Thomas Tuchel boasts two killer instincts that Gareth Southgate never had

Even the wording is eerily similar. Like back in 1983, Gabriel Clarke probably expected Thomas Tuchel to eulogise about what his England players had just achieved in reaching the World Cup semi-final from the outset. Just as an irate Sir Alex Ferguson did, after guiding Aberdeen to cup success over Rangers 43 years ago, Tuchel instead laid down the gauntlet to his jubilant charges – he wants and expects more. Ferguson labelled that Aberdeen showing a disgrace. While Tuchel did not go quite as far, the thinking behind engaging in such psychological warfare is the same. It is what elite managers do. Ilkay Gundogan explained how Pep Guardiola was always harsher on his players when they won. One particular example he cited upon the Catalan’s Manchester City farewell was when, in 2022, City had just become the first team in Champions League history to lead an away knockout tie by at least four goals at half-time against Sporting Lisbon, Guardiola came into the dressing room fuming. Certain passes weren’t right as he berated his players – if they played like that in the next round, they were out. "Not happy with the performance..." Thomas Tuchel calls for more from his players after England's 2-1 win over Norway... @gabrielclarke05 pic.twitter.com/y6yoHqfF8x — ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 11, 2026 Tuchel has created an environment with England where such tough love works. Earlier in the tournament, the German’s trusty lieutenant Anthony Barry became the star of the show for his forthright views on England’s first-half performance against Croatia. And not just among the expectant masses back home – the players were totally on board. “You need it,” Nico O’Reilly said. “I mean, if you’re not doing something right, or you’re not doing so well, someone there to tell you, I think it’s the right thing to do.” Jude Bellingham’s immediate response was to bite back. But that would have been welcomed by Tuchel and his staff too. Tuchel has picked a squad in his mould, to much criticism. How could he leave players of the talent of Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Trent Alexander-Arnold at home and take Jordan Henderson and Djed Spence instead? Nothing is without reason with the meticulous England obsessive. The squad was picked to cope with this kind of challenge. It may seem trivial to some, but vibes within the group really are just as important as the ability of any player. Gareth Southgate did a lot of good in the England setup. St George’s Park looks like it does and offers the path to stardom it can as a result of measures he and Dan Ashworth put in place. Southgate’s managerial persona was more akin to a diplomat than a Tuchel-type disruptor. While his record of two major finals trumps anything since Sir Alf Ramsey, in the heat of the moment, 2018 against Croatia and the Euro 2020 final immediately spring to mind, when England lacked that killer instinct to reach the promised land again. Tuchel has learned the hard way, after dealing with Paris Saint-Germain’s “bling-bling” era, that being an elite manager, you need to do things your way, no matter what the naysayers say. Read more Daniel Storey: Jude Bellingham has made some people look very silly Daniel Storey: The penalties at this World Cup have been awful – I think I’ve worked out why Take his in-game substitutions. Every decision is preordained, right back to his squad selection and picking players for particular moments, not for their overall ability. Dan Burn has had a greater effect on results than many starters, for example. How many others would have even brought the Newcastle United defender along? Knockout football is a results business, not an aesthetically pleasing performance one. And this is when Tuchel comes alive. His record in knockout football speaks for itself, but it is no fluke. This is what elite managers do. There is no resting on laurels. Every decision has a consequence. And it is why England perhaps have their greatest chance of ending 60 years hurt more than ever before.