Tuchel Under Pressure, Rejects Club Pleas to Rest England Stars
England manager Thomas Tuchel acknowledges the pressure after a loss to Spain but remains firm on managing player workload amidst a demanding Nations League schedule.
Thomas Tuchel admits he is under pressure following England's defeat by Spain at Wembley on Saturday. His squad now faces a challenging week with matches against Czechia in Prague on Tuesday, followed by a game in Croatia and a return fixture against the Czechs at Wembley.
Tuchel's team must win in Prague to maintain a realistic chance of winning their Nations League group. "After a loss we are all desperate to bounce back straight away and the next possibility is the Czech Republic," Tuchel stated. "Yeah, it puts a bit of pressure of course but nothing we can’t handle. Defeat is never good."
The German manager stressed his inability to heed requests from club coaches to rest his England stars, emphasizing the unique demands of international management.
"No I don’t take calls from Premier League managers," Tuchel said. "I never called any national team coach when I was a club manager. It is what it is. I cannot manage the players. It’s just impossible. I knew as a club coach – when I was on the other side – that I had this example many times."
He added, "If I would call a coach in Brazil or Argentina, they would not know what I am talking about. The players would not know what I am talking about. So why would I do this and start giving the players the impression that it’s OK to take a step back or share a half or to rest one match? Why would I? I would never. It’s madness. We want to win the next match."
England narrowly lost to Spain on Saturday, a match where Harry Kane missed a penalty when the team was leading 2-1 early in the second half.
Jude Bellingham, who has emerged as a key player for England, played with intense energy throughout the game against Spain. Regarding Bellingham's ability to sustain such a high level of play across multiple matches, Tuchel commented, "It’s the only style he can play, that’s just his game. It’s not an economical game but let’s see. I would love to have him four times on the pitch. I think the concern is that he hasn’t done it this season in this tight period. We will need to check with the physios. We will not put Jude at any risk. But his style is how he plays."
Bellingham was involved in a notable on-field duel with Real Madrid teammate Marc Cucurella during the match. "He likes that," said Tuchel. "He gets better if that happens. It’s better if he plays with a bit of rage. It’s what he does. I think sometimes he is looking for these moments to get his fire going. He wants to win. He doesn’t know any club team-mates. He is still friends with them but not for the 90 minutes."
