Rooney urges England to keep Tuchel unless Guardiola is available

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.