\n<\/p>\n
He has proved to be unflinchingly his own man, especially with his decision-making around Jude Bellingham, leaving Real Madrid’s superstar out of England’s squad for the friendly with Wales and the World Cup qualifier against Latvia in October despite his desire to be included after injury.<\/p>\n
Tuchel is laser-focused on his task, which is solely to win the World Cup. No star system, a fault of predecessors, will be employed.<\/p>\n
On the surface this looks, as the saying goes, a “no brainer”.<\/p>\n
But what if England mirror the desperate efforts of Capello’s team in 2010?<\/p>\n
It would take some doing, but they have not been dealt the easiest hand if they get out of the group games in the United States unscathed.<\/p>\n
If all does not go as hoped for, the new contract will weigh heavily on both the FA and Tuchel.<\/p>\n
Will this contract development future-proof Tuchel and the FA against World Cup failure? Unlikely.<\/p>\n
England have made a habit of progressing serenely through qualifying under a succession of managers. Competitive tournament football remains the acid test – and one Tuchel is yet to pass.<\/p>\n
It may, at least, offer the FA some protection from covetous advances being made in Tuchel’s direction from elite clubs, something which cannot be discounted should England’s World Cup be a success.<\/p>\n
Tuchel will also be diverting from his own history if he does stay as England head coach until the proposed date of 2028, making his tenure almost four years.<\/p>\n
He has not been one for the long haul since spending five years in charge at Mainz 05 between 2009 and 2014.<\/p>\n
Tuchel left Borussia Dortmund in May 2017 after two years in charge. He stayed a little longer at Paris St Germain, taking them to the Champions League final, before he was sacked in December 2020.<\/p>\n
He won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021 but was dismissed in September 2022 after only 20 months in charge. Tuchel was then at Bayern Munich for a little more than a year, winning the Bundesliga.<\/p>\n
This may yet be a brilliant piece of foresight by the FA to keep one of the best, most single-minded, successful coaches in world football.<\/p>\n
The final verdict, however, must wait until after the World Cup.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n