The England manager uses nutrition to help his squad achieve victory
England manager Thomas Tuchel uses a strict diet to help his team perform at their peak and achieve victory, it has been revealed. Tuchel previously said he himself is an 'imperfect vegetarian' trying to avoid meat and fish where he can - though he still likes pizza and spaghetti bolognese.
While he was manager at Chelsea, Tuchel said he is not a strict vegan but 'tries to maintain a meat-free diet'. And when it comes to his squad, Tuchel has rules around what they should eat for health and fitness.
Goalkeeper Hendrik Bonmann, who worked under Tuchel at Borussia Dortmund, said the head coach banned two foods. Tuchel led the German team to win the League Cup.
Bonman previously told the BBC World Football Podcast: "I worked two years with Thomas, and I think he's a very, very good guy. He's a real German guy.
"He liked discipline at the field, but also next to the field. He gives a lot also to eating and regeneration stuff. But you can talk to him next to the field in a normal way, in a privacy way.
"Yeah, he loves his players, and he wants every time the maximum. Every time in every training, he wants maximum. So I think they get a good guy, but a guy who wants every day the maximum. "
Bonmann added: "In Dortmund we had two points. We didn't eat wheat and sugar. This was not allowed. We had a cook who makes very, very good food, just healthy food with everything.
"You had everything, you have salad, you have meat, you have fish, you have vegetable, but no wheat, no sugar. But it was very good, it was enough. So for every player there is good food, but it must be healthy. But after game, sometimes after Champions League wins, we also get some burger or some pizza."
Captain Harry Kane said : ‘We have a couple of nutritionists at the club level and we also have one here with England. Nutrition has become a significant part of sport, particularly football. Considering the number of games we play, recovery is crucial, and food plays a big role in that – ensuring we get the right nutrients at the right time."
He added: ‘I will have salad and veg with every meal. I try to get as many nutrients as I can from food. I balance protein and carbs, leaning more towards carbs before a game. On lighter training days, I might cut out carbs for a meal and go for protein and veg.’
Jude Bellingham diet
According to Spanish outlet El Chiringuito, Jude Bellingham eats four meals a day with Greek yoghurt and oats for breakfast, and dinners of grilled meat and vegetables.
Previously, Johnny Marsh, better known as 'The Football Feeder', who has prepared meals for around 100 Premier League players, including Jordan Pickford, explained what the England squad will likely be eating.
Jonny said the pre-match dietary regime kicks off several days before the game itself, with a gradual increase in carbohydrate consumption.
He said: "The day before the match, both lunch and dinner are more carb-focused." Johnny added: "On matchday morning, players typically have a lighter meal with some protein and a small amount of veg, but fibre is kept low. The focus shifts back towards easily digestible carbohydrates so they are fuelled without feeling too heavy going into the game."
Ketchup ban
When quizzed about whether professional footballers steer clear of certain foods before a match, he said: "A few years ago things like ketchup and mayonnaise were pretty much cut out in a lot of setups, not just with England but across the Premier League too. It wasn't really a single manager's rule, more a general shift in how clubs approached nutrition. It was mainly down to them being high in sugar and fats, so players were encouraged to avoid them with meals."
He added: "I expect hydrating ingredients like watercress and cucumber to feature in salads they are eating. Players will also be taking hydration sachets throughout the day, along with fresh juices made from melon, beetroot, oranges and lemons to help maintain fluid balance."
If wheat and sugar are banned for games, not all the players are likely to be happy. Before Tuchel took over, Declan Rice said in 2024 he would load up on pancakes and sugar before a game. He told Men's Health: "I have four pancakes before a game. Covered in syrup or honey, I swear to God, it’s the best thing."
He added: "Honestly, it’s been a game changer."