Thomas Tuchel says it's not in England's 'DNA' to control games after World Cup loss to Argentina
Thomas Tuchel says the ‘DNA’ of English football needs to change if his side are to start winning tournaments.
England fans are still smarting after crashing out of the World Cup following a 2-1 defeat by Argentina on Wednesday night.
Tensions were high during the match - which was expected - and Jude Bellingham was spotted in a heated exchange with Lionel Messi in the first half.
Things didn’t simmer down after the final whistle, either, with Bellingham seen slapping Valentin Barco and Argentina sparking a huge backlash after unfurling a banner that read ‘Las Malvinas son Argentinas,’ which translates as ‘The Falklands are Argentine'.
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In the aftermath of the game, captain Harry Kane said the team came ‘really, really close’ but was ‘missing the final piece of the jigsaw’.
Fans and pundits have accused the squad of being too passive and losing momentum after Anthony Gordon scored the first goal of the game.
Three Lions have had similar experiences in other high-stake knockout matches, as they sat back after taking the lead in the 2018 World Cup semi-final against Croatia and the Euro 2020 final with Italy, while also failing to build on the equaliser against Spain in the Euro 2024 final.
Speaking yesterday (Thursday 16 July), England boss Tuchel was asked if he thought it would be possible to change the team’s mentality.
“If it happens then it has to be changed,” he said.
“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.”
He went on to say that possession of the ball was ‘crucial’ and question whether its in the ‘DNA’ of English footballers.
“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,” he added.
Despite exiting the competition before the final, Tuchel said he is keen to helm the team for the upcoming Euros in 2028.
“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.”
Topics: World Cup
Claire Reid