17 July,2026 10:56 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Thomas Tuchel (File pic)
England hired a German coach to end 60 years of hurt, but ended up losing in the semi-final, similarly to earlier years. The English media was predictably critical of coach Thomas Tuchel after Wednesday's 2-1 loss to Argentina.
Tuchel, a title-winning coach with Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Bayern Munich, was hired to put a second star on England's jersey and end the decades-long wait for a first trophy since the World Cup in 1966. Former England captain Gary Lineker raised the question about Tuchel's future, saying he was 'brought in specifically to take us over the line.'
"Is he the right man to take us forward? He just got it so wrong in the big moment," Lineker said on his show 'The Rest is Football.'
Tuchel's predecessor, Gareth Southgate, was credited with making England fans fall back in love with the men's national team after years of underachievement. He reached back-to-back European Championship finals but ultimately fell short with his cautious approach.
Against Argentina, leading 1-0 going into the 85th minute and in a defensive shell, England saw its hopes shattered by Argentina's goals from Enzo Fernandez and substitute Lautaro Martinez.
"It's a real panic. You can't go a goal up and then surrender the ball and surrender any opportunity of trying to get the second goal. I just think the decisions Thomas Tuchel made, and I think we have to be honest on this, have cost us tonight," former England captain Wayne Rooney told the BBC.
Lineker said Tuchel's tactics and substitutions after going 1-0 up 'made zero sense to me.'
Tuchel, who signed a two-year contract extension ahead of the World Cup, stood by his decisions.
"As soon as you lose, you get criticised. It's just what it is," Tuchel said. "No one knows what would have happened if I had made different decisions so it makes no sense to engage in that and lose my head. I'm responsible for them. I took them, so I take the criticism. That's just the way it is."
