Thomas Tuchel says England’s approach ‘has to be changed’ after latest near miss
By Jonathan Veal, Press Association, Atlanta
England boss Thomas Tuchel says the DNA of English football needs changing if his side are to win major tournaments and insists he is “100 per cent” committed to staying in the job.
It was the same old story for England as their World Cup bid ended in semi-final heartbreak to Argentina.
They were on the cusp of a first final since 1966 when Anthony Gordon’s 55th-minute goal put them ahead in Atlanta, but they became passive and allowed the momentum of the game to turn, falling to a predictable 2-1 loss after late goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez.
It is the third time in eight years England have sat back after taking the lead in a crucial knockout match, following on from the 2018 World Cup semi-final against Croatia and the Euro 2020 final with Italy, while they also failed to build on the equaliser against Spain in the Euro 2024 showpiece.
Tuchel, who replaced Sir Gareth Southgate with the explicit brief of getting them over the line in major tournaments, was complicit in England’s surrender, with some early defensive substitutions.
Asked whether it is possible to change the English mentality, he said: “If it happens then it has to be changed.
“But I’m not sure, I always try to think in football terms, in football matters.
“I haven’t seen the data yet but I think right after the goal, the momentum swings completely in ball possession, chances and it drops dramatically.
“We got too passive within our structure. I tried to help, not to become more passive with a back five but to be more active, to be quicker out to the wingers, not to open up the gaps between the back four.
“We encouraged everyone to step out, to be more active within the structure, but we just struggled.
“We couldn’t find any duels any more which was why we dropped deeper and deeper, which was never the plan but it happened.
“We needed to get back on the ball otherwise you cannot break the pressure and you cannot get the momentum back.
“I think ball possession plays a crucial role. It’s maybe not in our DNA like it is in the Spanish DNA or Argentinian or Brazilian DNA to take the ball, control the game and the ball, which is also a big problem.”
Tuchel has come under heavy criticism for his role in England’s capitulation, where he replaced goalscorer Gordon with defender Ezri Konsa midway through the second half.
The German, who signed a contract through to 2028 ahead of the tournament, received the backing of the Football Association and reiterated his desire to lead England into a home European Championships.
“Yes, 100 per cent. There is still enough to improve, and I am more than happy to do that,” he said.
“I’ve loved it. I loved every day. I said after the Norway game that I see a disconnect from what I see in training on a football level and within the games, I think we can impose ourselves more on the ball.
“I still think we can show how good football players we are. I think that is still in us, as I see it in training and in every camp.
“And here also at the World Cup. I still feel there is an extra level that we need to conquer and need to step up to the next level to get the big prize.”
