The records keep on tumbling for Tuchel. He has overseen England’s first-ever defeats to a team from Africa (Senegal) and now Asia. That’s only slightly facetious because those are true, factual stats.
In total seriousness, Tuchel’s Three Lions record now looks decidedly mixed. Nine wins, one draw and two losses is barely par for the course considering their opponents have been: Andorra twice, Serbia twice, Latvia twice, Albania twice, Wales, Senegal, Uruguay and Japan. The Football Association’s decision to extend his contract to 2028 without even taking on this World Cup is in danger of appearing even more baffling than originally thought.
Southgate had his flaws as England boss, yet there was no denying he had created a culture that allowed players to thrive and consistently perform at an international level not seen since 1966. But stand-in captain Marc Guehi may have let slip that the pressure of old is returning, telling ITV: “It’s not easy putting the shirt on.”
Tuchel is one of the best tacticians in world football and should be able to learn from this month’s experiences. Whether he can enact a plan in time to win the World Cup is a different and much more complex question.
