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England handed Thomas Tuchel sack verdict as FA decision made after World Cup backlash

England's hopes of World Cup glory were shattered after Argentina came from behind to beat Thomas Tuchel's side 2-1 in Atlanta

[Thomas Tuchel]

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Thomas Tuchel retains the full backing of the FA despite England's World Cup exit

Patrick Vieira has backed Thomas Tuchel to stay in charge of England, insisting that stability is crucial following the Three Lions' World Cup heartbreak against Argentina. The German head coach has come under scrutiny for England's defensive approach after taking the lead against the World Cup holders, but he is understood to retain the backing of the Football Association.

Tuchel also has the support of FA chief executive Mark Bullingham and is set to stay in charge despite the devastating defeat. England's hopes of lifting silverware were shattered as Argentina came from behind to win 2-1, striking twice late on and snatching their winner in injury time to reach the World Cup final and face Spain.

Anthony Gordon had the nation believing after his goal just before the hour mark, but Tuchel's substitutions grew increasingly conservative, with defender after defender introduced in an attempt to see out the game. It didn't work out, and Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez fired the goals that turned the tie around.

Despite the heartbreaking elimination, the former Crystal Palace boss Vieira argued that it would be 'mad' to sack Tuchel after his first major tournament.

"I believe in stability," Vieira said on the Rest is Football podcast. "After you make a decision with Tuchel...I think it would be mad, for me, to sack him or to change the coach.

"I think that was his first big tournament and of course there are some positive and negative and the frustration is going to be there because you are out like that. But how can he build from that?

"I think he will learn a lot about the players because he lived with them, he saw the players in a good moment and a really difficult period. He will learn a lot about the group but you need to give him at least the Euros and to see how far they can go.

"With the way they competed in this World Cup, there is no doubt that the Euros. England are going to win it, not to go to the semi-final, they are to go to win it. I think it will be mad for the FA to change that."

Tuchel is set to remain in charge for the Three Lions' Euro 2028 campaign. The former Chelsea and Paris SaintGermain boss signed a twoyear contract extension in February, keeping him in the role until after that tournament.

"We keep on going with the contract until the home Euros," Tuchel confirmed. "I'm looking forward to that even though right now it's difficult to look that far ahead.

"A lot of big football nations are eliminated before the semi-final, so it is an achievement. No-one wants to hear that at the moment; me neither because we demand the most of ourselves. That's just the nature of being competitive."

England have now been eliminated every time they've faced a top10 ranked nation in the World Cup knockout stages since 1998. They are guaranteed one more game before heading home, however.

The defeat dropped them into the thirdplace playoff, also known as the bronze final. They will face France, with a chance to finish the tournament on a high by securing the bronze medal.

The thirdplace match will kick off on Saturday, July 18 at 10pm UK time. Meanwhile, the final between Spain and Argentina takes place the following day on Sunday at 8pm.

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