There are various precedents for well-known international coaches taking jobs at clubs before the tournament, with very different results. Manchester United had signed Louis van Gaal as a replacement for David Moyes before the 2014 World Cup, and the coach’s strong performance in Brazil while in charge of the Netherlands, who beat Spain 5-1 and reached the semi-finals, only made Red Devils fans more excited about his appointment.
Italy also had no problem with Antonio Conte agreeing to become Chelsea coach before Euro 2016, where he exceeded expectations and led Italy to an upset of Spain before being knocked out by Germany on penalties. But when Julen Lopetegui agreed to become Real Madrid coach ahead of the 2018 World Cup, chaos ensued.
The Spanish coach was fired before the tournament started, The Red suffered a shock defeat to Russia in the last 16 under interim coach Fernando Hierro, and Lopetegui’s Madrid adventure lasted less than three months. The main difference is the lack of agreement between Lopetegui and Spanish federation chief Luis Rubiales over when the deal should be announced; Lopetegui has just agreed to extend his contract with Spain and Rubiales, who showed his true colors with his poor behavior at the 2023 Women’s World Cup and after, cannot stand looking weak.
England declined to comment on Tuchel’s future or contract situation when contacted by GOALbut the main difference between him and Lopetegui is that he is very transparent about the fact that he never thinks about the future after the World Cup.
