Just a few months ago, the buzz around Thomas Tuchel taking over as England manager came with a lot of optimism.
Here was a coach known for tactical brilliance, poised to inject energy and confidence into a national team that’s always carried the weight of expectation.
But after back-to-back underwhelming performances, including a sobering defeat to Senegal, the mood has shifted dramatically.
The cap Tuchel wore on the touchline might need replacing with a crash helmet—because the criticism is coming fast and heavy.
A Win That Felt Like a Loss
Let’s be honest: the trouble didn’t start with the Senegal match.
England’s 1-0 win over Andorra on Saturday was so flat, it barely felt like a victory.
Against Senegal, the result finally matched the performance. It was a fair defeat, and perhaps one that had been coming.
Losing to the Middle, Not the Best
There was a time when England only slipped up against top-tier teams.
Now? They’re struggling against nations ranked in the middle of the FIFA table.
Senegal sits 19th—below Iran, a team England comfortably handled at the 2022 World Cup under Gareth Southgate.
But Tuchel’s side? They were outplayed—outpaced, outthought, and outclassed.
Senegal looked brighter, sharper, and hungrier from the first whistle to the last.
The Tired Excuse Wears Thin
Harry Kane spoke about the players being tired after a “long, hard season.”
Fair enough—but international tournaments like the World Cup also come after long seasons.
Will exhaustion be the excuse then, too? Because if this is what tired looks like now, it doesn’t bode well for the future.
The truth is, England have looked sluggish for some time.
The joy and lightness that Southgate once managed to inject into the national team setup seems to have drained away.
Watching them now feels like watching kids being forced back into school during the holidays—grudging and joyless.
The False Hope of “Flipping the Switch”
Some fans seem to believe this team can just turn it on when it counts.
But that’s wishful thinking. In football, momentum is built, not summoned on demand.
You can’t coast for months and expect magic to happen at the final whistle of a big tournament.
The players may have all the scientific data available—core body temps, load management, the lot—but if the football looks this cold, no spreadsheet is saving them.
Autumn Qualifiers Look Riskier Than Ever
Tuchel’s team is supposed to cruise past Albania and Serbia in the autumn qualifiers, right? That assumption looks shakier by the day.
Right now, England’s trajectory isn’t upwards—it’s the opposite.
And their road to the 2026 World Cup in North America? It’s starting to look bumpier than expected.
Tuchel’s Sideline Struggles
Tuchel looked like a man tormented on the touchline.
During the first half, he applauded his team—loudly and oddly—when they managed to move the ball out of their own corner.
But the moment they moved forward and made poor decisions, the frustration showed.
One example? Declan Rice played the ball straight out of bounds, prompting Tuchel to clutch his cap in agony.
Painful Choices, Poor Execution
The decision-making wasn’t much better up front. Conor Gallagher broke through the middle but chose the scenic route instead of the smarter pass.
One option would’ve left Anthony Gordon clear on goal.
Instead, Gallagher passed to Bukayo Saka, who was immediately swarmed and tripped up after trying to take on three defenders.
England fans could only watch in silence.
The Kyle Walker Dilemma
Tuchel brought three right-backs to camp. On Saturday, he didn’t start any of them in that position.
This time, Kyle Walker got the nod—and it quickly became clear that wasn’t the answer. Walker’s speed used to be his safety net.
Now, with his pace waning, his positional awareness—or lack of it—gets exposed.
He was flat-footed when Ismaila Sarr blew past him to score.
If that’s a preview of what to expect at the World Cup, where Walker will be 36, it might be time to start planning his farewell.
Ivan Toney’s Invisible Cameo
Then there’s Ivan Toney, brought on in the 88th minute.
If Tuchel wanted to see what he could offer, two minutes wasn’t enough.
Was it a punishment? A message? Or had Toney simply underwhelmed in training? Whatever the reason, his cameo felt more like an afterthought than an opportunity.
Tired of Being Tired
Ultimately, Tuchel doesn’t seem to like what he’s seeing.
And it’s not hard to understand why.
Blaming fatigue might explain a game or two—but when it becomes the narrative, it sounds more like an excuse.
If England are really serious about winning anything in the next year, they need to wake up. Fast.
What’s Next?
Tuchel has big calls to make. Whether it’s phasing out veterans like Walker, reinjecting fun and flow into a static team, or figuring out who his real attacking threats are, the pressure’s on.
This isn’t the start anyone envisioned, but it’s the reality now.
And unless England can find a spark soon, the road to North America might turn into a dead end.