Thomas Tuchel has effectively ended Harry Maguire's England career, stating a return for the defender is now 'virtually impossible'. The England manager was critical of Maguire's decision to publicly voice his disappointment after being left out of the World Cup squad.

Tuchel confirmed the door is not completely shut but made his position clear. "I will not hold it against him for the rest of his life because I'm not that type of person," Tuchel said. "I can forget easily and quickly, but I didn't like it and it doesn't help." The manager called up Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite instead for the upcoming Nations League matches.

While one door closes, another has reopened for Trent Alexander-Arnold. The Real Madrid full-back has been recalled after also missing the World Cup. Tuchel delivered a blunt message about what is required for Alexander-Arnold to stay in his long-term plans. "He has to, he has to. It’s necessary," Tuchel said of the need for the player to improve defensively. "My conviction is that he will but he has no choice."

Tuchel admitted he still feels 'scarred' by England's semi-final defeat to Argentina last summer, a result he described as the downside of the team's high ambition. He questioned whether English players are coached to control games and acknowledged the challenge of marrying a possession-based style with the Premier League's intense pace that fans demand.

Despite the painful exit, England finished third by beating France in the play-off, their best performance at a foreign World Cup. The team has carried that momentum into the new cycle, sitting top of their World Cup qualifying group with seven points from three games. Their recent form includes a thrilling 6-4 win over France in July, a result that showed the attacking football Tuchel referenced.

Looking ahead, the immediate focus is a home fixture against Spain on 26 September. England will be without the injured Dan Burn, Dean Henderson and John Stones for that match. Jude Bellingham leads the scoring charts with seven goals in eight appearances this season, a key part of the team's stats.

Tuchel insists he retains the full support of his players and believes the squad's spirit and brotherhood, forged during the World Cup run, remains strong. The ultimate target is clear: winning Euro 2028 on home soil.

This story first appeared at Daily Mirror Football