German coach Thomas Tuchel is already looking ahead to Euro 2028, which will be held on home soil for his England team, following a bitter World Cup exit. But will he need to regain his players' trust?

England's coach faced heavy 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 surrendering 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 Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez turned the game around in a dramatic finish.

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

Defender Marc Guehi hinted that England should have maintained their attacking approach against the defending champions, saying: 'We should have kept going, we should have kept pressing. It felt like after we scored, the mentality became to drop back and defend.'

Captain Harry Kane also questioned his team's style but refused to blame Tuchel for the game 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 will ask is: how can Thomas Tuchel be trusted to lead this team forward?'

Despite the manner of defeat, indications suggest 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 this close is heartbreaking.'

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

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

Tactical acumen

Tuchel (52), known for his bluntness and strong personality, was hired as a distinctive tactical visionary capable of giving England the edge to cross the line for a major title, after a string of painful failures under Southgate. But the 2026 tournament ended in a familiar and sad manner.

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

The former coach of Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich is already looking to the future, although 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 is still there.'

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

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

But the tournament ends in disappointment, 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 country that he will make the right decisions in the crucial moments to come.