Thomas Tuchel embraced the ribbing from travelling England fans after their 5-0 victory in Riga that sealed World Cup qualification, admitting their pointed songs left him grinning. The German coach, who had sparked the moment by criticising Wembley’s atmosphere after the Wales friendly, watched his comments boomerang back in the most British way possible — through creative, good-natured taunts.
From criticism to comeback comedy
Tuchel didn’t flinch when the chants aimed at him rang out early on. “I got a bit of stick today in the first half, so fair enough,” he said, accepting the jibes with a sense of humour. He praised the inventiveness of the fans’ response and laughed that it was “British humour” — harmless, sharp and part of the fabric of the game.
Fans remain England’s secret weapon
Beyond the banter, Tuchel made clear the pivotal role supporters play. He hailed the travelling fans’ noise in Serbia and Latvia and declared he expects the same roar in the United States next summer. “It makes such a difference if you go out as a player or as a coach and you see the fans behind the team and singing,” he said, stressing that fan energy is woven into the team’s identity and ambition.
Building something bigger
Tuchel framed England’s campaign as a construction project rather than a finished monument. He said the squad wants to make supporters proud and give them a style of play they can identify with, praising the players for top performance as evidence of progress. The manager’s message: momentum, unity and connection with the terraces are non-negotiable.
Kane sets the tone
Captain Harry Kane’s two first-half goals in Riga were headline material, but Tuchel was most impressed by Kane’s leadership and work ethic. The coach described a moment of selfless hustle — Kane tracking back into his own half to help win the ball — and called it the standard the skipper sets. Kane’s example, Tuchel said, fuels the team’s intensity and underpins their current wave of form.
The mood in camp
Tuchel painted a picture of a squad galvanised rather than complacent. He recounted Kane’s rallying speech about keeping momentum through November and insisted the players are committed to the hard work ahead. With fans singing, leaders leading and performances clicking, Tuchel’s England look built for more than just qualification — they feel built for a storyline.