England Coach Thomas Tuchel has apologized to Jude Bellingham for describing the Real Madrid midfielder’s conduct as “a bit repulsive.”

Tuchel clarified that there was “no hidden message” in his statement, made during a radio interview the day following a 3-1 defeat to Senegal in June.

“I used this word unintentionally,” Tuchel remarked, expressing regret over the comment.

He quickly reached out to Bellingham after making the remark, which aimed to highlight the intensity the midfielder brings to the England squad.

“I realize this can evoke mixed feelings,” Tuchel said on talkSPORT. “Sometimes my mother can’t see the polite side of him that I observe.

“When he displays anger or hunger, it may appear off-putting to someone like her while watching on TV.”

Two and a half months later, Tuchel stated:

“I should have known better and acted appropriately. It’s my fault—I chose the wrong term; it was not my intention to do so.”

Bellingham, currently recovering from shoulder surgery, is not included in Tuchel’s latest England squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia.