Tuchel is well known for being direct and sometimes confrontational in his quotes.
In August he apologised for describing midfielder Jude Bellingham’s on-field behaviour as “repulsive”, saying he used the word “unintentionally”.
Tuchel has made friends and enemies at many of the previous clubs he has managed: Mainz, Borussia Dortmund, Paris St-Germain, Chelsea and Bayern Munich.
Is this a cultural thing – and Germans are more direct than English fans are used to – or just a Tuchel thing?
German journalist Constantin Eckner believes it is the latter.
“That has nothing to do with Tuchel being German,” he said.
“That’s just how Tuchel thinks and acts. He is very direct, blatantly honest and can be annoyed by certain things.
“He rarely holds back, and is in a sense the new Jose Mourinho, who similarly speaks his mind during press conferences and post-game interviews.”
Eckner says some of this comes from Tuchel being used to club football. This is his first international job, starting it at the beginning of 2025.
“It certainly is a deviation from the way Gareth Southgate behaved during his tenure,” the journalist said.
“Also, I think Tuchel is not yet used to home crowds being that reserved, which can happen at international games.
“During his time as a club manager, the home fans were usually buzzing. Even Mainz had a great home game atmosphere.”
After the quotes on Bellingham which were heavily critised, Tuchel said: “I thought I had a little more credit with you guys [media] that I do all this in my second language.”
But this instance is not a case of using the wrong word.
Eckner said: “In a way, people have to live with Tuchel being this direct. His command of the English language is very good.”
