Man United's Mainoo omitted as Tuchel mends Bellingham bond
On 6 November 2026, England manager Thomas Tuchel said his previously rocky relationship with Jude Bellingham is improving after he promoted Bellingham’s brother Jobe to the senior squad, while Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo was omitted from the upcoming Nations League roster.
The report, filed by IAN LADYMAN on 6 November 2026, notes that Tuchel described his relationship with Bellingham as ‘up and down’ but now on the mend after the Real Madrid star persuaded him to call Jobe into the England squad. Tuchel and Bellingham senior have not always seen eye to eye during the German's tenure as England boss. He added that he hopes the difficult period is over after selecting the 21‑year‑old Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jobe for next week’s Nations League fixtures against Croatia and Spain.
‘It was a bit of an up and down relationship, of course, but we are in a good place,’ Tuchel said. ‘I love to be his coach. He’s a top player, a very influential player and it works both ways. If Jude is not comfortable he would not perform at that level,’ he added. ‘When you see he’s happy to come into camp, happy with his role and fully invested, having both brothers together is the next step,’ Tuchel continued.
Squad changes and omissions
With Bournemouth’s Alex Scott injured and Arsenal’s Myles Lewis‑Skelly suspended for Thursday’s Croatia clash at Wembley, Tuchel surprised by promoting Jobe Bellingham from the Under‑21s to the senior squad. Tuchel explained, ‘Jude and I have spoken about his brother because I knew it was always his dream to play with Jobe for England.’ He recalled Jude saying, ‘Watch him, watch him – he’s good, he can make it,’ and added, ‘We were watching him and it would be nice if one day he was with him.’ Tuchel noted that Jobe had visited training early in his reign, watched his brother train, and was polite and kind, earning a place in camp despite inevitable comparisons.
Tuchel said he loves being Bellingham’s coach after the midfielder’s brilliant World Cup campaign, which helped secure Jobe’s first England call‑up. He observed, ‘They look similar in movement but are very different players; Jobe is more defensive and they have different characters.’ Tuchel added that Jobe could not stop smiling when told the news, noting he shares Jude’s beautiful smile.
Other selections and near misses
Tuchel’s squad for the two important games also sent clear messages, leaving out Cole Palmer and Kobbie Mainoo after both withdrew from the October camp with injuries. Manchester City’s Phil Foden was not recalled, although Tuchel admitted he almost selected the player after a form upturn, only to change his mind when Foden returned to the bench at the Etihad Stadium. Tuchel said, ‘It’s not personal and we will never assume he isn’t desperate to play. The competition is on; it’s about those who walk the walk and come to camp.’ He recalled advice that ‘you cannot not communicate’ and affirmed that every nomination is a message.
Tuchel praised Foden’s recent performances, noting two matches with four or five goal involvements and clinical finishing, yet he remained close to a recall rather than a certainty. He declared his admiration for Palmer, saying ‘I’m in love with him as a player’ and highlighted the high quality seen in training. Tuchel warned that England numbers must match a player’s talent and potential, urging alignment for a regular City starter to become decisive. He mentioned that the situation is also close for Eberechi Eze, who is not starting for Arsenal, and that Morgan Gibbs‑White and Eze have re‑joined camp after previous attendance.
Tuchel told the squad he had apologised to Kobbie Mainoo for not giving him any minutes during the summer World Cup in America, acknowledging Mainoo’s frustration after being overlooked for central midfield. The Manchester United star, who withdrew from the last camp with injury, was not selected for the upcoming Nations League matches against Croatia and Spain.