Ahead of his opening game in charge against Albania at Wembley on Friday, new England head coach Thomas Tuchel faced questions from the media for the second time this week in another briefing full of colour and intrigue.
After criticising the performances of Gareth Southgate’s England side at last summer’s European Championship – too much “fear”, not enough “excitement”, Tuchel said – the German spoke in detail about the kind of team he wants to build for the 2026 World Cup, which he had been mandated to win in 16 month’s time.
Here are four takeaways from Tuchel’s briefings on Thursday…
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Jude Bellingham wore the No22 shirt at Birmingham City (which has since been retired in his honour) because an astute youth coach recognised his ability to play as a No4, a No8 and a No10 equally well.
The issue of Bellingham’s best position has become a talking point with England, given central midfield has become such a problem position, and there were calls for Southgate to play him in a deeper role, alongside Declan Rice, at the Euros.
Tuchel, though, did not hesitate when asked Bellingham’s best position: “I think he is an 8, 10 and we will use him as an 8, 10.” What this means in practice is still a little unclear; did Tuchel mean a No8 or No10 or a hybrid of the two roles? But plainly, Bellingham is not about to feature at the base of midfield or from the left, as he did on occasion under Southgate.
Jordan Henderson
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Tuchel not decided on vice-captain and will name a new leadership team
Tuchel seemed slightly taken aback by a second question this week about whether he had named a vice-captain to Harry Kane yet. “I thought it’s not so important at the moment,” he said. The 51-year-old did, though, reveal that he was likely to name one eventually and that Kane’s understudy would come from a new leadership group.
Southgate had a four-man leadership group at the Euros of Kane, Kyle Walker, Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice. Tuchel may be minded to add Jordan Henderson and eventually Jack Grealish, both of whom he has said could be the “glue” in his squad.
Tuchel to de-politicise job
Southgate frequently spoke out on social issues, backing his players over taking the knee at Euro 2020, for example. But Tuchel says he will stick to talking about football and suggested those questions would be deferred to FA chief executive Mark Bullingham and technical director John McDermott.
Tuchel believes it is unfair to burden himself and his players with issues outside football at the World Cup and said they should be allowed to “make the best” of what could be a once in a lifetime opportunity without being “punished” for their views on issues outside the game.
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No messages to players through the media
Some managers use the media to send messages to their squad but Tuchel has made it clear that everything he says in public he will already have relayed to his playing group.
“You can be sure that if I say something in a press conference, I have addressed it to the players. There are no messages given through you to the players,” he said.
Tuchel has encouraged his players not to be afraid to speak their mind within the group on difficult subjects, including with him, and believes this honest and open communication style will help to bring the group closer together.
England celebrate winning the 1966 World Cup
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And he questions the result in 1966
In a light-hearted moment, Tuchel questioned the result of the 1966 World Cup final between his adopted nation, England, and his native Germany.
It has never been clear if Geoff Hurst’s second goal in England’s 4-2 win at Wembley crossed the line after ricocheting into the turf of the underside of the crossbar and Tuchel said he disagreed with the decision of the Azerbaijan linesman Tofiq Bahramov, who awarded the goal.
“There is still debate!” he said. “I don’t think [it crossed the line] but there was no VAR at this time so it stands!”
