← Back to News
Like Nosferatu on a golf weekend – but England players trust Tuchel and his aura | Barney Ronay
Players
T
The Guardian·about 15 hours ago

Like Nosferatu on a golf weekend – but England players trust Tuchel and his aura | Barney Ronay

Imposing head coach is a details man who has got the balance of squad spirit right at the World Cup, and is even proving a hit on Mumsnet

Let’s set the world on fire.

There’s a section in Bill Buford’s classic football hooligan study, Among the Thugs, where he describes being part of a phalanx of England “faces” steaming through the centre of mid-1980s Rotterdam towards some kind of meet, while their leader – the Top Boy, General or similar – runs up and down the column whispering to his men, saying the “energy is high”, “the energy is high”, “feel it”, “the energy is high”.

As it is currently for this England team, and quite clearly the players can feel it.

You will probably have seen the dressing-room video, which has more than 40m views.

Declan Rice and John Stones are shown playing a prank on Thomas Tuchel after the electrical storm masquerading as a football match at the Estadio Azteca on Sunday.

Rice pretends Stones has injured his shoulder.

Stones plays along with it, delivering a minimalist acting masterclass so contained there is almost no acting at all, before raising his fist as the beat drops (song: Talk To You, by ANOTR) and the room falls about in generalised hysteria.

Continue reading...

Sources: The Guardian

Get WC 2026 Updates

Match previews, results, and standings — delivered to your inbox.

Related Articles

Wing wizards or worries? England and Norway have choices to make out wide
Players

Wing wizards or worries? England and Norway have choices to make out wide

While there will be much focus on Harry Kane and Erling Haaland before England’s match with Norway, they carry no mystery. They will play. They will probably score.

T
The Guardian·about 15 hours ago
Mbappe and Dembele equal Ronaldo and Rivaldo's Brazil goal haul
Players

Mbappe and Dembele equal Ronaldo and Rivaldo's Brazil goal haul

France secured their spot in the semi-finals on Monday after a decisive contribution from their prolific pair of forwards. broke the deadlock before quickly doubled France’s advantage, steering Les Bleus past Morocco in . The electric French duo have

F
FIFA Official·about 15 hours ago
World Cup 2026: ‘violent disorder’ in London after France’s win over Morocco, Spain v Belgium buildup – live
Players

World Cup 2026: ‘violent disorder’ in London after France’s win over Morocco, Spain v Belgium buildup – live

⚽ All the latest news as the quarter-finals continue ⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Email us A 17-year-old girl fell off a truck and died while celebrating France’s World Cup quarter final win over Morocco, emergency services said Frid

T
The Guardian·about 15 hours ago
Haaland and Bellingham: Dortmund friends taking centre stage in Norway v England battle
Players

Haaland and Bellingham: Dortmund friends taking centre stage in Norway v England battle

The attacking players spent two years together at BVB, forming a friendship on their way to the very top This World Cup has been about the biggest names from the beginning but as Miami welcomes back its new favourite sporting pleasure on Saturday nig

T
The Guardian·about 15 hours ago
Norway vs England tactical dossier: England must impose themselves - not just stop Haaland
Players

Norway vs England tactical dossier: England must impose themselves - not just stop Haaland

What tactical nuances could decide Norway vs England in Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final in Miami? Our tactical dossier breaks down the key head-to-head clashes, threats and advantages facing Thomas Tuchel’s side.

S
Sky Sports·about 15 hours ago
France into semi-finals after comfortable win over Morocco
Players

France into semi-finals after comfortable win over Morocco

Kylian Mbappe scores his eighth goal of this World Cup to make up for an earlier penalty miss with Ousmane Dembele adding a second as France prove too good for Morocco and move into the semi-finals.

A
Aggregated from BBC Sport, FIFA Official·about 15 hours ago