For now former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel began his reign as Three Lions manager with a 2-0 home win against the same opponents at Wembley Stadium. It was the first time Tuchel was on the touchline. He immediately had the same effect on the team and the press. ER’s tactical sensibility to all of this left a deep imprint. Beyond that, he made a real effort to engage with the players and to build relationships with the media.
Tuchel’s influence was felt almost immediately, with England showing a greater aggressiveness and implementation of counter-pressing right from the start. None more so than the impressive Declan Rice, whose enthusiasm to win the ball back reminded Tuchel of what he didn’t have. The manager's praise extended to Myles Lewis-Skelly, England's teenage star, whom he described as "fearless."
"Myles Lewis-Skelly is fearless," Tuchel stated, highlighting the young player's impressive debut performance.
Tuchel's confidence was palpable, as noted by England's players who observed his blend of humor and assurance. He made clear the need for a “win now mentality,” which he considered one of the most necessary success ingredients. Under his leadership, England completed more passes in the first half than any previous record, showcasing a new mindset and perspective.
Maybe that was just Tuchel’s good start with the team. He wants to get more familiar, despite already being very familiar with what this squad can do. He was a great judge of talent. He told me he was shocked that Dan Burn hadn’t been sniffing around the England squad earlier in his career.
True to both his confidence and his ruthlessness, when confronted with poor performances, Tuchel didn’t hold back in denouncing his players. He publicly criticized two players after a game this season, a sign of the demanding expectations and pressure to improve he’s bringing.
"Both of our wingers were not as impactful as normally they can be, as they normally are in club football," Tuchel remarked, indicating areas for potential growth.
His touch is one of encouragement mixed with tough love. And though one-on-one play on the wingers’ end could use some tweaking, he noted, the overall businesslike team effort stole the show.
"Individually, we can have more impact from the wingers," he added, pointing towards future enhancements.
England’s display with Tuchel at the helm looked so full of potential. The team’s aggressive off-the-ball play and focus on counter-pressing were reflective of the tactical changes he’s brought. These changes are in keeping with Tuchel’s vision for a more dynamic, pressing and aggressive England side.
Leave a Reply