre-season training next Monday and Guardiola does not envy his replacement Enzo Maresca.
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ENGLAND’s bid to reach their first World Cup final since 1966 ended in a heartbreaking, yet predictable, defeat to Argentina.
Thomas Tuchel’s side suffered a devastating 2-1 defeat to Lionel Messi and Co at the Atlanta Stadium this evening.
Anthony Gordon sent the travelling Three Lions fans into a state of ecstasy in the 53rd minute when he ghosted in at the back post to tap the ball home inside the 18-yard box.
England tried to protect their lead as Thomas Tuchel made a host of defensive substitutions.
And they inevitably sat way too deep, allowing Enzo Fernandez to rifle the ball past Jordan Pickford in the 85th minute with a rocket from outside the 18-yard-box.
England were shell-shocked and never looked like holding out until extra-time.
And super-sub Lautaro Martinez was at hand to break Three Lions fans’ hearts across the globe with a free header at the back post in the 92nd minute.
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He told OKX: “I don’t miss thinking I’ll have to start over again.
“After 16 or 17 years I said to myself, ‘Pep, just stop a little bit and make your life go a little bit more slowly’.”
At his final City pre-match press conference in May, he admitted: “I don’t have a plan.
“Just to rest and do a lot of things I want to do that I didn’t do in the past… stupid things.”
You want to do ‘stupid things’ eh, Pep? How about being the England manager then?
