England urged to retain Thomas Tuchel despite World Cup exit, unless Pep Guardiola is available

By Emeka Nwosu — 17 July 2026 — 4 min read

Rooney’s Endorsement Amidst Criticism

Wayne Rooney, a former England captain, has voiced his support for Thomas Tuchel to remain as the head coach of the national team, despite their recent exit from the World Cup semi-finals. Tuchel’s position came under scrutiny following England’s 2-1 defeat to Argentina, a match where critics pointed to his substitutions as a contributing factor to the team squandering a 1-0 lead.

Rooney, speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, suggested that the Football Association should only consider replacing Tuchel if Pep Guardiola, the former Manchester City manager, becomes available. He praised Tuchel as a “top-class manager” who learns from mistakes and improves. Rooney questioned who else could manage the team as effectively as Tuchel, unless Guardiola were an option.

One of Rooney’s key arguments for retaining Tuchel is the German’s recent experience in the World Cup environment. He noted that the World Cup is a unique competition, and having now experienced it, Tuchel would be better prepared for future tournaments. Tuchel himself has expressed his intention to stay and lead the Three Lions into Euro 2028, a commitment that aligns with the FA’s continued backing.

Squad Selection and Tactical Decisions Under Scrutiny

Despite the support from figures like Rooney, Tuchel’s decisions during the World Cup, particularly his squad selection and in-game management, have drawn significant criticism. The exclusion of players such as Trent Alexander-Arnold, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Adam Wharton from the 26-man squad sparked debate. Instead, players like Jordan Henderson, Trevoh Chalobah, and Ivan Toney were selected.

Rooney believes that some of Tuchel’s squad choices were detrimental to England’s chances, suggesting that having players who are merely “happy around the camp” is insufficient for winning a World Cup. He argued for the importance of players with strong personalities and opinions who can challenge the manager, fostering healthy debate within the team.

The semi-final loss to Argentina highlighted tactical concerns. England, after taking a 55th-minute lead through Anthony Gordon, adopted a defensive posture. Reports indicate that England had only 12 percent possession between Gordon’s goal and Enzo Fernandez’s equaliser, completing only two passes between the goalkeeper and a centre-back in an 18-minute period. Tuchel’s decision to make three defensive substitutions in the final 20 minutes—bringing on Ezri Konsa, Dan Burn, and Nico O’Reilly while removing Gordon, Declan Rice, and Reece James—was heavily criticised for fueling a “siege mentality” rather than addressing the team’s growing defensiveness.

Although Tuchel reportedly refuted claims of a defensive approach, stating he told his squad to “play higher,” his substitutions did not reflect this. The introduction of attacking players like Ivan Toney and Marcus Rashford came only after Argentina had taken the lead, which many felt was too late to alter the outcome.

Guardiola’s Past Links and Current Status

The possibility of Pep Guardiola taking the England job has been a recurring theme. The FA had previously approached Guardiola before appointing Tuchel. Reports suggest that Guardiola had even reached a verbal agreement with the FA in 2024 to become Gareth Southgate’s successor after Euro 2024, but he ultimately decided to remain with Manchester City for two more seasons.

Guardiola’s tenure at Manchester City was highly successful, including multiple Premier League titles and a Champions League victory, before his departure this summer. While he is currently a free agent, his current focus appears to be on a period of rest and personal time. He recently explained that he is “still settling” into life after Manchester City, moving to Barcelona and taking time to focus on his health and family. He indicated that he would only return to management if he felt a strong desire to do so and if an opportunity genuinely enticed him.

Tuchel signed a two-year contract extension in February, having initially been appointed in January 2025 on an 18-month mission to win the World Cup. The FA’s chief executive, Mark Bullingham, reaffirmed the organisation’s faith in Tuchel after the Argentina loss, acknowledging the team’s effort and the heartbreak of the defeat.

Rooney commented on the timing of Tuchel’s contract extension, finding it “a little bit strange” that a two-year deal was given before the World Cup, especially if the priority was to win the tournament. Despite the speculation, Tuchel’s contract is set to run until after Euro 2028.

Source: bbc.com