The fallout from England's World Cup semi-final defeat has taken an ugly turn, with Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez forced into a U-turn after posting a 'Wonderwall' Instagram post mocking the Three Lions. Chelsea, his club, also had to take down a social media post involving the 25-year-old, as the taunt backfired amid a tense post-match atmosphere.
The gibe came hours after Thomas Tuchel's side saw their tournament ended by Argentina in Atlanta – a loss that has heaped pressure on the German manager. Tuchel's second-half tactics have been widely criticised, and his position is now under intense scrutiny. Yet a clause in his contract makes a change unlikely: according to reports, a break clause existed only if England exited before the World Cup quarter-finals. Having gone further, any severance would require mutual agreement.
“Enzo Fernandez deleted an Instagram post mocking England as Pep Guardiola's past U-turn and Thomas Tuchel's future dominate fallout.”
Tuchel, however, remains defiant. "We keep on going with the contract until the home Euros," he said. "I'm looking forward to that even though right now it's difficult to look that far ahead."
That steadfastness has not stopped speculation about his successor. One name repeatedly linked is former Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, who is now unattached after leaving the Etihad. Remarkably, it has emerged that Guardiola verbally agreed to take the England job in 2024 following talks with FA chiefs, only to perform a dramatic U-turn and stay at City for a further two seasons.
Guardiola has already confirmed he will take a break from football. "Rest. No plans to train for a while," he said after his City exit. "I need to step back, I will not train for a while. Many people when I said it will be my last season said after three months you will come back. I don't think so."
Despite the semi-final heartache – England's third in four major tournaments, following Euro 2020 and 2024 final losses and a 2018 World Cup semi – there are reasons for optimism. Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham have each scored six goals this tournament, with Kane's brace against DR Congo preventing a round-of-32 exit and Bellingham's double against Norway securing the semi-final spot. Both are Golden Boot contenders alongside Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi.
Prior to 2018, England had not reached a World Cup semi-final since 1990. Now they have reached at least the semi-finals in four of the last five major tournaments. The lack of silverware remains, but the trajectory is upward.
Tuchel, backed by his contract, intends to lead that charge. Whether Guardiola's name fades or returns again remains an open question.
