Thomas Tuchel’s debut as head coach of the England national football team was marked by a solid 2-0 victory against Albania, largely fueled by Harry Kane’s leadership and Myles Lewis-Skelly’s debut goal. Although Tuchel enjoyed the experience at Wembley Stadium, he acknowledged areas for improvement, particularly in team structure and attacking creativity. Despite the match not being as thrilling as expected, Tuchel remains optimistic about the team’s potential as they prepare for their next qualifier against Latvia.
Thomas Tuchel’s Promising Start with the England National Team
Thomas Tuchel enjoyed a triumphant debut as the head coach of the England national football team, largely thanks to the standout performance of Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane. In their opening match of the World Cup qualifiers, the Three Lions delivered a commanding display, though Tuchel expressed some reservations about the overall performance.
A Memorable Evening at Wembley Stadium
As Tuchel reflected on his ‘exciting’ first match, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction. “It was a fantastic evening with perfect conditions,” he remarked, admitting he felt a bit nervous prior to kickoff. However, his team provided him with a solid 2-0 victory against Albania, granting him a ‘great experience.’ The atmosphere at a packed Wembley Stadium was electric, with a welcoming banner reading: “Welcome to the home of football, Thomas.” During the national anthem, Tuchel chose to remain silent, believing he needed to ‘earn the right to sing it.’
In his first moments as the national coach, Tuchel was pleased with how the match unfolded. “We started dominantly,” he noted. The 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly marked his debut with a goal in the 20th minute, showcasing the talent that had impressed Tuchel during training. The Arsenal left-back’s ‘confidence’ and ‘mature’ demeanor earned him a place in the starting lineup.
Tuchel also handed a debut to Dan Burn, a 32-year-old defender from Newcastle United, whose selection raised some eyebrows. Both players played vital roles in maintaining a strong defense that kept Albania at bay, as the visitors sought their first World Cup appearance.
After the first goal, Tuchel smiled and used the celebration to communicate with goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. Despite opportunities missed by Jude Bellingham and Kane, it was Declan Rice who emerged as a crucial player, driving the team forward and establishing the tempo. Tuchel’s interest in Rice was evident, having previously eyed him for Bayern Munich.
The captain, Harry Kane, scored the second goal in the 79th minute, reinforcing Tuchel’s belief in his leadership capabilities. “In the Three Lions jersey, Kane is even more confident,” Tuchel remarked, contrasting the current team’s play with the latter stages of Gareth Southgate’s tenure. The English squad displayed creativity, crafting multiple goal-scoring chances, and Kane’s goal prompted Tuchel to give a thumbs up from the sidelines.
While Tuchel’s exuberance was apparent throughout the match, he acknowledged areas needing improvement. After halftime, he felt the team’s structure lacked discipline, and he sought more pressure from the wingers. In a post-match interview with the BBC, Tuchel admitted that the style of play was not the captivating football he had envisioned. “I understand it wasn’t exactly thrilling to watch, but we still had to do what needed to be done,” he stated. “In the last third, we struggled to penetrate, but when we did, we were dangerous.”
The British media echoed Tuchel’s sentiments regarding his debut. While the ‘Sun’ noted it wasn’t the exhilarating experience promised, the ‘Guardian’ acknowledged the significance of securing a victory.
Looking forward, Tuchel remained optimistic: “Hopefully, this gives us the confidence to improve quickly and trust in our style. We will get better; I am sure of that.” Upcoming for Tuchel and England is a match against Latvia at Wembley on Monday at 8:45 PM. Interestingly, only two foreign national coaches have led England prior to Tuchel—Fabio Capello and the late Sven-Göran Eriksson.