Thomas Tuchel is in no hurry to return to club management. It's easy to see why | Jacob Steinberg

"Thomas Tuchel was supposed to be here for a good time, not a long time. It was win or bust when he signed up to become England's head coach in October 2024. The target was clear lead the side to glory at the 2026 World Cup and it came with an acceptance that the German was nothing more than a very expensive gun for hire. An 18-month deal, which began on 1 January 2025, saw to that. Tuchel talked about it giving him focus."

"He said it streamlined the role. It's a little bit of a step into the unknown for me, he said. Tuchel would have to adapt. He loves being out on the training pitch, working with his players, honing their understanding of his tactics. Wouldn't he get bored during the long months without a game? Wouldn't he get itchy feet as soon as he saw a job open up at a big club? This week we saw the clearest evidence yet"

Tuchel accepted an 18-month England contract starting 1 January 2025 with a clear target: lead the side to 2026 World Cup glory. He described the role as focused and streamlined, acknowledging a step into the unknown and a need to adapt. He values coaching on the training pitch and building tactical understanding, with initial questions about boredom during international breaks and potential attraction back to club jobs. He then embraced international management, publicly expressing enthusiasm for extending his stay until Euro 2028. The decision is also pragmatic: international stability contrasts with recent managerial volatility at major clubs, allowing him to work serenely despite tournament pressures.

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