Shearer defends Tuchel’s tenure despite England’s World Cup semi-final exit
Alan Shearer acknowledges Thomas Tuchel failed to win the 2026 tournament but insists the squad requires structural changes rather than a managerial overhaul.
Former England captain Alan Shearer has publicly backed Thomas Tuchel to retain his position as manager, despite the team’s 2-1 semi-final defeat to Argentina at the 2026 World Cup. Speaking to BBC Sport, Shearer acknowledged that Tuchel failed to deliver on the explicit promise of winning the tournament, a mandate he accepted when appointed in January 2025. However, the former striker argued that the manager’s time is not up, pointing to the two-year contract extension signed in February that secures Tuchel’s tenure through the 2028 European Championship.
Shearer was critical of Tuchel’s tactical approach during the match in Atlanta, specifically the decision to adopt a defensive posture early in the second half. He argued that this shift allowed Lionel Messi, the tournament’s leading scorer with eight goals, to influence the game and cause significant damage. Shearer noted that while Tuchel claimed he had no regrets immediately after the loss, such raw post-match comments should not be overinterpreted, suggesting a more measured reflection would occur in the coming weeks.
Despite the disappointment of the exit, Shearer highlighted the team’s resilience, particularly citing the last-16 victory over Mexico at the Azteca Stadium. He described that performance as the best he had witnessed from an England side in his lifetime, praising the togetherness and spirit displayed by the players. He maintained that the squad can be proud of their efforts in navigating tough situations, even if they ultimately fell short of the final.
Looking ahead to the Euro 2028 qualifiers, Shearer called for significant squad restructuring, predicting three or four changes to the current group. He identified a lack of balance as a key issue, specifically highlighting the centre-forward position as Harry Kane approaches his 33rd birthday. Shearer questioned the availability of suitable replacements for the captain, noting that the current pool of strikers may not meet the demands of future major tournaments.
England is now set to compete in the third-place play-off, a fixture Shearer dismissed as a "nonsense". He predicted that the team will finish the tournament with a sense of frustration, a familiar sentiment following previous major campaign exits. However, he expressed hope for the future, noting that the 2028 Euros will be co-hosted in England, offering a fresh opportunity to build on the progress made under Tuchel.
