Thomas Tuchel went on a violent rant during a hydration break (Image: Getty)
Manager Thomas Tuchel launched a ferocious touchline attack on England’s players during the hot water break, demanding more effort and urging them to follow the instructions of his coaching staff, according to a professional lip reader. England fell behind in the World Cup quarter-final against Norway thanks to a lucky goal from Andreas Schjelderup, but fought back with Jude Bellingham’s brace in extra time to win 2-1.
The Real Madrid midfielder scored the equalizer just before half-time and scored again three minutes into extra time. However, England had little to show for their struggle in the opening 45 minutes, and the water break provided the perfect opportunity for Tuchel to issue a stern warning to his team about the very real possibility of an early exit. Professional lip reader Nicola Hickling reviewed the footage and told the Daily Mail that Tuchel said: “Go harder. Go faster. Very stationary. Just standing there. I have to say… listen to the staff. We have to fight for positions. Listen to the staff. Keep the ball low. Push less, concentrate more on the ball. In the corners you have to go right.”
“Don’t come from the front (toward Anthony Gordon). The best position is on the right, that’s true. Every time you come from the front, you lose the ball. Now listen, stay right, stay right.”
Despite Tuchel’s spirited dressing down, it was Norway who looked more animated when play resumed after the interval. Moments later, John Stones passed the ball inside England’s penalty area and almost gave Erling Haaland a golden chance, when Jordan Pickford darted off his line to hold onto the ball.
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Haaland quickly conceded another lead with a close-range header, but England paid the price moments later. Harry Kane’s careless touch during a counter-attack sparked Norway’s movement, culminating in Kjelderup slotting in what was meant to be a cross. However, the German coach remained strongly dissatisfied with the team’s overall performance.
“We were lucky,” he told ITV after the match. “It was very, very difficult for us today. The result was great and we’re in the top four. It’s great (but) we’re not satisfied with the performance. We made life very, very difficult for us with the commitment but the way we played and the way we played. We made sloppy tactical mistakes, we weren’t fast enough, we didn’t repeat enough. We were lucky enough.”
Bellingham shared a different view with his manager. (Image: Getty)
However, Bellingham seemed to have a very different perspective than his manager. When asked if the criticism was justified, he replied, “Maybe.” But maybe he (Tuchel) doesn’t know what it’s like to play against Erling Haaland, Odegaard, Nusa and Sorloth in those conditions.
However, Tuchel’s instructions eventually started to take effect and England scored just before half-time. The momentum continued into overtime, when Bellingham produced the decisive goal for his second goal of the night. “It’s not an easy team to play against.
“So I think we’ve tried to create a positive environment, and we should continue to do that as we move towards the top four. I can’t praise the players enough. You can’t pop the ball and make 1,000 passes and win every game. Sometimes you have to have a muddy win, and we did that tonight.”
The 52-year-old manager then moved to clarify his comments, adding, “Nobody’s going to say I’m not impressed with their effort, their spirit, their belief. Overcoming adversity, trying and finding a way to win is at the absolute highest level. They don’t get enough credit for that. But I’m also a football coach and I think we can play better.”
“There’s no doubt that I’m proud, I’m happy and I feel very connected to this team because they’re doing whatever they need to do.”England will face Argentina in the semi-final, with the match scheduled to take place on Wednesday, July 15 (8pm).
