Manager Thomas Tuchel remains under pressure following England’s World Cup semi-final exit at the hands of Argentina, with doubts surrounding Josep Guardiola’s post in the aftermath.
Josep Guardiola was close to deciding to represent England in 2024 (Image: Getty Images)
Josep Guardiola agreed to take over as England manager in 2024 just to make a dramatic U-turn, and the Spaniard was said to be open to being involved in the role again.
Current Three Lions manager Thomas Tuchel remains under enormous pressure following Argentina’s exit from the World Cup.
The German’s tactics in the second half against Atlanta were widely criticized, with many arguing that the former Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager should step down just months after putting pen to paper on a new free agent deal.
One name that has been touted as a potential successor to Tuchel is former Manchester City manager Josep Guardiola. And it has now become clear how close he was to the job before.
According to The Athletic, the former Barcelona manager verbally agreed to take up the job again in 2024 after discussions with FA chiefs, but has since changed his mind and decided to remain at the Etihad Stadium for a further two seasons.
Guardiola, who has left City after a glorious decade, has already admitted he is stepping away from football, although he is understandably not unattached. At a press conference after confirming his departure from City, the player said:
“Otherwise I would be here. I have to step back. I won’t train for a while. When I said it would be my last season, many people said they would come back in three months. I don’t think so. It will take some time, but I have to prove to myself (that I need the rest).”
“It’s not 10 years. It’s been the last 17 or 18 years, apart from six months in New York, when people want the Treble or the Premier League every three days. I need to take a little breather and relax. I’m going to be away for a while.”
“I’m really satisfied, happy and proud. This has been the experience of my life in the City. Otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to spend these 10 years. I can’t be grateful for so much love and affection.”
Thomas Tuchel is under huge pressure after England’s World Cup defeat (Image: Getty Images)
Even if Guardiola is interested in the job this time around, the FA have found themselves in a tight spot when it comes to Tuchel. The clauses written into his contract seem to make a change highly unlikely.
It is reported that his contract had a break clause that would have allowed them to end their partnership if England were forced out before the World Cup quarter-finals. As the Three Lions move further into their commitments, severance pay is likely to need to be agreed.
In any case, Tuchel seems keen to continue in the role. After Argentina’s defeat, he said: “I’m still under contract until the Euros at home. It’s difficult to think that far ahead at the moment, but I’m looking forward to it.”
Tuchel’s current contract is scheduled to run until the end of the European Championship in 2028, and he only signed a new contract in February.
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