The smiles said enough. After Thomas Tuchel’s first training sessions with England, one of the players’ assessments was instant. “That’s what an elite environment is supposed to feel like.”
The squad still have a great respect for Gareth Southgate, but they all knew Tuchel’s coaching was closer to what they’re used to at club level. The system was instantly more sophisticated, with more depth to triangulated moves and more integrated pressing.
