’No curse’ on England, insists Tuchel despite near misses

LONDON: England manager Thomas Tuchel is adamant there is “no curse” upon his side as he looks to end their near 60-year wait for a major international trophy.
England’s only previous major title came at the 1966 World Cup on home soil, defeating West Germany in the final.
England came close several times to ending the drought under Tuchel’s predecessor Gareth Southgate, losing successive European Championship finals, as well as reaching the 2018 World Cup semifinals and the last eight in 2022.
England’s women have enjoyed success under Sarina Wiegman, winning back-to-back Euros titles in 2022 and 2025, while the men’s Under-21 side are also double European champions after backing up their 2023 title with victory in Slovakia in June.
“Not at all,” Tuchel said when asked if he felt extra pressure due to the women’s and youth teams’ successes.
“If it is something, then it is a good omen and I was so happy for Sarina and (Under-21 coach) Lee (Carsley) because they made it and they made an extraordinary effort and a huge success with back-to-back victories...
“It is possible (to win a trophy with England), there is no curse on English teams and it is a good omen and we will do our very best to follow their example.”
England face Andorra on Saturday in qualifying for next year’s World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, before taking on Serbia in Belgrade on Tuesday.
“I get a lot of tips, that’s for sure, but always in a friendly manner,” former Chelsea boss Tuchel said of his interactions with England fans.
“Most of them just say, ‘Bring it home, Thomas’.

That’s basically the task.”
Manchester City defender John Stones has withdrawn from the squad for the upcoming games with injury.
Stones has not added to his tally of 83 caps