Latest news with #Tuchel
Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
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.'
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Elliott Anderson makes decision on representing Scotland senior team after switching allegiance to England u21s
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ELLIOT ANDERSON nailed his colours to the England mast and vowed to do everything to make Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad. And the Nottingham Forest midfielder, 22, plans to do it by bringing European silverware back to the City Ground. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Scotland can wave goodbye to any hopes they had of luring Elliot Anderson back Credit: Getty 5 The Nottingham Forest star is determined to play for England at next year's World Cup Credit: Getty Anderson has been a sensation since leaving hometown club Newcastle last summer and eyebrows were raised when he missed out on a Three Lions call-up last month. The star initially represented Scotland, qualifying through his grandparents, at youth level before switching allegiance and playing for England U21s in 2024. And even if Tuchel continues to ignore him, he says there is no chance that Steve Clarke could convince him to return and play in front of the Tartan Army should they reach next year's showpiece. Anderson said: 'I appreciate Scotland because I was there through the younger ages. But I decided that I wanted to stick with England. All my focus is on England. 'I believe I can get to the senior team. I've just got to keep doing what I'm doing and try and get on his [Tuchel's] radar.' Anderson, who is with England U21s preparing for Wednesday's crunch final European Championship group clash with Germany, continued: 'Getting in the first team is something all the lads will be setting their sights on. In games like tomorrow and at club level, you've got to do your best to get in. 'I try and get fans off their seats and will do everything for the team. I work hard all game and fight for the team. 'I do like getting forward in the eight position and trying to get into the box and score goals. I enjoy the six as well because you get more of the ball and feel you have more control. They both bring good things out of my game. BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS 'With the double pivot we play, it allows a six to join the attack, which I like doing. I'll be trying to get in the World Cup squad, that's for sure.' Despite falling away at the death in the chase for a top five finish, Forest did seal a return to European competition for the first time in 30 years with their seventh-placed finish. Premier League star, 22, seen celebrating Carabao Cup final triumph in the Newcastle end as fans say 'give him a medal' Anderson, who says Kevin De Bruyne is his favourite player to watch, is well aware of the club's glory days and back-to-back European Cup triumphs under Brian Clough. He and his team-mates have already set their sights on winning the Uefa Conference League next term and following in the footsteps of Chelsea and West Ham. He said: 'We did well and everyone thinks that. Maybe we didn't expect to go so strong, but we've got a great team, and it can only get better. 'Everyone was pretty disappointed that we fell off towards the end, but we must be proud of what we've done. 5 'Chelsea won it and if we play the way we did last season, then we could have a really good chance of getting towards the end. I'm really looking forward to that. 'It would be incredible [to win a European trophy]. All the boys have been saying how good it would be. 'The city deserves it. We have an incredible fanbase. I enjoy playing at the City Ground, so if we can repay the fans with a trophy, it would be great. 'The nights under the lights at the City Ground with the European clubs coming is what I'm most looking forward to.' 5 Lee Carsley's U21s are preparing for a showdown with Germany Credit: Getty Meanwhile, Tuchel HASN'T provided England U21s with any 'insider' knowledge on how to topple Germany. Though the Three Lions boss continues to be 'very supportive' of Lee Carsley and his players as they battle to retain their European Championship crown. England head to Nitra tomorrow knowing a victory would lift them above the Germans and secure top spot. They could also be heading home should they lose and Slovenia, who held our boys to a stalemate, defeat Czech Republic and turn around a three-goal swing. When asked if senior boss Tuchel had given him any secret ingredient on how to down his home nation, Carsley said: 'No inside tips, no. He's very supportive of the players in the squad and I know that he's watching the players and the games. 'Hopefully we can give him something to ponder in terms of the way that some of the players' reputations are hopefully gaining momentum.' Carsley revealed the direct conversations have not been long and joked he'd only managed to speak to his wife twice since the squad met up over a fortnight ago. 5 Thomas Tuchel has not provided any 'insider' info on the Germans Credit: Getty However, he says there is a chance Tuchel could join them in Bratislava if they advance to the knockouts after firstly heading to America and taking in several Club World Cup games, He said: 'It's all down to his schedule obviously. He's watching the games as are the rest of the staff. I feel very well supported by him.' Carsley also says his men are counting down the seconds until kick off and are well aware of the long history between England and Germany on the pitch. He added: 'We all know what the game's about and how much weight it carries - we're all aware of that. You try and remove a little bit of that for the players, but they seem very focused and excited.' Meanwhile, already-qualified Germany captain Eric Martel issued a warning to the Young Lions. The FC Koln defender roared: 'We want to win every game – especially against England, because, as they say in Germany, it's 'the classic'.'
Daily Tribune
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Bellingham ‘special boy' despite ‘repulsive' behaviour, says Tuchel
England manager Thomas Tuchel said his own mother finds some of Jude Bellingham's antics 'repulsive' but he does not want to dim the Real Madrid star's fire. Tuchel suffered his first defeat in four games as England boss on Tuesday when Senegal became the first African side to ever beat the Three Lions in a 3-1 friendly win. Bellingham thought he had made it 2-2 late on at Nottingham Forest's City Ground only for the goal to be controversially disallowed before Senegal broke away for a third in stoppage time. Tuchel had to restrain Bellingham's protests at the decision at full-time and said it is a balancing act to retain the 21-year-old's fight without it bubbling over. 'Sometimes you see the rage, the hunger and the fire and it comes out in a way that can be a bit repulsive, for example, for my mother when she sits in front of the TV,' said Tuchel in a wide-ranging interview with radio station talkSPORT on Wednesday. 'I see that but, in general, we are very happy to have him. He's a special boy.' Tuchel dismissed suggestions England could be better off without Bellingham, who starred in the Three Lions' run to the Euro 2024 final. But he called on the Bellingham to inspire rather than intimidate his team-mates. 'He has a certain something and brings an edge. It's needed if we want to achieve big things,' added Tuchel. 'It needs to be channelled towards the opponent and towards our goal, and not to intimidate team-mates or be aggressive towards teammates or referees but always on winning. 'He has the fire -- I don't want to dim that, he should play with that as that's his strength. 'But the fire comes also with some attribute that can intimidate team-mates. Sometimes you see the explosion towards referees and the anger in his game. 'If he can channel this in the right way he has something that we need and that edge is hard to find.'
Express Tribune
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Tuchel wants Bellingham to inspire England
England manager Thomas Tuchel is determined to harness Jude Bellingham's "fire" to his side's advantage rather than the Real Madrid star intimidating team-mates or raging at referees. Tuchel suffered his first defeat in four games as England boss on Tuesday when Senegal became the first African side to ever beat the Three Lions in a 3-1 friendly win. Bellingham thought he had made it 2-2 late on at Nottingham Forest's City Ground only for the goal to be controversially disallowed before Senegal broke away for a third in stoppage time. Tuchel had to restrain Bellingham's protests at the decision at full-time and said it is a balancing act to retain the 21-year-old's fight without it bubbling over. "He has a certain something and brings an edge. It's needed if we want to achieve big things," Tuchel told talkSPORT. "It needs to be channelled towards the opponent and towards our goal, and not to intimidate team-mates or be aggressive towards team-mates or referees but always on winning. "He has the fire — I don't want to dim that, he should play with that as that's his strength. "But the fire comes also with some attribute that can intimidate team-mates. Sometimes you see the explosion towards referees and the anger in his game. "If he can channel this in the right way he has something that we need and that edge is hard to find." Tuchel, who won the Champions League at Chelsea and league titles with Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, was hired with the task of ending England's wait for a major tournament victory since 1966. Under Gareth Southgate they reached the final of each of the last two Euros, plus a quarter-final and semi-final of the past two World Cups. Tuchel has a richly talented squad to choose from but has so far failed to find the right blend in three underwhelming World Cup qualifying wins over Albania, Latvia and Andorra before the Senegal defeat. "I already have an idea of what to do," he added with one year to go till the 2026 World Cup begins. "We did some experiments in the second camp, not everything was bad, we did some good things but the two games were not good enough. "It was a good learning and it brings clarity. Each game is a learning situation and helps us mould the team and find solutions."
Daily Mail
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Jack Grealish posts cryptic message as he enjoys summer holiday after being exiled by Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola - as team-mate Erling Haaland shares sad update without his close friend
Jack Grealish has shared a cryptic message during a summer holiday after the England star was left out of Manchester City 's squad for the Club World Cup. City will head to the United States for the tournament, with their first game of the campaign on June 18 against Moroccan side Wydad. They will also play Juventus and Al Ain in the group stage. Grealish is understood to have been left out so he can find a new club to join this summer. Guardiola has already acknowledged he may leave, and England manager Thomas Tuchel has told the forward that he must be playing more often in order to earn a call-up. Grealish started only seven times in what was a poor season for City by their own standards. Seemingly, in an attempt to clear his head, the 29-year-old has jetted off on holiday and shared some snaps from him break. While he has two years remaining on his £300,000-a-week contract, a repeat would do neither City nor the player any favours. And now, one of Grealish's best friends at the club, Erling Haaland, shared a post on social media directed at the star as City jetted of for the start of the competition. Grealish has been left out so he can find a new club after struggling for game time this term Haaland, who scored 31 goals in all competitions for City this season, shared a photo to his Snapchat account of him sat on City's flight to Florida, wearing a City shirt and sat on branded seats. The spot next to him, though, was empty - having seemingly been left free for Grealish. The forward, wearing headphones, had instead seemingly put some luggage on the seat next to him, and captioned the photo: 'Jack Grealish where are you,' accompanied by a crying emoji. Grealish, meanwhile, shared a video, showing his legs in water with the caption: 'Peaceful', and showing off his surroundings, with a cruise ship seen in the sea. Haaland and Grealish have become close friends since the former joined the club from Borussia Dortmund three years ago. After City won the Premier League for two years ago, Haaland screamed: 'I f***ing love you, you know that?' in his friend's direction, interrupting his interview with Sky Sports. Mail Sport explained in May 2023 how the pair live on the same floor in a plush city-centre apartment block in Manchester, only strengthening their relationship - although one ventures into town slightly more than the other. 'Everyone is different, aren't they?' Grealish previously told Mail Sport. 'Look at Erling. He is the best professional I have ever seen. Grealish and Haaland both live on the same floor in a plush apartment block in Manchester Haaland stole the show during Grealish's post-match interview after City won the league in 2023 as the striker yelled 'I f***ing love you, you know that?', live on Sky Sports The pair are two interesting characters but are perhaps an unlikely combination as best friends 'We have a great friendship but he will point at me after a game and say, 'Hey, don't you go out tonight partying'. 'His mindset is something you won't see again. He does everything. Recovers. In the gym. 10 hours of treatment a day. Ice baths. Diet. That's why he is what he is. But I swear I couldn't be like that. Clubs in England - including Everton - and Europe are expected to be interested in the playmaker, although the fact that many are grappling with profit and sustainability issues may point to the likelihood of a loan deal, rather than a permanent move for a man who cost City £100m when he signed from Aston Villa for a British record fee in 2021.
