Paul Scholes accuses Thomas Tuchel of engineering England sacking
Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has accused Thomas Tuchel of deliberately engineering his own sacking following England’s World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina.
The Three Lions exited the tournament after surrendering a lead to the South American side.
Following the loss, the national team manager drew intense criticism for questioning his players’ mentality and criticising the “DNA” of English football.
Scholes believes these controversial comments are part of a calculated exit strategy by the 52-year-old.
A history of strained relationships
Speaking on a podcast, the former England international highlighted the manager’s track record of abrasive departures from top European clubs.
“I think his comments since the game have actually made it worse than the performances,” Scholes remarked.
“Saying it’s not in the English DNA. You’re part of that DNA now, Thomas.”
The 50-year-old pundit contrasted the German’s public criticism with the fiercely protective approach of his own former club managers.
“He’s gone on the offensive and blamed players a lot,” added Scholes.
“That is something our manager would never do. He’d blame us behind closed doors on the training ground and meetings but in public never.”
Engineering an early exit
The former Chelsea boss remains under contract until the end of the European Championship in two years’ time.
However, Scholes pointed to his turbulent tenures at Paris St-Germain, Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich as evidence of a recurring pattern.
“He falls out with people and maybe just engineering his way out,” he explained.
“You just wonder with the way he’s been speaking, ‘do I want to get sacked’.”
Despite achieving England’s best World Cup finish since 1996, the head coach’s defensive substitutions against Argentina have heavily polarised public opinion.
Calls for better public relations
Former team-mate Nicky Butt also questioned the tactical and communicative approach of the current administration.
Butt suggested the Football Association’s media team should intervene to prevent further damaging press conferences.
“If he wants to stay on he needs to play the game,” Butt stated.
Yet Scholes dismissed the idea that the highly-decorated tactician would listen to any such advice.
“I don’t think he cares,” he concluded. “He’s had big jobs, he’s not bothered.”