‘I got told off for the substitutions’ – Thomas Tuchel reveals how review with FA went after England World Cup exit

THOMAS TUCHEL has revealed he was ‘told off’ over his substitutions during England’s World Cup campaign. The Three Lions boss made the admission as he named his first squad since England finished third in the tournament. Thomas Tuchel joked that he was told off by his bosses after England crashed out of the World Cup Credit: Shutterstock Editorial The England boss named a crack squad for the upcoming international break and made several changes from the World Cup squad Credit: Reuters Tuchel joked that he was “told off, of course, for the substitutions that I made” during reviews with his FA bosses. But the German quickly made clear that the reviews were not simply about pointing the finger at him following England’s painful semi-final defeat to Argentina. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! He said the FA had held “several reviews” as part of the process of looking back on the World Cup and learning from the experience. Tuchel added that some of those discussions had been “painful”, emotional and also positive, with people speaking openly about moments from the tournament. The FA is conducting a full review of England’s World Cup campaign, while Tuchel continues to have the backing of his bosses. He signed a contract extension in February that will keep him in charge through Euro 2028. Tuchel insisted he had felt the “full support” of his bosses throughout the World Cup and revealed there was even a special message before England’s last-16 clash with Mexico. He said: “There was a special moment before the game against Mexico and they told me this is football and in football anything can happen so don’t worry because we see what is going on and we want to continue like this.” The England boss also insisted he felt free to make his own decisions throughout the tournament and said there was never any doubt in his mind that he would remain in the job. Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS Tuchel said the most critical discussions would remain behind closed doors, adding: “I’m the biggest critic of myself and reflection is sometimes necessary to get back better.” The manager now has a chance to move on, with England preparing for a major Nations League campaign during the upcoming international break. And there are several notable changes to the squad, including the returns of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Cole Palmer. Alexander-Arnold has been recalled for the first time since June 2025, while Palmer returns after being left out of the World Cup squad. Tuchel has made eight changes to his 27-man group. Cole Palmer was named in the England team after missing the World Cup in North America Credit: Getty Real Madrid star Alexander-Arnold is also back and has been asked to fight for his spot Credit: Getty Jarrad Branthwaite, Lewis Hall, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Myles Lewis-Skelly have also been recalled, while Kobbie Mainoo remains in the squad after being an unused member of the World Cup group. There are also first senior call-ups for Liverpool teenager Rio Ngumoha and Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott, while Phil Foden, Morgan Gibbs-White, Harry Maguire, Adam Wharton, Ivan Toney and Noni Madueke are among those left out. Tuchel was clear that Palmer and Alexander-Arnold will still have to fight for their places, despite their returns. He said of Palmer: “He has his numbers back. Assists, decisive goals. I think he has a point to prove.” On Alexander-Arnold, he added: “It’s now time to fight for his place.” Ivan Toney who was at the World Cup misses out Credit: Getty Eze who was also at the World Cup has paid for a slow start to the season by missing out on this call up Credit: Sunday Times England’s first test of the new campaign will be a huge one, with world champions Spain travelling to Wembley on September 26. They then face the Czech Republic away on September 29, Croatia away on October 3 and the Czech Republic again at home on October 6. That gives Tuchel four competitive games to begin the next chapter and put the disappointment of the World Cup semi-final behind him. England eventually finished third in the tournament after beating France in the play-off, their best World Cup finish since 1966, but the Argentina defeat has remained the main talking point surrounding Tuchel. Now, with familiar faces returning and a number of new players pushing for their chance, Tuchel will be hoping his revamped England side can make a strong start when the international break gets underway. Comment now