‘Our comments come from the same place’: Tuchel and Bellingham clear the air ahead of semi-final vs Argentina
The pair’s relationship has been under the microscope since the German coach admitted last summer that his mother found some of Bellingham’s on-field antics “repulsive”
Thomas Tuchel has said he had a talk with Judge Bellingham to clear the air ahead of England's World Cup semi-final tonight against Argentina.
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The England boss said there are “no cracks” in the side and said the pair are closer than ever before despite the England star publicly hitting back at his manager for saying the Three Lions were 'lucky' against Norway.
The pair’s relationship has been under the microscope since the German coach admitted last summer that his mother found some of Bellingham’s on-field antics “repulsive”.
Tuchel apologised for that remark and Bellingham has sparkled under him this summer, taking his World Cup tally to six goals with his brace in the 2-1 extra-time victory against Norway in Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final.
The head coach said he was “not happy with the performance” but the Real Madrid midfielder did not take it lying down, challenging his manager’s view as he called for positivity.
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Tuchel revealed he spoke to the squad to clear the air the following day and claims there are no issues whatsoever with Bellingham ahead of Wednesday’s semi-final against Argentina.
“No problem. I spoke to the whole team after, which was basically the same message.
“And I explained it again yesterday to just move on. Then, straight away, we talked about Argentina.
“Our comments come from the same place — from having the edge when competition is on.
“He (Bellingham) was just confronted with the negative side.
“I called him a world-class player. I said he had produced world-class actions again — that the mentality of this team is outstanding.
“All of that was not part of the question. So he was confronted with, ‘What do you think? The coach said you were sloppy’.
“I’d maybe bite back if I came from 120 minutes, scored two, gave everything. It’s a normal reaction for a player of his mindset.”
“It’s just what it is but we’re as close as ever, and close more than ever before.
“You can see that on the field. The energy and mentality in camp is excellent in the last days and we are ready to go for it tomorrow.”
Some of the comments frustrated Bellingham made after the Norway win appeared to relate to Tuchel’s playing career.
In a reference to the searing heat and humidity during the match against Norway, the 23-year-old said: “Maybe he doesn’t know what it’s like to play in those kind of conditions."
Tuchel freely admitted he had a “mediocre career at best” but does not feel it has impacted his ability to coach.
“I would still like to have a player’s career, that was my dream,” he said.
“I never thought about being a coach, never dreamt about being a coach on that kind of level, so I think this is basically the dream.
"I just feel also on the sideline very humbled, and from time to time it just strikes me on the sideline right before the match ‘I couldn’t play here on this occasion’
“I don’t think that you have to play (to be a coach). A funny quote, you don’t have to be a horse to be a good jockey!’”