No pressure, Thomas. Lee Carsley hands over to Thomas Tuchel promising to give England’s next manager a comprehensive debrief on the three autumn camps but perhaps also elevating expectations. Not so much with the results – promotion in the Nations League was anticipated for a team ranked fourth in the world and who reached the final of Euro 2024 – as with his assessment of England’s prospects for the time covered by Tuchel’s 18-month deal.
Carsley’s prediction should carry more weight than most. Can England win the World Cup in 2026? “I think we are in a good position to do that,” he said. It is a comment that may be remembered if Tuchel does not triumph in the United States. Alternatively, however, Carsley was just being realistic. There are around eight genuine contenders for every World Cup. England’s record across their last four major tournaments and their pool of players suggests they belong in that category.
