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German coach Thomas Tuchel, hired as England manager, faces challenges after a 3-1 defeat to Senegal and a narrow win over Andorra.
England boss Thomas Tuchel is under fire. (AFP)
Hired with some scepticism due to his nationality, German coach Thomas Tuchel was brought on as England manager with hopes of leading the national team from soccer’s birthplace to a World Cup victory for the first time since 1966.
Just a year away from the 2026 tournament in North America, Tuchel is already facing challenges and the ire of England’s fans.
The 3-1 defeat to Senegal at home in a friendly match on Tuesday abruptly ended Tuchel’s honeymoon period, which was already shaky after England managed only a narrow 1-0 win over 173rd-ranked Andorra four days prior.
Boos echoed as Tuchel and his team exited the field at the City Ground in Nottingham, marking England’s first loss to an African nation.
Tuchel, who has coached top clubs like Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, and Chelsea, was seen as a significant tactical upgrade from his predecessor Gareth Southgate. Many believed Southgate lacked the magic touch to make England title-winners, despite deep runs in the last four major tournaments.
These early days, with Tuchel only starting in January, suggest England may have even regressed under his foreign leadership.
Challenges That Tuchel Needs To Address:
While Southgate fostered a great culture and atmosphere off the field, he was often criticized for being too pragmatic and inflexible in his tactics.
Tuchel was expected to be a substantial improvement in this area, but England has yet to establish an identity under the German. England captain Harry Kane listed numerous elements the team lacked against Senegal.
“With and without the ball, we aren’t quite clicking,” said Kane, who scored the opening goal. “We aren’t finding the right passes, the right tempo. In the one-vs.-ones, we’re losing duels and that aggressive nature we’ve had.
“There are some ideas that are new and we have some new players coming into the team who haven’t got experience at international level. It’s a mixture of things.”
Tuchel has only four more camps to instill his ideas before the World Cup, assuming England qualifies. The team won its first three World Cup qualifiers — against Albania, Latvia, and Andorra — and leads Group K with five matches left from September to November.
Some of Tuchel’s early selections have raised eyebrows.
He has brought back former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, age 34 and currently playing at Ajax, for his leadership qualities and to “take care of all the standards in the group,” according to Tuchel. But is Henderson still good enough to be in the team?
Tuchel has stuck with right back Kyle Walker, aged 35, who seems past his prime and recently struggled on loan at AC Milan. Despite having alternatives like Reece James and new Real Madrid player Trent Alexander-Arnold, Tuchel prefers Walker, again citing his role in “pushing the standards” in the camp.
Some of his centre back picks — newcomers Trevoh Chalobah and Dan Burn — have also faced scrutiny.
While Southgate shielded his players from criticism, Tuchel is more open and direct with negative feedback.
After the Andorra game, where England struggled, Tuchel accused his players of lacking “the seriousness and the urgency that is needed in a World Cup qualifier” and criticised their attitude and body language.
Though many saw it as fair comment, it was something England’s players might not be used to hearing from their coach. Will they take it the wrong way and prefer Southgate’s more supportive approach?
In Tuchel’s defence, England’s players were coming off long club seasons and might have mentally switched off before the Andorra and Senegal games.
Tuchel also made 10 changes against Senegal, clearly testing new players and tactical approaches.
“There is no need to panic,” he said.
“We know more now. We are smarter … I hate losses like nothing else but we don’t go next week to the World Cup, we go in one year.”
However, more poor results or performances in September, when England plays Andorra at home and Serbia away, and the nation’s fans — and some sections of the media — will likely criticise Tuchel, possibly using his nationality against him.
The pressure is already building.
(with AP inputs)
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London, United Kingdom (UK)
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