Tuchel’s calm changes England’s mood after Croatia win

Tuchel’s calm – Thomas Tuchel’s upbeat approach—shown as he shouted “wake up” at Djed Spence in Kansas City—has mirrored a shift in England’s tone after they overcame Croatia in Dallas. The mood contrasts sharply with the anxiety that surrounded Gareth Southgate’s later Engla

For years, England have entered major tournaments looking like they’re bracing for impact. The default feeling has been tension—then the slow burn of nerves turning into worry. This time, though, it’s different.

On Sunday in Kansas City, Thomas Tuchel opened up an England training session and shouted “wake up” at Djed Spence. It was the sort of moment that usually passes unnoticed. Not this one. Everyone swooned—Spence included. Spence later described Tuchel as a “great manager” and a “great guy. ” praising him for being forthright and not afraid to yell at his players.

That public jolt fits with what England delivered last week in Dallas against Croatia. England beat “Dad’s Army. ” the nickname used here for Croatia. in the AT&T Stadium on the way into the tournament’s second phase. Croatia—Luka Modric. 40. Ivan Perisic. 37. and the rest of their team—cut England’s defence to pieces twice and scored twice in the first half. Then, just as the game seemed to be draining away, Tuchel’s half-time team talk steadied nerves. England changed. Suddenly they weren’t merely surviving Croatia’s pressure; they looked irresistible.

Roy Keane wasn’t impressed. But the mood around England was buoyant, and not only because of the result. Even with the caution that comes with the knowledge that beating Australia doesn’t automatically mean winning the World Cup. it has felt strangely freeing to head into England’s second game with a manager at the helm who appears to be enjoying himself.

The contrast is hard to miss. Tuchel’s jaunty demeanour is set against the grim visage England showed at the Euros in Germany two years ago—when Gareth Southgate’s side looked like they were walking through a funeral procession toward the final. The feeling under Southgate had been transformational for a stretch, but by then the joy had disappeared. The players looked tense and strained. and even after finishing top of their group with a 0-0 draw against Slovenia in Cologne. fans threw plastic bottles at the manager.

This World Cup start has been steadier, at least in tone. Tuchel made bold decisions when he picked his squad, and he’s now giving the impression that he’s relishing working with the players he selected. That includes unpopular calls such as leaving Cole Palmer and Phil Foden at home.

There’s another part to the shift too: it isn’t just that England are playing with more verve. They’re behaving like adults inside the tournament environment, not like they’re waiting for something to go wrong. Tuchel has avoided a trap that famously catches teams early. In 2010. Fabio Capello had England staying in an up-market prison camp in Rustenburg. and England’s tournament was effectively doomed before it began. Tuchel’s England, by comparison, appear to have avoided self-sabotage.

The signs were there beyond the pitch last week. Tuchel looked happy and relaxed when he threw out the first pitch at a Kansas City Royals game. Harry Kane and Dan Burn joined him at the Royals fixture, and the players have even been adopted by the local community.

Tuchel’s openness has also stood out. When England played poorly in the first half against Croatia. his deputy. Anthony Barry. didn’t pretend otherwise when speaking to television cameras. When the media were allowed into training last week. as is usual. Tuchel didn’t treat it like theatre designed to reassure journalists and then retreat back into routine. He went straight into work. He got Spence his “wake-up call,” cajoled and encouraged others, and kept the session moving.

The relationship between England and the media matters here. Southgate transformed that dynamic over his eight years in charge. Tuchel has chosen not to dismantle it. and the fear that used to sit in players’ chests when wearing the England shirt has not been allowed to return. The team also looks balanced and settled—even if there is still room to improve.

That improvement, at least on the surface, is already beginning to shape selection. The piece suggests Marc Guehi should start ahead of Ezri Konsa. while Anthony Gordon had a quiet game against Croatia and Marcus Rashford excelled when he came on. Rashford has. according to many beliefs. done enough to force his way into the starting XI against Ghana in Boston on Tuesday evening.

But the bigger point is what selection pressure is doing to the environment. The competition for places is visible. If a player does not excel—whether that’s Jude Bellingham—Tuchel won’t hesitate to start Morgan Rogers. The message is that nobody gets comfort just for existing. It applies to everyone.

All of this comes with a caveat. and it’s one that still feels personal: you can’t trust vibes alone. The writer who discusses these changes even says that if England lose to Ghana. it will be worth seeing how long the good feelings last. Yet the conclusion in the moment is clear—something about Tuchel makes this feel different.

There is also a separate irritation sitting underneath the wider World Cup noise: a question asked plainly—“Can ANYONE explain why Stokes was suspended?” The piece says Ben Stokes was not involved in the altercation between a Saracens rugby player and Gus Atkinson in Rex Rooms on the King’s Road after the first Test. and that Stokes didn’t even see it. It adds that Atkinson was the victim of an unprovoked attack. that Atkinson refused to retaliate. and that both men breached a curfew. with the Test being over when they went out. It states that both men were made unavailable for the second Test and that Stokes. in particular. was castigated for being in another room when someone threw a punch at a blameless team-mate.

And then there’s the small but telling note about venue atmosphere in Dallas. The writer says they were not a fan of the AT&T Stadium outside Dallas where England played Croatia. They describe it as well appointed and expensive. but lacking in atmosphere—like “a multiplex in Milton Keynes.” Giant screens are suspended over the middle of the playing surface. so large that it takes effort to watch the action rather than the footage of the action playing simultaneously above it.

England’s immediate story, though, stays with Tuchel. A manager who shouts “wake up. ” who looks relaxed throwing out a first pitch. who talks to cameras without hiding behind politeness. and who keeps England’s World Cup mood from curdling into the old. familiar anxiety. For now, the anxiety hasn’t returned. For now, England are not just competing—they’re enjoying it.

England Thomas Tuchel Djed Spence Croatia Dallas AT&T Stadium Luka Modric Ivan Perisic Gareth Southgate Euros 2024 Ghana Marcus Rashford Harry Kane Dan Burn Anthony Barry Cole Palmer Phil Foden