Thomas Tuchel aims brutal new dig at Gareth Southgate's England: 'Afraid, no identity' | OneFootball

Tuchel in withering assessment of Euro 2024 campaign that ended with final defeat to Spain

New England head coach Thomas Tuchel has said the team lacked a clear playing style under his predecessor Gareth Southgate at last summer's European Championship, and were governed more by fear at the tournament than excitement.

Southgate's side finished runners-up for the second consecutive Euros, losing 2-1 to Spain in Berlin after a run to the final characterised by stodgy performances and moments of brilliance from individual players.

Southgate stepped down after the tournament, bringing down the curtain on his seven-year spell in charge, with Tuchel named England's third foreign coach in October.

The 51-year-old German will take charge of his first matches, the World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia at Wembley this fortnight, and has been set a clear mandate to drag Southgate's nearly-men over the line by winning next summer's tournament in Canada, the USA and Mexico.

Asked by ITV if England previous had a clear playing style, Tuchel said: “Not last summer no."

“[They were missing] the identity, the clarity, the rhythm, the repetition of patterns, the freedom of players, the expression of players, the hunger.

“They were more afraid to drop out of the tournament in my observation than having the excitement and hunger to win.”

Asked what was missing from Southgate's side, Tuchel added: "Excitement.

“That people feel that's the team to beat. That we arrive [at the World Cup] with a group to beat, once we qualified, when we arrive, that everyone knows this is the team to beat.”