Former Chelsea, Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel leading candidate England manager role after FA talks, per report

Thomas Tuchel is reportedly the leading candidate to become Gareth Southgate's permanent replacement as England manager, according to Sky Sports News. The English Football Association have stepped up their search for a new boss recently while Lee Carsley oversees the interim period with the highly-rated German now top of their list.

Tuchel, 51, has been a free agent since leaving Bayern Munich earlier this year with Bavaria his landing spot after a successful albeit short spell as Chelsea manager.

The former Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund and Mainz 05 man won the UEFA Champions League with the Blues before falling foul of the Londoners' Stamford Bridge takeover by BlueCo.

According to Sky Sports News, the FA did ask regarding Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola but the Spaniard is not currently being actively pursued by the English soccer chiefs.

"Leaving City? It's not true. I haven't decided yet," Guardiola told "Che Tempo Che Fa" when asked about his future recently. "And it is not even true that I will be the next England coach. If I had decided I would say it … I don't know either. Anything can happen."

Tuchel and Guardiola are part of the leading candidates which also includes ex-Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, former Brighton and Hove Albion and Chelsea tactician Graham Potter and Newcastle United's Eddie Howe.

Although no formal approach had been made to any candidate until very recently, Carsley's recent distancing of himself from the role has accelerated the search.

Despite reaching out to Guardiola's representatives shortly after Southgate's resignation back in July, FA interest has gone no further and Tuchel is now the leading contender.

Although talks are now on and could progress quickly, many details remain unclear although the FA's technical director John McDermott is said to be playing an influential role in the pursuit.

Tuchel's relatively young age, experience and track record of winning trophies have moved him to the front of the queue and no compensation would be due to Bayern should terms be agreed.

Assuming that Tuchel is confirmed as England's next manager ahead of the FIFA 2026 World Cup cycle, he would become the third non-English boss of the Three Lions after the late Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello.