Thomas Tuchel has never been afraid to ruffle feathers during his time as England manager, but the German’s approach is in the Three Lions’ best interests as they aim to end their trophy drought.
A football enthusiast who spends much of his life on the highway, watching games all over the country. Passionate about soccer, work and mirrors. I have always believed that the Premier League is the best in the world and that England have a chance. Author of Arsene Wenger: The Inside Story of Arsenal Under Wenger.
Twenty years later, we’re still talking about the Golden Age. Some of England’s richest talents for generations – Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney – failed to feature at Euro 2004 or the 2006 World Cup.
Gerrard this week labeled the team “selfish losers” after their big names failed to live up to their hype, while a rift has emerged within the club between Liverpool and Manchester United players.
Rooney backed Gerrard, pointing to Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford working harmoniously and insisting the current generation have done better recently and have a better relationship with the media.
Still, manager Thomas Tuchel’s decision to leave out big names such as Jude Bellingham, Foden and Jack Grealish is drawing scrutiny. Cole Palmer was unable to participate.
After seeing Gerrard’s remarks, England manager Tuchel recalled watching the 2006 World Cup held in his home country of Germany while studying for his manager’s badge, and said, “I’ve heard that song before.”
read more: Thomas Tuchel sends blunt World Cup warning to Jude Bellingham and England teammatesread more: England star dreams of 2026 World Cup again as seven-year absence finally ends
“They obviously couldn’t find a way to embrace a bigger purpose, a bigger goal,” Tuchel said this week. “Yes, a big, big opportunity wasted.”
Tuchel is determined not to waste the same opportunity with his current team and, if anything, seems quite perplexed as to why his man-management is being questioned.
Indeed, he said it would have been better to keep the players who won last month’s 5-0 win against Serbia to play against Wales in this camp and then for the World Cup qualifiers in Latvia.
After beating Wales 3-0, Tuchel couldn’t wait to meet his most vocal interrogator and tell him: Tuchel has proven his point, but there are still some who aren’t completely on board with his approach, particularly leaving out big names like Bellingham and Foden.
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Yes, they will be selected for next summer’s U.S. squad, but Tuchel is determined to fight back and there is no guarantee they will start. Tuchel wants to stick to a winning lineup and formula.
If there’s ever been a good week to make this argument, it’s now, with performances from Gerrard and Rooney and another convincing display from Morgan Rodgers in England’s big win over Wales.
Rodgers may not have the stardust of his close friend Bellingham, but he is strong, determined and has shown he deserves his place in England’s line-up.
The same goes for Ezri Konsa and Elliot Anderson. Unassuming but reliable. They look united and united as a team. That’s the difference between this generation and the England squad of 2004 and 2006.
Remember Marcos Senna and his No6 role in the star-studded Spain team that won Euro 2008? Tuchel certainly does. Among all these superstars, the former Villarreal midfielder was the glue that held everything together. Sometimes it’s not about the big names.
That is Tuchel’s argument and why he believes it is right to pursue team spirit over the big names in England’s line-up.
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