Jude Bellingham and Thomas Tuchel were at odds after England beat Norway (Photo: Getty)
Frank Leboeuf says Jude Bellingham needs to ‘shut up’ after his spiky reaction to Thomas Tuchel’s criticism of England’s performance against Norway.
On Saturday night in Miami, Bellingham was once again the star of the show, scoring twice to help the Three Lions reach the semi-finals of the World Cup.
But the 23-year-old’s post-match comments also made headlines, after he was told of Tuchel’s scathing criticism of the team, with the manager saying he was ‘not happy with the performance – in every sense.’
‘Yeah, well… whatever. Whatever. It’s difficult out there. It’s a tough shift,’ was Bellingham’s immediate reaction on ITV.
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‘All the players are putting in a tough shift. So my thoughts and appreciation go to the players who put in a good shift out there.’
Appearing later in the mixed zone, he added: ‘Maybe he [Tuchel] doesn’t know what it’s like to play in those conditions against Erling Haaland, [Martin] Odegaard, [Antonio] Nusa, [Alexander] Sorloth… they’re not an easy team to play against.
‘I think we have tried to create a positive environment and will continue that into the final four. I can’t speak highly enough of the lads. You can’t win every game popping the ball and making 1,000 passes, sometimes you have to win dirty and we did that today.’
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Bellingham and Tuchel have had a tense relationship since the German replaced Sir Gareth Southgate in the dugout, and heading into the tournament, it was speculated that Real Madrid midfielder would be benched in favour of Morgan Rogers.
And Leboeuf, who lifted the World Cup with France in 1998, has warned Bellingham that his comments could result in him being dropped for the semi-final against Argentina next week.
Speaking on ESPN, the former Chelsea defender said: ‘Tuchel is doing that [criticising the team] because he did that last time and you’re going through so you can say that you were sometimes unhappy with the team.
“Maybe he doesn’t know what it’s like to play in those conditions.”😳
Jude Bellingham spoke openly about Thomas Tuchel being critical of England’s performance against Norway. pic.twitter.com/aJgDGEVNfX
‘John Stones made a mistake and Haaland nearly scored, mistakes by Noni Madueke and some others…
‘But I don’t understand why Jude has to respond to what the coach said.’
Put to him that Bellingham was just answering a question, Leboeuf snapped back: ‘But don’t answer! I wouldn’t answer!
Tuchel and Bellingham have always had a frosty relationship (Photo: Getty)
‘There is a hierarchy. The coach says whatever he wants, you shut up! You shut up and you don’t comment on what your coach had to say.
‘I’m sorry, it never works like that. Maybe he feels he’s in a very strong position and I think he is, but he could be on the bench for the next game because you don’t have to comment on what your coach is saying.
‘Maybe he [Tuchel] is saying stupid things, but you keep it to yourself. You don’t comment publicly what your coach has said.’
By contrast, Gary Neville said the feud between player and manager was only helping England’s World Cup campaign.
‘I love both interviews. Thomas Tuchel’s was fantastic. Jude Bellingham’s response was absolutely brilliant,’ the former Manchester United and England right-back told ITV.
‘What you’ve seen in those two interviews are massive egos, world-class players and managers. You have to be exceptional to do what those two have done.
‘In a player for England in five tournaments, I never saw that level of angst. I never saw a manager challenge the players or a player challenge the managers. It was nicey-nicey. What we’ve seen there is very good for England.’
