He Played Under Him in Germany. Miroslav Karhan: Tuchel? He Undid What Was Working!

Former Slovak international Miroslav Karhan offered his insights on Wednesday's blockbuster match for ŠPORT.sk. Karhan personally experienced Thomas Tuchel's successful tenure at German club 1. FSV Mainz 05. In this interview, he discusses his perspective on the British media's criticism, what goes through Tuchel's mind after such setbacks, and whether the German strategist can withstand immense public pressure.

British media are fiercely criticizing Thomas Tuchel after the match, labeling his tactics as cowardly. England switched to a five-man defense late in the game, completely retreated, and ultimately missed out on the final. What was your take on it?

"He wanted to solidify the defense at the end, essentially dismantling what had been working or was quite good on the field until then. I believe these substitutions gave Argentina a chance."

Did Argentina have an easier time in the closing stages, sensing that their opponent had dropped into a deep block?

"It's not a game of 'what ifs.' It's hard to say what would have happened if the team had played differently or if the coach hadn't made such significant changes. On the other hand, it's true that when you're winning important matches, you subconsciously retreat. I don't think Tuchel's intention was to put all ten players in front of the box and just defend. However, the fact remains that the English then couldn't hold onto the ball upfield, didn't create any counter-attacking opportunities, and Argentina kept delivering cross after cross."

England was extremely passive at the end; players weren't pressing and essentially just waited in the penalty area. This culminated in one of the smallest players on the field (Lautaro Martínez) scoring a header to decide the game.

"The English couldn't keep possession, and all ten players were packed into the box. Despite this congested block, Argentina still managed to create chances from crosses. On that second goal, even though England's tallest defender was in front of him, he couldn't reach the ball, and it landed perfectly on Martínez's head."

You experienced Thomas Tuchel at Mainz when he was just starting in men's football. Do you recall him ever succumbing to pressure and trying to 'park the bus' to secure a result like that?

"I don't remember such a situation ever happening at Mainz when I was there. But that was several years ago now. A team always tends to drop back automatically towards the end of a match, and often it's not even a direct instruction from the coach. The team chasing a deficit always puts in more effort. They increase their intensity, and the leading team just tries to defend. Essentially, you're just happy to clear the ball out of your box."

Tuchel is known as a great perfectionist with a complex personality. How does he react in the dressing room after such huge disappointments?

"Immediately after a match, he rarely came straight into the dressing room. He would first go to his coaching office to cool down. Therefore, nothing was ever discussed in the dressing room right after the game; he always tried to analyze it on the second or third day."

Is he the type of coach who stands by his players after a mistake, or can he be merciless in his criticism?

"It's hard for me to judge that broadly. When he was at Mainz, he was just starting in men's football; he was a complete newcomer then. At that time, he tried to support the players, never publicly criticizing anyone. However, many years have passed since then, and he's been with big clubs, so I can't say for sure how he reacts to such situations today."

The English Football Association (FA) has expressed confidence in him and wants him to stay with the team until Euro 2028. However, the public and British media are merciless. Can Thomas Tuchel withstand this immense pressure?

"I think he can handle it. If we look at the entire tournament, the English played quite well and reached the World Cup semi-finals, which is an achievement. It will, of course, be incredibly difficult for him. England is a huge footballing nation, with a vast number of experts, probably like everywhere else in the world."

And he's also German on the England bench, which the tabloid media love to point out...

"Yes, he's German on top of that, that's true (laughs). But I think if they analyze the whole situation coolly, he'll hold onto his position."

England now only has the bronze medal match against France. How challenging will it be for him to motivate a devastated dressing room?

"Both teams will find it difficult to find motivation for the third-place match, as the French also wanted to play in the final. We'll see who is ultimately more motivated and who wants to fight for a medal more."