Following England's disappointing 3-1 defeat to Senegal at the City Ground on Tuesday, Three Lions head coach Thomas Tuchel addressed the fans, acknowledging their frustration but urging them to remain patient and avoid panic. The loss, England's first ever against an African nation, has sparked concern among supporters, especially after an uninspired 1-0 victory over Andorra just days before.
Tuchel described the defeat as "disappointing," admitting that his side appeared "a bit frozen and not active enough for a long time during the match." He critiqued the team's performance, particularly the "easy goals that we need to defend better." However, he also noted the positive reaction after falling behind, stating, "I felt us suddenly become more active, more free, more fluid, more aggressive towards the opponent's goal."
Despite the setback, Tuchel emphasized the importance of perspective. "We lost a test match," he insisted, "There's no need to panic. We don't go to the World Cup in a week. We go next year." He acknowledged the negative feeling associated with the loss, but stressed that it provides a "tough learning" opportunity. "We wanted to feel the quality of a top 20 team. We felt the quality of Senegal and what it means to them," Tuchel explained.
The England manager highlighted the team's strong position in their World Cup qualifying group, with three wins from three matches and no goals conceded. He expressed confidence in their ability to bounce back in September, aiming for two more victories. "We will be competitive in September, and we will go for two more victories – 100 per cent we will," he affirmed.
Tuchel also addressed specific aspects of the game, including a disallowed goal by Jude Bellingham due to a handball in the build-up. Reflecting on the decision, Tuchel said, "I just saw it, it looks like it's more of the shoulder than the hand." He also defended his late substitution of Ivan Toney, explaining that he is "a specialist for exactly these situations" when the team needs a presence in the box.
Captain Harry Kane echoed Tuchel's sentiments, acknowledging that the team's performance was "not really good enough." He pointed to a lack of sharpness and aggression, emphasizing the need for quick improvement. "We're not going to panic, but we know we have to be better," Kane stated.
The defeat to Senegal marks Tuchel's first loss as England manager, raising questions about the team's progress under his leadership. Some observers have suggested that England has regressed since Gareth Southgate's departure, citing a lack of identity and a clear plan. However, Tuchel remains optimistic, viewing the setback as a valuable learning experience on the road to the 2026 World Cup. He has called for the fans to keep faith and trust the process as he seeks to implement his vision for the team.
