Rooney: FA must keep faith in Tuchel – unless Guardiola is free
Wayne Rooney has told the Football Association to back Thomas Tuchel as England head coach – with only one man who could change that calculation.
Speaking after the World Cup semi-final defeat by Argentina, the former England captain insisted there is no obvious upgrade available… unless Pep Guardiola becomes an option.
“I don't see anyone else out there at the minute, unless you go and get Pep Guardiola. If Pep Guardiola is available, then maybe you go and get him,” Rooney said on The Wayne Rooney Show. “I think he is a top-class manager and what the top managers do, they learn from the mistakes and they improve and get better.”
Squad selection and tactical concerns
Tuchel’s squad for the tournament in North America omitted creative talents such as Trent Alexander-Arnold, Cole Palmer and Phil Foden, and Rooney believes the selection lacked the edge that contesting personalities bring.
“You can't expect to win a World Cup and have a squad that is just happy and happy around the camp. You need debate, you need players to, you know, have conversations and not agree with you. Top managers like that, they like that, then you can debate it.”
The German’s in-game management also came under scrutiny. A number of senior England players were bemused by the defensive substitutions made after they took a 1–0 lead, according to Sky Sports, feeling the changes hindered their chances. Rooney, however, sees a parallel with the past. “We had the exact same with Fabio Capello. The World Cup is different and you need to feel that environment – and now he's felt it.”
Contract timing and what comes next
Tuchel signed a two-year contract extension in February – before the World Cup kicked off – and Rooney finds the timing puzzling. “It's a little bit strange if its priority was to win the World Cup, but then you get a two-year contract before you actually go to the World Cup. That's a bit strange.”
Nevertheless, the FA has publicly backed the 52-year-old, who says he wants to lead the side into Euro 2028. Rooney agrees that stability is the sensible path. “If we sack him, what managers are we going to bring in? And I don't think there's anyone out there who's as good as Thomas Tuchel, unless Guardiola.”
Barring a dramatic turn, England will head into the European Championship on home soil with Tuchel still at the helm.
Sources: BBC Sport, Sky Sports