We've taken a look at the contenders to be the next manager of England as the Three Lions attempt to reach the latter stages of the 2026 World Cup.
England started the World Cup impressively as they recorded a 4-2 victory over Croatia in their opening group game but they have produced three laboured performances since.
After a goalless draw with Ghana in Boston, England were distinctly average against Panama before second-half goals from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane eventually sealed an unconvincing win.
Nevertheless, England topped the group and they were pitted against DR Congo in the Last 32.
Tuchel's men were lacklustre once again and they were indebted to Kane for inspiring a turnaround with two goals as England were facing an embarrassing exit.
As the team prepares to take on co-hosts Mexico in the Azteca Stadium, we have come up with our five contenders to be the next England manager in the event that Tuchel leaves after the tournament.
Next England Manager Contenders
Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola would surely top the list to be the next England manager in the eyes of the majority of supporters.
There will always be an opinion held in some quarters that the manager of the English national team should be English, but Guardiola is best in class and his greatness is only rivalled by a select few.
The Spaniard won 20 trophies during a sensational decade at Manchester City but he may want a longer sabbatical before returning the dugout.
His style of play has been adopted by various managers all over the world but would he be able to get his ideas across in a handful of international periods each year?
Lee Carsley
The England Under 21s manager has had a taster of what it is like to be the manager of the senior team in the past.
Lee Carsley took control of the England team for six matches on an interim basis in the autumn of 2024 after Sir Gareth Southgate had stepped down.
He looked slightly uncomfortable in the spotlight but apart from a surprise home defeat to Greece, it was solid audition for the permanent role.
England ultimately went for Tuchel but the two-time European Under-21 Championship winner may feel that he deserves to be next in line.
Eddie Howe
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has regularly been spoken about as a future England manager.
He would arguably be the most popular choice out of the English managers in contention given his exciting style of football.
Howe famously led Bournemouth from League Two to the Premier League and he also ended Newcastle's long wait for a trophy by winning the EFL Cup in 2025.
Despite leading the club into the UEFA Champions League twice, Howe's long-term future at St James' Park looks uncertain after an underwhelming 2025/26 campaign.
Frank Lampard
A number of England's 'golden generation' have turned their hands to management and its fair to say that Frank Lampard's stock is currently the highest out of that group of ex-players.
It's not always been smooth sailing in Lampard's managerial career and he has previously been sacked from roles in the Premier League at both former club Chelsea and Everton.
But Lampard came roaring back last season as he led Coventry City to the Championship title and a return to top-flight football after a 25-year absence.
The 48-year-old is a relentless student of the game and it would be quite fitting if a member of a generation that failed to deliver success on the pitch was able to lead the country to glory from off the pitch.
Sir Gareth Southgate
They say never go back and it would be quite the story if the Football Association turned once again to Sir Gareth Southgate.
Southgate led England to two European Championship finals, as well as a semi-final and a quarter-final in World Cups.
Whether it was his players running out of steam at the business end of tournaments or Southgate not being brave enough to change the course of matches with bold substitutions, he was ultimately not able to lead the nation to a major international trophy.
On the surface it would appear that Southgate's time has been and gone, but the emotional factor and the fact that he is held in such regard with the FA could change things.
