Coach Tuchel Speaks Out to Reconcile with Jude Bellingham

England's head coach, Thomas Tuchel, has officially apologized to Jude Bellingham following controversy over his previous remarks.

The issue originated from Tuchel's live interview with talkSPORT in June, shortly after the Three Lions' 1-3 loss to Senegal in a friendly match at City Ground.

During the conversation, Tuchel praised Bellingham's passion, drive, and strong personality but also described some moments of the 22-year-old star’s emotional expressions as “annoying.” He gave an example that “when my mother watches TV, there are times she finds those behaviors irritating.” This statement quickly sparked debate in England, especially since Bellingham is currently one of the most crucial players in Tuchel’s squad.

After more than two months of silence, Tuchel clarified the situation during a press conference announcing England's squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia in September. The German coach admitted:

“I used that word unintentionally. There was no hidden message, no intention to attack anyone. I fully understand that my words caused misleading headlines and I apologize for that.”

Tuchel explained that the comment was made right after a defeat, when he was sleep-deprived and doing a live interview, leading to poor word choice. He emphasized:

“I should have done better. English is not my native language, but I take full responsibility. I used the wrong word and caused misunderstanding.”

When asked if he had contacted Bellingham directly, Tuchel confirmed he apologized immediately. The Real Madrid star is focusing on recovering from a shoulder injury and will miss the next two matches.

Nonetheless, with Tuchel proactively clarifying his remarks and reaching out to Bellingham, the atmosphere within the Three Lions is likely to stabilize soon, allowing the team to fully concentrate on the crucial upcoming World Cup qualifying games.