Synopsis
England's head coach Thomas Tuchel emphasizes the significance of a winning mindset as he prepares for his debut match, urging players to embrace excitement and confidence rather than fear of failure.Key Takeaways
- Tuchel stresses a winning mentality.
- England's campaign starts against Albania.
- Criticism of Southgate's cautious tactics.
- Focus on unity and joy for players.
- Tuchel's first venture into international coaching.
London, March 20 (NationPress) England's head coach Thomas Tuchel has stressed the need for a winning mindset over a fear of failure as he gears up for his inaugural match with the Three Lions.
England will commence their 2026 World Cup qualifying journey against Albania at Wembley on Friday, followed by a match with Latvia on Monday.
Having taken over from Gareth Southgate in October, Tuchel criticized England's performance at Euro 2024, where he observed the team playing under pressure instead of exuding confidence.
"I've heard many say that it’s a heavy shirt. It is not, but I understand the players' sentiments," he remarked during a news conference on Thursday.
"While watching the Euros, I sensed tension and pressure weighing on the players, and they were playing not to lose. I want us to play with enthusiasm and a strong desire to win... accepting that failure is part of the game, especially in football."
Southgate led England to consecutive European Championship finals in 2020 and 2024, suffering defeats to Italy and Spain, respectively. He also steered the team to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and the quarter-finals of the 2022 edition. However, his conservative tactics during Euro 2024 faced backlash, as England struggled in the group stage, narrowly defeating Serbia before drawing with Denmark and Slovenia.
Despite making it past Slovakia, Switzerland, and the Netherlands in the knockout phases, Southgate could not fully harness the potential of a squad rich in talent.
At 51, Tuchel boasts an impressive club record, having clinched the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, multiple Ligue 1 titles with PSG, and the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich. However, this marks his first foray into international management, and he has been tasked with breaking England's lengthy trophy drought by securing World Cup success in 2026.
"We aim to foster a sense of unity and joy, allowing everyone to feel secure in expressing themselves and giving their utmost," Tuchel stated.
"We want to approach the game with a hunger and joy to win, rather than a fear of losing. Anything can transpire in football - we understand this - but our emphasis is on achieving victory, with a greater number of touches in the opponent's box, increased attacks, and more high ball recoveries."
Tuchel's proactive, attacking style may resonate with England supporters who have been frustrated by Southgate's conservative approach. His initial squad selection suggests a short-term focus on winning the World Cup instead of long-term squad development.
In an interview with ITV Sport, Tuchel pointed out that England lacked a distinct identity, rhythm, attacking strategies, player freedom, and the drive to win during Euro 2024.
"I believe we need to shift this dynamic. We have numerous experienced players, many of whom have tasted victory with their clubs, and we have every reason to be self-assured."
