WAYNE ROONEY has urged England to approach Pep Guardiola as Thomas Tuchel’s replacement after the Three Lions crashed out of the World Cup.
England were sent packing by Argentina in the semi-finals after an agonising collapse saw Lionel Messi and Co score twice in the last seven minutes.
Wayne Rooney has urged England to approach Pep Guardiola as their next manager Credit: BBC
Rooney believes Guardiola is the only man who should succeed Thomas Tuchel Credit: Getty
Tuchel has come under fire over his negative tactics after Anthony Gordon gave England the lead in the 55th minute.
The German switched to a back five, hooking Gordon for Ezri Konsa as the team dropped deep to protect their lead.
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But it backfired as England’s resolve was eventually broken by the reigning world champions, who sealed a comeback win through Enzo Fernandez and then Lautaro Martinez in stoppage time.
After the damaging defeat, Rooney said he would consider sacking Tuchel – but only if Pep Guardiola was available.
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The Spaniard is currently a free agent after ending his ten-year reign as Man City boss.
Rooney told the Wayne Rooney Show: “I don’t see anyone else out there at the minute, unless you go and get Pep Guardiola. If Pep is available, then maybe you go and get him.
“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.
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Tuchel is under fire after his tactics cost England in their World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
“The World Cup is different and you need to feel that environment and now he’s felt it.”
There was a positive feeling going into the tournament in North America as Tuchel was handed a new two-year deal, putting him in charge up until after Euro 2028 on home soil.
But his squad selection picks did cause some controversy after big names like Cole Palmer and Harry Maguire were left out.
Rooney agreed Tuchel “made mistakes” with some of his selections and also questioned the decision to give him a new contract before the World Cup even started.
But he did give the ex-Chelsea boss his backing going into the next Euros because he is “as good as any manager out there”.
The Man United legend added: “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.
“I think he’s made mistakes with the squad selection. 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.
“You need players with their own personalities, their own opinions, their own character to question the manager at times.
“Top managers like that, they like that, then you can debate it. So, yes, I think looking back, he’ll have regrets.
“But I still think he’s as good as any manager out there to lead us into the next tournament, in my opinion.”
