Harry Kane backs Thomas Tuchel to stay on as England boss after World Cup heartbreak

England’s World Cup campaign ended in heartbreak on Wednesday night, but captain Harry Kane has rallied behind Thomas Tuchel as the Three Lions look to regroup after their agonising defeat to Argentina in Atlanta.

Kane, who has been at the forefront of England’s best tournament finish in 60 years, admitted the team will need time to process the pain of falling just short in the final. Yet, with a bronze-medal victory over France on Saturday, he insists the squad remains united behind their manager, despite mounting criticism of his tactical choices in the dying stages of the Argentina game.

England’s near-miss and the road to redemption

The match in Atlanta saw England take the lead through Anthony Gordon after 55 minutes, only for Argentina to score twice in the final 10 minutes and claim a 2-1 win. The defeat ended England’s hopes of a first men’s World Cup final since 1966, a milestone that had galvanised the nation.

Kane, speaking after the bronze-medal match in Miami, acknowledged the emotional toll of the near-miss. “Of course we’re still feeling it from the other night, the emotion and the what ifs,” he said. “That will be with us for a while now. We’re still in that grieving stage, the emotional stage, and we’ll be in that for the next few weeks.”

The captain’s words underscore the scale of the disappointment, but they also reflect the pride in reaching a World Cup semi-final and then a third-place play-off. England’s 6-4 victory over France, though not enough to erase the memory of the final, provided a fleeting moment of relief amid the disappointment.

Tuchel under fire but backed by Kane

Tuchel’s decision to make defensive substitutions late in the Argentina game has been widely scrutinised, with even former US President Donald Trump questioning his approach. The criticism centres on the substitutions made in the final half-hour, which left England exposed to relentless pressure from Argentina.

Kane, however, defended Tuchel, emphasising the manager’s role in instilling belief across the squad and the country. “It’s our highest finish in 60 years,” Kane said. “The enthusiasm he has, the emotion he brings, the tactical experience he has. It doesn’t mean you’re going to get it right every time.”

Kane’s endorsement carries weight, given his own pivotal role in England’s campaign. He also revealed a personal connection to Trump, having played a round of golf with the former president in Florida around 18 months ago, though he stopped short of commenting on the political figure’s public remarks about Tuchel.

What comes next for England and Tuchel

The defeat to Argentina has left England at a crossroads, with Tuchel’s future under review. Kane suggested that decisions about the manager’s future would not be made in haste, stating that discussions would take place in the next camp to assess how the team can improve.

“He has to process it himself,” Kane said. “It won’t be until the next camp where you think about what the future holds and what the next target is. We’ll have conversations as captain and manager and with other team-mates and staff, to see where we can be better.”

The England captain’s measured response contrasts with the immediate backlash Tuchel has faced, but it also signals a period of reflection for the squad. With the World Cup cycle reset, the focus now turns to how England can build on this campaign and address the tactical and psychological gaps exposed in Atlanta.

For now, Tuchel retains the backing of his players, even as the wounds of defeat linger. The challenge ahead will be to translate that support into tangible progress, ensuring that England’s next chapter is defined by resilience rather than regret.