The World Cup semi-final heartbreak still resonates with English football fans, and one man who's been left pondering what might have been is former captain Wayne Rooney. Speaking on his popular podcast, 'The Wayne Rooney Show', he expressed a glimmer of hope that Thomas Tuchel can salvage the situation, but not without some reservations.
Rooney's words of encouragement for Tuchel come despite the German coach's questionable tactics in Wednesday's 2-1 defeat to Argentina. The latter stages of the game saw Tuchel's late substitutions leave fans scratching their heads as England's 1-0 lead evaporated, leaving many wondering if a more decisive intervention was required.
Tuchel has vowed to remain at the helm, determined to steer England towards Euro 2028, but Rooney is not convinced that his current squad selection is spot on. He questioned the timing of Tuchel's contract extension – signed just months before the World Cup – and suggested it smacks of prioritising short-term gains over long-term success.
Rooney also took aim at what he perceives as Tuchel's bizarre decision-making regarding squad selection, notably omitting talented youngsters like Trent Alexander-Arnold and Phil Foden in favour of more 'camp-friendly' players. "A winning squad needs a mix of personalities," Rooney stressed, arguing that players willing to challenge the manager are just as crucial as those who toe the line.
Despite these pointed criticisms, Rooney remains a Tuchel backer, insisting his experience at the World Cup will be invaluable in the years ahead. He even drew parallels with Fabio Capello's post-World Cup resurgence, suggesting that Tuchel can learn from his mistakes and emerge stronger. If not for Guardiola, who Rooney considers the only viable alternative – then Tuchel's the man to take England forward.