Tuchel to Bellingham: “Accept decisions” after change in England’s victory

Tuchel Asks Bellingham to Accept Decisions After Reaction in Qualifying Match

The England coach, Thomas Tuchel, has expressed his opinion on Jude Bellingham’s reaction after being substituted in the recent World Cup qualifying match against Albania. Tuchel emphasized the importance of accepting the coach’s decisions, regardless of the player’s frustration. The 2-0 victory over Albania, with two late goals from Harry Kane, secured England a place in Euro 2024, completing a flawless qualifying campaign with eight wins and eight clean sheets. Bellingham, who had been included in seven changes from the previous match against Serbia, was substituted six minutes from the end, which generated a visible reaction of frustration from the player, which was not well received by Tuchel. That is the decision, and he has to accept it. His friend is waiting on the sidelines, so you have to accept it, respect it, and move on. The coach argued that, although he understands the competitiveness of players like Bellingham, it is essential to maintain standards and respect within the team. He emphasized that decisions will not be changed due to individual reactions.

Tuchel also mentioned that it is crucial that individual incidents do not divert attention from the collective, which has been the focus of England’s successful qualifying campaign. The coach praised the team’s progress during the three qualifying matches, highlighting the importance of patience and positivity in difficult games. Tuchel also commented on the difficulty of imagining not being with the team in the coming months before reuniting in March.