Thomas Tuchel apologised for describing Jude Bellingham's on-field behaviour as 'repulsive', saying he used the word unintentionally and regretted creating headlines. The remark followed England's 3-1 friendly defeat by Senegal in June, when Tuchel praised Bellingham's 'fire' but noted his mother sometimes found the player's behaviour repulsive. Bellingham is absent from the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia after undergoing shoulder surgery. Tuchel said he contacted Bellingham straight away, that Jude is focused on rehabilitation, and that he accepts responsibility for the comment, citing a live interview the morning after a loss and limited sleep.
I used this word unintentionally, just to make it very clear," added the 52-year-old. "There was no message. There was no hidden agenda. "I fully understood and understand that it's my responsibility that I created these headlines. I am sorry for the upset and I am sorry for the headlines I created. "I am experienced enough and should've known better, I should've done better. I thought I had a little more credit with you guys (media) that I do all this in my second language.
If [Bellingham] smiles, he wins everyone. But sometimes you see the rage, the hunger 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.
Of course, I made contact straight away with him," added Tuchel. "Jude focuses now on his process in rehabilitation, and we focus on Andorra and Serbia.
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