Tuchel’s bold words, cautious choices: Will England’s conservative squad hamper him? | OneFootball

Thomas Tuchel believes England played with too much fear at last summer’s European Championship and wants to replace that mindset with hunger and excitement.

The 51-year-old will take charge of his first match as national team manager later this evening when the Three Lions face Albania at Wembley Stadium in a World Cup qualifier.

Tuchel has been tasked with taking England further than Gareth Southgate, who led the team to a World Cup semi-final, a quarter-final and consecutive European Championship finals.

However, the German coach was unimpressed with England’s approach in Berlin last year.

Speaking to ITV, he said the team ‘were more afraid to drop out of the tournament than having the excitement and hunger to win it’.

At his pre-match press conference, he called for a shift in mentality.

“I think it has to be the other way around,” he said. “I want us to play with excitement, hunger and the desire to win. We need to embrace the joy of winning and accept that failure is part of football.”

Tuchel is also keen to foster togetherness and self-expression.

“We want to create an environment where everyone feels safe to express themselves and give their very best,” he added. “We have to play with hunger and joy, not fear.”

But for all his emphasis on boldness, his squad selection screams caution. Jordan Henderson remains central to his plans despite declining club form, with Tuchel valuing experience over youthful promise.

Henderson, the squad’s third-most capped player, has been described by Tuchel as a ‘serial winner’ who raises standards.

“He is the glue in every team where he played, and he will be the glue that makes things special,” Tuchel told ITV.

Kyle Walker, who struggled for form at Manchester City before moving to AC Milan in January, is another experienced player to retain his place.

Tuchel hopes to shift England’s focus towards making history rather than fearing failure. “The excitement should be about achieving something special,” he said.

Tonight’s match will be played in front of a sold-out Wembley crowd. Tuchel is eager to see his team bring the energy from training onto the pitch.

But if England are to play without fear, Tuchel needs to show more of that himself.