Tuchel Takes Aim at England’s Euro 2024 Campaign and Vows to Change Mentality for 2026 World Cup
England’s new head coach Thomas Tuchel has delivered a scathing assessment of the national team under Gareth Southgate, claiming that the squad lacked identity, played with fear, and failed to excite at Euro 2024.
Southgate’s tenure ended with yet another heartbreak, as England finished runners-up for the second consecutive European Championship, falling 2-1 to Spain in the final in Berlin. While the team showed glimpses of brilliance, much of their tournament run was characterized by cautious, uninspiring performances—a criticism that Tuchel has wasted no time in highlighting.
Tuchel Slams England’s Style Under Southgate
Tuchel, who was appointed as England’s third-ever foreign head coach in October, did not hold back when asked if England had a clear playing identity last summer.
“Not last summer, no,” he told ITV.
Expanding on his critique, Tuchel listed the missing elements that prevented England from fulfilling their potential:
"They were more afraid to drop out of the tournament than having the excitement and hunger to win it" 👀
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) March 20, 2025
Thomas Tuchel reflects on England's Euro2024 campaign 🏴#ITVFootball | #ThreeLions | @England | @GabrielClarke05 pic.twitter.com/ozsZzIpzvy
“[They were missing] the identity, the clarity, the rhythm, the repetition of patterns, the freedom of players, the expression of players, the hunger.”
According to Tuchel, rather than playing with the excitement and drive to win, England’s mentality was shaped by fear—a trait that ultimately held them back.
“They were more afraid to drop out of the tournament in my observation than having the excitement and hunger to win.”
Tuchel’s Mission: Make England ‘The Team to Beat’
Now at the helm of the Three Lions, Tuchel’s task is clear: end England’s run as nearly-men and finally deliver silverware at the 2026 World Cup in Canada, the USA, and Mexico.
When pressed on what England needed to change, Tuchel pointed to a shift in mentality—one that transforms the squad from a cautious contender into a dominant force.
“Excitement. That people feel that’s the team to beat. That we arrive [at the World Cup] with a group to beat, once we qualified, when we arrive, that everyone knows this is the team to beat.”
Tuchel’s First Challenge: World Cup Qualifiers Begin
Tuchel, 51, will take charge of his first games this fortnight, as England begin their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign with matches against Albania and Latvia at Wembley.
With a clear mandate to bring home England’s first major trophy since 1966, Tuchel’s comments suggest a ruthless approach to transforming the squad’s mentality. Whether he can succeed where Southgate fell short remains to be seen—but one thing is certain: Tuchel won’t settle for second place.
