There have been calls for England boss Thomas Tuchel to be sacked following the national team’s crushing defeat to Argentina in the semi-finals, with former international Danny Murphy launching a scathing attack on the manager’s tactics and leadership. England’s World Cup journey came to a painful halt when Lautaro Martínez scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner that overturned Anthony Gordon’s late strike and knocked the Three Lions out of the title race.
The match, in which England took the lead through Gordon just before the hour, quickly turned sour as Tuchel opted for a defensive change, substituting the goalscorer for defender Ezri Konsa. The move seemed to invite relentless pressure from Argentina, which culminated in an equalizer from Enzo Fernandez and a heartbreaking late goal from Martínez. Lionel Messi, once an architect, played an important role in the entire match.
Speaking on the BBC ahead of England’s third-place play-off against France, Murphy had nothing to say about Tuchel’s tactics. “It was a very poor performance in the second half,” the former midfielder declared. “I think they went out with whispers instead of their shields.” His frustration was clear as he placed the blame squarely on Tuchel’s shoulders and openly questioned the German coach’s future in the role.
Drawing sharp parallels with Gareth Southgate’s tenure, Murphy accused Tuchel of repeating the same mistakes that have plagued England on the world stage. Murphy insisted, “He has failed, and he has failed just as we have failed before.” “This is the biggest tournament in the world and they had their chance. I think they’ll probably get a vote of confidence, but I think we need to make changes.”
Murphy also reflected on the psychological impact on the team, saying, “I think (the players) will be devastated. They were very close. The game was in their hands, they were in control. They are missing the World Cup final tomorrow because of tactics.”
Despite the public outcry and mounting pressure, Tuchel’s contract is set to run until Euro 2028, and there is no clear successor waiting in the wings. Speculation has intensified regarding the newly available Pep Guardiola after leaving Manchester City, but doubts remain about his immediate interest and suitability, especially given his own tournament track record.
While Tuchel is expected to remain in charge for the foreseeable future, England’s latest disappointing results have left fans and pundits alike scrambling for answers and demanding decisive action at the top.
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