The Football Association has backed under-fire England boss Thomas Tuchel with chief executive Mark Bellingham insisting the German “gave it everything” during their ultimately underwhelming World Cup campaign.
The Three Lions exited at the semi-final stage last night following a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Argentina, late goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez doing the damage after Anthony Gordon’s opener.
Tuchel’s tactics of throwing on defenders and sitting back – England had just 12% possession between Gordon’s goal and Martinez’s winner – backfired horribly as Argentina were handed the momentum they required to turn the game around.
The former Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea and PSG boss was brought in to provide extra tactical nous at key moments but failed as England fell at the last-four stage for the second time in three World Cups.
Nevertheless, Bellingham still believes Tuchel is the man to take England forward.
“It is heartbreaking to be so close,” said Bullingham.
“The players and Thomas gave it everything today and the squad, coaches and staff could not have worked harder during the tournament.
“I would like to thank them all – and also give my heartfelt thanks to our wonderful fans here in the USA and at home.”
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Tuchel says reaching the semis was ‘an achievement’ for England
The FA handed Tuchel a two-year contract extension in February that carries him through to the 2028 European Championship hosted by England, Wales, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.
Speaking after the game in Atlanta last night, Tuchel claimed it was an “achievement” for England to reach the last four and outlined his intention to carry on.
“We keep on going with the contract until the home Euros,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to that even though right now it’s difficult to look that far ahead.
“Of course, it’s a semi-final; a lot of big football nations are eliminated before the semi-final, so it is an achievement.
“No-one wants to hear that at the moment; me neither because we demand the most of ourselves. That’s just the nature of being competitive.”
England boss Tuchel defends negative substitutions
Tuchel defended his substitutions and the general negativity around his gameplan, adding: “We were so close but we got too passive after we scored, conceded a lot of chances and could not turn the ball possession around.
“We couldn’t keep the level up after we scored. I also [made attacking] substitutions in the [previous] games. We just tried to help the players.
“We decided to go to a back five because the gaps were far too open. [Argentina] won every header; they kept crossing and crossing. We couldn’t get out.
“We couldn’t win any balls, couldn’t keep the ball. It was not a structural problem. We changed nothing after the goal, but the match changed completely.
“I can understand that these discussions are out there and, of course, [there are] millions of coaches after the game who know better.”
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