England manager Thomas Tuchel has revealed he is open to extending his stay with the national team beyond next year's World Cup, regardless of the tournament's outcome.
The German coach, who took charge in October last year, currently has a contract that runs only until after the 2026 World Cup finals. However, speaking after announcing his squad for upcoming qualifiers against Serbia and Albania, Tuchel indicated he would consider staying on.
Future Not Dependent on World Cup Glory
Tuchel stressed that his future should not be judged solely on whether England win the World Cup, a trophy the nation hasn't lifted since 1966. He pointed out that the manner of any potential exit would be more significant than simply being eliminated.
"I think we all understand that when it comes to knockout football it's: 'How do we go out?'" Tuchel explained. "It's different if we lose 3-0 in a round of 32 to a huge underdog and we completely underperform, or you lose with a red card and you put up a big fight in a quarter-final."
The former Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager added that fans "will understand if we go out with pride" and acknowledged that while winning matters most, supporters can recognise when a team has given their all.
Re-energised by England Role
Tuchel appears to have found renewed enthusiasm in international management after what he described as "draining spells" at club level. England have won their past two World Cup qualifiers 5-0, securing their place at the 2026 tournament in style.
"I feel re-energised and I love to work with the players and be close to the Premier League," Tuchel said. "I know also the level of support and trust that I have. I feel that and I know I need that to be the best version of myself."
The manager particularly enjoys the slower pace of international football compared to the relentless club calendar. His contract contains no performance-related clauses that would be triggered by England's World Cup showing.
Approaching Contract Talks with Caution
While open to discussions about extending his deal, Tuchel is keen to avoid the distractions that plagued England before previous tournaments. He referenced Fabio Capello's situation in 2010, when the Italian secured a new contract before the World Cup only for England to have a disastrous campaign.
"I'm very relaxed," Tuchel stated. "I was the one to push for a short contract, to streamline it and go to the World Cup, because I was not fully aware of the job and what is needed and how I would feel in the job. Nothing has changed."
Tuchel has recalled Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden to his latest squad as England prepare for their final qualifiers. With World Cup qualification already secured, the focus now turns to building momentum ahead of the main tournament next year.
The manager concluded: "The best thing, the big tournament, is yet to come."
