Thomas Tuchel must take England to this summer’s World Cup final or risk losing his job.
That’s the firm view of eSPORTY’s Gabby Agbonlahor, who has also earmarked his choice to succeed Tuchel in the event he is dismissed.
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Tuchel’s toughest test
England avoided a huge upset by coming from 1-0 to beat DR Congo 2-1 in the round of 32 on Wednesday.
But their toughest test of the World Cup comes next: a last-16 showdown with co-hosts Mexico on Sunday night at the Azteca, where the Three Lions will have high altitude to contend with.
And if England lose that game, it’s curtains for Tuchel, Agbonlahor insisted on Tuesday’s Sports Breakfast with Andy Goldstein.
“If we lose to Mexico, do you think he should be sacked?” Goldstein asked, to which Agbonlahor replied emphatically: “Yes, of course I do. What was he brought in for?”
Goldstein agreed with Agbonlahor’s argument that Tuchel was appointed for one overriding reason: to win the World Cup and end England’s 60-year hunt for a second major trophy.
“If we don’t get to the final minimum, he should not be in the job,” Agbonlahor continued.
“How many years are going to go by without us winning something? Gareth Southgate did a decent job, got sacked because he couldn’t get us over the line.
“Thomas Tuchel’s getting paid millions of pounds to bring a trophy home for this country.”
Goldstein was adamant that France – who dispatched Sweden in scintillating style to reach the last 16 – will go on to lift the trophy, but Agbonlahor wasn’t in the mood to make excuses for Tuchel.
“He has to win it,” the former Aston Villa striker stressed. “Or has to come close to winning at least.
“We go out against Mexico or Brazil… I’d go and get Eddie Howe straight away.”
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That suggestion was met with bemusement by Goldstein, who responded: “There is only one name that we should go after if we sack Thomas Tuchel and that’s Pep [Guardiola].”
Unconvincing England
England have yet to fully convince over 90 minutes at this World Cup, taking more than hour to score their first goal in each of the last two games.
Despite the nervy nature of their victory over DR Congo in Atlanta, Tuchel rejected any notion of his team being burdened by the weight of the shirt.
“I did not see any of that today and it would be so easy to see it,” Tuchel told reporters at full-time.
“It would be so easy, and it would be so easy to give in, and it would be so easy to accept that narrative. I didn’t see any of that, and that is a very, very good sign.”
