Strong criticism after the World Cup exit: Does Tuchel have to leave as England team boss?

Criticism of Tuchel: “I’m devastated”

“If you allow Messi and Argentina to rush at you, then you’re literally looking for trouble. The changes we made didn’t help us. I I’m devastatedsaid the former national player Wayne Rooney.

The critics accuse Tuchel of going for one after Anthony Gordon’s 1-0 lead too defensive formation to have set. The 52-year-old substituted three defenders and then switched to a five-man chain. Through one late double strike Argentina turned the game around and made it to the final. “I didn’t have the feeling that offensive changes would help. Of course, afterwards there are always people who know better. I take responsibility“said Tuchel.

“Absolutely incomprehensible”: Lineker criticizes Tuchel

For the 80-time national player Gary Lineker is it “absolutely incomprehensible“that against the best football player of all time, of all people, the tactic is to keep your players deep.”

Also Michael Owen had no positive words for Tuchel. “What message does this send?asked the 2001 Ballon d’Or winner. “As long as we don’t understand that courage means keeping the ball in your own ranks under pressure and controlling the game – rather than simply hitting the ball 40 meters forward or heading it – the result will always be the same.”

“Look at Spain and then look at England”

Owen drew a comparison to the Spanish show of force against France. “Look at how Spain played yesterday when the score was 1-0. That’s courage. That’s courage. And then look at England when the score was 1-0.”

Former Manchester City professional and current TV pundit Micah Richards Tuchel also sees responsibility for the defeat. “Today he did it wrong. And he has to accept that,” said Richards.

No progress under Tuchel?

Kyle Walkerwho ended his career with the national team in the spring, sees no progress compared to the time under Gareth Southgate. With this, England also reached the World Cup semi-finals in 2018. “It’s the same story that I’ve experienced over the last ten years of my career.”

Will Tuchel remain England team boss?

According to media reports, Tuchel should, despite the failure Trusted by the English Football Association FA have. It is expected that the German coach will also lead the team to the home European Championship in 2028, wrote, among others BBC shortly after the defeat. Tuchel will probably remain coach, they also wrote Times.

Tuchel was hired as national coach at the beginning of 2025. The 52-year-old extended his contract early last February up to and including the European Championship finals in two years in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.

FA Managing Director Mark Bullingham did not comment specifically on Tuchel’s contract situation immediately after the final whistle. “The players and Thomas gave everything today and the team, coaches and staff could not have worked harder during the tournament,” the official said, expressing his gratitude to them.

Tuchel: “I don’t regret anything at the moment”

Tuchel does not regret his tactical decision. “You can discuss it with a million coaches, but I have to make a decision on the pitch,” he told the BBC. “I analyzed the game and approached it in a certain way, that is my responsibility. At the moment I don’t regret anything. The team gave everything and we were very, very close.” It is not the right time to analyze the tournament. “We just got eliminated because we lost a crucial game.”

He defended both strategy and substitutions. “We switched to a back five to close the gaps in the center and be strong in the air,” said Tuchel. After the opening goal, they allowed too many crosses and chances. “When things don’t go well, it’s easy to say it was wrong.”