Thomas Tuchel revealed he has no release clause in his England contract but is committed to leading them at least until Euro 2028 – even if a big club comes calling.
The Three Lions boss was asked the question between Mauricio Pochettino agreeing a deal in principle with Manchester United to replace Michael Carrick, who is expected to be sacked in the coming days. The US manager has a £7m buyout clause in his deal.
“No release clause,” confirmed Tuchel, who signed his current contract in February. “And there is no intention. I signed the contract – I want to stay until the Euros. I want to do the Euros. We have unfinished business.”
Tuchel was then asked if there was “zero chance” he would leave England if a big club swooped in for him between now and Euro 2028, which will be held in England. The manager said, “Yeah, I’d say so.”
Tuchel led England to the semi-finals at this summer’s World Cup in the USA, where they were heartbreakingly beaten by Argentina.
His side have won three of their four Nations League games since the World Cup – including a 7-0 win in Croatia – and Tuchel said: “I love my squad, I love my staff and I have bosses who believe in me and are happy with the way we do things.
“It’s a lot and I appreciate it a lot, so it’s in a good place. I’m in a good place. Like I said, I love the players.
“I miss my players and my team and I miss the 50 games I haven’t been involved in in a year, but I’m desperate to win the Nations League and I’m desperate to play and try to win the Euros.”
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England captain Harry Kane was applauded by the media for his Ballon d’Or success as he entered Wednesday’s press conference ahead of the Nations League match against Croatia.
Tuchel plans the club’s return to football
Despite enjoying his first role in international football, Tuchel – who has coached Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain – admits he intends to return to club football once he leaves his current role.
“Yeah, definitely. I miss the 50 games, like I said. I miss those two minutes when it’s all done. You come out two minutes before the whistle blows, it’s like the best two minutes, everything’s done and you’re in a full stadium, the lights are on and you’re so excited and you’re part of it.
“That’s really the two minutes where I kind of realize how lucky and how grateful I am, and then the whistle goes and you’re back in the tunnel trying to win the game for your team. And you do that every four days.”
Could the Nations League finals be coming to England?
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Rob Dorsett gives his five takeaways from Tuchel’s Nations League squad announcement
Tuchel also suggested the FA could make a bid to bring the Nations League finals to England – something he hopes will happen.
He said: “We don’t know yet where the Nations League final will be. The FA has an option to put its hat in the ring.
“We’ve spoken before about this group of players trying to bring their training performances onto the pitch. Other England managers have spoken about the heavy jersey.
“It will be (the Euros) a home tournament, the pressures of that tournament will be unique. It’s almost like a dress rehearsal, playing in front of your own fans.
“The Nations League helps us in general. It would be exciting, it would be great to have it here. First of all, we have to reach the final.”
England are currently second in Group C, three points behind leaders Spain and six ahead of third-placed Croatia – meaning they are well placed to reach the final next summer.