Thomas Tuchel’s ‘attack’ of Gareth Southgate’s England is ‘really unnecessary’ argues CHRIS SUTTON on latest It’s All Kicking off! podcast
Thomas Tuchel’s criticism of England’s timid style of play under former manager Gareth Southgate was ‘really unnecessary’, Chris Sutton has told Ian Ladyman on the latest edition of the It’s All Kicking Off! podcast.
Reflecting on England’s workmanlike win over Albania, which marked the German’s first game in charge of the national team, co-host and former pro Sutton leapt to the defence of former manager Southgate.
Sutton was responding to an interview Tuchel gave before the Nations League tie, where the former Dortmund and Chelsea coach described England’s laboured performances at the Euros as ‘lacking in hunger’ and a detectable style of play.
‘Tuchel could have played that totally differently’, Sutton told the Mail’s Football Editor Ian Ladyman.
‘He’s a very charming, very clever bloke – but why did he get himself involved in that?
‘I thought it was a really unnecessary attack on Gareth Southgate.’
England beat Albania with goals from young midfielder Miles Lewis-Skelly and a spectacular Harry Kane volley.
Ian disagreed that Tuchel’s comments were an ‘attack’ on his predecessor, arguing instead that the German was simply being honest about England’s recent lukewarm displays.
He told Chris: ‘I didn’t read Tuchel’s words as an attack on Gareth. He was like this when he was at Chelsea.
‘Tuchel is a chap who, when asked a question, will give an answer.
‘After the Albania game, for instance. Two, nil – it was fine, they won the game. But they didn’t excite anybody and afterwards, he was rightly critical of Rashford and Foden.’
Thomas Tuchel’s criticism of England’s timid style of play under former manager Gareth Southgate was ‘really unnecessary’, Chris Sutton has argued
Ian Ladyman: ‘Tuchel is a chap who, when asked a question, will give an answer’
England beat Albania with goals from young midfielder Miles Lewis-Skelly and a spectacular Harry Kane volley
Ian did however admit that Tuchel’s openness with the media could get him ‘into a pickle’ as his time as England manager progresses.
‘I don’t think there’s a problem, as England manager, saying how you feel in public.
‘Further down the line though, when there’s more pressure and bigger issues at play, sometimes it doesn’t pay to be honest as a manager.
‘Sometimes it pays to obfuscate a little bit, to run around the houses, so to speak – instead of going straight into the centre of topics.
‘But that’s the way he’s doing it so far and it will be interesting to see if it carries on.’
Drawing from his experience as a player, Sutton said that managers should tailor their approaches to the media for the benefit of individual players.
He noted: ‘I always feel that within a dressing room, everyone has different characters and in terms of criticism, some players can take it whereas others have a really thin skin.
‘You have to treat players differently because it’s all about getting the greatest impact when they cross that white line and go out and play.
‘Having that bullish approach, being honest in everything you say – I’m not sure it’s the best way to go about things.’
Tuchel’s side went on to beat Latvia 3-0 in his second game in charge on Monday night.
To listen to the host’s full opinion of Tuchel’s first game in charge, plus their analysis of the very public spat between Steve Bruce and Dwight McNeil, listen to ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ wherever you get your podcasts.
