Thomas Tuchel has broken his silence on the England manager rumours by criticising the silence of the Three Lions supporters during Thursday’s 3-0 win over Wales. The German coach, who has been linked with the England job, said the stadium was ‘silent’ and that the team deserved more backing from the stands. ‘We never got any energy back from the stands. What more can you give [the fans]? Twenty minutes, three goals. The way we attacked Wales and we didn’t let them escape. If you hear for half an hour [it was] just Wales fans. It’s a bit sad because I think the team deserved big support,’ Tuchel said.
Tuchel’s comments echo the straight-talking style of legendary manager Brian Clough, who never managed England despite winning two European Cups and two league titles. Clough was overlooked due to his unyielding attitude, but Tuchel is now giving fans a glimpse of what a Clough-led England might have been like. The German has already called out star players, challenged the media, and now taken aim at the supporters, showing a refreshing reluctance to play politics.
However, Tuchel’s honesty is risky, as it won’t take much for people to turn on a German manager. It’s barely a month since the majority were affronted by England’s inability to put a gazillion past Andorra. Tuchel’s radical honesty has at least enlivened what would otherwise be an interminable lead-in to the World Cup. One way or another, when the final whistle is blown in England’s final World Cup game, their supporters will not be silent.
