Valentijn Driessen criticizes former PSV player national coach: 'Not normal'

With Thomas Tuchel as head coach, England will face reigning world champions Argentina in the semi-final of the World Cup in North America on Wednesday evening, with former PSV player Noni Madueke in the squad. It is only the second time this century that The Three Lions have reached the World Cup semi-final.

In the podcast Kick-off from De Telegraaf, Valentijn Driessen is tough on Tuchel, who has been in charge since the winter of 2025 as the national team coach of the English. ''A mad, a deranged state along the touchline. Not normal. Do you think you can reach your players with that?'', Driessen wonders.

The journalist also understands that world star Jude Bellingham after the match was somewhat surprised by Tuchel's criticism of his team. ''And I can imagine that as a player, blood-hot and with high humidity, and you have beaten Norway, you wouldn’t be looking forward to Tuchel giving you a lecture. While he himself is standing there like an idiot on the sideline, screaming,'' continues the 'star predictor'.

Colleague Mike Verweij is also surprised by Tuchel's statements after the won quarterfinal against Norway (1-2). ''In some moments in a tournament it isn't about the beauty of the game, but about getting into the semi-finals. I think Bellingham made a small contribution to that. So act normal as a coach,'' says Verweij.

According to Driessen, however, Tuchel is not able to behave normally. ''This man really can't act normal. And Tuchel had a past with Bellingham. Because he didn't even want to take him along. Because he did too little at Real Madrid. And his behavior on the pitch was below all standards,'' concludes the journalist.