- England are still looking for a permanent successor to Gareth Southgate
- Lee Carsley has been in interim charge of the Three Lions since Southgate’s departure
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Thomas Tuchel is in talks with the Football Association to become the next England manager.
The German is open to becoming Gareth Southgate’s long-term successor, it is understood, and talks over a deal are said to be active and advanced.
According to a well-placed source, further face-to-face talks will take place in London in the coming days in a development that could be crucial to the FA’s appointment of the former Chelsea boss as their next permanent boss.
The FA has interviewed a number of candidates, including Pep Guardiola and Eddie Howe, about the England manager position, which is currently on an interim basis with Lee Carsley.
However, talks between Tuchel and the FA are accelerating and could be concluded quickly if the next round of talks goes positively and there is concrete interest in the Champions League winning boss.
Thomas Tuchel is in increasingly intensive discussions with the FA about the position of England manager
Tuchel has emerged as the leading contender to succeed Gareth Southgate, who stepped down in July
England Under-21 boss Lee Carsley has been in interim charge since Southgate’s departure
The FA will be aware of Manchester United’s interest in Tuchel as they consider the position of Erik ten Hag, which has emerged as a factor.
Losing to Brentford this weekend could impact Ten Hag’s position at Old Trafford, with Tuchel expected to be a candidate for the United job if the Dutchman is sacked.
But as things stand, Tuchel is emerging as the frontrunner for the England job due to his record of winning titles, which appeals to the FA.
Carsley said this week that England ‘need a world-class coach who has won trophies’.
The fact that Tuchel knows English football from his time at Chelsea, and worked with captain Harry Kane at Bayern Munich, is an obvious bonus.
If the FA moves forward with Tuchel, the fact that he is effectively on garden leave after leaving his previous job at Bayern could cause financial complications.
Tuchel wants to return to work and sees the job in England as an attractive proposition. The FA declined to comment.
Carsley is expected to remain in interim charge, as has always been the plan, for the November games against Greece and Ireland.
But Mail Sport reported on Saturday evening that the FA had major reservations about whether Carsley wanted the position on a permanent basis.
Pep Guardiola is seen as the FA’s dream candidate, but little has happened since the initial approach in July
The governing body wanted to review the situation after the Nations League matches against Greece and Ireland in November.
But there have been internal questions in recent days about whether Carsley is up for the role, following a series of public comments that have been interpreted as the 50-year-old stepping away from the full-time vacancy.
Carsley was backed by the FA but the feeling that he was not fully convinced about taking over the permanent reins has led to the FA all but ruling out the former Everton midfielder and moving to make an external appointment.
Guardiola is seen as the governing body’s dream candidate, but the FA has not received any encouragement from the current Manchester City boss since an initial approach in July.