Who would be in the frame to replace Thomas Tuchel as England boss?

The fallout of England's World Cup exit continues to rumble on, with the blame still firmly placed at the door of Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel. 

The German's tactical decisions as England went 1-0 against Argentina led to a capitulation from his team in the final half an hour as their defensive approach invited the South Americans onto his side and eventually saw them overturn the tie and progress to the final.

Tuchel has since doubled down on his approach and even suggested that it's English football's DNA that is the issue that led him to make those calls that he did in Atlanta. 

The defeat and subsequent comments have put Tuchel under huge pressure, with some suggesting his failure should see the FA end his reign early and allow someone else to lead the Euro 2028 charge. 

It seems an unlikely move at this stage, but if England were to make a change, DAZN News looks at who would be the leading contenders for a new national team boss. 

Pep Guardiola 

Getty Images

The FA's dream scenario would be to hand Pep Guardiola the England job. 

He was their number one choice for the post when Gareth Southgate stepped down after Euro 2024, but the Spaniard had already verbally agreed a new deal with Manchester City, which is why they turned to Tuchel. 

Two years on and it's an entirely different situation. Guardiola is now a free agent, having ended his glorious tenure in Manchester and would be available if the FA decided to make a change.

The question would be if Pep wants the job or any job so soon after leaving the Etihad. It's likely that he may want a longer sabbatical, even if international management would give him more freedom to breathe. 

There's also the issue that it would be another non-English coach as national team manager, which many believe still shouldn't be the case - even if it's one the game's most influential and best names. 

Eddie Howe 

Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images

If an English boss is the preferred route, then the outstanding candidate remains Eddie Howe. 

Howe has done a commendable job at Newcastle since moving to Tyneside in 2021, where he's helped transform the club into a team fightning for European football on a regular basis. 

Not only had he brought Champions League football back to the Magpies, but in 2025 he led the club to their first major trophy in 70 years when they beat Liverpool to win the League Cup.

An indifferent season last term has seen his stock dip, and he has limited experience in dealing with the game's biggest names, but there's no doubt he is the front-runner when it comes to an English name. 

Frank Lampard 

Getty Images

Lampard has wasted no time in dipping his feet in the deep end in football management, which means he's already experienced a lot in his relatively short coaching career. 

Having started at Derby and just missing out on the play-offs, he took over Chelsea in difficult circumstances and led his young squad to Champions League qualification. 

He then had a stint at the other end of the table, where he secured Everton's Premier League survival before returning to Chelsea in the midst of their latest managerial crisis. 

Lampard's latest act has been to guide Coventry back to the Premier League, and as a former 106-cap England international, there's no doubt he'll have ambitions to manage his country, too. Yet, it still feels a tad too soon for player and post. 

Lee Carsley 

Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images

The current U21 coach is the option if the FA do return to the 'pathway' approach for national team boss, something that has evidently worked for the two World Cup finalists. 

Carsley has already had a stab at the top job, having taken over on an interim basis at the backend of 2024, and showed he wasn't afraid to implement his own ideas in an interesting spell taking charge of the seniors. 

His continued success with the U21s would keep him on the radar, and although he probably has the lowest profile of all the candidates, he's shown that he can take the weight on his shoulders. 

The former midfielder was somewhat reluctant on a full-time gig last time out, so the move would have to be the right call for all involved.

Mauricio Pochettino

(C)Getty Images

Another name from the non-English pool, but someone who's obviously very familiar with the set-up, having coached in the Premier League with Southampton and Spurs. 

Pochettino is now out of a job following his stint as US coach, where he impressively guided the team to the last 16 of the competition. 

As a manager, he's had success wherever he's been and was even on the cusp of Champions League glory with Tottenham as they reached the final in 2019. 

The Argentine has a likeable persona and a style of football that would please fans, but is he ready to jump back into international management so quickly? 

Watch the world's best football on DAZN

After the World Cup is over, there is so much great football still to watch on DAZN.

Premier League: All English top flight matches live and in full in Canada

Serie A: Watch all 380 matches of the Italian league live in the UK and Canada. Also in the US in Spanish language

Champions League: Watch every match of the 2026/27 campaign in Canada. Three matches per round exclusively in the US, in Spanish language

National League: DAZN is the home of the National League, with every game available either live or on-demand, plus selected North and South matches

FIFA+ on DAZN: Watch over 7,000 live matches a year, plus World Cup archive, iconic documentaries, films, and player profiles for FREE

More details and to subscribe to a DAZN football package, click here