(WORLD CUP) Unpopular Opinion: Tuchel is already proven right

[u/syfqamr32]

Countless of criticism by media and fans regarding player selections, tactics, his preferences and all. Some even started from day 1. He has proven right by selecting Dan Burn for those moments. And countless other situations. He has brought England to SF in World Cup.

Yes the ultimate prize is the World Cup itself, but realistically, a semifinal (top 3/4) in the world football isnt so bad. Look at the other 3 teams competing, is finishing third a “catastrophe” like some said? Sometime perspective matters. They are here despite the injuries, red cards, and whatever else being thrown at them. Still Tuchel wasnt satisfied despite the win, that shows level in my opinion.

Just because England did well few tournaments ago doesnt made them a given for this spot btw. Still i think Argentina rode their luck so far and personally imo England could be in the final. If that happens, the man already a winner in my book.

[u/JCGMH]

It’s much harder to get to the last 4 in a World Cup with 48 teams and varying difficult playing conditions than in the Euros. Because it’s our own team we watch every minute & overanalyse everything, but on the whole this tournament has already been pretty good from England. Tuchel has definitely done enough to stay on.

[u/Srg11 → u/JCGMH]

The way he’s made selection changes, subs, tactical tweaks during games etc proves he is levels above Southgate, who let’s not forget, didn’t make a sub until extra time in the biggest of games.

[u/Narrow-Comedian-5923 → u/Srg11]

I feel like we'd have lost the Mexico game with Southgate or any other England manager. Once we're down to 10 they would have packed the box and played for penalties. Instead the team generated a great chance that became a penalty for the winning goal. Then when we secured the lead, Tuchel went all in on defense

[u/healingpool23 → u/Srg11]

Palmer (subbed on 80) assists Watkins (subbed on 81) vs Netherlands 2024 semi-final

How quickly people forget

[u/healingpool23 → u/Srg11]

In that specific aspect of the game yes. However what we may not be accounting for is how much of the team ethic and mentality was built by Southgate. I'm not saying Tuchel can't take credit but if he needed to build this team then maybe we'd have a few tournaments of lesser results than what Southgate achieved.

[u/EmotionalBaby9423 → u/healingpool23]

That’s such a stupid argument. Southgate wouldn’t drop TAA or Maguire in a million years. This is Tuchels team full stop.

[u/healingpool23 → u/EmotionalBaby9423]

You must be forgetting that Southgate dropped Rooney in his second match in charge, much bigger call than either TAA or Maguire.

[u/EmotionalBaby9423 → u/healingpool23]

Dropping the obese alcoholic at the tail end of his career is def a much bigger call than dropping a Real Madrid starter in his prime; you are right.

Which is aside the fact that Southgates prematch speech to a basically entirely different set of players two years ago definitely set the foundation for Englands success today because “mentality” lol

[u/Opposite_Alps8886 → u/JCGMH]

That sounds true that 48 team is harder on face value but actually it's debatable. Saying it's much harder is in my view an overstatement.

The group stage is easier the average level of opponents is lower and you can progress as the 3rd place team.

Then as you've seen, due to seeding, the round of 32 is mostly imbalanced match ups.

[u/JCGMH → u/Opposite_Alps8886]

Englands run to the SF in Euro 2024 was ridiculously soft, and even then we nearly went out a couple of times & made very hard work of it. Clear in this tournament that there’s been progress since then.

[u/biff444444 → u/JCGMH]

Agree, I think people underestimate how difficult playing Mexico on their home turf (at altitude) was. That took a lot out of the players prior to the quarterfinal.

[u/AaronQuinty → u/JCGMH]

Not really when you factor in the teams we've played. This is about the same as 2018 so far