Thomas Tuchel retains the backing of the Football Association and is expected to lead England into Euro 2028 despite the painful manner of their World Cup elimination.
England were five minutes away from reaching their first men’s World Cup final since 1966 when Enzo Fernández cancelled out Anthony Gordon’s second-half opener in Atlanta.
Lautaro Martínez then headed home Lionel Messi’s cross in the second minute of stoppage time, completing Argentina’s 2-1 comeback and leaving Tuchel facing intense scrutiny over his defensive changes.
Despite the backlash, the FA has no immediate plans to make a managerial change. According to The Independent’s report on Tuchel’s future, the German continues to have the organisation’s support and is set to remain in charge for the European Championship.
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Tuchel confirms he is staying
Tuchel originally signed a contract covering the period up to the 2026 World Cup, but agreed an extension in February that runs until the conclusion of Euro 2028.
The tournament will be staged on home soil, placing even greater importance on the FA’s decision to continue with the former Chelsea and Bayern Munich coach.
“I have a contract until the home Euros and I’m looking forward to that even like now it is difficult to look that far ahead,” Tuchel said.
As reported by Sky Sports after the semi-final, the 52-year-old has no intention of walking away following England’s latest tournament disappointment.
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His position is therefore not considered to be under immediate threat, even though the nature of the defeat has raised serious questions about his ability to manage decisive moments in knockout football.
FA praises manager and players
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham offered public support to Tuchel and the squad in the immediate aftermath of the defeat.
“The players and Thomas gave it everything today and the squad, coaches and staff could not have worked harder during the tournament,” Bullingham said in the FA’s official reaction to England’s elimination.
England reached the final four after surviving a difficult knockout route that included a 3-2 victory over Mexico and an extra-time win against Norway.
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Tuchel can also point to England’s overall tournament position. Several leading nations were eliminated before the semi-finals, while his side came within minutes of facing Spain in Sunday’s final.
That achievement appears to have persuaded the FA that the campaign represented progress rather than grounds for dismissal.
The problem is that England’s latest near miss followed an increasingly familiar pattern.
They also lost a World Cup semi-final in 2018 before suffering defeats in the European Championship finals of 2021 and 2024. Tuchel was hired partly to provide the tactical expertise required to turn deep tournament runs into trophies, but his first major competition ended with another lead surrendered.
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Defensive switch comes under fire
Gordon gave England the advantage in the 55th minute after converting a delivery from Morgan Rogers.
England had pressed effectively before the goal, restricting Messi’s influence and forcing Argentina into hurried decisions. Tuchel’s team then gradually abandoned that approach.
In the 71st minute, the manager switched to a five-player defence. Argentina subsequently controlled 93 per cent of possession over the remaining 21 minutes and scored twice, while England failed to register another touch inside the opposition penalty area.
As described in Sky Sports’ match report, Fernández equalised in the 85th minute before substitute Martínez completed the turnaround seven minutes later.
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Tuchel defended the reasoning behind his changes, explaining that England had become vulnerable to crosses and runners inside the penalty area.
He nevertheless accepted that his side had lost the aggression that had placed them in control.
“We were so close but we got too passive after we scored,” Tuchel said in England Football’s account of his post-match reaction.
The manager argued that England’s difficulties began before the switch in formation. His players were already losing duels, failing to retain possession and allowing Argentina to deliver repeated balls into the penalty area.
Critics saw the changes differently. They accused Tuchel of reinforcing England’s retreat by replacing attacking players with defenders and leaving Harry Kane isolated at the opposite end of the pitch.
Euro 2028 becomes defining test
The FA’s decision removes any immediate uncertainty but increases the pressure surrounding Euro 2028.
Reaching the semi-finals will not be enough when England compete in front of their own supporters. Tuchel will be expected to demonstrate that the lessons from Atlanta have been learned and that his team can protect a lead without abandoning the approach that created it.
England’s recent tournament record shows that they are capable of reaching the decisive stages. What remains missing is the ability to control the final moments against elite opposition.
Tuchel has now been given another opportunity to solve that problem.
Before preparations for Euro 2028 begin, England must face France in Saturday’s third-place play-off in Miami. Neither team wanted to be involved in the match, but it will provide Tuchel and his players with an immediate test of their ability to respond.
The FA has chosen continuity over another managerial change. That decision means the responsibility for ending England’s long wait for a major trophy remains firmly with Tuchel.
