Tuchel finds extra gears by liberating imperfect England

Head coach smartly accepts the limitations of his role but is driving his team's momentum and confidence

- David Hytner

Right now, I could say that everything played out perfectly," Thomas Tuchel says, as he reflects on having led England through qualifying to the World Cup finals tournament: phase one of the mission complete.

It does not feel incongruous for the head coach to talk about perfection - partly because he is constantly chasing it and also because, well, the results have been perfect.

When Tuchel's team defeated Albania 2-0 in Tirana on Sunday, it meant they topped their group with eight wins out of eight and with eight clean sheets. The only thing is that Tuchel knows perfection is unattainable - particularly in international football.

There have been many lessons for the German as he has lived his managerial crash course at this level, having officially started the job - his first in charge of a national team - in January. But perhaps the one that has guided him, certainly this season, is that he must not obsess over every tiny detail being just right; his gameplan cannot be a complex and beautiful mosaic.

Compromises must be made. Call them shortcuts; more attainable wins in the time available. They include smartness on set pieces, the nurturing of an all-for-one spirit, a ferocious desire to run and work. Tuchel's assistant, Anthony Barry, made the point this month that "in international football, you will never create a team that can play the way the Barcelona of old did or the recent Manchester City". Tuchel has warmed strongly to the theme.

"I have to accept and we have to accept as a staff that not everything can be perfect," he says. "Because we have sometimes only one and a half training sessions to prepare matches. The players have to accept it, too. The level of detail cannot always be right.