Tuchel reveals he apologised to Bellingham over past comments – and explains why he did not call up duo | OneFootball

England boss Thomas Tuchel revealed he apologised to Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham for comments he made earlier this year.

Speaking in an interview in June, Tuchel said Bellingham’s competitive edge “can be a bit repulsive, for example, for my mother when she sits in front of the TV.”

And the England boss says he has since apologised to Bellingham for those comments, insisting his choice of words was an accident.

“I used this word unintentionally, just to make it very clear,” he said.

“There was no message. There was no hidden agenda.

“I fully understood and understand that it’s my responsibility that I created these headlines. I am sorry for the upset and I am sorry for the headlines I created.

“I am experienced enough and should’ve known better, I should’ve done better. I thought I had a little more credit with you guys (media) that I do all this in my second language.

“I did it the morning after a loss, with not a lot of sleep, in a live interview, and I used the wrong word. Again, it’s my responsibility.”

Bellingham is not in Tuchel’s latest England squad, missing out through injury.

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jack Grealish have also been left out and explaining those decisions, Tuchel said: “First of all we decided for a tighter squad, for a bit more competitive squad.

“We didn’t use all 23 players to make it more competitive to be in the squad. There is no doubt that I’m a big fan of Trent and of Jack, of both their talent and their personalities.

“They are big players, they will always be big players and they will always be in the mix to be called up.

“I know that both of them are desperate to come back, which is really important. But for this camp, we decided on Trent’s position for Reece (James) and for Tino Livermanto, simply out of competition.

“And we decided on Jack’s position for Rashy (Rashford), for Anthony (Gordon) and for Ebz (Eze). So the competition is up, they will stay in the mix. I know how desperate they are to come back and from there we go.

“I think they can maybe have a bit more rhythm, like Jack is starting now to play again and has a huge impact already in Everton, which is nice to see. And for Trent the same, I think after a change of clubs, new country and whatever, it takes a bit of time to settle and find his rhythm.”