The Football Association has made Thomas Tuchel their top target for the England manager role after concluding that Pep Guardiola is likely to extend his contract at Manchester City. Guardiola, who led City to a record fourth successive Premier League title last season, was approached by the FA over the summer but did not give an immediate answer, prompting officials to accelerate talks with Tuchel.
The German is expected to be unveiled at a press conference on Wednesday, three months after Gareth Southgate resigned following England's defeat in the Euro 2024 final. Tuchel has already flown to London to finalise contract details, becoming only the third foreign national to manage the men's national team.
Tuchel's credentials include winning the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021 and league titles with Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich. He also worked with England captain Harry Kane at Bayern last season, where Kane scored 44 goals in 45 games. The FA hopes his proven pedigree can turn England from European runners-up into tournament winners.
Lee Carsley, who has been in interim charge since Southgate's exit, will likely return to the Under-21s role. Tuchel is expected to oversee the World Cup qualifying campaign after the draw on 13 December, though it remains unclear if he will take charge of the final two Nations League matches next month.
