Thomas Tuchel: Jude Bellingham's Anger On The Field Reminds My Mother

JAKARTA - The UK National Team (Timnas) manager, Thomas Tuchel, said he understood criticism of Jude Bellingham.

The midfielder's emotions overflowed during the shock defeat to Senegal on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, early morning WIB.

Bellingham argued with the referee furiously about his equalizer goal being disallowed by handball. In fact, the goal should have equalized to 2-2.

Without that goal, England lost 1-3 at City Ground, their first defeat against African countries.

In an interview with TalkSport on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, Tuchel defended Bellingham, but said he could see why some supporters were against him.

"I think he has something for sure. I think he brings encouragement, which we welcome both and need if we want to achieve big things."

"That spirit needs to be channeled. That spirit needs to be channeled to opponents, to our goals, not to intimidate teammates, or to be too aggressive with teammates or referees."

"However, (the distribution of that spirit) to opponents, yes, always to solutions, meaning to victory. We are in that case, yes. He has passion."

"I don't want to dim it. He has to play with a spirit like this, that's his strength. However, that spirit is also accompanied by some attributes that can intimidate you, maybe even as teammates."

"You sometimes see an explosion of anger towards the referee. In his game, if he can channel it in the right way, we can help him in this. Surely he has something we need. He has certain advantages that are difficult to find," said Tuchel.

Bellingham has provided some magical moments for England in his young international career - especially scoring a shot over the road against Slovakia to save the Three Lions from defeat in the last 16 of Euro 2024.

Tuchel further said of his honesty that Britain would be struggling without Bellingham.

"I had a hard time seeing it. I thought it should be the other way around, how we can have the best version and the best acceptance."

"People understand what he brings us, that he brings certain advantages. However, I see that it can lead to mixed emotions."

"I saw this with my parents, with my mother that she sometimes couldn't see a good and educated man and behaved well, as I saw and smiled".

"If he smiles, he wins everyone's hearts, but sometimes you see anger, hunger, and fire. It comes in a way that can be a little disgusting."

"For example, when my mother sat in front of the TV, I saw it, but in general we were very happy to have it, he was a special person," said the German coach.

Meanwhile, Tuchel hinted that he was tempted to seek a contract extension as UK Manager after the 2026 World Cup to Euro 2028. He did not heed the criticism that came after a recent poor performance.

"I will always be tempted to survive because I love the team and the opportunity, being a England coach is an honor."

"I can tell you that even after yesterday's disappointment. If you ask me today, yes. I enjoy it, I feel the support, trust, and respect of the people in the FA. I want new challenges and environment," he said.

England beat Andora with a narrow score of 1-0 in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, Saturday, June 7, 2025. However, they were not from Senegal in the test match.

The next trip of the Three Lions in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers will be held in September 2025 by hosting Andora and Serbia.

Currently, England is still leading the Group K standings for the 2026 World Cup Qualification with nine points from three matches that have been played.