Premier League icon reveals why England are unable to end World Cup pain as he tells Thomas Tuchel to copy Spain formula

ENGLAND failed to win the World Cup because of their mentality and football culture, which extended their 60 years of hurt. That’s according to Spain legend Gaizka Mendieta, who believes England can learn from his own national team’s winning formula, which helped them beat the Three Lions in the final of Euro 2024. Gaizka Mendieta believes England can learn from Spain’s success Credit: Getty Images – Getty England have extended 60 years of hurt after their World Cup elimination Credit: Getty Images – Getty The Three Lions crashed out in the semi-finals after a late collapse that saw them surrendering their lead by sitting back and losing 2-1 to bitter rivals Argentina. Thomas Tuchel’s men are now set to face France in the third-place play-off tonight at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida while Lionel Messi and co go on to defend their world title against European champions Spain. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Spain will get their chance to win their second World Cup on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, which would add to their trophy haul that also includes three Euro titles since 2008. And Mendieta, 52, points out at the Roja’s ability to defend with the ball while controlling possession without sitting back inside the box, which is a mentality deeply rooted within the country’s football philosophy. The former Middlesbrough star added that academies need to focus on teaching young players how to understand English football. That is because each Premier League team has a different philosophy, but a similar youth development would allow players to build strong and quick chemistry when playing for the national team. The Valencia legend gives immense credit to Spanish academies as their ability to ingrain the country’s style to every talented youngster has led to a strong Roja despite LaLiga clubs adopting different styles. Mendieta told SunSport on behalf of Bovada World Cup Odds: “It’s mentality, and it’s cultural – and it’s how to play these games. You see how Spain win. It’s difficult to imagine them losing if they start winning. Most read in Football WORLD CUP 2026 FREE BETS AND SIGN UP OFFERS “The way we play is difficult to expect losing games like that [England’s semi-final against Argentina]. I think it’s the mentality, the way you administrate when you’re winning. It’s not putting six defenders. It’s more to that than just the physicality. “Well, obviously, for me, one thing is cultural – the way Spain understand football professionally. But also from grassroots and academy coaching, understanding what the game needs and actually putting into place. “I remember I was covering the Euros final, and England at some point seemed like they did not want or know how to have possession of the ball. “And obviously Spain understood the game and started to get in passes in between and managed to win in the end. So I think again, it’s understanding how to win games, how to play games. Spain have won three Euros and could lift their second World Cup since 2008 Credit: Getty Images – Getty Middlesbrough icon Mendieta believes England need to work on their mentality Credit: Getty Images – Getty “These things we learn from kids, and wherever you play, whatever you do, we know how to do these things. I think England still have somehow in mind the need to defend with 11 players. It’s not like that. You can defend like we see Spain. You defend with the ball. “You don’t need to have ten guys in the box defending. You might just keep possession. So, yeah, I think it’s these kinds of things that games require to win in the end. “But to make the most of it, it requires learning from your academy and then the coaching as well. I think it is very important. But it’s also the clubs in England. Every club has a philosophy and an idea and way of playing. “Similar to Spain, Real Madrid and Barcelona don’t play the same. [Also] Valencia, they’re all different. But when kids start out [in various academies], everyone knows how to play left-back, right-back, possession, the technique, chasing balls under pressure, how to receive balls in tight spaces. Spain legend Mendieta claims England need to work on their football culture, starting with academies Credit: Rex Features England boss Thomas Tuchel saw his team collapse against Argentina after sitting back Credit: Getty Images – Getty “In England, it doesn’t happen. Every club wants to be different. So when they come to play for the national team, it’s different. When we [Spain] come to the national team, we have so much ground in common and obviously we are there to serve the national team.” Ever since Sir Gareth Southgate revived England’s ability to challenge for honours in 2018, the national team has seemed quite comfortable beating inferior opponents. The same goes against former powerhouses whose glory days are behind them, such as Germany at Euro 2020 and the Netherlands at Euro 2024. But upon facing legitimate favourites, like Italy at Euro 2020, France at the 2022 World Cup, Spain in 2024 and Argentina this year, England struggle significantly. The Three Lions also find themselves switching off after taking the lead, as shown most recently against the Albiceleste. That reinforces Mendieta’s arguments as he also noticed similar signs in 2018 when England crashed out in the semi-finals against Croatia. The ex-Lazio and Barcelona star insists the whole system – from the FA to the substitutes – need to understand that “every detail counts a lot” if they want to finally win their first trophy since the 1966 World Cup. Mendieta added: When you get to that level, every detail counts a lot. It makes a difference between winning and losing. “So understanding how to play these games, Croatia [at the 2018 World Cup] were just passing the ball, and they [England] could not get the ball. So I think it all comes down to that. “To the federation and training facilities. It comes down to a country producing players throughout the nation who will then come to the national team and have some common ground. “You cannot see that reflected in the national team, and you have a German coach [Tuchel] – which obviously doesn’t mean much.” Comment now