Tuchel says fans’ chants were “British humour” after England qualify

Thomas Tuchel shrugged off pointed chants from travelling England supporters during the 5-0 win over Latvia in Riga that sealed England’s place at next summer’s World Cup.

The songs were a response to comments Tuchel made after England’s friendly win over Wales, when he said he felt underwhelmed by the home crowd at Wembley. The reaction followed him to the Latvian capital.

Also read: Tuchel criticises ‘silent’ Wembley after England 3-0 Wales

“I got a bit of stick today in the first half, so fair enough. I take it in good humour, with a good sense of humour. I accept it.

They had a reason today from my last comments and I guess that’s fair enough.

I got a bit of stick and I found it quite creative. It made me smile and this is how it has to be. It’s British humour and I surely can take it. No harm done.”

Tuchel also underlined the value of the travelling support between now and the tournament.

“It’s so important. They are here and I said the support in Serbia was brilliant. The support today was brilliant and we are very sure the support in America will be absolutely brilliant. We need it.

It makes such a difference if you go out as a player or as a coach and you see the fans behind the team and singing. This is also part of what we do.

We want to make them proud, we want to make them happy. They should be happy to watch us and they should be able to identify with how we play.

We are on our way to build something and top performance from them today.”

Harry Kane scored twice in the first half in Riga, taking him to 20 goals this season in 11 games for England and club Bayern Munich. Tuchel praised the captain more for his leadership than his finishing.

“Harry just gave a speech when he said that everyone will be ready to keep this thing going in November, that no-one will step back and take this thing for granted. They feel they’re building something.

If you just look at the goal in the 85th minute, the goal from Ebs (Eze), we have a ball lost and Harry goes all the way back to his own half and puts his head down in another sprint defensively.

As a captain, as number nine, there is no real need to do this. No-one would ever blame him if he did not do it but he does it and that is the standard and that is the example that he sets and what everyone feels at the moment.

And that is so brilliant to see as he helps us win the ball and in the end results in the goal from Ebs, a brilliant goal.

Harry is ready to put in the intensity and the shift that is needed. It is a pleasure to have him. He is in excellent shape physically, mentally, in top form, top shape. So everything fine.”

There was a clear mood shift in Riga — a big win, vocal backing from the travelling fans and an England side that looks intent on building momentum ahead of the World Cup.