Is Manchester United's chances of signing Tuchel over?

Tuchel's future with the England national team is secure. Photo: Reuters .

According to The Times , Tuchel's current contract, signed in October 2024 before he officially takes the job in January 2025, will expire after the 2026 World Cup in North America. The early extension is seen as a move to avoid instability ahead of the major tournament.

If he signs a new contract, the 52-year-old strategist will remain in his position until the end of Euro 2028. This tournament is co-hosted by England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, with the semi-finals and final taking place at Wembley. Tuchel is reportedly excited about the opportunity to lead the England team at a "home" Euro tournament.

Under Tuchel, England made a strong impression in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, becoming the first European team to win all eight matches without conceding a single goal. Key players like Harry Kane and Declan Rice have publicly expressed their support for him.

The FA considers retaining a world-class coach a crucial step in the context of a volatile coaching market. Tuchel was approached by Manchester United as a replacement for Erik ten Hag and met with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe before declining the offer. He has also been mentioned at Tottenham and is among the candidates for the Real Madrid manager's job.

It's hard to avoid comparing this to Fabio Capello's decision to extend his contract before the 2010 World Cup, but the context is different. Capello only expressed his desire to extend his contract close to the tournament when Inter Milan showed interest.

Tuchel is very excited about his job with the England team. Photo: Reuters.

Meanwhile, Tuchel expressed his desire to stay early on. In November, when announcing the squad for the matches against Albania and Serbia, he said managing England after the World Cup was "a possibility" and expressed his enthusiasm.

"I've known from years of professional football what makes me happy and allows me to perform at my best," Tuchel said. "I feel energized and enjoy working with the players, being close to the Premier League. I also know the level of support and trust I receive."

Tuchel will attend the Nations League draw in Brussels. England are in Group 3 of League A.

Their 2026 World Cup campaign will kick off on June 17th with a match against Croatia in Dallas, before facing Ghana and Panama in the remaining two group stage matches. The contract extension gives England a sense of stability and clarity about their future entering the tournament.

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