On 22 June 2026, England won their World Cup opener 4-2 against Croatia in a match that, according to the BBC, was "an intense 90 minutes that was a departure from the more measured approach fans had become used to under Gareth Southgate." That win was the latest proof that Thomas Tuchel, who succeeded Southgate in January 2025, has brought a fundamentally different philosophy to the England men's national team.
At its simplest, the difference is this: Tuchel takes a "system-first" approach, while Southgate took a "player-first" approach. Under Southgate, England built their tactics around the best individuals available. Under Tuchel, he decides on a clear system and a set of tactics, then picks the players who best fit those roles—regardless of reputation. That explains his most eye-catching decision for the World Cup: leaving out Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Trent Alexander-Arnold, all of whom had been regulars under Southgate. Instead, he chose Morgan Rogers as his number 10, a player the BBC described as "more suited to what Tuchel wants from his number 10."
“The key differences between Tuchel and Southgate's approaches to managing England.”
Southgate, who led England to the European Championship final in both 2021 and 2024, was often criticised for "shoehorning" stars into positions they weren't ideal for. At Euro 2024, for example, he played Foden on the left wing, Palmer in attacking midfield and Alexander-Arnold in holding midfield. Tuchel operates differently: each player has a clear role in a well-drilled system. Southgate, by contrast, encouraged individuals to solve problems themselves, trusting their quality to produce game-changing moments—like Jude Bellingham's bicycle kick against Slovakia or Cole Palmer's long-range finish against Spain.
For UK readers, these differences matter because England are now in a major tournament with a new identity. Tuchel's system-first approach has already brought a 4-2 win over Croatia, and it means that even big-name players like Bukayo Saka—who arrived at the World Cup camp carrying an Achilles injury—face genuine competition for places. As Tuchel said ahead of England's next match against Ghana on 23 June 2026, Saka is in contention but competition on the right wing from Noni Madueke means he may not start. The shift also affects team selection more broadly: Tuchel has no problem leaving out star names if they don't fit his system, a luxury Southgate rarely exercised.
Q: What is the main tactical difference between Thomas Tuchel and Gareth Southgate? Tuchel uses a system-first approach: he decides his formation and tactics first, then picks players who can execute them. Southgate used a player-first approach: he selected the best individuals and tried to build a system around them.
Q: Why did Tuchel leave out Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Trent Alexander-Arnold? They did not fit the specific roles Tuchel requires in his system. For example, he chose Morgan Rogers over Foden and Palmer as his number 10 because Rogers is better suited to what Tuchel wants from that position.
Q: How has Tuchel's approach changed England's style of play? Under Tuchel, England's attacking moves are more structured and rehearsed. The 4-2 win over Croatia included a well-worked attacking routine that England had developed over Tuchel's reign, whereas under Southgate, goals often came from individual brilliance.
What happens next? England face Ghana on 23 June 2026 in their second World Cup group match, with Tuchel likely to stick with his system-first selections. Bukayo Saka may start or come off the bench as he returns to full fitness. Tuchel has also voiced concerns about hydration breaks disrupting momentum, suggesting he prefers uninterrupted football. The rest of the tournament will test whether his strict system can deliver the trophy that Southgate came close to winning.