England put Kane in defence’ – Trump questions Tuchel’s tactics in loss to Argentina
US President Donald Trump has questioned Thomas Tuchel’s “unusual” tactics in England’s World Cup semi-final loss to Argentina.
Trump criticised Tuchel for making striker Harry Kane a “defensive player” in the 2-1 defeat.
England took an early second-half lead through Anthony Gordon, but a negative approach thereafter saw the holders complete a dramatic late turnaround in Atlanta.
Pundits, ex-players and reporters have heavily criticised Tuchel for making several defensive substitutions – and Trump is the latest to wade in on the German’s decisions.
Speaking alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino ahead of Sunday’s World Cup final, Trump said of England’s semi-final loss: “You have a great player in England, who I play golf with, and he is Harry [Kane], who’s been fantastic.
“I think they perhaps made a mistake when they made him a defensive player – but what do I know about soccer?
“They took the lead, and they took their best player and then put him on defence. We gotta be a little offensive, right?
“But no, I’m not going to call it. Look, what do I know about coaching? But that was a little unusual.”
Infantino laughed alongside Trump, who shrugged and then applauded his remarks.
When a reporter mentioned Trump’s remarks to Tuchel in a question over his tactics at a pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s third-place play-off against France, the ex-Chelsea boss replied: “Do you use Donald Trump as your witness for the case?”
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