Wayne Rooney is reportedly taken by surprise when the FA appointed Thomas Tuchel as the head coach of English national team.
On January 1, Tuchel will take over from temporary manager Lee Carsley, replacing Gareth Southgate, who resigned after England’s loss to Spain in the Euro 2024 final.
“I think he’s [Tuchel] a very good coach,” Rooney said as echoed by ESPN. “But [I am] surprised the FA have employed him.”
Many people, including Rooney, have voiced their surprise that the FA chose Tuchel over an English applicant.
The Plymouth Argyle manager praised the FA’s development of young English coaches: “What the FA have built — and I was part of that and have seen first hand what they’ve built over the last 10, 15 years — it’s been great.
“It’s been a great platform for young coaches coming through, so I’m surprised they haven’t gone in with one of their own.”
While acknowledging the desire for an English manager, England defender Kyle Walker went on to say that Tuchel is a “great appointment” for the national side.
“I can understand the English public thinking it should be an English manager taking control of the national team,” he said on the BBC podcast ‘You’ll Never Beat Kyle Walker.’
See Also: ‘Unstoppable’ £83.2m Player Is ‘Dreaming’ Of Liverpool Transfer, Says Reliable Journalist
“But for me it’s about who is going to get the results, he has proven at big clubs that he can manage big players with big characters, the likes of PSG, he went to Chelsea and won the Champions League against Manchester City, that is one that sticks firmly in my mind.
“It is a great appointment and it is an even better appointment if he puts me in the team again.”
COMMENTS