Thomas Tuchel could be sacked as England manager after leading the Three Lions to the World Cup semi-finals, where they lost 2-1 to Argentina. The defeat has sparked a fierce debate over his tactics, with many fans and pundits calling for his dismissal.
England's collapse after taking the lead
England took the lead in the 55th minute through Anthony Gordon, putting them on the brink of a final against Spain. However, from that point, the team retreated, allowing Lionel Messi and Argentina to dominate possession. The 39-year-old Messi provided two late assists, setting up Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez to break English hearts.
According to captain Harry Kane, the message from the touchline after Gordon's goal was to continue attacking. But Tuchel's decision to bring on defenders Ezri Konsa, Dan Burn, and Nico O'Reilly suggested a defensive mindset that ultimately backfired.
Tuchel's contract and future
Tuchel signed a two-year contract extension in February, keeping him in charge through Euro 2028. When asked if he would stay on after the World Cup, he said: "We keep on going with the contract until the home Euros. I'm looking forward to that even though right now it's difficult to look that far ahead."
However, the FA is reportedly considering whether to sack him before the third-placed play-off against France on Saturday. Many believe Tuchel should not lead England again.
Fan and pundit reaction
Express Sport is running a poll asking readers whether Tuchel should be sacked. The backlash has been significant, with critics arguing that England should have maintained their attacking approach rather than conceding possession. Kane acknowledged the team's struggles after the goal, saying: "We struggled to get pressure on the ball. After the goal, whether they were putting more men forward or us not being able to match them man-to-man, it was just wave after wave. The lads were putting blocks in but in the end it was not enough."
The defeat has also sparked controversy, with reports that Argentina could face FIFA punishment for their behavior during the match.
