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Guardiola nearly England
England’s World Cup 2026 semifinal defeat to Argentina reignited debate over the FA’s choice of Thomas Tuchel, after the Three Lions led 1-0 but conceded a late comeback to lose 2-1.
“La Football Association (FA) consideró a Pep Guardiola como su principal candidato”
OneFootball said The Athletic reported the Football Association (FA) had “very advanced” talks to bring Pep Guardiola in 2024, with a verbal agreement for him to take charge of the Three Lions.
The same report said Guardiola then renewed with Manchester City, forcing the FA to seek another option and leading to Tuchel’s official appointment in October 2024 and his start in early 2025.
Foot Mercato added that Tuchel’s future seemed uncertain after the loss, but the FA “semble maintenir sa confiance envers son sélectionneur” and kept him in place through Euro 2028.
Ouest-France also framed it as a missed opportunity, saying The Athletic reported Guardiola had given consent to become head coach for the 2026 World Cup before retracting his decision.
Rooney and FA backing
After England’s capitulation against Argentina, Wayne Rooney urged the FA to not sack Thomas Tuchel as England boss unless Pep Guardiola was available.
Metro.co.uk quoted Rooney saying, “I don’t see anyone else out there at the minute, unless you go and get Pep Guardiola,” and added that Rooney believed England should “pounce” if Guardiola showed interest.
The Independent reported that there were calls for Tuchel to be sacked, but it said the FA reaffirmed its commitment to the German after the defeat and that his contract included clauses that would only be activated if England had been knocked out before the quarter-finals.
Football365 tied the debate to The Athletic’s account that the FA’s first target was Guardiola, with a “verbal agreement,” before it turned to Tuchel.
Ouest-France said the FA publicly supported Tuchel and that a clause in his contract would have allowed a separation if England had been eliminated before the quarterfinals, which did not happen.
Exit clauses and next match
Multiple outlets described contract exit clauses around England’s World Cup 2026 run, with Foot Mercato saying Tuchel’s deal had clauses allowing an early separation if England were eliminated in the groups, last 32, or last 16.
“une exception a toutefois été prévue pour le huitième de finale contre le Mexique”
Foot Mercato also said an exception was made for the last-16 match against Mexico at the Estadio Azteca, because the FA considered that elimination in that context “n’aurait pas forcément constitué un échec.”
The Independent added that an exemption was added once it became apparent England would face Mexico at the Estadio Azteca in the last-16, and it said Tuchel’s side went on to win 3-2.
Ouest-France said England’s third-place playoff is against the Blues this Saturday in Miami (11:00 p.m.), and it reiterated that the quarterfinal-triggering scenario did not occur because England reached the last four.
OneFootball concluded that, despite elimination and criticism, Tuchel would continue as England manager with his contract extended until after Euro 2028, while Guardiola remained the “gran oportunidad” that had been close to becoming real.
