Tuchel Faces England Backlash After Senegal Defeat

Thomas Tuchel’s attempt to inject freedom into England’s play met hostile reaction at the City Ground, where his side fell 3-1 to Senegal in a friendly that has drawn early questions about his leadership just one year out from the 2026 World Cup.

The German manager, visibly frustrated by the performance, saw his team unravel without structure or cohesion—eerily echoing some of the criticisms that followed Gareth Southgate’s tenure, which ended after Euro 2024. Unlike the Southgate era, which had moments of individual brilliance despite tactical doubts, Tuchel’s England has lacked both.

The defeat to Senegal marks his first loss in charge, and came just days after a narrow, unimpressive 1-0 win against Andorra. While Tuchel rotated heavily—making ten changes from the Andorra match—the decision did little to ease fan frustration, which came to a boil again when Senegal sealed their third goal late in the match.

Despite earlier friendly wins over lesser-ranked Latvia, Albania and Andorra, signs of identity or development are scarce. The fans, previously hopeful, made their views known as boos rang out at full-time. Tuchel, brought in to signal a new direction after Southgate’s eight-year spell, now finds himself under early pressure.

“We have to stay calm,” he said to BBC Radio 5 Live. “We need to accept the criticism and get better.”

Veterans Kyle Walker and Jordan Henderson were among the most discussed selections. Henderson, close to his 35th birthday, made his first England start in seven months against Andorra but showed little impact. Tuchel pointed to his influence in training but critics see diminishing returns.

Walker, also 35, became the first England outfield player of that age to feature since Frank Lampard in 2014 and looked exposed against Senegal. He lost track of Ismaila Sarr for the equaliser, picked up a booking soon after, and was repeatedly targeted thereafter.

Walker’s struggles raised questions about Tuchel’s view of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was overlooked in favour of midfielder Curtis Jones at right-back against Andorra. Reece James, another option, featured out of position at left-back. These calls, especially with tournament preparation in mind, have raised eyebrows.

In attack, Jude Bellingham’s utility has added another headache. His best role remains undefined under Tuchel. He had a late goal chalked off against Senegal—his frustration visible—and still floats between midfield and attack without clarity.

Captain Harry Kane continued his consistent form, netting for the fourth consecutive Tuchel-led match. His tally now stands at 73 England goals in 107 games. “This is only the manager’s second camp,” Kane explained to BBC Radio 5 Live, adding, “We have to be ready for the next season.”

Tuchel highlighted the shift in lineup intent, saying: “We took a very serious approach against Andorra… [Senegal] was a chance to show what they do in training.”

Despite his upbeat tone, serious doubts remain. England’s play lacks cohesion, the system remains in flux, and the defining features of Tuchel’s club teams—compact structures and clear roles—have yet to surface in his country’s setup.

Time is short. England face Andorra and Serbia next in September. Tuchel’s tenure has begun with clean sheets and qualifiers won, but the last few games have punctured early illusions. The reset, so far, looks stalled.