England are out of the World Cup 2026 after losing in the semi final to Argentina – and rumours are already flying about the future of manager Thomas Tuchel. The former Champions League winning Chelsea manager could not steer the Three Lions any closer to World Cup glory than previous manager Sir Gareth Southgate.

Although he is under contract with the FA until after the 2028 European Championship, to be held across the UK and Ireland, Tuchel’s future is supposedly far from certain. So, if the German does leave the England set up, who will be in the running to replace him?

Main Image: Voltmetro, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Tuchel Likely to Remain Until 2028

Following the disastrous 2-1 loss to Argentina on Wednesday, which many in the press have blamed Tuchel’s late game substitutions for, there have been major media calls for him to leave.

However – at this stage it is looking unlikely. You can see that in the fact that, despite speculation, not many bookmakers are currently taking bets on the market at all. The general consensus is that the FA are sticking with Tuchel until 2028.

However, given the manner of England’s exit was sadly familiar for many, falling in stoppage time after backs-to-the-wall defending a 1-0 lead, many fans feel the German has been unable to fix the same problems that have plagued the England football team for nearly two decades now.

That has led to much speculation about who could replace Tuchel – and where there is interest in a market, you can be sure some bookies will be offering bets on it.

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Pep Guardiola, Eddie Howe Current Favourites

At the moment, the bookies who are taking bets on it think that former Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola is the front runner. He has odds of around 11/4 or as narrow as 10/3.

The legendary coach has won just about everything in European club level football, and has been open about his desire to win aWorld Cup before he retires from management.

The general speculation was he would join his native Spain, but with them being so successful in recent years at Euros and World Cups he might feel it isn’t enough of a project. He has also now lived in England for 10 years as manager of City – longer than he was in charge of Barcelona.

There were strong rumors the FA had tapped up Pep before appointing Tuchel, going as far as getting a verbal agreement on joining, but then the Spaniard decided to stay in Manchester for another year. Guardiola has also been known to take some time out of the game before in between jobs – so it isn’t impossible he could step in after the Euros depending on how that campaign goes on home soil for England.

Right behind Guardiola as the bookmakers’ second favourite for the potential next England manager is Newcastle’s Eddie Howe. The Englishman led Bournemouth to a Premier League revival a few years ago, and has since ended Newcastle’s 70 year wait for a trophy by winning the 2025 Carabao Cup. He has also shown he can handle immense pressure, given his successful tenure at the Magpies under their rich Saudi oil money-backed owners.

Howe was one of the favourites for the job before Tuchel’s surprise appointment, and many England fans would probably still like to see him in the dugout.

Lee Carsley an Outside Shout – Pochettino, Lampard, Ancelotti Also Mentioned

Current England Under 21 manager and former caretaker manager Lee Carsley is floating around bookies lists of candidates to replace Tuchel. 

The former Everton midfielder has been a big success as U21 boss, although consensus seems to be he is more of a youth development coach than a full world-class international manager. However, you can still find Carsley at around 6/1 to be the next England manager at some bookies.

Behind Carsley, most of the names will seem rather unlikely at this stage to most fans and that is understandable. Managers that have been suggested in the media and by bookmakers include Argentine and former Spurs and Team USA boss Mauricio Pochettino, former Brighton man and Sweden manager Graham Potter and legendary current Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti.

All of those names have their drawbacks. Arguably the most decorated coach in world football Ancelotti just had a relatively poor World Cup where he failed to take an ageing Brazil squad past the quarter finals. Pochettino also had a relatively disappointing tournament with the USA and also has footballing history with England from his Argentina playing days.

All-in-all the most likely candidate to be in charge for the next stage of England football remains Tuchel, although Guardiola is definitely an outside contender.