Thomas Tuchel: England boss in 'serious trouble' if star names don't start firing

Thomas Tuchel fill face serious questions about his role as England manager if he fails to get his squad firing ahead of the World Cup.

Pressure is already mounting on the 52-year-old ahead of the tournament following a disappointing 1-0 win against New Zealand in their first warm-up game.

While the game was treated as a fitness exercise, England's lack of creative spark echoed that of previous struggles faced during their qualifying campaign.

Former Man United assistant manager Mick Brown told Football Insider that, given the talent at his disposal, Tuchel will face questions if they do not improve.

The Three Lions will head into the World Cup among the favourites, but the doubts that Gareth Southgate successfully stamped out have now begun to creep back in.

What has been said about Thomas Tuchel and England?

Brown told Football Insider back in March that Tuchel was facing "major issues" with England amid doubts over his squad selection for the tournament.

When his squad was finally announced in May, it was met with plenty of frustration, with questions already being asked of the manager's decisions.

While he recently committed to an extended contract until 2028, having first been expected to leave after the World Cup, doubts are already growing.

"There are already some major doubts," Brown told Football Insider.

"He's been appointed because England want to make that next step from where they were with Southgate, getting into finals but not getting over the line.

"Tuchel has experience at club level at winning trophies and going far in knock-out competitions, so that's what the thinking has been there.

"But he's made a number of questionable decisions already, not least his squad selection, leaving out the likes of Harry Maguire while calling on Jordan Henderson.

"You've got players like Adam Wharton and Morgan Gibbs-White who are also well within their rights to feel hard-done-by.

"The biggest concern for me, though, has been about the performances because he hasn't quite seemed to get this team firing, even in the qualifyers.

"Going into the warm-up games, they're not the be-all and end-all by any means, but you want to see strong performances to bring confidencce before the opening game.

"Disappointing displays aren't going to be good enough, it's nothing new, the pressure builds and then people start asking questions, doubts creep in.

"If he can't get them firing when the World Cup stars, Tuchel is going to be in serious trouble, because he's been brought in to bring trophies and success."

Why was Tuchel's squad selection heavily criticised?

Recent results are not the only issue causing concern for England supporters at the moment, as questions are still being asked of the squad selection.

Maguire spoke openly about his disappointment at having not been included, despite becoming a star man for Man United, and he is not the only one.

While both Wharton and Gibbs-White have backed the Three Lions publicly and been positive when asked, large sections of the supporters have been asking questions.

The Crystal Palace midfielder was named man of the match in the Conference League final, while Gibbs-White was nominated for Premier League player of the season.

Henderson, meanwhile, started just four of Brentford's last 11 league games, while other selections including Dan Burn and Ivan Toney have raised concerns.