Thomas Tuchel has defended his part in England’s World Cup exit as he blamed the DNA of his players in failing to control the game against Argentina, claiming that ‘no structure in the world’ could have helped them.
The German, who has vowed to stay on for the European Championship, has been heavily criticised for his substitutions and tactical changes during the semi-final defeat in Atlanta.
England were leading 1-0 when he took off scorer Anthony Gordon and switched to a back five with just under 20 minutes to play. He then brought on two more defenders before Argentina scored twice to win the game.
But Tuchel is adamant that he was not the reason his team crashed out, and has instead turned it back on the mindset of the players, questioning whether it is a more deep-rooted English problem.
‘I think ball possession plays a crucial role,’ he said. ‘It’s maybe not in our DNA like it is in the Spanish, Argentinian or Brazilian DNA. To take the ball and control the game and the ball, which is also a big problem.
‘But like in every structure, it was important to stay active and push out and fight duels. We just couldn’t. I think in this moment my feeling is that no structure in the world could have helped us because we were too passive. We were not physical enough. We didn’t stop runs arriving in our box and the deliveries were then too good.
Thomas Tuchel defended his role in England’s World Cup exit and blamed his players’ DNA
Tuchel made several defensive substitutions when his side were leading 1-0 in the second half
‘Right after our goal, the momentum swings completely in ball possession and chances and it drops dramatically. We got too passive within our structure. I tried to help, not to become more passive with a back five, but to be more active, to be quicker out to the wingers, not to open up the gaps between the back four.
‘We encouraged everyone to step out, to be more active within the structure, but we just struggled. We needed to get back on the ball otherwise you cannot break the pressure and you cannot get the momentum back.’
Tuchel has the full support of the FA – he signed a contract extension through the home Euros before this tournament – and the manner of Wednesday’s defeat has not changed his intentions.
‘Yes, 100 per cent (I want to carry on),’ he said. ‘There is still enough to improve, and I am more than happy to do that. I have loved it. I loved every day.
‘I said after the Norway game that I see a disconnect from what I see in training on a football level and then within the games. I think we can impose ourselves more on the ball.
‘I still think we can show what good football players we are. I think that is still in us, as I see it in training and in every camp. Here also at the World Cup. I still feel there is an extra level that we need to conquer and need to step up to, to get the big prize.’
