Gary Neville has strongly criticised Thomas Tuchel's remarks about English football's 'DNA' following England's 2-1 World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina in Atlanta. The former Manchester United defender expressed his concerns on the Stick to Football podcast, questioning the England manager's tactical decisions and squad selection.
Tuchel's 'DNA' Comments Spark Backlash
After the match, Tuchel referenced English football's DNA when defending his approach. He said: "I think ball possession plays a crucial role; it's maybe not in our DNA like it is in our Spanish DNA or in our Argentinian-Brazilian DNA, to take the ball and control the game with the ball."
Neville took exception to this, stating: "I have a big problem with that. He didn't bring Kobbie Mainoo on, who could handle the ball better than most. He didn't bring Bukayo Saka on, who could probably handle the ball better than most. But he also left Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Adam Wharton, Morgan Gibbs-White and Trent Alexander-Arnold at home, technical players. He's left out what would be generational talents."
Tactical Decisions Under Fire
England took the lead through Anthony Gordon's 32nd-minute goal, but Argentina equalised through Enzo Fernandez in the 85th minute before Lautaro Martinez scored the winner. Neville criticised Tuchel's substitutions after taking the lead, saying: "I did think that he'll [Tuchel] look back and think, 'Did I send the right message to the players after the goal went in?', putting three defensive players on before he brings on an attacker."
He added: "I'm saying this in a non-explosive manner, he [Tuchel] will regret that. I think he gave the players a message to hang on, and they were dropping deeper in the box, and he didn't really help them get out with the substitutes he put on."
German Mentality Questioned
Neville also addressed the expectation that Tuchel, as a German coach, would bring a winning mentality. He said: "Thomas Tuchel is German, he's not supposed to bring the English mentality, he's supposed to bring the German mentality of winning. The main comment I've seen today, other than people saying he should be sacked, that he bottled it, which I think is going too far, is that this guy was brought in with a German mentality, to bring us the steel and the coldness and the ruthlessness in the big moments."
England will now face France in the third-place play-off in Miami on Saturday, concluding their World Cup campaign.
