Wayne Rooney has suggested that England should consider Pep Guardiola as a potential future manager.
The former Manchester United captain insists Thomas Tuchel remains the best candidate to lead the Three Lions into the next major tournaments. Rooney’s comments come after England’s 2-1 semi-final defeat to Argentina, a loss that reignited calls for Tuchel’s sacking, though the FA’s contract extension—keeping him through Euro 2028—signals continuity.
England’s hopes of reaching the World Cup final came to an end after the dramatic loss to Argentina. The Three Lions had taken the lead but were unable to hold on, with criticism mounting over Tuchel’s tactical decisions as England retreated deeper in the closing stages.
Several former players and pundits questioned England’s conservative approach after taking the lead. However, Rooney believes the FA should avoid making a knee-jerk decision. He acknowledged Tuchel’s pedigree as one of Europe’s elite coaches and argued that England should remain patient. Yet Rooney admitted that Guardiola’s availability would change the conversation entirely.
Rooney suggested that if Manchester City’s long-serving manager were genuinely available and interested in international football, the FA should make every effort to appoint him. Guardiola, widely regarded as one of the greatest managers of the modern era, transformed Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City into dominant forces.
Wayne Rooney on Tuchel replacement
“I don’t see anyone else out there at the minute, unless you go and get Pep Guardiola,” Rooney said on the Wayne Rooney Show. “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.
“The World Cup is different and you need to feel that environment and now he’s felt it.”
Despite the criticism surrounding England’s exit, Tuchel has defended his tactical decisions. The former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss insisted he had no regrets over the substitutions or the defensive approach adopted late in the semi-final, explaining that player fatigue and match circumstances influenced his choices. He also accepted responsibility for the result while maintaining confidence in the team’s long-term direction.
Rooney’s comments reflect a balanced view rather than an outright call for change. For now, with Tuchel under contract through Euro 2028 and determined to continue, England’s focus is expected to shift towards rebuilding after the World Cup disappointment.
