Thomas Tuchel fires dig at Gareth Southgate hours before England debut and it's got fans talking

Fans think England head coach Thomas Tuchel has aimed a ‘dig’ at former Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate.

Tuchel, 51, was appointed as England boss in October but did not officially undertake his new role until the start of this year.

On Friday, he will oversee his first game in charge of the side, who will face Albania at Wembley on Friday in match one of the ten World Cup qualifiers ahead of the 2026 tournament.

The Three Lions will return to the national stadium on Monday when they face Latvia. Tuchel’s main, and arguably only, objective is to win the World Cup, which will take place between June and July next year - something no England manager has done since Sir Alf Ramsey led Bobby Moore and co to the title against West Germany in 1966.

Since then, the furthest England have gotten in World Cup finals is the last four stage – in 1990 and 2018 – under the tutelage of Sir Bobby Robson and Southgate. And fans think Tuchel aimed a dig at his predecessor in a recent interview.

“They were more afraid to drop out of the tournament than having the excitement and hunger to win it,” Tuchel told ITV when speaking about last summer’s Euros, during which England lost 2-1 in the final against Spain.

He then added how the missing piece was "excitement".

"They were more afraid to drop out of the tournament than having the excitement and hunger to win it" 👀

Thomas Tuchel reflects on England's Euro2024 campaign 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿#ITVFootball | #ThreeLions | @England | @GabrielClarke05 pic.twitter.com/ozsZzIpzvy

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) March 20, 2025

Fans were quick to have their say on social media.

One said: "Man s****** on Southgate and his playing style - I’m here for it. I’m with Tuchel."

Another added: "Go on Tuchel, Southgate was a terrible manager that won nothing and then got a knighthood for losing."

Tuchel then clarified his comments in a press conference on Thursday afternoon.

"It was just my feeling," said Tuchel. "I think it was a pretty clear statement. I don't know how to put it in other words. I think it has to be the other way around. I want us to play with hunger, desire to win and a joy to win.

"An acceptance of failure is a part of it especially in football. We want to implement togetherness and joy and everyone feels safe to express themselves and give their very best.

"To play with a hunger and joy to win, and not the fear of losing. Anything can happen in football, we know this, but the focus is on winning."