Thomas Tuchel directly explained the reason for leaving Jude Bellingham on the bench

Coach Thomas Tuchel confirmed that Jude Bellingham being on the bench against Serbia was a tactical decision, emphasizing that players must accept competition and always prioritize the team's interests above all.

England head coach Thomas Tuchel shared notable insights about managing personnel, fostering healthy competition, and maintaining team unity after deciding to bench Jude Bellingham in the victory over Serbia at Wembley.

According to the German strategist, it is completely normal for star players to feel unhappy when not starting, and he even hopes they “feel angry” if left out of the starting lineup. However, Tuchel stressed that a supportive spirit towards the team is the key factor that builds winning squads.

“You may be angry at the coach, upset about the situation, but if you look at championship-winning teams or clubs lifting the Champions League trophy, you will see the bench burning with passion in the final minutes; no one sits there thinking: ‘I should be on the field, why am I not playing?’ Everyone stands up and cheers. That spirit makes all the difference,” Tuchel said.

Tuchel confirmed that Bellingham did not react negatively when informed he would not start against Serbia. He had a private conversation with the Real Madrid midfielder before the team meeting and received full agreement. When brought on in the second half, Bellingham immediately showed his usual energy and quality, helping England maintain dominance.

According to Tuchel, the decision to bench Bellingham partly stemmed from the impressive form of Morgan Rogers, who had performed outstandingly in the last three matches.

“He came on and played very well, with strong energy and clear attacking qualities. Part of the reason is that we wanted to keep Morgan in his position after his excellent performances, and we also believed Jude could make a significant impact in the second half,” Tuchel added.

Although he must compete fiercely to regain his starting spot, Bellingham has a chance to start in the match against Albania, England’s final game in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The Three Lions have already secured their place in the USA, but Tuchel affirmed that competition will remain intense to keep the entire squad motivated.

“No one likes sitting on the bench. That’s normal in a strong team, but it is the spirit of unity and readiness to fight from every position, including those not selected, that is the key to winning,” Tuchel concluded.

With a clear message and a firm yet gentle approach, Tuchel shows he is building England as a united team where even big stars like Bellingham must compete fairly for their place.

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