‘It’s harsh’ – Roy Keane calls out Thomas Tuchel just minutes into ITV coverage of his first England game
ROY KEANE has called out Thomas Tuchel for his brutal verdict on Gareth Southgate’s England at Euro 2024.
Just minutes before Tuchel took charge for the first time on Friday night, ITV pundit Keane suggested the German had gone too far.
The new Three Lions’ boss brought back Marcus Rashford in the World Cup qualifier against Albania at Wembley.
Myles Lewis-Skelly and Dan Burn made their debuts, with Liverpool’s Curtis Jones also starting.
The intriguing new look follows Tuchel claiming Southgate’s men lacked “hunger” and “excitement” last summer – despite reaching their second Euros final in a row.
Manchester United legend Keane appears to believe the ex-Chelsea chief had a point – but might have gone over the top.
The former midfield hardman said: “It seems a bit harsh on Gareth – but I know where he’s coming from.”
Southgate stepped down shortly after a 2-1 defeat against Spain in the Euro 2024 final and three years after losing to Italy at the same stage following a shootout.
Tuchel, who officially replaced the Englishman in October, had no qualms this week in delivering a ruthless assessment on the Three Lions’ performances in Germany last summer.
Questioned by ITV about what the Three Lions had lacked in the last Euros, he replied: “The identity, the clarity, the rhythm, the repetition of patterns.
BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS
England ratings vs Albania as Lewis-Skelly enjoys dream debut but Tuchel fails to solve Foden issue
By Tom Barclay
MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY made history and Harry Kane extended his own record-breaking as England sunk Albania in Thomas Tuchel’s first game.
Lewis-Skelly became the youngest player to score on his Three Lions debut and top goal-getter Kane notched his 70th international strike as Tuchel began his World Cup qualifying campaign with a modest 2-0 win.
New boy Dan Burn partnered Ezri Konsa in central defence at Wembley, while Marcus Rashford and Curtis Jones were also handed starts.
Meanwhile, Tuchel wrestled with the same issue faced by predecessor Sir Gareth Southgate – deciding where to fit in Phil Foden.
Left-back Lewis-Skelly, 18, slotted home on 20 minutes following a delightful turn and even better pass from Jude Bellingham.
But England stuttered after the break – until skipper Kane classily took down a Declan Rice pass and curved home the clincher.
Here’s how SunSport’s Tom Barclay rated the Three Lions in German manager Tuchel’s opening match…
“The freedom of player, the expression of player, the hunger.
“They were more afraid to drop out of the tournament, in my observation, than having the excitement and hunger to win.”
And asked what England had most needed, he said: “Excitement.
“The view that people feel that the team’s to beat. That we arrive with a group to beat.
“That we know already when we arrive, once we qualified, everyone knows this is the team to beat.”