Thomas Tuchel, the German coach of the English national team, has come under fire from the British press due to his defensive tactical approach during the loss to Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final, as his criticism of the 'Three Lions' being 'too negative' after taking the lead did not, in his view, help his case.

Tuchel's cautious changes restricted England's performance and wasted a historic chance to reach its first World Cup final since winning the 1966 edition, after it squandered a one-goal lead and conceded two goals in the final minutes, losing 1-2 to Argentina on Wednesday.

The British newspaper The Sun summarized fans' frustration and finger-pointing at coach Tuchel with two bold headlines: 'Has He Lost His Touch (Tuch)?' and 'Thomas Blew It.'

The sharp criticism focused on Tuchel's decision to bring on Dan Burn and Ezri Konsa to form a five-man defense, a losing bet to hold out against Argentina after England took the lead through striker Anthony Gordon early in the second half in Atlanta.

England players Nico O'Reilly and Dan Burn stand on the touchline as coach Thomas Tuchel gives instructions during the match against Argentina (AFP).

English fans felt a sense of déjà vu, repeating the scenario of squandering a clean-sheet lead, as happened against Croatia in the 2018 World Cup semi-final and against Italy in the Euro 2020 final held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Daily Mail directed sharp criticism at Tuchel, stating that although he was hired to address the tactical problems the team suffered under his predecessor Gareth Southgate, the German coach himself showed a strong tendency to be cautious when the stakes were high.

The paper added: 'Thomas Tuchel's changes caused England to lose the match against Argentina, with a lack of ideas on a team that seemed doomed from that moment. It was a return to the bad habits for which Gareth Southgate was criticized.'

For his part, opinion writer Martin Samuel of The Times believed that Tuchel was not much different from a number of previous England managers who failed, as his performance was characterized by excessive caution.

He wrote: 'The England manager was supposed to address the team's fears, but he adopted the realism that has become a hallmark of managers.'

He added: 'The Argentines sing: (Anyone who doesn't jump is English), and anyone who knows how to maintain a lead in a World Cup semi-final is certainly not English.'

He continued: 'The disease remains, and it is as contagious as ever. With a different group of players and a prestigious new coach, but the frustrating result repeated itself.'

Tuchel's own words were used against him, as he said England were afraid during the defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final, Southgate's last match.

Samuel continued: 'Tuchel said in March that the England team is, in my estimation, more afraid of leaving the tournament empty-handed than they are excited and eager to win it. It seems coaching national teams is not as easy as it might seem.'

Despite the failure, British media confirmed that the 52-year-old coach, who previously coached Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, is likely to avoid the sack, as his contract runs until Euro 2028.

The Mirror headlined: 'Thomas Tuchel Will Remain England Manager Despite (Cowardly) Defeat,' using the word used by former Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas, winner of the 2010 World Cup, to describe the coach's plan.

The Spanish goalkeeping legend posted on X: 'They (the English) score the goal and then drop back. It's a cowardly approach.'