SMELLS LIKE TEAM SPIRIT

Tuchel's determination to create a club atmosphere in England camp already breeding confidence for World Cup

- BY JOHN CROSS

THOMAS TUCHEL recalls watching the 2006 World Cup with a smile.

The tournament was held in his native Germany at the time when Tuchel was doing his coaching badges and studying teams, tactics and matches.

Following England's Golden Generation, and the showbiz soap opera in Baden-Baden, probably helped shape his management philosophy and why he wants to do things differently next summer.

"I was maybe more focused on the football, but we realised there was a bit of a circus going on," recalled England boss Tuchel.

He is all about the team and building a club atmosphere within the England dressing room, which previous managers have always promised but then struggled to create.

That is why this feels different for England.

Tuchel is trying a different approach and he is willing to sacrifice the big names for team spirit.

This is not necessarily about Jude Bellingham or even Phil Foden.

It is about forging a togetherness and unity, which you need to win a World Cup.

The best teams have it. Spain had it at last year's Euros. Argentina fed off a siege mentality in 2022.