Tuchel Critiques Wembley Atmosphere Following England's Victory
Thomas Tuchel, the England manager, has stirred conversation once again following his remarks in a recent interview, just 10 months into his role.
Following England's 3-0 friendly victory over Wales at Wembley, attended by 78,126 spectators, Tuchel expressed his love for English football and its fans but noted that the atmosphere did not reflect the team's performance on the pitch. "We had excellent support in Serbia, but here we were 3-0 up after 20 minutes, consistently winning the ball, and I felt like, why is the roof still on the stadium?" he remarked. "It’s nothing major, but tonight I was a little underwhelmed."
He conveyed to ITV that it was "quite sad" as, for a significant portion of the match, it seemed only the Welsh fans were audible.
Some fans resorted to throwing paper airplanes onto the pitch, a behavior that has become common when England supporters feel disengaged.
The BBC Sport team is analyzing Tuchel's comments, exploring whether he had a valid point, and reflecting on what previous managers have said regarding the atmosphere at Wembley.
Previous Managers' Perspectives
This is not the first instance of an England manager commenting on the subdued atmosphere at Wembley. Every permanent England manager since 2008, who has overseen multiple matches, has touched on this issue, although none have been as vocal as Tuchel.
In 2008, Italian coach Fabio Capello stated, "I prefer playing away from home. Sometimes, when we play at Wembley, the crowd whistles at the first mistake. I believe players perform better away from home, where they feel more confident."
Roy Hodgson commented on low attendance figures in 2014 after only 40,181 attended a match against Norway, stating, "We’ll find it hard to bring attendance back because the opponents we’re playing won’t excite the public."
Gareth Southgate also addressed the paper airplane phenomenon after a friendly against Brazil in March 2024, saying, "I noticed a couple of those after about 10 minutes. We’ve encountered that throughout. I don’t believe it always reflects the game. People can do as they wish with their paper planes." He added that during the game, the national anthem was sung, indicating that fans were engaged.
Tuchel's Direct Approach
Tuchel is known for his straightforward and sometimes confrontational remarks. In August, he apologized for calling midfielder Jude Bellingham's behavior "repulsive," explaining that he used the term "unintentionally." Throughout his managerial career at clubs like Mainz, Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich, Tuchel has garnered both allies and adversaries.
Some speculate that his directness may stem from cultural differences between German and English communication styles. German journalist Constantin Eckner argues that Tuchel's approach is more about his personality than his nationality. "He is very direct, brutally honest, and can be irritated by certain situations. He rarely holds back, reminiscent of José Mourinho, who also speaks candidly during press conferences and interviews," Eckner noted.
Eckner suggests that Tuchel's perspective may also be influenced by his previous experiences in club football, as this is his first international role. He might not yet be accustomed to the more reserved atmosphere that can occur during international matches, contrasting with the vibrant crowds he experienced as a club manager.
Addressing the Atmosphere Issue
Tuchel's comments about the "silent" atmosphere at Wembley have ignited discussions on how to enhance the atmosphere during England matches. Observations from the recent match revealed that many seats remained empty at the start of the second half, and it took time for them to be filled.
The atmosphere at Wembley can often feel subdued, and the ongoing trend of paper airplane throwing has frustrated previous managers like Southgate. The crowd at Wembley is often a mix of different attendees, including the 'Club Wembley' hospitality contingent, which can contribute to the less lively environment.
The England Supporters Travel Club has been proactive in seeking ways to improve the atmosphere at home matches, recently soliciting suggestions from members on enhancing the visual and vocal experience. Tuchel acknowledged that this issue is not present during away matches, praising the support in Belgrade last month. It appears to be a specific challenge at the national stadium.
While Wembley can indeed be vibrant—such as during the Euros in 2021—Tuchel's observations highlight a recurring concern among England managers.
The Impact of Competitive Stakes
The introduction of the Nations League has resulted in fewer friendlies that lack significant stakes. Since 2020, England has played approximately two friendlies per year, including matches against Senegal and Wales this year. Despite most games being competitive, many still lack a sense of urgency.
Since failing to qualify for Euro 2008 under Steve McClaren, England has lost only two of their 79 World Cup or Euros qualifiers, typically securing qualification well in advance. Although England has reached the Nations League finals and experienced relegation and promotion, the tournament has yet to capture the public's imagination.
Wembley crowds have witnessed only one competitive defeat since 2018, a 2-1 loss to Greece in the Nations League last year under Lee Carsley. In this year's World Cup qualifiers, England has won all five matches, currently leading by seven points over second-placed Albania.
Former England captain Wayne Rooney recently remarked on his BBC podcast, The Wayne Rooney Show, that many of these matches feel like "nonsense," as the outcomes often seem predetermined.