Tuchel Slams England’s "Lack of Seriousness" in Narrow Win Over Andorra

 

Tuchel Slams England’s "Lack of Seriousness" in Narrow Win Over Andorra

By Alex Howell | BBC Sport | Published June 7, 2025

England manager Thomas Tuchel has openly criticized his team's attitude during their underwhelming 1-0 World Cup qualifying win over Andorra, saying the squad "played with fire" and lacked the seriousness expected on the international stage.

Despite dominating possession with 83%, the Three Lions struggled to break down the world’s 173rd-ranked team in a match played in Barcelona due to venue issues in Andorra. Captain Harry Kane scored the lone goal in the 50th minute from a Noni Madueke assist, securing England’s third straight win and keeping them top of Group K.

Yet, the performance was met with boos from fans both at halftime and the final whistle.

“I didn’t like the attitude we showed at the end,” Tuchel told reporters. “It’s still a World Cup qualifier, and our lack of urgency was unacceptable. We’ll be addressing this with the players."

Tuchel highlighted the drop in energy after a promising first 25 minutes. "We completely lost momentum in the first half. We regained a bit in the second, but the urgency just wasn’t there. That’s not the standard we set."

Player Reactions and Pundit Criticism

While Kane’s 72nd international goal secured the win, many felt England should have delivered a more dominant performance against a lower-ranked side they had previously beaten 25-0 across six matches.

Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane was blunt:

"Some of the players looked bored. Go and get more goals — impress the manager!"

Ex-England defender Lee Dixon echoed the sentiment, noting fans would be “throwing pelters” at the team. Michael Brown of BBC Radio 5 Live admitted the display was disappointing but emphasized the importance of securing the points.

Squad Rotations and Henderson’s Return

Tuchel made five changes from March’s 3-0 win over Latvia, experimenting with Liverpool’s Curtis Jones at right-back and Chelsea’s Reece James on the left. Ajax midfielder Jordan Henderson earned a surprise start — his first since November 2023 — while Declan Rice came off the bench late in the game.

“Jordan deserved the start — not just for his play, but for what he brings to the group,” Tuchel said.

Madueke Shines Despite Dull Display

One standout was Chelsea winger Noni Madueke. The 23-year-old’s cross set up Kane’s goal, giving him three assists in just six caps. Playing unusually on the left wing, Madueke was England’s most threatening player, leading in chances created (4) and touches in the opposition box (12).

“He was our most dangerous player,” Tuchel said. “You could feel his hunger. But as a team, we couldn’t sustain that energy.”

Looking Ahead

England now turns its attention to a friendly against Senegal at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground. Tuchel made it clear he expects a far better performance:

“We’ll break this game down and show the players exactly where we fell short — and what the standards must be going forward.”