Tuchel did not deliver, but his time with England is not up - Shearer

Some England players disappointed at tactics as Tuchel questions team’s DNA
How coach-on-pitch Messi undid England’s tactics on the fly
From Southgate to Tuchel – has anything changed?

Give Tuchel time to reflect

Tuchel’s original contract only lasted until this summer, but he signed a two-year extension in February and is going to lead us into the 2028 European Championship, which England will co-host.

I don’t think he is naive enough not to realise that what has happened at this tournament is going to increase the scrutiny on him going forward, and I don’t believe any of the criticism he has faced will faze him either.

Tuchel is experienced enough and has been successful enough to know how the game works – and because of that he will know his methods will now be questioned even more going forward.

One of the reasons for that is because we never got to see the England performance that he promised us at this World Cup.

The way Argentina were chasing the game in the final half-hour was meant to suit his team’s playing style.

We were up against really top-class opposition – they are world champions for a reason – and had heard lots of times that England would be better when teams like that opened up against us rather than played in the low block we often faced earlier in the tournament.

But we never saw it.

Instead, Tuchel went very early with what has worked for him at this tournament in terms of going defensive, like we did with 10 men against Mexico or for the last few minutes against Norway – and that is what has cost us a place in the final.

When you give that much possession away to a very good team for so long, and give that much freedom to the little genius Lionel Messi, then he is going to cause damage – and he did.

Tuchel mentioned straight after losing the semi-final that he did not regret his approach, but I know what it is like when I have been asked similar questions at the final whistle. Everything is very raw, whether you are a manager or a player, especially after a defeat that hurts as much as that one will.

I would not read too much into what he mentioned then, because my guess is he will reflect and look back on the game properly in the days to come.

It will be better to speak to him in a few weeks’ time to see what his opinions are, then wait for England’s next games to see where he has learned and improved.

My most memorable moment? Mexico

The way England’s run at this World Cup ended was desperately disappointing, but there are still plenty of positives for them to take away from the tournament.

I’ve co-commentated on all of their games and my most memorable moment has to be their epic win over Mexico at the Azteca Stadium in the last 16. It was the best game of the tournament, at the best stadium and with the best atmosphere.

I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed togetherness or team spirit like that before, either. That’s why I described it as the best team performance I’ve seen from any England side in my lifetime, particularly away from home. It made me think anything was possible from this team.

Overall, the players can be very proud of all their efforts because they got through lots of tough situations. When they did fall short, it was not for the want of trying either.

What next from England? Well, Tuchel is going to lead pretty much the same group of players into next year’s Euro qualifiers – but I’d expect three or four changes to his next squad, because this one lacked balance and it was not the one I would have chosen.

One area of concern is the centre-forward position because Harry Kane turns 33 in a couple of weeks and I would ask where are our strikers who are screaming to replace him.

But, overall, I don’t look at the players Tuchel has available and think they are far away from what we will need.

Whatever happens in Saturday’s third-place play-off – which is a nonsense by the way – England will end this World Cup the same way they seem to finish every major tournament.

By that, I mean they will look back with frustration, and look ahead with the same hope that things will be different next time.

Tuchel should believe it too, because so much of Euro 2028 will be played on home soil and we saw how close we went when we last hosted matches in 2021, reaching the final – like we did two years ago.

There I go again, though, dreaming of glory. That won’t change until we finally get over the line – and all we really know for certain is we will be back to try again.

Alan Shearer was speaking to BBC Sport’s Chris Bevan

More on this story

Effort, spirit and moments – but do England lack all-round quality?
Published

6 hours ago
What next for England? How does Tuchel fix key problems for Euro 2028?
Published

19 hours ago
60 years of hurt – England’s World Cup wait in numbers
Published

22 hours ago
Kane unsure if he will play at next World Cup
Published

1 day ago