Post by Professor Adam Nicholls

“Boss, it’s his shoulder” It’s great to see the England players celebrating the win in the changing rooms after a hard fought victory over Mexico. It's clear the players have built a strong relationship with Thomas Tuchel, with Declan Rice and John Stones feeling comfortable enough to jokingly feign an injury to him. Tuchel’s reaction is great and he took it in the manner the players intended. While it may seem like a small moment, it highlights the close bond between the squad and coaching staff. After a few intense days and a tough match, moments like these help relieve the pressure, bring plenty of laughter, and strengthen the togetherness within the group. They may be brief, but they're incredibly important for bringing the stress levels down and allowing players to unwind. Indeed, Reardon at al. (2019) suggested that coaches should encourage athlete to celebrate their achievements, because it promotes mental health. The players definitely deserved to celebrate their performance. (🎥: England Football)

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