Trump blames Tuchel over England’s World Cup tactics

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has joined the chorus of critics analyzing England's World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina, specifically targeting the team's defensive strategy.

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You have a great player in England, who I played golf with, Harry. They perhaps made a mistake when they made him a defensive player.

Speaking at a reception in New York alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino, Trump questioned the decision to adopt defensive tactics after England had taken the lead. He recalled a past golf game with England captain Harry Kane, remarking, "You have a great player in England, who I played golf with, Harry. They perhaps made a mistake when they made him a defensive player."

Trump elaborated on his critique, stating, "They took the lead and they took their best player and they put him on defence. We got to be a little offensive, right?" He admitted his limited knowledge of soccer, adding, "What do I know about coaching?"

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They took the lead and they took their best player and they put him on defence. We got to be a little offensive, right?

England's coach, Thomas Tuchel, faced heavy criticism for substituting two forwards and bringing on defenders in the final half-hour of the match against Argentina. This tactical shift led to England playing more defensively, allowing Lionel Messi to exploit the space and provide assists for Argentina's two goals, securing their place in the final.

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What do I know about soccer? What do I know about coaching?

Tuchel, however, stood by his decisions on Friday, explaining his reasoning. "No I don’t regret my decision. I thought we had become too passive," Tuchel said. "I was trying to help the team."

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No I don’t regret my decision. I thought we had become too passive. I was trying to help the team.