Jude Bellingham and Thomas Tuchel's rocky relationship - from 'repulsive' comment to Norway disagreement

Jude Bellingham has been on exceptional form in this year's World Cup, scoring in crucial games and making all the right moves on and off the ball.

While you would assume that Thomas Tuchel would be brimming with pride to have a player of his calibre in the squad, the relationship between the pair has been strained at times, with the Real Madrid star and his international manager both having aired their differing views publicly in the past.

World Cup news latest: follow live

After England's quarter-final victory over Norway in Miami, Tuchel called the performance "sloppy" - and said that his team had been "lucky".

But Bellingham, who scored both goals as the team came from behind to win 2-1, was unhappy with the analysis, saying: "Maybe he doesn't know what it takes to play in those conditions against Erling Haaland, Nusa, Sorloth - that's not an easy team to play against."

And it is not the first time that the two have clashed.

Tuchel: Bellingham can be a 'bit repulsive'

Tuchel has previously described Bellingham's behaviour on the pitch as "repulsive", but later apologised for doing so, arguing that he had used the word "unintentionally".

The England manager had tried to sum up Bellingham's temperament in June last year, noting: "If he smiles, he wins everyone. But sometimes you see the rage, you see the hunger and the rage and the fire, and it comes out in a way that can be a bit repulsive, for example, for my mother, when she sits in front of the TV. I see that."

In August, Tuchel set the record straight, with the German saying: "I used this word unintentionally, just to make it very clear.

"There was no message. There was no hidden agenda."

Losing his place to Rogers

Tuchel then called on the 22-year-old to "channel" the angry energy that can give him an "edge" on the pitch.

Ahead of the World Cup, there was also doubt over whether Bellingham would start the first match, since Tuchel had been favouring the midfielder's childhood friend, 23-year-old Morgan Rogers, in the build-up to the tournament.

Tuchel indicated in June that Bellingham would have to earn his place in the starting XI, saying, "he knows he is one of the starters, but we have 14 or 15 potential starters". He added that "these roles can always change".

However, since Bellingham has won back his place, he has excelled - prompting some pundits to praise Tuchel's handling of the player. Their argument is that by dropping him, it fired him up to win his place back, performing well when it matters.

Substitution frustration

Signs of further tensions emerged last November, when Tuchel said that Bellingham must "accept" his decision-making after the England midfielder vented his frustration following his substitution during the 2-0 win against Albania.

Bellingham was among seven changes from the previous win against Serbia, and was brought off six minutes from the end of his first national team start since June.

The midfielder put his arms in the air in frustration just after Harry Kane headed the second goal in, having seen Rogers waiting on the touchline to replace him.

Bellingham to play key role in Argentina clash

But, despite all of that, there is no doubt that Bellingham will start for England against title holders Argentina on Wednesday.

With six goals already at the 2026 World Cup, Bellingham is on superb form, having already beaten his total for the last two tournaments combined.

Read more from Sky News:
Linda Noskova wins women's Wimbledon singles title
Former Chelsea owner who bought club for £1 has died

Tuchel will be hoping the midfielder continues to combine his combative energy with the flair that he has shown in every game of the tournament so far.

Maybe dropping Bellingham for short periods has helped Tuchel get the best out of him.

(c) Sky News 2026: Jude Bellingham and Thomas Tuchel's rocky relationship - from 'repulsive' comment to Norwa