Thomas Tuchel wants to carry on as England manager. The FA want him to continue. They can try and portray it as part of a journey. His contract lasts for another two years and a home European Championships could always be more winnable than a World Cup on the other side of the Atlantic. In 2028, England need not fear defeat to Argentina.
But it was not merely the semi-final setback in Atlanta that underlined the need for England to be different in two years’ time. Tuchel’s Plan B – retreat and hang on for dear life – backfired against Argentina, but his broader style of play may require refining. If Spain win the World Cup, it will underline the sense that possession matters. England’s share in this tournament – 54 per cent – is far lower than Spain’s 63.
