adminFA make decision on sacking England boss Thomas Tuchel after Argentina implosion
The Football Association has no plans to part ways with Thomas Tuchel, despite England’s heartbreaking World Cup semifinal loss to Argentina.
With just five minutes left in regulation time at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Three Lions were leading 1–0 through Anthony Gordon’s goal and stood on the verge of their first World Cup final appearance since 1966.
But an 85th-minute long-range strike from Enzo Fernández leveled the score, before Lautaro Martínez headed in a winner two minutes into stoppage time, sending Argentina into ecstasy.
It was a bitter end to what had otherwise been a remarkable tournament for England, who have now lost three consecutive semifinals since lifting the trophy 60 years ago. Yet the FA is not considering dismissing Tuchel, who signed a two-year contract extension as recently as February.
That commitment ties him to the England job through the 2028 European Championship, which will be co-hosted by England, Scotland, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland.
Tuchel retains the FA’s full backing and is welcome to remain in his role if he chooses. FA chief executive Mark Bullingham, who retains complete faith in the former Chelsea manager, spoke in Atlanta: “It’s heartbreaking to be so close. The players and Thomas gave everything today, and the squad, coaches, and staff could not have worked any harder throughout the tournament.
“I want to thank every one of them—and also offer my sincere gratitude to our wonderful fans here in the U.S. and back home. We felt your support at every turn, and we’re all deeply disappointed not to have gone further.”
Speaking after the 2–1 defeat to the defending world champions, Tuchel said: “We’ll carry on through the contract to the home Euros, and I’m looking forward to that. Even now, it’s difficult to see that far ahead.”
When asked whether he had gotten his tactics wrong, the German coach replied: “No, I think that’s simply the nature of football. As soon as you lose, criticism follows. That’s just how it is. Nobody knows what would have happened with different choices.
“So there’s no point engaging in that and losing my composure. I’m responsible for those decisions. I made them, so I’ll take the criticism.”
Wayne Rooney, speaking on the BBC, was critical of Tuchel’s choices and suggested his substitutions “cost” England as they buckled under Argentine pressure. The 52-year-old told the Beeb: “We’re disappointed. We were so close.
“We became too passive after we scored and conceded too many chances. We couldn’t turn possession around and let in far too many crosses, chances, and shots. We were close, but we couldn’t maintain our level after going ahead.
“I have to make decisions on the pitch. I take responsibility. No regrets in the moment. The team gave everything, and we were very, very close. The team was excellent. We just couldn’t get it over the line. No, right now, no regrets.”
Rooney, England’s second-highest goalscorer of all time, added: “We put ourselves in such a strong position, and then we didn’t know what to do. We sat back, let them come at us. They created chance after chance, and eventually we cracked. Really disappointing.
“I expected more from this game. After we got the first goal, we didn’t push for a second. For the players and for me, Thomas Tuchel made those calls, and when you make them, it’s a gamble. The gamble was switching to a back five, which let them take control of the match. The decisions Thomas Tuchel made—let’s be honest—cost us tonight.”
Captain Harry Kane reflected to the BBC: “We had a lot of good moments in this tournament, a lot of strong performances. Another semifinal. We keep talking about knocking on the door. We’re close. We just need to find—yes—that missing piece in the final stages.
“These tournaments take so much out of you—effort, pressure, mentality—and we’ve shown all of that throughout the six or seven weeks we’ve been together. We’re just short of that final piece.”
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