“Tuchel held responsible for England’s exit, but it’s not solely his fault.”

Thomas Tuchel is the scapegoat for England's elimination in the World Cup semi-final, but the truth is that the defeat goes far beyond his decisions. On that fateful night in Atlanta, the German coach opted for a defensive strategy that proved fatal, especially between the 72nd and 92nd minutes, when England shrank back, abandoning any offensive intent and handing control of the game to an Argentina led by Messi. The team ended with six defenders on the field, in a desperate attempt to protect their lead, which ultimately became the prelude to their downfall.

Tuchel, who had successfully led the team against Norway and Mexico, saw his reputation weakened as he was accused of poor tactical choices and a squad that supposedly was not up to the challenge. However, a deeper analysis reveals that the problem does not lie solely with him. English football continues to suffer from a culture that is not structured to win major tournaments. The lack of a creative and intelligent midfielder who can control the pace of decisive games is a flaw that has persisted for years, as demonstrated in previous defeats against Croatia and Italy.

In the press conference after the game, Tuchel took responsibility for his decisions: “When you lose, all the choices you made are wrong, and all the ones you didn’t make seem right.” Despite his visible frustration, the German coach tried to instill energy in the team even in the toughest moments, going so far as to use the hydration break to attempt to reorganize the team and provide precise instructions.

However, the real failure was the team's inability to cope with psychological pressure and maintain confidence after the goal. England, as always, succumbed to the weight of expectations, retreating at the moment when they could have asserted their dominance. Tuchel was unable to reverse this dynamic, but he also could not, because the structure of English football does not support the development of a winning mentality and a consistent style of play.

The elimination confirms that hiring a top international coach does not, by itself, resolve the deep-rooted problems of English football. The player development system remains fragmented and lacks a clear identity, something that even the Premier League, despite its shine and internationalization, has failed to create for the national team.

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Tuchel is merely part of a broader process, of choices made over decades. England has improved and become more coherent, but it continues to repeat the same mistakes, failing at decisive moments and paying the price of its own football culture. The defeat in Atlanta is a reflection of this harsh reality, which demands more than just a simple coach to overcome.

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