Thomas Tuchel to England: Former Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager in pole position for job with FA in talks

The FA have accelerated their search to name Gareth Southgate’s successor as England manager; Thomas Tuchel has been out of work since leaving Bayern Munich in May; the FA made an initial enquiry for Pep Guardiola but he is not currently an active candidate

The FA are in talks with representatives of Thomas Tuchel with the German coach in pole position to become the new England manager, Sky Sports News has been told.

Tuchel has been out of work since May when he left Bayern Munich, and Sky Sports News reported two weeks ago that there had been no formal approach from the FA – to Tuchel or to a number of the other leading candidates – including Jurgen Klopp, Graham Potter and Eddie Howe.

However, it is thought that the FA have accelerated their search for a successor to Gareth Southgate in recent days, after the Nations League defeat to Greece and interim manager Lee Carsley’s confused messaging over his future.

Whilst there was an initial enquiry to Pep Guardiola’s people, shortly after Southgate resigned in July, we have been told there has been no further developments in that area, and the Manchester City manager, whilst he is hugely admired by senior figures at the FA, is not currently thought to be an active candidate.

It now appears that Tuchel is the FA’s primary choice, and he could quickly be confirmed in the role if negotiations progress well – though much of the detail about his contract has yet to be agreed

FA technical director, John McDermott, is known to want a coach with a proven track record of winning trophies, which is where Tuchel scores highly: he has won league titles with both Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, and the Champions League, Super Cup and Club World Cup with Chelsea.

It is thought that, even though Tuchel was technically placed on gardening leave by Bayern, the FA would be required to pay no compensation to the German giants

If appointed, Tuchel would be only the third non-English manager of the men’s England team after Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello.

Analysis: Not a done deal – but is this move controversial?

Sky Sports News senior reporter Rob Dorsett:

“It is significant news because in the last couple of days, the media has been awash with talk about Pep Guardiola becoming the new England manager.

“My understanding is that it’s very unlikely to happen and that Thomas Tuchel is now in pole position to take over from Gareth Southgate. My information is that the FA are in talks with his representatives as we speak.

“We talked a lot about the different perspectives of FA chief executive Mark Bullingham and technical director John McDermott. My understanding is Bullingham would have liked an English or home-grown coach to take over as the men’s national team manager.

“But McDermott wants a manager who wants to win a trophy and that’s how this next England manager will be judged. This group and generation of players is good enough to win a major international trophy, they came very close under Southgate.

“Having left Bayern Munich in strange circumstances, it would be an interesting step for Tuchel in his coaching career. You tend to think of England managers and national team managers being in the latter stages of their careers, but if the FA can get Tuchel over the line, it wouldn’t be that.

“He’s in his prime, his CV is extraordinary, he has been at three of the biggest clubs in European club football and he’s won trophies at all of them.

“From the FA’s perspective, there is no absolute rush. The World Cup qualifiers, which are the next big games for England, do not start until March. What’s happened in the media in the last couple of days or weeks is questioning whether Lee Carsley is going to take the job or whether he is going to take the job.

“But it will be controversial because he is foreign and and because he’s German in particular. With the rivalry between England and Germany, that will be controversial among a large number of England fans and the media as well.

“But let’s not get ahead of ourselves: these are talks. He is in pole position but there’s still a lot of ground to cover in terms of contracts, negotiations between Tuchel and the FA. It’s not a done deal, but a significant move forward in England’s search for a new manager.

“It could be done quickly if they reach an agreement in negotiations, I’ve been told. It certainly could happen in time for England’s Nations League games next month.”

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