Thomas Tuchel is under fire from Croatia great Davor Suker after the England manager's comments about the World Cup third-place play-off were branded 'nonsense'. The Three Lions face France in Miami on Saturday (10pm kick-off) looking to bounce back from a devastating semi-final defeat to Argentina, where they squandered a one-goal lead and lost 2-1 at Atlanta Stadium.
Tuchel admitted after the loss that his team 'got too passive' after Anthony Gordon had opened the scoring midway through the second half, before late goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez turned the tie on its head. The result left England facing a consolation match against France, who were brushed aside by Spain in the other semi-final.
“Croatia legend Davor Suker slams Thomas Tuchel's 'nonsense' comments about the World Cup third-place play-off.”
Speaking ahead of the third-place play-off, Tuchel caused a stir with his assessment of the fixture. 'None of our players and none of the French players want to play this match,' he said. 'They want to play the final. We gave everything to achieve that. Everyone plays to win the World Cup, but that’s how it is. We have one less day of recovery than France, but we will do it with professionalism.'
His words did not sit well with Davor Suker, the Croatia striker who inspired his nation to third place in 1998 and won the Golden Boot with six goals. 'I think the rich don't want to play when they lose,' Suker said. 'After 1998, when we played the Netherlands for third place, we fought for that bronze medal, and today I can still speak about it with pride. Some people have won so many trophies and are so wealthy that this match means nothing to them.'
Suker, addressing Tuchel directly, added: 'My message to them is: be quiet, respect all 211 participants, and understand that the world doesn't belong only to them. It belongs to the middle-sized nations, the smaller ones, and to everyone who loves football. Whoever wins third place tomorrow, I assure you that in 20 years, when they're older, they'll still remember that bronze medal. That's why, in this whole story, coach Tuchel doesn't matter. He's talking nonsense.'
Tuchel already faced scrutiny over his tactics against Argentina, having seen his side regress into a defensive shape that allowed the defending champions to capitalise. England had reached the semi-finals thanks largely to Jude Bellingham, whose extra-time winner against Norway in the quarter-finals—a poacher's finish after goalkeeper Ørjan Håskjold Nyland spilled a shot—sent the Three Lions through. Bellingham's heroics moved him to six goals for the tournament, putting him in contention for the Golden Boot and the player of the tournament award.
But after the Argentina collapse, Tuchel's future in the hot-seat is under intense scrutiny. The third-place play-off against France may do little to silence his critics.