Thomas Tuchel retains the backing of the Football Association (Image: Getty)
Patrick Vieira has shown his full backing for Thomas Tuchel to stay as England manager, arguing that stability is vital following the Three Lions’ agonising World Cup semi-final exit at the hands of Argentina. The German boss has faced criticism for England’s cautious tactics after giving away their lead against the world champions, but he is understood to retain the full confidence of the Football Association.
Tuchel also has the support of FA chief executive Mark Bullingham and is expected to remain in charge. England’s dreams of glory were dashed as Argentina fought back to claim a 2-1 victory, striking twice in the closing stages and grabbing a dramatic injury-time winner to book their place in the World Cup final against Spain.
Anthony Gordon had given the nation genuine hope with his strike in the second half, but Tuchel’s changes became progressively defensive on in a bid to preserve the advantage. That backfired, as Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez netted the goals that sealed a remarkable turnaround.
Despite the heartbreaking knockout, former Crystal Palace manager Vieira insisted it would be ‘mad’ to relieve Tuchel of his duties after just one major tournament. “I believe in stability,” Vieira said on the Rest is Football podcast. “After you make a decision with Tuchel…
“I think it would be mad, for me, to sack him or to change the coach. I think that was his first big tournament and of course there are some positive and negative and the frustration is going to be there because you are out like that. But how can he build from that? I think he will learn a lot about the players because he lived with them, he saw the players in a good moment and a really difficult period.
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“He will learn a lot about the group but you need to give him at least the Euros and to see how far they can go. With the way they competed in this World Cup, there is no doubt that the Euros. England are going to win it, not to go to the semi-final, they are to go to win it. I think it will be mad for the FA to change that.”
England had their World Cup dream shattered (Image: Getty)
Tuchel is expected to remain at the helm for the Three Lions’ Euro 2028 campaign. The former Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain manager penned a two-year contract extension in February, securing his position until after that tournament.
“We keep on going with the contract until the home Euros,” Tuchel confirmed. “I’m looking forward to that even though right now it’s difficult to look that far ahead. A lot of big football nations are eliminated before the semi-final, so it is an achievement. No-one wants to hear that at the moment; me neither because we demand the most of ourselves. That’s just the nature of being competitive.”
England have now been knocked out every time they have encountered a top-10 ranked nation in the World Cup knockout rounds since 1998. They are, however, assured of one final match before returning home.
The loss consigned them to the third-place play-off, otherwise known as the bronze match, where they will face France with the opportunity to end their tournament on a positive note by claiming the bronze medal.
The third-place match is scheduled to kick off on Saturday, 18th July at 10pm UK time. The showpiece final between Spain and Argentina, meanwhile, takes place the following day on Sunday at 8pm.