England manager Thomas Tuchel has stated that the team struggled to meet expectations at Euro 2024 due to a “fear” of losing and a lack of “hunger” to win.
Under Gareth Southgate, the Three Lions were defeated 2-1 by Spain in the final, with their performances drawing consistent criticism throughout the tournament, where they were considered among the favorites to win.
When asked in a press conference on Thursday about an interview he gave to ITV, where he suggested that England could not handle the pressure at the Euros, leading to underwhelming performances, Tuchel reaffirmed his view.
“It was just my feeling. It was my feedback, and to be clear, it was my impression long before I even knew I might be in charge,” Tuchel explained. “That’s how I felt. I think it’s a pretty clear statement, and I don’t know how else to express it. I believe it needs to be the opposite.”
“I want us to play with excitement, hunger, and the desire to win—and to enjoy winning,” he added.
Tuchel is set to take charge of his first game as England manager when the team hosts Albania in a 2026 World Cup qualifier.
