Tuchel refuses Premier League managers' calls and dismisses rotation as 'madness' ahead of Nations League run

Thomas Tuchel has declared he will not take calls from Premier League managers requesting their players be rested, describing any such arrangement as ‘madness’ as England prepare for four Nations League fixtures in 11 days.

England face Spain at Wembley on Saturday before travelling to play the Czech Republic on Tuesday, hosting Croatia the following Saturday, and then returning to Wembley to face the Czech Republic again on Tuesday 6 October. Tuchel has made clear he intends to field his strongest available side throughout, regardless of the workload concerns of club managers.

“I don’t take calls from Premier League managers. I never called any national team coach,” Tuchel said. “If I would call a coach in Brazil or Argentina, they would not know what I am talking about. So why would I do this and start giving the players the impression that it’s okay to take a step back or share a half or to rest one match? Why would I? I would never. It’s madness. We want to win the next match.”

The England squad has already been hit by a wave of withdrawals ahead of the window, with Declan Rice — who attended the Spain match at Wembley as a supporter — Cole Palmer, Tino Livramento, Marcus Rashford, and Kobbie Mainoo all pulling out through injury. Morgan Gibbs-White and James Garner were called up as replacements.

Despite the disruption, Tuchel says his “ideal scenario” is to keep the core of the side that narrowly lost to Spain intact across the four games. He has acknowledged that some rotation will occur and suggested players may be substituted before fatigue sets in late in matches, but he has been unequivocal that there will be no reduction in intensity or ambition.

“We need to be proactive and go for it,” Tuchel added. “There is no room for managing or an economic style. It’s how the team want to play, how we want to play, so let’s go.”

The stance is likely to heighten tensions between the England camp and Premier League clubs, whose players return to a congested domestic schedule immediately after the international break concludes.