Recent comments from Bayern Munich legend Lothar Matthaus have ignited a debate about Harry Kane's happiness while playing for England under the guidance of coach Thomas Tuchel. Despite Kane's impressive scoring record since Tuchel took over, Matthaus suggests the star striker may not be as content with the national team as he is with his club, Bayern Munich.

Tuchel's tenure as England coach began after Gareth Southgate's departure following England's Euro 2024 final defeat. Under Tuchel, England has secured victories in three competitive matches but suffered a 3-1 defeat in a friendly against Senegal. Notably, Kane has scored in all four of these games, marking the first time an England player has achieved this feat in a manager's first four games.

However, Matthaus believes Kane's body language and overall demeanor suggest a level of dissatisfaction. He told Sky Sports Germany that Kane "needs to be encouraged" when with the national team, in contrast to Bayern Munich, where "fun, enjoyment, and attacking are the top priorities." Matthaus added, "It is sad to see how professional Kane is at his job. He doesn't seem particularly happy under current coach Tuchel, just as he was under his predecessor, Southgate. His body language at Bayern is different than it is with the national team."

These observations raise questions about the atmosphere within the England squad and whether Tuchel's management style is fully aligning with Kane's needs. Matthaus's comments imply that Kane thrives in an environment where attacking football and enjoyment are emphasized, aspects he feels are currently lacking with England.

It's worth noting that Kane also played under Tuchel at Bayern Munich, during the 2023-24 season. In those 32 league games, he scored 36 goals and provided eight assists. His goal-scoring rate was a goal every 79 minutes, with a shot conversion rate of 24.7%. While his goal-scoring frequency dipped slightly under Vincent Kompany in the 2024-25 season (a goal every 91.9 minutes and a 22.8% conversion rate), Kane has still managed an impressive 48 goals in 49 appearances under Tuchel across both Bayern and England. This translates to his best goals-per-game ratio (0.98) under any manager in his career so far.

Despite the statistical success, Matthaus's insights highlight the importance of factors beyond just goals and wins. A player's happiness and overall well-being can significantly impact their performance and contribution to the team. Whether Kane's apparent unhappiness is a temporary issue or a more deep-seated concern remains to be seen. It will be crucial for Tuchel to address these concerns and foster an environment where Kane and all England players can thrive. The coming matches will be a telling sign of whether the coach can successfully create a team dynamic that brings the best out of its key players.