Thomas Tuchel has expressed his unwavering dedication to guiding England in the upcoming Euro 2028, emphasizing the need to discover the “Yes, 100%. There is still enough to improve and I am more than happy to do that. I’ve loved every day of the World Cup. “I said after the quarter-final win against Norway that I see a disconnect from what I see in training on a football level and within the games. We can impose ourselves more on the ball. We can show what good football players we are. 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. We need to step up to the next level to get the big prize.” that his team fell short of achieving during the World Cup.
Following a disappointing 2-1 semi-final defeat to Argentina in Atlanta, Tuchel is facing scrutiny regarding his tactical decisions. His choice to implement a back five formation in the final moments of the match, while leading 1-0, backfired as Argentina netted two late goals to secure their place in the final against Spain.
Tuchel contends that the system itself was not at fault; rather, it was the players’ lack of aggression after Anthony Gordon scored in the 55th minute that hindered their performance. He lamented England’s failure to seize control of the match, suggesting that such dominance may not be inherent in their playing style. The Football Association hired him with the expectation of addressing this issue, yet the familiar struggles continue to haunt the team.
Future Aspirations
Despite the setback, Tuchel, who extended his contract in February to oversee the Euro 2028 campaign, remains resolute and has the support of the FA. When asked if he intends to advance the team in the next two years, he affirmed, “It is heartbreaking to be so close,”
He further elaborated, “The players and Thomas gave it everything and the squad, coaches and staff could not have worked harder during the tournament. I would like to thank them all.”
Mixed Reactions from the FA
The FA has acknowledged a sense of satisfaction regarding the team’s journey to the semi-finals, tempered by a dose of realism. The draw for the tournament was perceived as more challenging than previous outings under Sir Gareth Southgate, featuring a group that included Croatia and Ghana.
Recognizing the potential hurdles, the FA noted the difficulty of progressing from the last 16 to the final, especially considering the altitude in Mexico City and the strength of teams like Brazil, Argentina, and Spain. However, they faced Norway in the quarter-finals instead of Brazil.
The governing body was also mindful of the logistical and situational challenges, particularly the heat and travel involved. By the time England reached Atlanta for the match against Argentina, they had completed their 13th flight since the tournament began, all following a demanding Premier League season for many players. There is hope that co-hosting the upcoming European Championship will provide a more favorable scenario.
Criticism and Tactical Challenges
Mark Bullingham, the FA’s chief executive, expressed his gratitude after the match against Argentina, stating, “We got too passive within our structure,”
Tuchel faced criticism for his decision to shift to a back five, sacrificing the fast-paced Gordon for an additional center-back, Ezri Konsa, at the 72-minute mark. He defended his approach, asserting that the team’s issues had begun earlier, particularly after Gordon’s goal, while they were still in their usual 4-2-3-1 formation.
A pivotal moment occurred in the 64th minute when Argentina’s manager, Lionel Scaloni, substituted defensive midfielder Leandro Paredes for left winger Nico González, transitioning to a more aggressive 4-2-4 formation. In a bold move, Scaloni also replaced left-back Nico Tagliafico with striker Lautaro Martínez in the 81st minute, a decision that ultimately paid off as Martínez scored a stoppage-time winner. During the crucial span between Gordon’s goal and Martínez’s strike, England managed only 12% possession.
Tuchel reflected on the team’s passivity, stating, “I tried to help … for us to actually be more active in a back five, to be quicker out to their wingers. We encouraged everyone to step out, to be more active but we just struggled. We couldn’t find any duels any more, which was why we dropped deeper and deeper. It was never the plan but it happened. We couldn’t stop the runners from the second line, the midfielders through our gaps. And their deliveries were on the highest level. “We needed to get back on the ball otherwise you cannot break the pressure and you cannot get the momentum back. We just couldn’t cope with the momentum swing. Ball possession plays a crucial role. It’s maybe not in our DNA like it is in the Spanish DNA or the Argentinian or Brazilian DNA – to take the ball and control the game. “It’s also not a problem to defend deep. You can stay active. But we struggled. We struggled physically, as well. Through the whole tournament … playing in the heat, playing in the altitude [against Mexico] and with a man down [after Jarell Quansah’s red card]. It cost us a lot in the end. We gave everything but it was not enough. “My feeling is that no structure in the world could have helped us because we were too passive. We were not physical enough, we didn’t stop runs arriving in our box and the deliveries were then too good.”
He acknowledged the need to regain possession to alleviate pressure, noting, “Without the ball, you cannot break the pressure, and you cannot regain momentum. We just couldn’t cope with the shift in momentum. Ball possession is crucial; it’s perhaps not in our DNA like it is in the Spanish, Argentinian, or Brazilian styles to control the game.”
Tuchel concluded, “Defending deep isn’t a problem; you can remain active. But we struggled, physically as well, throughout the tournament … dealing with the heat, playing at altitude against Mexico, and playing with a man down after Jarell Quansah’s red card. It took a toll in the end. We gave everything, but it wasn’t enough.”
