Thomas Tuchel extended England stay because of ‘amazing players’ at his disposal

Thomas Tuchel says he extended his contract as England manager through to Euro 2028 because of the «amazing group of players» at his disposal.

The German took charge in January 2025 and his time as Three Lions boss had originally been set to end after this summer’s World Cup.

However, the 52-year-old admitted his «connection to the players and to the job itself» had grown as England claimed eight wins from eight matches to waltz through qualifying for the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

«The main reasons I took the job in the first place were the players,» Tuchel said.

«I wanted to be around this amazing group of players. I wanted to coach these characters that I already knew from the Premier League.

«I love the group of players. I love the characters, I love being in charge. I felt the passion in the country when the Euros were held at Wembley. From there it was more a dream than a reality.

«I’m very grateful for the support and trust of the FA and we will put all the effort in to make everyone proud and to keep on going.»

When Tuchel accepted the England job, it was his first incursion into the international arena.

Having enjoyed success with the likes of Borussia Dortmund, Paris St-Germain, Chelsea and Bayern Munich, he has adapted seamlessly to a different type of challenge away from the day-to-day issues he faced at clubs.

«We didn’t know exactly what was coming as an international manager,» Tuchel added.

«It was basically the point why I voted strongly for only 18 months contract in the first place, because I said ‘Listen, I have never done this. Can I first make sure that I love this and that I feel committed to the team, and I feel connected to the team’, because I think that is needed to be the best version of myself.

«It took me some months to understand it but as soon as the more condensed period arrived in September, October, November, it was the period where I felt the strongest connection to the players and to the job itself. And from there on I was fully committed to go even further.»

With the 2028 European Championship finals being hosted by England, Wales, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland, the temptation of leading a side into a home Euros, with the Football Association keen to back their man, also proved an irresistible reason for Tuchel to stay on.

«We had an excellent qualifying campaign, and both sides wanted to complete the cycle,» he added.

«We wanted to commit further to a full cycle of World Cup and Euros. The FA wanted and I wanted so it was an easy one.»

While some may draw parallels to the situation England faced after handing Fabio Capello a lucrative new deal prior to 2010 World Cup in South Africa, there can be no question that the FA’s move does at least provide some continuity and clarity in the short to medium term.

Having been strongly linked with Manchester United, where Michael Carrick is in charge until the end of the season, both Tuchel and the FA appear content to have removed any potential distractions heading into the World Cup.

«It didn’t have to be done, but it was a very positive, very welcome side-effect of it,» Tuchel added.

«It was the opposite, very important for me that we don’t do it just to have clarity in the World Cup, but we do it if we are convinced, and [FA CEO] Mark Bullingham especially made this very clear from the beginning.

«But it is, no doubt, a very welcome side-effect that we have clarity, no more speculation, no more rumours.

«There was no reason to be worried because I was obviously totally focused through the qualification period and right after that we started the talks. I was always committed to this idea of extending the contract, the FA were always committed – there were no games, no second thoughts.

«There is a possibility that I will be tempted to go back to club football but not in the next two-and-a-half years.»

With question marks removed over his own future, Tuchel will soon have to navigate the recurring issues his predecessors have faced leading England into major tournaments.

That includes managing expectation levels and selection connundrums that appear to be commonplace whenever England are readying themselves for a World Cup or Euros.

And he appears to be relishing the prospect of making those decisions with Manchester United trio Kobbie Mainoo, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw all likely to come into his thinking, having not featured under the German so far.

A change of manager and system has allowed Mainoo – a starter in the Euro 2024 final – to showcase his talent again after he was mystifyingly banished from United’s starting XI under former boss Ruben Amorim.

Meanwhile, Shaw and Maguire have impressed under Carrick, with Tuchel assessing all three players in United’s 1-1 draw at West Ham on Tuesday.

When questioned about Mainoo, Tuchel continued: «Absolutely back in the frame! First of all, it is great that he is back on the pitch. He is such a huge talent.

«He has already played a tournament from start to finish for England, so he is back in the picture, so is Luke Shaw and so is Harry Maguire.

«There are some players suddenly back in the picture, they play a back four now and play with a different style which is a bit easier to translate to our structure at the moment. It’s good competition.»