MANCHESTER UNITED hero Phil Neville backed England manager Thomas Tuchel by comparing him to Sir Alex Ferguson despite his heartbreaking World Cup elimination.
Tuchel, 52, came under fire after the Three Lions surrendered their lead and in the semi-finals as he ordered his players to sit back and brought in three defenders.
Phil Neville backed England manager Thomas Tuchel despite the World Cup elimination Credit: 2026 PA Media
Neville reminded that even Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson adopted defensive tactics Credit: Getty Images – Getty
However, , 49, defended the German tactician’s controversial approach against the reigning world champions as “there are many ways to win a football match”.
That’s something the former defender learned while playing under legendary manager Ferguson, 84, at for 11 glittering years.
The ex- international reminded fans that Fergie also adopted similar defensive tactics in various matches where they were needed and still picked up the win.
That included a clash against in 2004 that ended their rivals’ undefeated Invincibles run and a Champions League quarter-final at Inter Milan that led to a 1-1 draw and ultimately the Treble.
Neville told The Times : “One ex-player was speaking on a podcast and said a Sir Alex Ferguson team would never have employed the low block; defended so deep. That just isn’t true.
“I remember when Arsenal came to Old Trafford in the autumn of 2004, looking to extend their unbeaten run to 50 games.
“They had been christened ‘The Invincibles’ and they were planning to mark the occasion, we later discovered, by wearing special ’50’ T-shirts.
“Well, I can tell you there was no way either or the United players were going to let that happen. Not at our ground. We defended deep that day, and kicked the s*** out of them.
“I played in central midfield. From memory, I might have even been man of the match. But I remember how we defended for our lives, fighting like dogs in what the manager made very clear was a win-at-all-costs game.
“We scrapped and battled to a 2-0 win in much the same way Argentina have played at this .
“During the Treble season in 1998-99, we met Inter Milan in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. We had won 2-0 at home but still had to face them at the San Siro, against a team that had Ronaldo, Roberto Baggio and Javier Zanetti.
“I ended up on the left wing, coming off the bench as a replacement for Ryan Giggs. Ronny Johnsen started the game alongside Roy Keane in central midfield. We basically had six defenders on the pitch. We dug in and ground out a result, to advance to the next round.”
Some even called for ‘s dismissal despite the fact he took England to the semi-finals in his first attempt and could lead them to their best finish – if they beat France in the third-placed play-off – since 1966 when they won the World Cup.
Man Utd hero Neville insists Tuchel shouldn’t be sacked as England boss Credit: Getty Images – Getty
England crashed out of the World Cup after surrendering their lead against Argentina Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Neville shut down any such talk and praised the FA for maintaining faith on the ex-Chelsea boss, who is expected to stay on until Euro 2028 when his current contract runs out.
The ex-Everton star, though, worries the former Paris Saint-Germain manager’s position could soon become unsustainable if the fans continue to turn on him.
Neville added: “I worry that it will not be sustainable if the fans continue to turn on Tuchel.
“Sir Gareth Southgate decided it was time to go when the supporters went for him and it does become very difficult.
“I left my job at Portland Timbers recently when I realised the crowd had turned against me.
“But the FA is right to stand by Tuchel and I only hope that they can ride this out.
“They have built a system that works at St George’s Park, with the England senior men’s and women’s teams having now reached eight semi-finals and five finals between them since 2018.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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