THOMAS TUCHEL has claimed that England lacked "hunger" and "identity" at the European Championship last summer.

The Three Lions reached the Euro 2024 final in July but failed to impress performance-wise throughout the tournament, leaving many fans disappointed.

2

2

Gareth Southgate stepped down as manager in the days that followed, putting an end to his eight-year spell at the helm.

The 54-year-old was eventually replaced by Tuchel in October, although the German did not officially start his new role until January.

Now, ahead of his first match in charge, Tuchel has given his damning verdict on England's recent form.

Asked by if England had a clear playing style during Euro 2024 last summer, the former Chelsea boss responded: "Not last summer, no."

READ MORE ON ENGLAND

CHOU ABOUT IT

Ex-England U21 star, 27, shares video of hero's welcome for Bangladesh debut

DOUBLE

Win a Lamborghini and a VW Campervan or £175,000 cash from just 42p with our code

Probed on what was lacking, he continued: "The identity, the clarity, the rhythm, the repetition of patterns.

"The freedom of player, the expression of player, the hunger.

"They were more afraid to drop out of the tournament, in my observation, than having the excitement and hunger to win."

Tuchel was then asked what the missing piece was, to which he responded: "Excitement.

Most read in Football

ACE WOE

Everton post statement as Calvert-Lewin's wife subjected to 'threatening' abuse

FEELING BLUE

Tom Brady's Birmingham release 15 players including former Premier League star

EVR'S PAIN

Man Utd legend Patrice Evra's sister dies aged 56 after 20-year cancer battle

MOVED ON

Six-cap England ace made unemployed at 33 after playing 11 minutes in 4 months

CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS

"The view that people feel that the team's to beat. That we arrive with a group to beat.

"That we know already when we arrive, once we qualified, everyone knows this is the team to beat."

Tuchel faces his first test with England on Friday.

The Three Lions kick off their World Cup qualifying campaign against Albania at Wembley Stadium.

They then host Latvia on Monday.

Southgate vs Tuchel records compared

THOMAS TUCHEL

Augsburg II 2007-2008

P34 W 20 D8 L6 Win percentage: 58.82%

Mainz 05 2009-2014

P184 W72 D46 L66 Win percentage: 39.13%

Borussia Dortmund 2015-2017

P107 W67 D23 L17 Win percentage: 62.62%

Honours: DFB Pokal

Paris Saint Germain 2018-2020

P127 W95 D13 L16 Win percentage: 74.8%

Honours: Ligue 1 X2, Coupe de France, Coupe de la Ligue, Trophee des Champions x2

Chelsea 2021-2022

P100 W60 D24 L16 Win percentage: 60%

Honours: Champions League, Super Cup, Club World Cup

Bayern Munich 2023-2024

P61 W37 D8 L16 Win percentage: 60.66%

Honours: Bundesliga

GARETH SOUTHGATE

Middlesbrough 2006-2009

P151 W54 D43 Win percentage: 35.76%

England U21 2013-2016

P37 W27 D5 L5 Win percentage: 72.97%

Honours: Toulon tournament

England 2016-2024

P102 W61 D24 L17 Win percentage: 59.8%

Honours: Euros runners up, 2020, 2024

The human tuch

ENGLAND'S new boss Thomas Tuchel has announced his first squad - to mixed reaction.

Tuchel, 51, made a couple of curve-ball selections, including a recall for Jordan Henderson that has sparked fan outrage.

Dave Kidd explains why Henderson's return signposts how Tuchel plans to win the World Cup.

And we have a go at working at how his England XI could line up against Albania at Wembley.