Thomas Tuchel, a renowned German coach, has been entrusted with the significant responsibility of guiding the England national football team to end their 60-year drought without a major trophy. With the World Cup on the horizon, Tuchel emphasizes the importance of allowing players to express themselves freely on the field. The England squad has shown immense potential, emerging as one of the favorites at the recent European Championships.
Despite Harry Kane finishing as joint-top scorer, England fell short once again, losing to Spain in the final. Tuchel aims to foster an environment that allows players to play with excitement, hunger, and joy, overcoming the tension and pressure observed during the Euros. With only six camps remaining before the World Cup, Tuchel stresses the importance of team bonding and creating a cohesive unit to achieve success.
Freedom and Expression
Thomas Tuchel is enthusiastic about the talent within the England squad. He believes that one of the critical factors for success is providing players with the liberty to express themselves on the pitch. Reflecting on England's performance at the Euros, he noted that players were not free enough to express themselves within a stable structure.
"At the Euros they were not free enough to express themselves in a stable structure. But England wasn't the only team to change structure from match to match."
Tuchel aims to establish a structured environment where players understand their roles clearly, thereby allowing them the freedom to find creative solutions during matches.
"I think when we play now we need to make sure everyone knows his role on the field, accepts his role and plays disciplined in his role – then comes the freedom and within your space you can look for solutions."
Overcoming Pressure and Building Cohesion
The pressure on England's players during the European Championships was palpable. Tuchel observed this tension firsthand and insists on creating an atmosphere that encourages joy and excitement rather than anxiety. The German coach identifies team bonding as a crucial element in overcoming these pressures.
"We have only six camps and that's why I was so strong on the point to bond with each other."
With limited time before the World Cup, Tuchel emphasizes maintaining connections between players even outside of official camps.
"We need to find it, then it's my responsibility to keep connected in between camps, be that to visit the players or call them. The players need to stay connected between camps, too, and take care of each other."
The goal is to cultivate a special atmosphere of togetherness necessary for success on football's biggest stage.
Preparing for World Cup Success
As England prepares for the upcoming World Cup, Tuchel remains focused on instilling discipline and structure while encouraging players to bring out their best. He acknowledges Gareth Southgate's previous efforts in organizing the team effectively.
"It's because of them. They were outstanding in the way they behaved, interacted as a group but also on the pitch. They were amazing. We had high quality, very sharp training sessions. Everybody was open to give their best."
Tuchel is determined to continue building on this foundation and aims for England's squad to approach each day with dedication.
"Thinking about what we have to do and the outcome will not help us. The only thing that helps is worshipping every single day we have, and the players have done that every single day since Monday."
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