​Thomas Tuchel replacements: Pep Guardiola leads list of candidates for England job if Three Lions sack boss originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Thomas Tuchel drew plenty of fanfare when he joined England’s staff as its manager in Jan. 2025. The Ligue 1, Bundesliga and Champions League-winning boss enjoyed a fairly glittering reputation in the European game, even if things fell apart at the end of prior stints with Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Bayern Munich.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementTuchel figured to have the qualities needed to push the Three Lions to the top of the totem pole at the 2026 World Cup. When they took on Argentina in the semifinals, his limitations grew too difficult to ignore.Tuchel’s tactics were at the heart of England’s 2-1 defeat to La Albiceleste on Wednesday. The play-caller’s insistence on removing attacking talent for defenders gave Argentina a platform to mount dangerous attacks from the flanks — specifically the right one, occupied by Argentina dynamo Lionel Messi.The fact that Lionel Scaloni’s side scored two goals in the match’s waning moments was hardly surprising. The score could have been worse if it were not for timely interventions by Djed Spence and Jordan Pickford.Tuchel’s display had some feeling disillusioned with England’s progress under his tutelage. The German-born taskmaster inked a two-year extension prior to this year’s competition, ostensibly locking him down until the 2028 European Championships.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHowever, things happen, especially after devastating losses. In the event that Tuchel were to be sacked, who could the Three Lions look towards to replace him? Here’s a look at the list.2026 WORLD CUP HQ:Latest World Cup news | Full World Cup schedule | Updated World Cup bracketPep GuardiolaGetty ImagesGuardiola is arguably the most impactful manager in world football. He’d represent a major coup for the Three Lions in the 2028 Euros and beyond, offering the sort of tactical nous and gamesmanship that could help England exorcise its demons in international competition.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe 55-year-old hasn’t yet announced whether he is interested in taking charge of a national team following his Manchester City departure at the end of the 2025-26 campaign. If he were to express interest in returning to the dugout, he’d have ample suitors.Guardiola’s style of play is easy on the eye and he’s one of few managers who are unflinching in their desire to attack opposition side’s penalty area. That could make him a hit in England’s setup, barking out orders to gifted attackers like Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Morgan Rogers.MORE: Who is still in the World Cup?Lee Carsley of EnglandGetty ImagesAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementCarsley is a bit of an unknown to casual audiences, who might not recognize that the former Derby County, Everton, Birmingham City and Coventry