Thomas Tuchel is in talks with the Football Association about becoming the next England head coach.
According to a well-placed source further face-to-face discussions are set to take place in London in the coming days in a development that could be crucial towards the FA appointing the former Chelsea boss as their next permanent boss.
The FA have sounded out a number of candidates, including Pep Guardiola and Eddie Howe, over the position as England boss, which is currently Lee Carsley’s on an interim basis.
However, talks between Tuchel and the FA are accelerating and could be wrapped up quickly if the next round of talks go positively amid concrete interest in the Champions League winning boss.
Tuchel has emerged as the leading contender to succeed Gareth Southgate, who quit in July
Indeed, the FA will be aware of interest in Tuchel from Manchester United, as they consider Erik ten Hag’s position, which is emerging as a factor.
Losing to Brentford this weekend could have implications for 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 front-runner for the England job due to his track record of winning titles, which appeals to the FA.
Indeed, Carsley said this week England needed ‘a world-class coach who has won trophies’.
The fact Tuchel knows English football from his time with Chelsea, and worked with captain Harry Kane at Bayern Munich is an obvious bonus.
If the FA move forward with Tuchel, the fact he is effectively on gardening leave after leaving his previous job with Bayern could cause financial complications.
Tuchel wants to return to work and views the England job as an attractive proposition. The FA have declined to comment.
Carsley is expected to remain in interim charge, as has always been the plan, for the November fixtures versus Greece and Republic of Ireland.
The governing body wanted to review the situation following November’s Nations League matches versus Greece and Ireland.
But there has been internal doubts in recent days over whether Carsley’s appetite for the role following a series of public comments that have been construed as the 50-year-old distancing himself from the full-time vacancy.
Carsley had support at the FA but the sense that he was not fully convinced about taking the permanent reins has led the FA to virtually rule the former Everton midfielder out of the running and move towards making an external appointment.
Guardiola has been viewed as the governing body’s dream candidate but the FA have not received any encouragement from the current Manchester City boss since an initial approach in July.