Positive feedback from Kane
Harry Kane and Thomas Tuchel have established a strong working relationship, as evidenced by Kane’s enthusiastic remarks about his new coach. Following a flawless debut under Tuchel, the captain of the English national football team stated, “Thomas Tuchel is fantastic, it has clicked from the start.” The Bayern Munich striker expressed his enjoyment working with Tuchel, saying, “He has brought passion into the team.”
Successful start in World Cup qualifying
Just prior to these comments, England secured a 3-0 victory against Latvia in their World Cup qualifying match, marking Tuchel’s second win in as many games. The new coach’s squad appears to be on track for the 2026 World Cup.
Media criticism emerges
In contrast to Kane’s praise, the English media has been critical of the team’s performance. According to the BBC, the hard-fought victory illustrated that Tuchel’s desired changes “will not be a quick fix,” as the match resembled the often tedious play seen under former coach Gareth Southgate. The Daily Star noted that the World Cup seems distant for Tuchel’s “sleepy lions” after a “frustrating evening.”
The Daily Mail described Tuchel’s England as “boring and sluggish,” indicating that little has changed since Southgate’s departure. The Sun highlighted that a spectacular goal from Reece James spared Tuchel from embarrassment as the Three Lions struggled against a team ranked 140th in the world.
Tuchel’s mixed feelings
Indeed, the English team found it challenging to break through Latvia’s deep defensive setup, which limited their offensive opportunities. Tuchel acknowledged, “I am very satisfied with the attitude, energy, and will. We are on the right track.” He recognized the difficulty of the game, noting that it was not an easy match.
Initially, the breakthrough came from a free kick; James scored in the 38th minute, much to his coach’s delight. “I know Reece, and the quality of this boy is incredible,” Tuchel praised. Kane (68th minute) and Eberechi Eze (76th minute) completed the scoring to seal the victory.