We very often hear the stereotype that the English love a moan. Whether it’s the weather, traffic, or even the football.
When Gareth Southgate was in charge, he faced plenty of criticism. Many labelled his football boring throughout his tenure, while England’s performances at EURO 2024 were described as ‘lacklustre’.
Asked about the criticism, Southgate said: “That’s the world we’re in… It’s not important to me at all.
“I’ve not seen any other team qualify and receive similar. I’m not going to back away from it but I’m very, very proud of the players for how they’re operating within it.”
He suggested the reason for the additional criticism compared to previous tournaments was ‘probably expectation’.
It was a great point. Southgate had come in following a round of 16 exit in EURO 2016, England were a long way off the golden generation who gave millions across the country that football could come home.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe impossible standard Southgate created
Fast forward two years and England were World Cup semi-finalists, two years later they were EURO finalists, then World Cup quarter-finalists and EURO finalists once more.
Southgate had built up the expectations of what the Three Lions could do. And in turn, England fans used those expectations to scrutinise him every time he didn’t meet the standards that only existed because of him.
The quarter-final exit at World Cup 2022 was the poorest finish of his reign. But when you look deeper, England played well against France, even dominated at times. Unfortunately, the fine margins of controversial refereeing decisions and a skied penalty from Harry Kane saw England head home in the last-eight.
His final tournament saw England reach back-to-back European finals, but many fans spent much of the summer complaining about the way in which England reached the final. The style of play, the selection, the lack of goals.
Before Southgate’s side fell to defeat against Spain, the whole tournament from an England perspective was already tainted by the negativity surrounding the team.
Again, before Southgate, England exited in the round of 16, following a 2-1 defeat to Iceland.
After the final, Southgate departed and for the first time in six years, the rumour mill was officially back up and running.
No candidate good enough
According to FA Chief Executive Mark Bullingham, 10 candidates were considered for the role. Whoever was suggested though, that moaning, ungrateful outlook prevailed once more.
Eddie Howe? ‘No, don’t want him. He’s not tactically flexible enough for England.’
Graham Potter? ‘No, don’t want him. He failed when he reached an elite level club.’
Frank Lampard? ‘No, don’t want him. He isn’t ready and hasn’t earned the right.’
Tuchel delivers but complaints remain
Embed from Getty ImagesSo, in comes Thomas Tuchel. A proven winner who has led big teams to big trophies. He won league titles with Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich. He won the DFB-Pokal with Borussia Dortmund. He won the Champions League with Chelsea.
Tuchel had all the qualities of exactly the manager England needed. But guess what?
‘No, don’t want him. He’s German. You can’t have a German managing the England team.’
Whatever the decision, The FA were never going to win.
Tuchel took his first game in March 2025, England beat Albania 2-0. But the headlines were all about how Tuchel didn’t sing the national anthem.The complaints came flooding back.
‘You can’t have a German managing the England team.’
Since that victory, Tuchel has taken charge of 19 games in total, winning 15 and only losing twice. The Three Lions kept 13 clean sheets in those 19 games and averaged 2.2 goals per match.
England’s opening game of the 2026 World Cup marked the 52-year-old’s 15th game at the helm. England beat Croatia 4-2 and at the time it was widely considered the best game of the tournament.
Yet the complaints never disappeared. England were too open at the back, they said, Croatia aren’t the team they used to be, the pressing structure is rubbish.
Yet during the days of Southgate, that was exactly the kind of performance they were calling for. More entertainment, more risks and less cautiousness when going forward. And when Tuchel provides all of those things, it’s not good enough.
Perhaps the manager isn’t the problem
If you are one of those pessimistic, cup-half-empty members of the England fanbase, perhaps you should take a moment. Ask yourself whether the managers are really the problem, or just the widespread negative attitude surrounding them regardless of who starts and what formation England play.
England have reached a third consecutive World Cup quarter-final, after beating Mexico 3-2 at the Azteca with 10 men.
England are a semi-final level team. That’s not a negative statement, England are a top-four level country. Look at the heavyweights left in the competition: France, Spain and reigning champions Argentina.
Should England find a way past Norway and go on to lose against any of those three sides, you have to give them kudos. Don’t be so entitled to believe that anything other than a World Cup win is a failure on Tuchel’s part.
He’s playing the football you asked for, provided the moments you asked for and is England’s best chance yet to – one day – bring football home.
Embed from Getty ImagesWritten by Isabelle Martin
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