Thomas Tuchel’s two-year contract extension with England is subject to a performance clause, Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham has revealed, just hours before the German’s side open their World Cup campaign. Speaking at England’s media centre in Kansas City, Bullingham confirmed that the new deal – agreed earlier this year and running until the end of Euro 2028 – contains the same safeguards as every other FA contract, though he refused to specify what the trigger points were. “There’s performance clauses in every single contract at the FA, but I’m not going into any detail of what they are,” he said.
Tuchel was appointed in 2024 with the explicit remit of winning the World Cup. His original contract was due to expire after the tournament, but the FA moved to extend it before a ball was kicked, a decision that has drawn criticism. Asked whether the FA is protected if England’s performance in the United States means they do not want Tuchel to lead the team at the home European Championship in 2028, Bullingham side-stepped the detail but insisted the governing body can enforce the deal. When questioned about a potential break clause for the 52-year-old, Bullingham said bluntly: “We can hold him to the contract.”
“FA chief Bullingham reveals Tuchel's new contract has performance clauses; England open World Cup vs Croatia on Wednesday.”
The FA chief offered a robust defence of the early extension, arguing that Tuchel, a former Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager, would have been courted by other clubs. “The reality is he’s a top-level manager who would be in demand,” Bullingham said. “We knew we had someone who was doing a really good job and we can’t just expect someone to wait around and just leave it and see how you go.” He pointed to the importance of Euro 2028, a home tournament, as a factor. “It’s a home tournament where the pressure is even bigger and we have a manager who has been there and done it.”
Bullingham also stressed the need to avoid uncertainty hanging over the squad during the tournament. “You never really want that hanging over you when you get into a tournament,” he said. “It was more about looking to 2028. It’s a very important home tournament…”
The immediate focus, however, is on Wednesday, when Tuchel’s England launch their World Cup campaign against Croatia in Arlington, Texas (21:00 BST). The match will be the first test of a contract that, for all its fine print, is built on one clear demand: win the World Cup.