World · Singapore Bureau
Tuchel slams 'madness' of selective international football appearances
England manager Thomas Tuchel has criticised suggestions that players and their clubs should be permitted to decide which matches to play during international breaks, calling the proposal fundamentally flawed.
LSN Singapore ·
Tuchel firmly rejected calls for greater flexibility in international football selection, arguing that allowing players and their employers to cherry-pick fixtures would undermine the integrity of international competition.
The England manager's comments reflect ongoing tensions between club sides and national football associations over player availability and workload management. Tuchel characterised proposals to grant players and clubs discretion over international appearances as problematic for the sport's governance.
His stance underscores the broader debate surrounding fixture congestion and player welfare across European football. While some stakeholders have advocated for more flexible arrangements to manage player fatigue and injury risk, Tuchel's position suggests the national team's operational requirements take precedence.
The manager's remarks come amid continued discussions about balancing the demands placed on elite footballers across multiple competitions and international commitments throughout the calendar year.