a day ago
Sir Geoff Hurst criticises Thomas Tuchel for England slip up - "A real taboo"
Sir Geoff Hurst, the scorer of England's most famous hat-trick in 1966, has yet to be convinced over Thomas Tuchel and the latest crop of Three Lions stars ahead of next summer's World Cup
On a midsummer night where London meets Kent's commuter sprawl, Sir Geoff Hurst struggled to find a quantum of solstice.
England's witless scuffling against Andorra and Senegal left the last man standing among the Boys of 66 wondering if he'll ever see another England captain lift the World Cup like Bobby Moore.
Sir Geoff revealed he is a signatory to the campaign for Moore to be awarded a posthumous knighthood, and he's not alone. If David Beckham can get a tap on the shoulder for taking a nice free-kick, the shameful disregard for Moore's unique achievement among Englishmen remains a stain on the honours system.
Based on the hapless floundering of Thomas Tuchel's side earlier this month, Hurst's optimism that a nation's 60-year vigil for glory will end at the MetLife stadium in New Jersey on July 19 next year is currently tempered.
And he was unimpressed that a comment from Tuchel's mother about midfield kingpin Jude Bellingham's behaviour being 'a bit repulsive' found its way into the public domain.
'There's no point in sugar-coating it - the last two games were bitterly disappointing, not just the results but the manner of the performances,' said Sir Geoff, now 83 and looking as trim as a trip to the barber.
One statistic celebrated Tuchel being the first England manager to start with three clean sheets, but Hurst sniffed: 'I'm not sure a clean sheet against Andorra is anything to write home about.
'I'm inclined to approach this World Cup with a positive mindset, and I want to believe this crop of young players is the best we've had in a long time, because that's the way I was as a player and I am as a person.
'But nobody can say anything too hopeful, or shout form the rooftops, based on those last two performances.
'One thing that cropped up was that Tuchel's mum apparently had something to say about one of the players, and somehow it came out. For me that's a real taboo. What the manager's mother thinks about a player shouldn't be part of the debate.'
Hurst was speaking at a function for Future Pathway, an inspired support group who fund free first aid, rescue and safety courses for military veterans, their families, and sportsmen or women active or retired.
Future Pathway's co-founder, John McDonald, is best known as master of ceremonies at Professional Darts Corporation events for the last 20 years - and he's never fluffed his lines.
Hurst is too gracious to call time on Tuchel's reign after just four games. But as the diamond anniversary of his hat-trick in the World Cup final approaches, already there are signs that patience among the great unwashed is wearing thin.
'Over the years I've not been a particularly big supporter of England appointing foreign managers,' said Hurst. 'In fairness, some of the English ones we've had were absolutely average.
"But if we don't win the World Cup next year, we're going to be in danger of another golden generation pass us by without having a major trophy to show for all their promise. It's amazing that such a major football nation, where so many of the world 's best players come grace the Premier League, has gone 59 years without success at international level.
'I know the previous manager came close - two European Championship finals and a World Cup semi-final was closer than anyone since Sir Alf - but if our time isn't now, when will we get a better chance? That's the real measure of the job for Tuchel.'
Before he settled down to plunder almost 300 goals in club football, plus another 24 in 49 caps for England, Hurst was a decent cricketer who made one first-class appearance for Essex as a wicketkeeper-batsman, scoring 0 and 0 not out against Lancashire at Aigburth.
The notion that modern players could find the time to dabble with bat and ball in football's absurdly-crowded schedule now is laughable. Hurst was scathing about the current two-bob celebration of burnout in the States.
'I don't like the Club World Cup. If one club is beating another 10-0, as Bayern Munich did the other day, that's not my idea of elite competition. There are probably too many tournaments for the players' liking already, but it's hard to take it seriously based on that gap.
"I'm not sure Phil Foden running around in searing heat, thousands of miles away, is going to help Manchester City win the title or help England win the World Cup over the next 12 months. He should have his feet up at home.'
