Stick with Tuchel unless Guardiola is available - Rooney

Football legend Wayne Rooney has advised the Football Association to maintain Thomas Tuchel as England's head coach, unless a move for Pep Guardiola is a realistic possibility. Tuchel's position has remained secure despite England's 2-1 defeat to Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals, a loss attributed partly to late substitutions.

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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, however, expressed reservations about the FA's decision to extend Tuchel's contract for two years in February, shortly after his initial 18-month deal to win the World Cup. "I think the FA told us that Thomas Tuchel was coming in to win the World Cup and take us to the next level," Rooney said on The Wayne Rooney Show. "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."

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I think the FA told us that Thomas Tuchel was coming in to win the World Cup and take us to the next level. 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.

Furthermore, Rooney pointed to squad selection as a significant misstep. He believes that including players who were merely content to be part of the team environment, rather than those who would challenge the status quo, hampered England's chances. "You can't expect to win a World Cup and have a squad that is just happy and happy around the camp," Rooney argued.

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You can't expect to win a World Cup and have a squad that is just happy and happy around the camp.

Rooney suggested that top managers thrive on debate and player input, a dynamic he felt was missing from England's squad. "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." Despite these criticisms, Rooney still considers Tuchel a capable manager for the next tournament.

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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.