England manager Thomas Tuchel is set to face a formal review by the Football Association's performance advisory group following the national team's World Cup exit. Tuchel will meet with a six-person panel to dissect the gut-wrenching semi-final defeat to Argentina in July.
England's campaign ended in dramatic fashion in the last four. Anthony Gordon had put the Three Lions ahead in the 55th minute, but late goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez sealed a 2-1 victory for Argentina. The team did recover to win the third-place play-off against France 6-4, securing England's best World Cup finish since their 1966 triumph.
The group tasked with grilling Tuchel is chaired by Jobi McAnuff. The 44-year-old former Reading and Jamaica international was appointed to the FA Board as an independent non-executive director in 2022. He retired from playing in 2021 after a career spanning nearly 700 league appearances and a brief stint as interim manager of Leyton Orient. The panel also includes Sir Kevin Sinfield, the 45-year-old former England rugby union captain and Leeds Rhinos legend famed for raising over £15 million for motor neurone disease charities. Professor Damian Hughes, a 54-year-old organisational behaviour expert who consults with sports teams, and Sir Michael Barber, the 70-year-old chancellor of the University of Exeter, complete the advisory group.
The inquest is a standard part of the FA's post-tournament process. Tuchel, along with assistant Anthony Barry and his coaching staff, already participated in an initial three-day review at St George's Park at the start of the month, with FA technical director John McDermott also present. This upcoming meeting with the external advisory panel represents the next phase of that evaluation. It comes as England prepare for a busy international period, with four Nations League matches scheduled during an extended three-week break. The team's current form is strong, sitting top of their World Cup qualifying group with seven points from three games, one point clear of Croatia. Their recent record shows four wins and one draw from their last five matches.
Despite the painful semi-final loss, the broader picture for England under Tuchel remains positive. The team is on a three-game winning run and has a solid defensive record, having conceded just two goals in three qualifiers while scoring six. The immediate focus shifts to the next fixture, a home match against Spain on September 26. Fans can track the team's progress and view the full fixtures schedule. The upcoming review is seen as a constructive step, use external expertise to help the manager and squad build on their bronze medal achievement. England's standings position at the top of their group provides a solid foundation as they aim to qualify for the next major tournament.
