Kane comes to his manager's defence, but knows England have to up their game – literally and metaphorically - in the Nations League
The Three Lions' exit from the World Cup semi-finals against Argentina will linger for a while yet. Captain Harry Kane is adamant that Thomas Tuchel can learn from the experience, though, and there are signs this team is getting on with it. "It's his first major tournament," Kane stresses. "He'll learn a lot from the players, the situations, the pressures, the travel."
Kane himself has experienced heartbreak – two World Cup semi-finals, two European Championship finals – but he knows that Tuchel is the right man to lead England forward. The German's tactical acumen and enthusiasm have instilled a sense of belief in this squad, which was evident throughout the tournament.
As the team now turns its attention to the Nations League campaign, Kane believes it will be crucial for them to take on the likes of Spain, Croatia, and Czechia with renewed purpose. "The last 30 minutes against Argentina is not the team we want to be," he concedes. "We need to get better at performing in high-pressure situations." It's a challenge that Tuchel will surely rise to – one that could shape England's future prospects at major tournaments.
The Nations League offers England the chance to test themselves against top opposition, with the September showdown against Spain at Wembley already generating significant excitement. For Kane and his teammates, it's now about using this experience as fuel for their next challenge – and one that could have a lasting impact on their World Cup ambitions.