Thomas Tuchel’s criticism of English football’s “DNA” and the player’s limitations sounds ironic, especially considering he overlooked Kobbie Mainoo throughout the tournament.
Following England’s 2-1 defeat against Argentina in the 2026 World Cup semi-finals, Thomas Tuchel was accused of negative tactics, which ultimately invited the world champions to inflict a late comeback.
The only Manchester United player to feature for England in the semi-final was Marcus Rashford, who came on in stoppage time, when the game had already escaped Tuchel’s side.
That meant Kobbie Mainoo is one of two outfield players in the England squad to have not played a single minute at the tournament.
Let us hear your thoughts on Thomas Tuchel’s treatment of Kobbie Mainoo
Thomas Tuchel continues to overlook Kobbie Mainoo with England excuses
Tuchel has hit back at critics who have rightly questioned his negative tactics by blaming English football’s “DNA”.
The Three Lions head coach took off attack-minded players and switched to a five-at-the-back system following Anthony Gordon’s opening goal.
However, in an attempt to defend his tactics at the World Cup, Tuchel expressed his view that ball possession might not be in English football’s DNA.
“In this moment my feeling was no structure in the world could have helped us,” Tuchel said, as quoted by Sky Sports.
“Because actually we were too passive and we were not physical enough, we didn’t stop runners arriving in our box and the deliveries were wrong too.
“I haven’t seen the data yet, but I think just right after the goal the momentum swings completely and ball possession drops dramatically. We couldn’t find any duels anymore; that’s why we dropped deeper and deeper. It was never the plan, but it happened.
“(We) couldn’t stop the runners from the second line, the midfielders, through our gaps, and the deliveries were on the highest level. You need to get back on the ball; otherwise you cannot break the pressure, and you cannot get the momentum back.
“I think ball possession plays a crucial role; it’s maybe not in our DNA like it is in our Spanish DNA or in our Argentinian-Brazilian DNA, to take the ball and control the game with the ball.”
Tuchel’s excuses are just that. Excuses.
We shouldn’t forget how Tuchel persisted with a midfield duo – Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson – that treated the ball like it was made of hot lava.
Yet it was Mainoo, a player comfortable with the ball at his feet in tight spaces, who didn’t make a single appearance.
Tuchel’s comments suggest he has completely forgotten Mainoo’s existence at the World Cup, but he’ll undoubtedly remember in time for the third-place play-off. A match nobody wants to play.
- ⚡️ NEWS IN BRIEF
- Thomas Tuchel has reacted to criticism over his tactics at the 2026 World Cup
- Tuchel blamed English football’s DNA for not having players built for possession-based football
- Ultimately, Tuchel’s comments overlooked Kobbie Mainoo, which he has done since the beginning of the tournament
What is the WORST substitution you have ever seen a Manchester United manager make?
Full list of players who played ahead of Kobbie Mainoo at the World Cup
Anderson and Rice were Tuchel’s first-choice pairing at the World Cup.
Most people wouldn’t argue with that, but the biggest issue was how Tuchel turned to Reece James, Jordan Henderson, Jude Bellingham, Eberechi Eze and Morgan Rogers when replacements were required for the preferred midfield duo.
England and Tuchel come away from the World Cup with more questions than answers about the midfield.
Only time will tell if they will realise a solution could be staring them in the face.
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