Clear words
“Dear criticism”: Tuchel plunges on English national team
21.03.2025 – 8:12 a.m.Reading time: 2 min.
At the European Championship last summer, Thomas Tuchel attested to the English national team that she would play with fear. He wants to change that in the future.
In clear words, Thomas Tuchel criticized the achievements of the English national team at the past European Championship. The new coach of the “Three Lions” criticized the lack of enthusiasm and dealing with pressure.
In an interview with the British TV broadcaster “ITV”, Tuchel was asked whether the English team had a clear style of play at the 2024 EM 2024. The 51-year-old replied clearly: “No, not last summer.”
When the reporter replenished what was missing, Tuchel listed several weaknesses: “The identity, clarity, the rhythm, the repetition of play patterns, the freedom of players, the broadcast of the players, hunger.” His conclusion was: “In my eyes, they were more afraid to leave the tournament than to win the enthusiasm and hunger.”
The critical words caused a sensation on the island. The “Daily Mail” spoke of a “devastating assessment”, while the “Mirror” said that Tuchel had “subtly” criticized his predecessor Gareth Southgate and showed his error. The “Telegraph” even interpreted Tuchel’s statements as “disassembly” by Southgates England.
At the press conference before his first game as a national coach of England against Albania, Tuchel made it clear that he only expressed his observations as a TV viewer: “It was just my feeling,” emphasized Tuchel. The former FC Bayern coach now wants to convey a new mentality to the English team. “I want us to play with enthusiasm, with hunger and with the unconditional will – and with the joy of victory,” he said.
The 51-year-old already raved about the preparation. “I have to say the players were really outstanding, the whole group was great, and the training level was really, really high,” said Tuchel. “I was very lacking. The energy in a soccer team and in the cabin is unique. It was nice to see that the players spend a lot of time together.”
The new coach is eagerly looking forward to his first England match in front of 90,000 spectators. “It is incredible, we have a full Wembley stadium. It’s really great,” said Tuchel and confessed that he was a little nervous. “But that is part of it. I’m always a bit nervous before the game, so it won’t be any different. Hopefully we can convince and take the first step.”