“You don’t have to be a horse to be a good jockey,” Thomas Tuchel said on the eve of England’s World Cup semi-final against Argentina, deploying a line made famous by Arrigo Sacchi in 1987. The quip was aimed at those questioning his credentials as a manager without a notable playing career – a path he was forced into when a knee injury ended his own modest spell at Stuttgart Kickers and semi-professional SSV Ulm. “I had a mediocre career at best,” the head coach admitted.
The remark came after a pointed exchange with Jude Bellingham, who scored twice in England’s 2-1 quarter-final win over Norway in Miami on Saturday. The midfielder, unamused by Tuchel’s criticism of the team’s technical levels, said: “Maybe he doesn’t know what it’s like to play in those kind of conditions against Erling Haaland, [Martin] Ødegaard, [Antonio] Nusa, [Alexander] Sørloth.” Tuchel has sought to play down the spat, stressing he loved much of what his players did against Norway but reserved the right to highlight faults to keep the squad sharp.
“Thomas Tuchel backs England's 'special breed' to rise to occasion against Argentina in World Cup semi-final.”
Now, as England prepare for a grudge match against the defending champions – arguably the biggest in the nation’s history – Tuchel has turned the focus on to his players’ ability to rise to the occasion. “It just strikes me from time to time on the sideline right before the match that I couldn’t play here on this occasion,” he said, recalling an FA Cup final with Chelsea. “I trust this special breed.”
England’s kit for the fixture has been confirmed after a request from Argentina, who are looking to draw inspiration from past glories in the famous fixture.
Whether Tuchel’s faith in his squad can carry them past Lionel Messi’s side remains to be seen, but the manager has made it clear he believes his players are capable of putting up a fight.