Stick with Tuchel unless Guardiola is available - Rooney

What the report says

BBC Sport reports that Wayne Rooney has urged the Football Association to keep Thomas Tuchel as England head coach, unless Pep Guardiola can be persuaded to take the role. Tuchel remains backed by the FA after England’s 2-1 loss to Argentina in Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final, a match in which England led 1-0 before conceding late. Tuchel, who is under contract until summer 2028, has said he wants to continue through Euro 2028.

Rooney, speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, said he did not see a stronger alternative currently available apart from Guardiola, the former Manchester City manager. He argued that elite coaches improve after setbacks, while also noting that Tuchel had now experienced the particular pressures of a World Cup. BBC Sport said the FA had previously approached Guardiola before appointing Tuchel in January 2025.

Rooney also questioned the timing of Tuchel’s two-year contract extension in February, given that the original appointment was framed around winning the World Cup. He suggested it was unusual to renew the deal before the tournament if the central objective was World Cup success.

The former England captain was critical of some of Tuchel’s squad decisions, particularly the omissions of players including Trent Alexander-Arnold, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Morgan Gibbs-White and Adam Wharton. Rooney said England needed more than players who were content to be in camp, arguing that strong personalities and internal debate can help a team. Even so, he said Tuchel remains among the best options to lead England into the next major tournament.