There are various precedents of big-name international coaches taking club jobs before tournaments, with very different outcomes. United had hired Louis van Gaal as David Moyes’ successor before the 2014 World Cup, and the coach’s strong performance in Brazil in charge of the Netherlands, who thrashed Spain 5-1 and reached the semi-finals, only made Red Devils fans more excited about him taking over.
Italy also had little problem with Antonio Conte agreeing to become Chelsea coach before Euro 2016, where he defied expectations and led Italy to knock Spain out before being eliminated by Germany on penalties. But when Julen Lopetegui agreed to become Real Madrid coach on the eve of the 2018 World Cup, all hell broke loose.
The Spain coach was sacked before the tournament begun, La Roja endure a shock elimination to Russia in the last 16 under caretaker Fernando Hierro, and Lopetegui’s adventure at Madrid lasted less than three months. The main difference was the lack of agreement between Lopetegui and the Spanish federation chief Luis Rubiales over when the deal should have been announced; Lopetegui had only recently agreed to extend his contract with Spain and Rubiales, who showed his true colours with his monstrous behaviour at the 2023 Women’s World Cup and its aftermath, could not stand looking weak.
England would not comment on Tuchel’s future or contract situation when contacted by GOAL, but the key difference between him and Lopetegui is he has been very transparent about the fact he has never looked beyond the World Cup.