Thomas Tuchel sparked controversy by criticizing the England fans for being silent at Wembley, despite the “Three Lions” securing a dominant 3-0 victory over Wales in a friendly match.
Right after England’s impressive 3-0 win against Wales at Wembley, coach Thomas Tuchel suddenly became the center of debate by openly criticizing his own team's supporters.
In a post-match statement, Tuchel candidly said: “We played very well, especially in the first half. The score could have easily been 4 or 5-0. But what disappointed me was the silence in the stadium. I didn’t hear any cheers from the England fans, only the loud support from the Welsh supporters. We did everything to win, and the team deserved much more backing.”
Tuchel emphasized that he wanted to see “more energy from the stands,” believing that cheering is a crucial part of inspiring the players on the field. However, these complaints immediately triggered strong backlash from England’s own fans.
The seemingly easy friendly for the “Three Lions” took place in a relaxed atmosphere. Within the first 20 minutes, Tuchel’s squad completely dominated the opponent and quickly led 3-0 thanks to goals from Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins, and Bukayo Saka. However, instead of enjoying the victory, the German coach appeared dissatisfied with the quietness of the Wembley crowd.
On social media, numerous fans expressed disagreement with Tuchel’s comments. One wrote: “It’s not right for him to criticize the Wembley crowd. This was a friendly match, against a weaker team, and the score was settled by the 20th minute. Many fans were first-timers at the stadium, including kids and families, so you can’t expect them to cheer loudly throughout the entire game.”
Another person sarcastically commented: “Tuchel criticizes the fans right at Wembley, that’s definitely going to make him more popular.”
Another account observed: “Tuchel might be somewhat right, but this isn’t the way to win over England’s fans. He should understand that football culture here is unique, and the crowd isn’t always as lively as in Germany.”
Despite mixed reactions, it’s undeniable that England’s team under Tuchel is performing well. After initial challenges, the “Three Lions” are gradually shaping a solid, effective style marked by the tactical identity of the German coach.
However, this statement might negatively affect Tuchel’s image among fans, especially as he is still building trust with the team.
The win over Wales is a positive result, but instead of creating a celebratory atmosphere, the dispute between Tuchel and England’s fans could become a hot topic in the media in the coming days.