The Football Association has backed England coach Thomas Tuchel, who is under fire, with chief executive Mark Bellingham insisting the German “gave him everything” during his ultimately disappointing World Cup campaign.
The Three Lions were eliminated from the semi-finals last night after A disappointing 2-1 defeat to ArgentinaLate goals from Enzo Fernandes and Lautaro Martinez did the damage after Anthony Gordon’s opener.
Tuchel’s tactics of pushing defenders and sitting back – England had just 12% of possession between Gordon’s goal and Martinez’s – backfired horribly as Argentina got the momentum they needed to turn the game around.
The former Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain coach was brought in to provide additional tactical skills in crucial moments but failed as England fell in the quarter-finals for the second time in three World Cup finals.
However, Bellingham still believes Tuchel is the man to take England forward.
“It’s heartbreaking to be so close,” Bullingham said.
“The players and Thomas gave everything today, and the team, coaches and staff could not have given a greater effort during the tournament.
“I would like to thank them all, and also a huge thank you to our amazing fans here in the United States and back home.”
Tuchel says reaching the semi-finals was an “achievement” for England
The FA agreed to extend Tuchel’s contract for two years last February, which will take him to the 2028 European Championship, which will be hosted by England, Wales, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.
Speaking after the match in Atalanta last night, Tuchel claimed that England reaching the semi-finals was an “achievement” and made clear his determination to continue.
He added: “We will continue the contract until the European Championship.”
“I’m looking forward to it even though it’s hard now to look that far ahead.
“Of course, it’s a semi-final and a lot of the top countries in football have been eliminated before the semi-finals, so this is an achievement.
“Nobody wants to hear that right now, and neither do I because we’re demanding as much as we can. That’s just the nature of competition.”
England coach Tuchel defends negative substitutions
Tuchel defended his substitutions and the general negativity surrounding his game plan, adding: “We were very close but we became very passive after we scored, we conceded a lot of chances and were unable to convert possession.
“We couldn’t maintain the high level after we scored. I also made (attacking) substitutions in (previous) matches. We just tried to help the players.
“We decided to go with five players in the back line because the gaps were so open. (Argentina) won every header; they kept crossing and passing. We couldn’t get out.
“We couldn’t win any balls, we couldn’t keep the ball. It wasn’t a structural problem. We didn’t change anything after the goal, but the game completely changed.
“I can understand that these discussions exist, and of course (there are) millions of coaches after the game who know better.”
