FA backs Tuchel to stay despite 'cowardly' England collapse against Argentina in World Cup semi-final

Thomas Tuchel will remain England manager despite a damaging World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina on Wednesday night, with the Football Association and chief executive Mark Bullingham standing by the German coach after a performance that drew fierce criticism from across the game.

England led through Anthony Gordon’s opener before Tuchel switched to a back five, introducing Ezri Konsa, Dan Burn and Nico O’Reilly in the final 18 minutes. Argentina capitalised on the invitation to press forward, with Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez overturning the deficit to knock the Three Lions out of the tournament.

Tuchel is expected to continue leading England into the Euro 2028 campaign, having signed a two-year contract extension in February that runs through that tournament, according to the Times.

The tactical retreat drew immediate condemnation from prominent figures in the game. Former Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas was blunt in his verdict, writing on X: “They score the goal and drop back. A cowardly approach. They haven’t ventured out of their own half and have allowed [Argentina] to push forward more. The inevitable happens.”

Thomas Muller, who won the World Cup with Germany in 2014, was equally baffled. “I cannot believe and understand how England approached this game after they’re leading,” he said. “I cannot understand how they invited Argentina to play one cross after the other in perfect crossing positions.”

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni acknowledged that his side sensed the opportunity England handed them. “We smelt blood,” Scaloni said, after watching England progressively cede territory and momentum.

Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton went further, questioning whether Tuchel can be trusted to lead the team going forward. “That was a coaching catastrophe from Thomas Tuchel,” Sutton said. “The fact that England get themselves in front and then basically hand Argentina the initiative — defending deep and another defender on. You can’t expect to defend for 30 minutes against the quality Argentina had. It’s all on the coach where I’m concerned.”

Sutton added: “England have had a generous run in this competition and they have not played well in one 90 minutes. A World Cup semi-final, there’s a big opportunity to get over the line against an average Argentina side — and they didn’t look average in the last 30 minutes, far from it, but I think England helped them with that.”

Tuchel, for his part, defended the decisions he made after the final whistle, though the FA’s public backing suggests the debate over his future has, for now, been settled in his favour.