The return of Jude Bellingham to England's starting line-up against Albania was supposed to mark a truce in his rumoured disagreement with manager Thomas Tuchel. This tension had previously led to the influential Real Madrid star's surprising omission from the national squad just last month.
A Public Display of Frustration
However, any hopes of reconciliation were short-lived. With just six minutes remaining in Tirana, Bellingham's frustration boiled over. As he saw his replacement, Morgan Rogers, prepared to enter the pitch, the 22-year-old midfielder threw his arms up in a clear and public display of discontent.
When questioned about the incident after the match, the former Chelsea boss did not mince his words. Tuchel stated he saw Bellingham was 'not happy' and emphasised that 'behaviour is key', highlighting the need for respect towards teammates and acceptance of managerial decisions.
A Pattern of Conflict with Top Talent
Bellingham is far from the first elite player to find himself at odds with Tuchel's authoritative management style. The German coach has a documented history of intense relationships with some of football's biggest names.
Long before his Champions League triumph, during his tenure at Borussia Dortmund, Tuchel's stringent methods were on full display. He publicly criticised stalwarts like Mats Hummels and fell out with several senior figures. The most extreme example involved young winger Emre Mor. After Mor questioned his methods, Tuchel reportedly made the player crawl the length of the pitch on his hands and knees as punishment.
Clashes with Global Superstars
At Paris Saint-Germain, Tuchel enjoyed his most productive period with Kylian Mbappe in terms of goals and assists. Despite this, their relationship was strained. Mbappe frequently showed his annoyance at being substituted, believing he deserved the same treatment as senior pros like Neymar. In a scene mirroring Bellingham's, a petulant reaction from Mbappe during a 5-0 win over Montpellier in February 2020 prompted a saddened response from Tuchel.
His time at Bayern Munich, nicknamed 'FC Hollywood', was equally dramatic. While he won the Bundesliga in his first season, rifts with key players like Thomas Müller and Joshua Kimmich contributed to his eventual dismissal. A furious confrontation with Kimmich after being substituted led to Tuchel telling his squad, 'You're not as good as I thought'.
Perhaps the most costly fallout was with Romelu Lukaku at Chelsea. After a £97.5 million move, the Belgian gave an explosive interview criticising Tuchel's tactics, stating he was 'not happy' and wished to return to Inter Milan. Despite a brief public reconciliation, Lukaku was sold to Napoli for a significant loss less than a year later, a clear indication the rift was never truly healed.
Bellingham's recent actions suggest that managing superstar egos remains a complex challenge for the England manager, one with a long and contentious history.
