Former Chelsea defender Scott Minto believes the stop-start nature of leading England has Thomas Tuchel less than enthused about his job.
So much so that it could lead to the German making a stunning return to the Premier League after the World Cup.
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Speaking on talkSPORT's Matterface and Crook, Minto predicted the woes of Ruben Amorim at Manchester United coupled with Tuchel's contract with the FA expiring after next year's World Cup could pave the way for the ex-Chelsea boss to make a shock return to the English top-flight.
Scott Minto's verdict on Thomas Tuchel's future
“I personally think (Ruben) Amorim will last until the end of the season, and I personally think Thomas Tuchel will take over - we’ll see what happens and whether that’s the case or not," Minto said.
“From what I’m hearing, Tuchel is not really particularly enjoying the England job. We’ll have to wait and see how the World Cup goes... If he wins it.
“Of course he sounds excited about it in interviews, he knows how to play the game.
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“I’m a fan of Tuchel, I thought what he did at Chelsea was brilliant and I wasn't unhappy about him being the England manager. I would have preferred Eddie Howe, but I was fine about it.
"Although, I do think Eddie Howe wouldn’t have come out and criticised the England fans last night. I don’t think that’s a play [from Tuchel to angle for an exit] I think it’s just him being him. He is who he is. He’s a very forthright person, he believes in himself, and rightly so because he is one of the top managers in the world.
“I’ve got no beef to grind at all with Thomas Tuchel, I just don't think he particularly enjoys the whole getting together for a few weeks and then not not having any games or camp for a few months.
“I think he's probably been a little bit surprised by what it’s like to be England manager. He’s used to testing himself against the best teams in the Champions League.
“If there’s a way to find more quality opposition for England, whether it’s friendlies against top teams, then that would be better. But he knows it’s all about major tournaments and that’s how he will be judged.
“But even the group stage of the World Cup, England could cruise through that, so really he’s only going to be judged on one or two knockout games, depending on how far we get. That’s how long it will take for him to get into a really competitive game.
Tuchel steered England to a comfortable 3-0 win over Wales on Thursday
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Tuchel steered England to a comfortable 3-0 win over Wales on ThursdayCredit: Getty
“Bringing it back to Man United and what Sir Jim (Ratcliffe) said, I think it was one of those where he didn’t back the manager 100 per cent initially, which told me a lot, and then he said about the three years.
“But if Manchester United carry on like this, he can’t get three years.”
Tuchel's England record at a glance
Tuchel signed an 18-month deal to take over as England coach in October last year and officially began his duties last January.
It is the first international job in the German's career and a marked departure from the hectic day-to-day life of managing at club level he experienced from as far back as July 2007 when he began with Augsburg's second team.
The October international window is Tuchel's fourth as England boss, who boasts a record of six wins and one defeat since taking charge.
How has Ruben Amorim performed at Manchester United?
As for Amorim, he has been in charge at Old Trafford for 50 games but has lost an alarming 21 of those across all competitions.
Under Amorim, United have won three of their seven league fixtures this season
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Under Amorim, United have won three of their seven league fixtures this seasonCredit: Getty
The 40-year-old's record in the Premier League as the Red Devils boss makes for further grim reading, having won only 10 of his 34 matches in charge.
Under Amorim's watch, United slumped to their lowest-ever Premier League finish last term when they ended the campaign in 15th.
United also finished without a trophy having lost to Tottenham in the Europa League final, meaning they would not play in any European competitions this season for the first time in over a decade.
Amorim's side have also been eliminated from the Carabao Cup in humiliating fashion as they crashed out in a penalty shootout defeat to League Two side Grimsby Town.
Ratcliffe defends Amorim amid horror results
Despite the nightmare run of results and a transfer spend of almost £250million since he took over, Amorim received the backing of minority owner Ratcliffe.
In an appearance on The Times' business podcast, Ratcliffe declared Amorim had to be judged on a three-year window and pointed to Mikel Arteta's rise at Arsenal as a reason to preach for patience.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 14: Manchester Utd owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images)
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Three of United's ten most expensive signings were brought in during Ratcliffe's time at Old TraffordCredit: Getty
“I remember the clamouring for Alex Ferguson to be fired in his first two years,” Ratcliffe said.
“You look at Arteta at Arsenal. He had a miserable time for the first couple of years.
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“We’re results-driven at the end of the day, but we have to be patient and we have to see through the results. I think there’s lots of good things at Manchester United.
"We have to be patient and we have a long-term plan. It isn’t a light switch."