Plymouth Argyle head coach Wayne Rooney shared that he was “surprised” at the English FA’s decision to appoint Thomas Tuchel as the next national team manager.
Rooney represented the Three Lions for 15 years between 2003 and 2018. The former Man United forward made 120 appearances and scored 53 goals during his extensive international career, making him England’s second-highest record goalscorer.
Plymouth Argyle’s Rooney on Tuchel’s Appointment
The FA selected former Chelsea and Bayern Munich coach Tuchel as Gareth Southgate’s successor this week. In January 2025, the German will take control of the national team on an 18-month contract. Lee Carsley will remain in interim control until then.
Tuchel’s appointment has been met with plenty of criticism in the press. Notably, because of England’s long-standing football rivalry with Germany. However, Rooney’s bemusement at the choice is with the FA’s movement away from hiring homegrown coaches in England, as reported by Plymouth Live.
I’m surprised. He’s a very good coach but surprised The FA have employed him, but I wish him all the best and I hope he does well.
What The FA have built over the last 10-15 years has been a great platform for young coaches coming through, so I’m surprised they haven’t gone with one of their own but, as I said, they have made the decision and I wish him all the best and I hope he does well for us.
The Plymouth boss played under two foreign managers during his England career. Sven-Göran Eriksson gave 17-year-old Rooney his debut, while the former Birmingham manager also captained the national team under Fabio Capello. Reflecting on playing under those two bosses, Rooney said their nationality was irrelevant when representing England.
It doesn’t feel different at all. Once you are on the pitch then of course you are playing so that’s at the back of your mind and you want to do well.
Writer’s View
The England job may be one that Rooney is eyeing up as he tries to rebuild his managerial reputation following a disastrous two-month stint with Birmingham. As an ex-Three Lions captain, he clearly knows the ambitions of the FA to develop good young English coaches. Who knows? If Tuchel fails to land a major trophy for England, and if Rooney continues to progress with Plymouth, he could be the man standing in the Wembley dugout in a few years.
