Thomas Tuchel keeps laser focus on ‘unfinished business’ with England

Head coach did not insert release clause into contract

Tuchel ‘open to everything’ including staying after Euros

Thomas Tuchel will not be going anywhere before Euro 2028. Mauricio Pochettino is expected to leave his role as the USA men’s head coach to replace Michael Carrick at Manchester United, but Tuchel has not lost his passion for international football and has revealed he did not insert a release clause when he extended his deal as England’s manager this year.

It will not matter whether there is an approach from a big club before the next tournament. United can pay about £7m to get Pochettino out of his deal, but the Football Association does not have to worry about being forced to let Tuchel go. “There’s no intention [of leaving],” Tuchel said. “I signed the contract. I want to stay until the Euros. I want to do the Euros. We have unfinished business.”

Tuchel, a Champions League winner with Chelsea in 2021, did not rule out a return to club management one day. He admitted to missing “the 50 matches” a season, “these two minutes when everything is done, before the whistle goes … it’s like the best two minutes”. But while he loves the daily grind, he added there were downsides to playing every four days and there was a twinkle in his eye when he was asked about potentially staying with England beyond the European Championship.

“I am open to everything,” he said, perhaps reflecting that it is not so long ago that people were calling for his head after England’s World Cup semi-final defeat by Argentina.

The mood has improved. Tuchel sounds energised after England’s bright start to their Nations League campaign. His contract contains a performance-related clause that would have allowed the FA to sack him had England underperformed at the World Cup, but Tuchel has support from Mark Bullingham, the chief executive, and Dan Ashworth, the chief football officer.

Ashworth and Bullingham reinforced the message in person during the summer. “They made it very early in the World Cup,” Tuchel said, explaining that the backing came while the sacking clause remained active. “They just made it very clear and it comes from a place of trust, and that’s what you look for as a coach.

“I love my players. I love my staff and I have bosses who trust me. I know how to appreciate it a lot. I miss my players, and I miss my team, and I miss the 50 matches that I’m not involved in a year. But I’m desperate to win the Nations League and to try to win the Euros.”

Tuchel, who is preparing for the Nations League game at home against Croatia on Thursday night, is thinking ahead. He is gearing up for a European Championship staged mainly in England, who would also like to be chosen to host the Nations League finals next summer. “To have it here would be exciting,” Tuchel said. “First of all, we need to reach the final.”

England need one point from their final two games in Group A3 to finish in the top two and qualify for the quarter-finals in March. Victory against Croatia would give them a chance of finishing top when they visit Spain on Sunday. The Croatia game will not merely be a celebration of Harry Kane’s Ballon d’Or. Wembley will watch the captain break the England men’s appearance record, but other issues are at play.

Tuchel needs Jude Bellingham to be careful given that England’s No 10 is on a booking and at risk of missing the Spain game through suspension. There are unknowns in central defence after Marc Guéhi’s withdrawal. Ezri Konsa is unavailable against Croatia and targeting a return against Spain. Tuchel, who added James Hill and Dan Burn to his squad this week, will use a new partnership against Slaven Bilic’s side.

It is likely to be Jarell Quansah as the right centre-back while Jarrad Branthwaite could miss out to Burn on the left. “Jarrad is doing very well but it’s a very different style of play for him from Everton towards us,” Tuchel said. “Dan Burn is more used to the style with Newcastle from the last two seasons where they followed in a high press.”

Burn led the team out when England trained on Wednesday. Among the group are exciting newcomers who inevitably command the attention. Tuchel has Rio Ngumoha and Josh King in attack. He is the first senior manager to work with the Bellingham brothers. Jobe Bellingham, who has impressed with his physicality and calmness on the ball, plays a deeper midfield role than Jude. Jobe is likely to start on the bench.

Tuchel wants to reconnect with the values from the previous camp. It featured England impressing in a narrow defeat by Spain, before they crushed Croatia 7-0 in Rijeka. One big highlight from the Croatia win was Alex Scott’s performance alongside Elliot Anderson in midfield.

Scott, who is out with a thigh injury, can challenge Declan Rice. The competition for places is fierce. Rice is back after missing the last camp. Tuchel said the Arsenal midfielder remained crucial.

“Declan understands the game like he’s almost a coach on the field,” Tuchel said, but a new identity is forming. It was interesting that Tuchel mentioned the young Chelsea defender Josh Acheampong, whose first call-up may not be far away. It seems Tuchel 2.0 is taking shape.