Thomas Tuchel has been branded a ‘German Spy’ after his controversial World Cup selections but an England icon has hit back insisting ‘we must back him’
England icon Alan Shearer has insisted the country must back Thomas Tuchel despite him being branded a ‘German Spy’ following his controversial World Cup decisions.
The Three Lions have been dragged into the last 16 thanks to Harry Kane’s heroics against DR Congo as the Bayern Munich star bagged a late brace to rescue Tuchel and the team from utter humiliation after they trailed for well over an hour in the game.
England have set up a daunting clash against Mexico in the Estadio Azteca in the early hours of Monday morning in a clash that will prove the bottle of the team at high altitude and in a cauldron of support for the joint hosts.
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However, the majority of England fans are far from happy with Tuchel’s squad selection which has left a major problem at right-back with his two injury-prone choices of Reece James and Tino Livramento both injured.
Speaking to Daily Star Sport via Betfair, for whom he is hosting a Hot Take Hotline where he answers fans questions for the World Cup, Shearer dismissed one fan’s belief that Tuchel is a German spy, with his 26-man squad selection seen as an act of sabotage.
He asked: “Hi Alan, the right back situation is a joke, how Tuchel thought taking the two most injury prone right-backs in the country to the World Cup is beyond me. Is he actually a German Spy? If this costs us the World Cup he has got to go.”
But Shearer has called on the country to back Tuchel, replying: “Thomas Tuchel has taken a huge gamble in saying he has chosen unity over quality.
“He did take two right-backs who have been injured for large parts of the season and have a history of being injured for a while. But it is his neck on the line and if it backfires then he will come under huge criticism.
“It would not have been the squad that I would have chosen, but we have to back him. It does looks as if they’re in a spot of bother in terms of right back positions but let’s wait and see if he gets to the final and wins it. Fine, if he doesn’t then I am sure the criticism will be very, very harsh indeed.”
Shearer also understood the complaints of one angry fan who slammed players who call out pundits and fans for being rubbish “need to grow up.” He added: “We pay a fortune for tickets and travel and if players can’t give 100% in the shirt, then they deserve to be told how it is.”
Despite all his years as a player and pundit, Shearer didn’t disagree with the caller. He replied: “I think when you’re an international player you have to accept you are going to be criticised at some stage and you also just have to get on with it.
“Everyone is entitled to an opinion. They have done that for years and years and that will continue forever. It is part of football being on television you have to understand that and accept that, particularly at international level.”
Betfair launched Alan Shearer’s ‘Hot Take Hotline’ ahead of this summer’s World Cup, giving fans the chance to vent their strongest opinions and share their hot takes directly to an England legend throughout the tournament.
The Hot Take Hotline is now live, and fans can get involved by calling 0800-707-4073 and leaving a voicemail.