The Daily Telegraph writes that Tuchel's refusal to politicize the England team stands in stark contrast to some of Southgate's previous actions and statements. Under Tuchel, not only has the team's playing style undergone a visible transformation, but the media's focus in this tournament has finally shifted entirely to football itself, no longer issuing various heavy and grand social statements. This change is attributed to Tuchel: he clearly defines himself as simply the "team manager," not an all-encompassing administrator, actively avoiding various social issues. In fact, he adhered to the same principle during his time at Chelsea. Of course, from a historical context, Southgate's style of conduct was also a product of a special period, and his ideological innovations brought to England cannot be completely dismissed.
In this tournament, the love of English fans for the England team is almost unreserved, a rare sight. And the Three Lions of 2026, even if it's just a brief, precious moment, have already become the darling praised by all of Britain. The team's epoch-making comeback victory against Mexico at the Estadio Azteca has already become a classic and memorable scene – everyone will be asked, "Where were you watching the game?" BBC data shows that the number of viewers who stayed up to watch the game when it ended at 4:09 AM UK time exceeded the number of people who watched Neil Armstrong's live broadcast of the first human moon landing at 3:56 AM on July 21, 1969.
Days after the match, the public was still relishing the wonderful performance. A blooper video of John Stones deliberately faking a shoulder injury and tricking Tuchel garnered over 40 million views on social media platforms.
This extremely high popularity also swept across the United States. Ten-man England displayed incredibly resilient defense, attracting a cumulative 45 million viewers across the US to watch the live broadcast. Unexpectedly, this team always delivers dramatic and thrilling matches. Under Tuchel, the team's playing style has undergone a visible transformation.
In the past, England would often panic and retreat after taking an early lead: this was the case in both the 2018 FIFA World Cup semi-finals and the 2020 European Championship final. But in Mexico City, after Bellingham scored the first goal, the team's first reaction was to go all out for a second goal. This non-conservative, actively seeking victory mentality is refreshing.
This time, the media focus has finally shifted entirely to football itself. This feeling is quite novel. During Southgate's tenure, the coach was keen on expressing various viewpoints, often distracting the public from the matches. Southgate, inherently mild-mannered, actively involved himself in a series of highly controversial social issues: supporting the "Black Lives Matter" movement, wearing a rainbow captain's armband, and even calling the Brexit referendum "racist."
At every international tournament, this approach never received universal praise. In 2021, he wrote an open letter titled "Dear England," acknowledging that players and he had a responsibility to engage in dialogue with the public on issues such as equality, inclusion, and racial injustice. Many praised his sincerity, but many fans were also disgusted, believing that watching football matches did not require listening to a sociology lecture.
Similarly, the deepest impression left on the public by the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar was not England's performance on the field, but Southgate and the FA's indecisiveness in protesting the local strict laws on LGBTQ+ rights. They initially stated a firm stance, claiming they would convey their demands even if it meant facing FIFA penalties, but quickly compromised under slight pressure. Captain Kane only wore a bland "No Discrimination" armband, simply because he feared a sharper worded armband would incur a yellow card. Even the 2024 European Championship could not escape political interference, as it coincided with the UK general election midway through the tournament.
Fortunately, in this FIFA World Cup, England no longer issues various heavy and grand social statements. This change is attributed to Tuchel: he clearly defines himself as simply the "team manager," not an all-encompassing administrator, actively avoiding various social issues. Upon taking office, he said with a clear smile, "Only by letting the head coach focus on football do we have the best chance of achieving good results. Perhaps I am not British, and out of respect, I don't have to speak publicly on all social issues in your country, which ironically frees me."
Tuchel deliberately avoids public issues, not just because he is German. He adhered to the same principle during his time at Chelsea. In March 2022, when reporters repeatedly questioned him about the Russia-Ukraine conflict and Abramovich's sale of the club, he stated directly, "That's enough. I am not a politician. Apart from sports, I should not convey other views to the fans."
But while clearly defining work boundaries, he also brings his own wit and humor. During his time in the US, he even jokingly suggested that parents write absence notes for school, allowing their children to stay up to watch the FIFA World Cup matches.
Looking back at the locker room after the game at Estadio Azteca, Tuchel, initially tricked by Stones' prank and then excitedly jumping around, showed a rare relaxed and uninhibited side. In the later period of Southgate's tenure, the team atmosphere became increasingly serious and rigid, full of commercial indoctrination, and players' pressure came more from having to act as pioneers for social equality rather than becoming top performers on the field.
Of course, we cannot completely dismiss the ideological innovations brought by Southgate. In the eight years after the shocking loss to Iceland in the 2016 European Championship, he led the team to two finals, one semi-final, and one quarter-final. However, the team at that time lacked pure joy, and heavy advocacy for values diluted the inherent pleasure of football itself.
From a historical context, Southgate's style of conduct was also a product of a special period. Around 2020, public opinion heavily focused on discussions surrounding Black equality, taking a knee, and superficial identity politics. He genuinely agreed with these ideas and later wrote in his autobiography "Leadership Revelation" that Reni Eddo-Lodge's 2017 book "Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race" profoundly shaped his views.
For a time, he was hailed as a progressive thinker and a moral exemplar, but most of those who supported him discussing politics only agreed with his stance. However, the FA's subsequent deliberate change of course also indicates that these issues had already overshadowed the main focus.
Tuchel has proven through his actions that fostering team unity internally is far more important than trying to bridge ideological divides across society.
Now, the connection between the public and the players is more genuine, rooted in Tuchel allowing fans' affection to grow naturally, rather than constantly tying the team to political issues.
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