
Despite their semi-final exit to Argentina, Thomas Tuchel will continue to manage England. As reported by Sky Sports UK, the German coach has confirmed that he will honour his contract until the 2028 European Championship: “We will move forward. My contract is until the home European Championship. At the moment it is difficult to see that far ahead, but I can’t wait.”
Before that, however, the Three Lions will conclude their World Cup adventure by playing France in the third-place play-off. However, for many in England, the time had come to end the German coach's reign, which had already been the target of criticism before the tournament even started.
The defeat against Messi and his team-mates has reopened old wounds on the island. The cautious football of the Gareth Southgate era has returned as a tactical nightmare and the press, along with English football legends, have not spared words to criticize Tuchel: “It felt like the European Championship final against Italy,” declared Gary Neville. “It’s a question of mentality, confidence and the ability to manage possession. It’s incredible how this story keeps repeating itself.”
"Tuchel's decisions cost us dearly," said Wayne Rooney. "If you're a striker and you see defenders coming in when you're ahead, you lose confidence. He panicked and gave up a chance to double the lead. If you give Argentina the lead close to your own half, sooner or later they're going to punish you."
“Look at Spain against France,” echoed Michael Owen, “at 1-0 up they kept playing with courage. We, in the same situation, put three defenders in. What message does that send to the team? We deserved to lose, it could have been 4-1.”
Then came the final blow from Gary Lineker: "A shocking game plan and unimaginable management of Messi, leaving him free to cross constantly. I wonder, ironically, whether Tuchel is not some spy sent from Germany to sabotage us, given that they are not doing so well at the moment."
Former goalkeeper Joe Hart was also very harsh: "Everyone criticized Southgate for his management of key moments, but with Tuchel nothing has changed." While Jamie Carragher spoke openly about self-destruction: "...England dominated Argentina for 72 minutes before they self-destructed."
In this crossfire of criticism, the English Football Association (FA) has full confidence in Tuchel. Chief executive Mark Bullingham, who in February extended his contract until Euro 2028, has no intention of questioning the technical project.
The German coach himself ruled out any possibility of resigning after the match. Messages of support have also come from institutions, with Prince William expressing himself as "devastated" by the elimination but "proud" of the team. Outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer was also in the same vein, stressing that the passion with which the team represented England made everyone proud.