Tuchel sorry for Bellingham 'repulsive' remark

England manager Thomas Tuchel has apologised for describing Jude Bellingham's on-field behaviour as "repulsive", saying he used the word "unintentionally".

The German made the remark in June after England's 3-1 home friendly defeat by Senegal - his first loss in charge - when he praised the Real Madrid midfielder's "fire", but admitted his own mother sometimes views the player's on-field behaviour as "repulsive".

Tuchel said he should have chosen his words more carefully when discussing Bellingham, who is not part of the England squad for next month's World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia, having undergone surgery for a long-standing shoulder issue last month.

"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.

"I did it the morning after a loss, with not a lot of sleep, in a live interview, and I used the wrong word. Again, it's my responsibility."

In the interview with Talksport in June, external, Tuchel had said: "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."

The former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss said he contacted Bellingham after the comments were made.

"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."