Thomas Tuchel admits bad conscience over ignoring Manchester City players

Thomas Tuchel

Marc Guéhi

Elliot Anderson

England manager Thomas Tuchel has admitted to feeling a sense of guilt after choosing not to speak with his Manchester City players following the club’s historic financial verdict.

The explosive ruling, which found City guilty of breaching numerous Premier League financial regulations between 2009 and 2018, was confirmed just hours before England kicked off their Nations League clash in Czechia.

Despite the massive distractions surrounding their club, City players Marc Guehi and Elliot Anderson both featured in the 2-0 victory in Prague.

Nico O’Reilly, another City representative in the squad, missed the fixture due to an injury.

Tuchel admits to a bad conscience

While the football world was digesting the news of City’s rule breaches, Tuchel chose to keep his focus entirely on the pitch.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live after the final whistle, Tuchel admitted he had not checked on the mental state of his City contingent:

I did not actually because I’m just focused on everything what we have to deal with here and to prepare the team, so I did not talk to them about the issue and I will not comment on it.

The German manager was quick to praise how his players handled the immense pressure of the situation on the pitch.

Pointing to the performances of his starting players in Prague, Tuchel told BBC Radio 5 Live:

The reaction was on the highest level. He was absolutely excellent and Elliot Anderson had a very good match as well.

Tuchel was later shielded from further questions regarding the verdict when England’s press officer blocked journalists from asking about it during the post-match press conference.

Kane demands focus on England duty

The England squad has had to navigate intense external noise during this international break, but captain Harry Kane is adamant that the dressing room will not be derailed.

The Bayern Munich striker claimed he only learned of the official verdict after the match had concluded.

Speaking to reporters in the mixed zone, Kane said:

But, as I always say, when I’m with England, when we are with England, it’s about England and that’s what we focus on.

The England captain acknowledged the scale of the situation but insisted the squad must keep their minds on their upcoming fixture against Croatia.

Carragher calls for stripped titles

While the national team attempts to block out the noise, pundits have already begun debating the long-term consequences for Manchester City.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher believes the Premier League must take the ultimate step of erasing City’s achievements from the record books.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher said:

I do think Manchester City’s titles they’ve won in this time, or trophies, should be taken off their list.

Carragher argued that the off-field scandal has tainted the genuine sporting memories and feelings of the players who competed during that era.

What lies ahead for England

Tuchel and his squad are staying in Prague overnight to rest before flying directly to Croatia for their next Nations League encounter on Saturday.

The manager will monitor the fitness of Ezri Konsa and City’s injured midfielder Nico O’Reilly before deciding on his starting line-up for the crucial match.

After the trip to Rijeka, England will round off their international break with a return fixture against Czechia at Wembley next Tuesday.