Spence shrugs off Tuchel's viral training outburst as England build World Cup momentum

Djed Spence has brushed aside Thomas Tuchel’s very public training-ground rebuke, insisting the England manager’s exacting standards are exactly what the squad needs at the 2026 World Cup.

Footage of Tuchel shouting “Djed, Djed, Djed wake up! Wake up!” at the Tottenham full-back during a passing drill on Saturday went viral, but Spence was quick to contextualise the moment. “It’s normal,” he told TalkSport. “He’s a great manager. He wants the best from his players. He demands high standards and for this tournament, we need to be ready, we need to be on it.”

Spence had just made his World Cup debut when he came off the bench in England’s 4-2 opening win over Croatia, and he was keen to stress that no player is exempt from Tuchel’s scrutiny. “I wouldn’t be the only one he says it to,” he said. “It’s part of the game.”

The 24-year-old was full of praise for the German coach beyond the training-ground clip, describing a manager who has worked hard to forge a tight collective identity within the squad. “He’s a great guy. Very detailed in what he wants to do. I’ve got great respect for him,” Spence said. “It’s like what he always says, we’re building a family, we’ve built a brotherhood within the team, everyone has one dream, one brain. I think everyone is on the same path. We can do special things.”

Tuchel’s man-management has drawn wider attention after England twice surrendered the lead against Croatia before eventually pulling clear. His half-time intervention is understood to have played a significant role in steadying the team.

Spence, who can operate at both right-back and left-back, was asked about his preferred position. His answer was characteristically direct: “My preference is playing, of course. You know that’s my natural position, that’s my favourite position. I don’t go too deep into it, because obviously that’s our thing as a team, and we don’t really want to talk too much about what each player’s role is — but defending is a really, really good one. I think that’s a great quality to have in a team.”