German coach Thomas Tuchel is already looking ahead to Euro 2028, to be held on home soil in England, after the bitter World Cup exit. But will he have to regain the trust of his players?

England's manager faced sharp criticism for his defensive substitutions in the 2-1 loss to Argentina in the semi-final on Wednesday in Atlanta, as he was accused of relinquishing the initiative to Lionel Messi's team.

Anthony Gordon put England on course for their first World Cup final since 1966, but two late goals from Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez turned the result in a dramatic finale.

Tuchel, the German hired to make bold and decisive decisions in the biggest moments, failed his toughest test as his team collapsed under intense Argentine pressure.

Defender Marc Guehi suggested England should have maintained their attacking approach against the defending champions, saying: 'We should have continued, we should have kept pressing. It felt like we scored and then the mindset became to drop back and defend.'

Captain Harry Kane also questioned the team's style but refused to blame Tuchel for the match management.

Former players and analysts were more blunt, expressing widespread astonishment at his tactical choices.

Former England captain Wayne Rooney told the BBC that the 'Three Lions' were 'too negative,' while ex-England international Chris Sutton described what happened as a 'coaching disaster.'

Sutton added: 'He was negative, so the question I would ask is: how can you trust Thomas Tuchel to lead this team forward?'

Despite the manner of the defeat, indications show that Tuchel still has the support of the English Football Association, which appointed him in October 2024 to succeed Gareth Southgate.

FA Chief Executive Mark Bullingham said: 'To be that close is heartbreaking.'

He added: 'The players and Thomas gave everything today, and the squad, coaches, and support staff could not have worked harder throughout the tournament.'

He continued: 'I want to thank them all, and I extend my sincere thanks to our wonderful fans here in the United States and back home.'

Tuchel (52), known for his frankness and strong personality, was hired as a tactical visionary capable of giving England what they lacked to cross the line for a major title, after a series of painful failures under Southgate.

But the 2026 tournament ended in a familiar and sad fashion.

Tuchel's initial contract ran until the end of the 2026 World Cup, but he later signed a new contract keeping him in charge until the Euro 2028 finals, which will be held in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

The former manager of Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich is already looking to the future, though England still have to play the third-place match against France in Miami on Saturday.

He said: 'There is still a game we have to play, a game we are not looking forward to much, but it's still there.'

He added: 'After that, of course, we will continue working. I have a contract through the European Championship on home soil, and I look forward to that, although it's hard to think that far ahead right now.'

England's camp during the World Cup was largely positive, with the atmosphere highlighted after Tuchel celebrated by dancing with his players following the thrilling 3-2 win over Mexico in Mexico City.

But the tournament ends disappointingly, and Tuchel must address pressing questions, including defensive problems and over-reliance on striker Harry Kane, who will turn 33 later this month.

He also needs to convince his players and the entire nation that he will make the right decisions in future crucial moments.