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By JACK GAUGHAN Published: 08: 50 AEDT, 13 February 2026 | Updated: 08: 50 AEDT, 13 February 2026 4 View comments Blue cap on, Thomas Tuchel weaved a way through commuters at St Pancras on Thursday lunchtime for a whistlestop trip to Brussels. He would be in Belgium for under six hours. At his height, the headwear didn’t really help make the England manager any less conspicuous as he boarded the Eurostar for a Nations League draw that feels like years away. A Nations League draw (Spain, Croatia and Czech Republic, for the record) that few anticipated would feature in Tuchel’s future yet the announcement of a new contract until 2028 has moved the dial. He was back in London by midnight, the sort of in and out job that had been the expectation when he penned the original 18-month deal with eyes only for the World Cup. The German claimed in Brussels that while the news definitely offers clarity and removes a potential distraction when England are in the United States, agreeing an extension for merely that reason would have been folly. These contracts almost always come with break clauses now and FA chief executive Mark Bullingham wouldn’t be drawn on the details. But Tuchel discussed how his connection with the group of players has come as a surprise and that only heightened during the last international break, after which both parties wanted to discuss prolonging their time together. ‘Both sides wanted to complete the cycle, we wanted to commit further to a full cycle of World Cup and Euros, ’ Tuchel said. ‘We want to compete for all titles, but we are very aligned in the way we want it, and that is the best feeling you can have as a coach. ’ Thomas Tuchel has extended his contract as England head coach past the World Cup this summer and through 2028 The German manager spoke highly of his connection with his players in the national team Clearly, Tuchel has had admirers from elsewhere. He has been in the frame for the Manchester United job in the summer and the idea of returning to club management does appeal. ‘But not for two-and-a-half years, ’ he said. Asked if he had spoken to any suitors, he added: ‘Confidential. But I was very committed to the idea after November to stay. ‘The World Cup was my initial thought, an 18-month contract, but when we started talking again it felt the FA were ready to commit and I was absolutely ready to commit. I had to get to know the job. I didn’t know exactly what was coming. September, October, November was the period where I felt the strongest connection to the players and job itself. ’ Tuchel appeared content with his lot on Thursday, smirking when emphasising that it was Croatia ‘again’ in their Nations League group while pointing out how difficult the country might find it next September when there are four fixtures to cram in across three weeks – and the lack of Premier League football that represents. He spoke glowingly of the opportunities for Kobbie Mainoo to break back into the fold, having not played internationally since 2024, and namechecked Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire as possible gatecrashers were Manchester United to continue improving under Michael Carrick. The defenders are ‘suddenly back in the picture’ because ‘they play a back four’. But there are worries that will doubtless be festering – Jude Bellingham being the largest of those. The hamstring injury sustained at the beginning of the month, one that reduced him to tears during victory over Rayo Vallecano, had looked to keep him out for around a month yet Real Madrid appear considerably more pessimistic about the timeline now. The FA are in contact with Bellingham and waiting nervously to ascertain whether he is capable of joining up when they face Uruguay and Japan for the home friendlies at the end of March – a crucial week or so, the last meet before the pre-tournament camp in Florida. ‘The club is a bit more defensive on the outlook regarding the weeks of his recovery, ’ Tuchel said. ‘Jude is pushing, and as we know him, he is determined and super professional. He will try everything to be with us in March. Tuchel is delighted to have English stars like Kobbie Mainoo back fit and firing in the league ‘Whatever we can do for him, we will help and support him. It is a little race against time. Personally, I am optimistic, but I am not sure. ’ As well as United, Bellingham’s club are likely to need a new head coach in the summer. Tottenham too you’d imagine. And there will be others, Pep Guardiola’s future not cast in stone at Manchester City. The FA were certainly smart in negotiating quickly after a flawless World Cup qualifying campaign, with the performances during the last camp going close to what Tuchel envisaged when he breezed in last year. ‘I’m not sure if they (the FA) were worried, ’ he said. ‘There was no reason to be worried because I was obviously totally focused through the qualification period and right after that we started the talks. I was always committed to this idea of extending the contract, the FA were always committed – there were no games, no second thoughts. The process was very straightforward. ’
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