The Football Association has confirmed its full backing for Thomas Tuchel as England manager, despite the Three Lions' heartbreaking 2-1 World Cup defeat to Argentina in Atlanta. Chief executive Mark Bullingham supports the German coach, who signed a two-year contract extension in February that keeps him in charge until after Euro 2028.
World Cup Exit Details
England took the lead through Anthony Gordon just before the hour mark, but Argentina struck twice late on, with Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez scoring in injury time to snatch victory. Tuchel's defensive substitutions, introducing multiple defenders to protect the lead, drew criticism after the collapse.
Former Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira, speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, argued strongly against any change. "I believe in stability," Vieira said. "After you make a decision with Tuchel... I think it would be mad, for me, to sack him or to change the coach. I think that was his first big tournament and of course there are some positive and negative and the frustration is going to be there because you are out like that. But how can he build from that?"
FA and Player Support
Tuchel retains the backing of the FA and key players, with Vieira noting the manager will learn from the experience. "He will learn a lot about the players because he lived with them, he saw the players in a good moment and a really difficult period. He will learn a lot about the group but you need to give him at least the Euros and to see how far they can go."
Vieira added that England's competitiveness in the World Cup bodes well for the future: "With the way they competed in this World Cup, there is no doubt that the Euros... England are going to win it, not to go to the semi-final, they are to go to win it. I think it will be mad for the FA to change that."
Future Plans
Tuchel is set to lead England into the Euro 2028 campaign, having signed a contract extension in February. The FA has made clear it will not make a rash decision based on one tournament, prioritizing long-term stability over short-term reaction.
