Following a heartbreaking defeat, England manager Thomas Tuchel expressed no regrets about his approach. In his inaugural World Cup, Tuchel led England to the semifinals but fell short of reaching the final.

During Wednesday’s match against Argentina, England took the lead in the 55th minute but ultimately succumbed to a stunning comeback orchestrated by two assists from Lionel Messi. In hindsight, some analysts criticized Tuchel for adopting a conservative strategy to preserve the lead instead of trying to extend it.

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Addressing reporters after the match, Tuchel admitted he felt “disappointed” by the loss, acknowledging that the team “got too passive” before conceding two goals within seven minutes. However, he reiterated that despite coming “so close,” he would not alter his game plan.

“In the moment, no regrets. The team gave everything and we were very, very close,” he stated, via BBC. “We deserved to be up one-nil, played one of our better matches, maybe the best match in the circumstances. Team was top, we couldn’t bring it over the line.”

Tuchel countered a question regarding whether the team fell short of expectations. He emphasized the need to “digest” the loss but highlighted the pride in England’s journey to the semifinals, which included challenges such as playing at altitude in Mexico City and an extra-time victory in the intense Miami heat.

“We played in altitude, we played with 10 men, we played the hottest game of the tournament. We gave everything, and it wasn’t enough today,” Tuchel remarked, via Fox Sports.

Previously, Tuchel had criticized his team after a narrow quarterfinal win over Norway, though players like Jude Bellingham dismissed the remarks at the time.

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On Wednesday, Tuchel expressed his frustration with the criticism, while also accepting responsibility for any missteps made.

“That’s just the nature of the game. As soon as you lose, you get criticized,” Tuchel said during the post-game press conference. “No one knows what would have happened if we’d made different decisions. So it makes no sense to engage in that and lose my head. I’m responsible for them, I took them, so I take the criticism, that’s just the way it is.”

Despite the setback, England will face France in a match for third place on Saturday.

“We’re not looking so much forward to, but there is still a match to play,” Tuchel noted regarding the upcoming game in his press conference.

Tuchel, who took over as England’s manager in 2025, signed an extension through 2028 in February and expressed his intention to fulfill the contract.

“We keep on going for contract until the home Euros, and then I’m looking forward to that,” Tuchel said, though he acknowledged, “Even like now, it’s difficult to look that far ahead.”

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Currently, reports indicate that Tuchel retains the full support of the English FA despite the World Cup exit.