Former England captain John Terry has publicly criticized current manager Thomas Tuchel for his aggressive treatment of Tottenham full-back Djed Spence during the World Cup. Speaking on Piers Morgan’s World Cup Uncensored, Terry suggested that Tuchel is unfairly singling out younger or less established squad members for berating on the touchline.
The controversy arises as England faces ongoing scrutiny over its right-back options. Tuchel previously omitted Trent Alexander-Arnold from the tournament squad, citing concerns over “squad harmony.” Terry argued that the manager would likely not treat a high-profile player like the Real Madrid star with the same intensity he has shown toward Spence.
With injuries sidelining other options like Reece James and Tino Livramento, the decision to exclude Alexander-Arnold has come under increased pressure. While Tuchel maintains his tactical choices were made for the benefit of team unity, critics suggest the inconsistency in his management style is undermining confidence in the current squad as they navigate the tournament.