Rooney urges England to keep Tuchel unless Guardiola is available
Rooney faulted the FA for renewing Tuchel’s deal before the World Cup and criticized squad choices that hurt England’s campaign.
Wayne Rooney has urged the Football Association to keep Thomas Tuchel as England manager after a 2-1 loss to Argentina in the 2026 World Cup semifinal. The former England captain said a dismissal would make no sense because there is no better candidate, unless Pep Guardiola is truly available. Rooney also said it was strange for the FA to give Tuchel a two-year contract extension in February when the main goal was to win the World Cup. He criticized Tuchel’s squad selections, including the absences of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Adam Wharton. Instead, Jordan Henderson, Trevoh Chalobah, and Ivan Toney were selected. Rooney said Tuchel’s first World Cup experience could serve as a lesson in guiding England toward Euro 2028.