Thomas Tuchel was a man of steely resolve on Wednesday, declaring he's "100% committed" to leading England to Euro 2028 glory despite the searing pain of a semi-final defeat to Argentina in Atlanta. The German manager's unwavering dedication to his role is a beacon of hope for Three Lions fans, who will be eager to see him turn the tables on their behalf in future.
The heat was on Tuchel after England's 2-1 loss, with many questioning his tactical decision to switch to a back five formation in the final quarter. But he took the criticism head-on, pointing out that it wasn't the system itself that failed – rather, it was the team's "passivity" after taking the lead through Anthony Gordon's goal. Tuchel lamented England's ongoing struggle to control possession and dictate play, a problem that has dogged them throughout this tournament.
Despite the heartbreak of defeat, Tuchel remains resolute in his determination to turn things around. His contract was extended in February specifically to cover the Euro 2028 campaign, and he's eager to make it pay off. "There's still plenty to improve on," he said, "and I'm more than happy to do that." The FA has also thrown its weight behind Tuchel, acknowledging the challenges he faced during this World Cup – including a tough draw and logistical hurdles like travel and climate changes.
The FA's chief executive, Mark Bullingham, praised the team for their dedication throughout the tournament. "It was heartbreaking to be so close," he said, but noted that reaching the semis was still a major achievement given England's group-stage opponents included Croatia and Ghana. The governing body is backing Tuchel all the way, convinced that with some tweaks, they can mount a serious challenge for Euro 2028.
Tuchel's tactical switch to centre-half Ezri Konsa in place of Anthony Gordon drew attention, but he argued that England's problems began earlier – specifically after Gordon's goal. He pointed to Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni's shrewd substitutions as key turning points, and noted that Martínez ultimately scored the stoppage-time winner with England managing just 12% possession between their goal and Argentina's equaliser.