Wayne Rooney has urged the FA to not sack Thomas Tuchel as England boss – unless Pep Guardiola is up for the job.
After spells in charge of some of Europe’s elite clubs, Tuchel took the reins as England boss following Gareth Southgate’s decision to step down after Euro 2024.
Under Southgate, England reached the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and the quarter-finals in 2022 where they lost to eventual champions France. The Three Lions also reached the finals of the last two European Championships, losing to Italy and Spain.
Tuchel’s arrival was meant to lift England to that next level and end 60 years of hurt with no major international titles since 1966. That long wait goes on however after England’s capitulation against Argentina on Wednesday night.
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Tuchel has carried much of the blame after his side sat back after taking the lead in the second-half with Argentina scoring twice to march onto the final.
England retreated almost immediately after their goal with the head coach making defensive substitutions that backfired.
Rooney led the criticism on the night, insisting Tuchel’s changes caused England to ‘lose belief’ with some members of the squad reportedly complaining about the tactics that led to their exit.
Tuchel signed a new contract just before the World Cup began with the FA planning to stick with their man despite their disappointing campaign.
With not many viable alternatives around, Rooney believes that is the right decision, convinced Tuchel will learn from his mistakes.
But should Guardiola, a name currently on the market after leaving Manchester City at the end of last season, suddenly show interest in the job, the former Manchester United star believes England should pounce.
‘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.
‘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.
‘But the big thing for me is he’s not experienced at World Cups. 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.’
Guardiola is the bookies’ favourite to replace Tuchel ahead of Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe.