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The Football Association has accelerated its search for Gareth Southgate’s successor, with former Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel now emerging as the frontrunner for the role.
According to Sky Sports News in a report on its site on Tuesday, the FA is in talks with representatives of the German coach, who has been out of work since leaving Bayern Munich in May.
“The FA are in talks with representatives of Thomas Tuchel with the German coach in pole position to become the new England manager, Sky Sports News has been told,” the report said.
The report indicate that the FA initially made an inquiry for Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola shortly after Southgate’s resignation in July.
However, there have been no further developments, and Guardiola is not considered an active candidate, despite his popularity among senior FA figures. Instead, the focus has shifted to Tuchel, who is now seen as the leading contender.
Two weeks ago, it was reported that there had been no formal approach to Tuchel or other potential candidates such as Jurgen Klopp, Graham Potter, and Eddie Howe.
But recent events, including England’s Nations League defeat to Greece and interim manager Lee Carsley’s unclear stance on his future, have prompted the FA to accelerate their efforts.
“The FA technical director, John McDermott, is known to want a coach with a proven track record of winning trophies, which is where Tuchel scores highly: he has won league titles with both Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, and the Champions League, Super Cup and Club World Cup with Chelsea,” the report added.
Although Tuchel was placed on gardening leave by Bayern Munich, it is understood that the FA would not need to pay compensation to the German club for his services.
Should he be appointed, Tuchel would become only the third non-English manager of the England men’s team, following Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello.
