United States President, Donald Trump, has weighed in on the debate surrounding Thomas Tuchel’s tactical decisions during England’s dramatic 2-1 World Cup semifinal defeat to Argentina, suggesting Harry Kane was deployed too defensively after the Three Lions took the lead.
Despite the criticism that has followed England’s elimination, sources told ESPN that Tuchel continues to enjoy the backing of the Football Association and is expected to remain in charge through the 2028 European Championship.
England looked on course for a place in the final after Anthony Gordon put them ahead in the 55th minute. However, the team gradually retreated, with Tuchel switching to a back five and finishing the game with six defenders on the field.
Argentina capitalised on the defensive approach, scoring twice in the closing five minutes and stoppage time to book a final showdown with Spain.
Speaking during a FIFA reception at Trump Tower on Friday, Trump reflected on England’s defeat and questioned the decision to have Kane operate so deep late in the game.
Trump and Kane have previously spoken about playing a round of golf together in West Palm Beach around 18 months ago.
He said, “You have a great player in England, who I played golf with — you know that, right? Harry, who’s been fantastic. I think they perhaps made a mistake when they made him a defensive player.
“What do I know about soccer? They took the lead, and they took their best player and put him on defence.
“We have got to be a little offensive, right? But no I’m not going to call it. What do I know about coaching? It was unusual, but Harry is a great guy, actually.”
Tuchel was asked about the criticism, including Trump’s remarks, during his press conference on Friday and responded with humour before defending his tactical choices.
“Do you use Donald Trump as your witness for the case or…? I was just asking,” Tuchel replied.
The England manager also rejected the suggestion that Kane had been asked to play an unusually deep role in the latter stages of the match.
“In which situation did Harry play too deep? What do you mean? Like in the last 30 minutes?” Tuchel said.
“Well, we defended in a deep block. That’s what you do if you defend in a block. You defend in a block.
“We were not active enough, we could not escape the deep block but if you defend in a deep block, everyone defends in a deep block.
“That is what team spirit, togetherness, and mentality is translated to in football terms.
“We defend as a as a 10 and as 11, and if we are pushed back to a deep block, Harry defends in a deep block.
“This is what he did for moments in the first half. The difference is that we pushed back and we stepped out and we found the triggers to come out of the deep block.
“But we do everything together as a team. The team spirit, the togetherness, the mentality that this team built in the last six and a half weeks is not to be questioned and it showed even in defending.
“We became too passive in the last 30 minutes. We could not get hold of the ball, we could not find duels anymore. This is the next step that we want to take and from there we go.”
England will now take on France in the World Cup third-place playoff in Miami on Saturday.
