Tuchel Aims to Ignite England Players’ Passion and Joy for Victory

Thomas Tuchel has called on England to embrace a fearless approach, criticising their previous performances as being filled with trepidation during their run to the EURO 2024 final under former manager Gareth Southgate.

Tuchel will guide England for the first time when they take on Albania at Wembley this Friday in their opening World Cup qualifier.

Having started his role in January after being appointed in October, the German coach aims to foster a more vibrant and dynamic mindset within his squad, having observed their hesitant play throughout last year’s European Championship.

While England managed to reach the final, where they were narrowly defeated 2-1 by Spain, Tuchel was left unimpressed by the tense nature of their performances.

“In my view, they were more afraid of elimination than eager to seize victory,” Tuchel told ITV earlier this week.

When asked about what was lacking in Southgate’s side, Tuchel replied: “There was a lack of identity, clarity, rhythm, freedom for the players, and a hunger to succeed.”

Southgate saw England through to two final matches at the Euros but stepped down following the defeat to Spain, unable to break their long-standing drought for silverware.

Tuchel aims to instil an attacking philosophy he believes is critical for achieving success at the 2026 World Cup.

“It was just my impression while watching on TV, well before I knew I would be taking charge,” Tuchel shared with reporters on Thursday.

“It’s a straightforward statement and I can’t articulate it any other way. I felt the tension and pressure weighing on the players’ shoulders.

“They played as if they were trying to avoid losing. We deserve to be confident. I want us to play with excitement, a hunger to win, a desire to succeed, and to understand that failure is part of the journey.

“We want to embrace unity and joy, allowing everyone to feel safe in showcasing their abilities and performing at their best. We should be driven by a hunger and joy to win, not by the fear of losing.”

‘I must inspire confidence’

England’s captain, Harry Kane, who played under Tuchel at Bayern Munich, was one of several players who faced criticism for lacklustre performances at Euro 2024.

Kane concurred with Tuchel, acknowledging that England struggled with the weight of expectations as tournament favourites.

“There was a higher level of expectation than in any previous tournament. It was the first one where we were among the favourites,” Kane reflected.

“Even though we leaned on our experiences from past tournaments, we just couldn’t find our rhythm. Thomas has clearly assessed that.

“He’s discussed how we interact on the pitch. He understands that while not everything needs to change, making a few adjustments can enhance our chances of success.”

Tuchel has been impressed by how the England players have responded to his coaching in their initial training camp with him since taking the reins.

“What I’ve witnessed over the past few days has been remarkable. I hope we can carry that enthusiasm into the stadium. There’s an electric atmosphere ahead of the first match,” he remarked.

“It’s also been a steep learning curve for me in international football, adapting to the rhythm and integrating with the squad.”

Tuchel previously led Chelsea to Champions League glory in 2021 and has enjoyed domestic success with Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain.

Despite his extensive experience, the 51-year-old admitted to feeling a touch of nerves as he embarks on a new chapter for England.

“I will be a bit anxious. It’s crucial for us to make a strong statement and take that first step. I need to inspire belief in me,” he stated.