Thomas Tuchel wants his England side to play without the ‘heavy’ pressure of the shirt after recent tournament performances full of ‘tension’.
Tuchel will take charge of England for the first time when the Three Lions face Albania at Wembley tomorrow evening. The clash is the first of the nation’s 2026 World Cup qualification campaign as England look to book their place at next summer’s tournament.
Tuchel has taken over from Gareth Southgate, who stepped down after a runners-up finish at Euro 2024. Despite reaching successive European Championship finals, Southgate faced criticism for a pragmatic approach as England manager.
TT. pic.twitter.com/YGqmBq7Lzz
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Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Tuchel acknowledged that past England sides have suffered from the pressure of representing their country. He wants his side to express themselves with the national team and called on the squad to feel ‘excitement’ rather than expectation at major tournaments.
“I heard this a lot about the shirt, that it is a heavy shirt but it’s not. It is a high quality shirt and it will weigh less when we come to America because they already work on a shirt that adapts to the climate there. The shirt is not heavy in reality.
“Of course I know what the players mean. Maybe it is another way to put it what I felt watching the Euros, I felt tension and pressure on the shoulders of the players and it felt to me like they were more afraid not to lose and have even more pressure added in their home country. Rather than the excitement to make something special happen.
“I think we need to turn this around because we have so many experienced players and players who have won trophies with their clubs. I think we have every right to be self confident but every journey starts with the first match and first steps. The very first steps we did excellent and now we have to prove the point that we are ready for that. We will have six camps to qualify and then make our very best in America.”
