Thomas Tuchel has responded defiantly to criticism following England’s 3-1 defeat to Senegal, urging fans and pundits alike not to panic and insisting he’s still confident in his vision for the team.
Despite a rocky start to his tenure – including a laboured win over Andorra and the shock loss to Senegal at Nottingham’s City Ground – Tuchel remains calm under pressure. The former Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund, and PSG boss admits the road to the 2026 World Cup won’t be smooth, but he’s calling for unity as the team navigates a challenging period.
“We’re going through a learning curve,” Tuchel said. “It always looks easier from the outside. There are millions of football coaches with better ideas and answers. I don’t claim to be perfect, but I knew this job would be a huge challenge.”
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Tuchel emphasised the difficulty of adapting to international football and the complexities of working with players in short, intense bursts. Still, he believes the team is on the right path.
“I’m learning to influence the team and staff in limited time frames. Right now, the most important thing is that we stay calm and stay together. I see that unity within the squad and among the staff, and that’s what will get us through.”
England currently top their qualification group but still face tricky away fixtures in Serbia and Albania. Tuchel knows nothing is guaranteed and remains cautious but optimistic.
“There’s a perception that we’ll just qualify because we always do,” he said. “But I take nothing for granted. I’m convinced we’ll qualify and we’ll be competitive. Still, we need to improve. That’s clear.”
