Thomas Tuchel, the new England head coach, has issued a challenge to the national team: to embrace a more relaxed and joyful approach to their game. In his assessment, the pressure and intensity surrounding England's bid for major tournament success have, at times, stifled the team's natural talent and expression. He wants the team to "play with a smile." Tuchel's comments come amidst a period of both high expectations and critical analysis of England's performances.

Tuchel's vision is not just about easing the pressure; it's about unlocking the team's full potential by fostering an environment where players feel free to express themselves creatively on the pitch. He is pushing for more "intensity, clarity, identity, repetition of patterns, expression of players and hunger". He believes that by playing with a sense of enjoyment, the team can access a higher level of performance, characterized by fluid movement, instinctive decision-making, and a greater willingness to take risks. This approach contrasts with the often-cautious tactics observed in previous England squads, where a fear of failure seemed to overshadow the team's attacking flair.

The challenge for Tuchel lies in striking the right balance between tactical discipline and creative freedom. He wants to instill a clear tactical framework that provides structure and stability, while simultaneously encouraging players to improvise and express their individual skills within that framework. This requires a deep understanding of each player's strengths and weaknesses, as well as the ability to create a cohesive team dynamic where individual brilliance can flourish. Saka has mentioned that Tuchel is quite demanding and intense on the pitch, but off the pitch, he is more relaxed and has created a nice environment for the players to enjoy.

So far, Tuchel has made a good impression as England's head coach. In March 2025, Tuchel identified aspects of the team's performance that he was satisfied with after their 3-0 victory against Latvia at Wembley. He also stated that it wasn't an easy match and that the team still had hurdles to overcome. After the 1-0 win against Andorra, Tuchel questioned the team's attitude and said that they "played with fire," and that he expects more from them. Despite the criticism, Tuchel still believes that England can compete with the world's best.

The pursuit of a more relaxed and expressive England is not without its challenges. The weight of history and the intense scrutiny of the media and fans can create a pressure cooker environment that is difficult to escape. However, by directly addressing this issue and encouraging his players to embrace the joy of the game, Tuchel is taking a proactive step towards unlocking England's true potential. Only time will tell if his approach will yield the major tournament success that the nation so desperately craves.