DAZN Panel: Should Thomas Tuchel stay on as England national team boss?

On Sunday, the finale of the 2026 World Cup will take place, but it's a game England will be watching from the sidelines thanks to Thomas Tuchel.

The England boss has come under fire after his tactical decisions massively backfired in the 2-1 defeat to Argentina, and it cost the Three Lions a place in a World Cup final for the first time since 1966. 

In the aftermath, fingers have been pointed in the German's direction and questions are being asked about his position as national team boss. 

Ahead of their third-place play-off against France, the DAZN Panel have their say on the future of the manager. 

Andrew Steel 

When Thomas Tuchel took the England job, he had one brief - to take the extra step that Sir Gareth Southgate couldn't do, and win a major tournament.

On the basis of this summer, though, the Football Association may be left wondering if they made the right call on giving the German the keys to EURO 2028 too.

Southgate was unlikely to stay past EURO 2024, given the way his side devolved into a team of "moments". But Tuchel does not appear to have necessarily improved what he has inherited.

It is something to be said that he is not the only super-coach to fail here. Throw in concerns from his squad about his tactical decisions, and his position could face some jeopardy yet.

A semi-final finish is nothing to be sniffed at. But ultimately, Tuchel botched the assignment quite spectacularly, more so than his predecessor arguably did. If he is to go, then it must be now.

Chris Walker 

England’s capitulation against an Argentina side ready to be beaten was arguably the lowest point in a World Cup history that contains so many.

The feeble surrender once going a goal up is what you'd expect from a National League team taking on Manchester City at the Etihad, not a supposedly elite manager who has won the Champions League and who can also call on the very best England has to offer.

From the outset of this competition, England never quite got it right and that includes squad selection and their lack of ability to control games.

Congo, Mexico, and Norway all landed big shots on Tuchel’s England and when it looked like they needed to come out fighting against the first quality side they played in the tournament, Tuchel retreated by putting on several defenders before blaming those players afterwards.

For the money he costs, Tuchel is no better than Gareth Southgate and although future tournaments lie ahead, the German’s legacy as England manager will surely be what went down in Atlanta.

For that reason, a change is required, but the FA are huge on Tuchel, and although someone like Eddie Howe or Lee Carsley may deserve a chance, Tuchel should be in charge when Euro 2028 comes around.

Getty Images

Matt Astbury 

If Thomas Tuchel had not been given a contract extension, then I think it would have been best for him to walk away, but the FA have put themselves in a bad position by keeping him until the end of the Euros in 2028.

The aftermath of England’s defeat is getting worse and worse, a toxic atmosphere is becoming more prevalent with Tuchel and some of his players disagreeing with his tactics.

However, while Tuchel is contracted to stay until the summer of 2028, I don’t see how he can continue if there is a rift growing between the German and his players.

Ash Rose 

After the final of Euro 2020, I could never imagine I would be angrier at an England manager than Thomas Tuchel has his 'hold my beer' moment against Argentina. 

Even days after the event I can't quite fathom how the German thought his decisions in that last half hour were the correct ones. His uber defensive approach cost England a World Cup final and left many wondering how the guy brought in to 'take us to the next level' had failed so miserably. 

Arguably, the signs had been there all tournament. Tuchel mostly got away with his questionable squad picks and some subpar performances, but there was no one else to blame but him in the semi-final. 

Unfortunately, the FA made their bed when they offered him a new deal to 2028, and I can't see either party relenting on that schedule now, even after Tuchel's subsequent doubling down on England's DNA. 

I think if his contract had been up, we'd have waved goodbye, but for now he has Euro 2028 to make up for his disaster in Atlanta. 

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