Nobody can listen to what Thomas Tuchel said and hears something other than a two-footed at Gareth Southgate. No clear playing style, no clarity, no rhythm, no repetition of patterns.
If Southgate belongs, you can't imagine that he will be too in love. He will think it's hard. I find it unnecessary and unfair.
When Tuchel says that England was missing an identity at Euro 2024, I don't think that's fair at Gareth. He always had a balanced approach that may not always excit the masses, but we know how he wanted England to play and we know the problems he had in different functions, even if they were often horses for courses against certain teams.
While the first half of what Tuchel said is a clear criticism of Gareth, to continue saying that he was watching a team that was more afraid to be beaten out of the tournament than being hungry to continue and win it … That's on the players. That requires their character.
If you say that, name names.
The current Tuchel team consists of many of the same players who have reached the Euro -final under Southgate. There will be players in that group who will be irritated to hear their new manager criticize their professionalism.
However, others will be encouraged by what he says. They would like to hear that Tuchel is candid and honest and ambitious.
All of them talking about more details in the opposition box, more attacks, more high recovery, making England the team to beat, they will love that. That will be music in their ears. That is what fans also want to see. They want to see England on the front foot.
It shows that he is ready for work and supports himself. He has recently had a successful career and coaches some of the biggest names in world football, even if at the end of his time in Chelsea and Bayern Munich did not see eye to eye.
Coming out with such a language shows that he believes in himself and in the players he has – but saying and implementing them are two very different things.
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