Wayne Rooney defends England boss Thomas Tuchel, saying he shouldn’t be judged on ‘nonsense’ World Cup qualifiers against weaker teams. Rooney argues that these matches, where England is heavily favored, don’t allow Tuchel to showcase his tactical abilities. He believes Tuchel’s true potential will be seen against tougher opposition and remains optimistic about England’s chances under his leadership.
Wayne Rooney has come to the defense of England's manager, Thomas Tuchel, urging fans and pundits alike not to evaluate him based on the upcoming World Cup qualifying matches. Rooney described these games as "nonsense" qualifiers, implying that the expected dominance of England makes them an unfair measure of Tuchel's capabilities.
Image source, Getty ImagesThomas Tuchel took over as England boss at the start of 2025
England is set to face Andorra at home and then travel to Serbia for their Group K encounters within the week. Under Tuchel's leadership, England has already secured victories against Albania (2-0), Latvia (3-0), and Andorra (1-0) in their initial three competitive matches. However, Rooney suggests that these wins, while positive, don't provide a true reflection of Tuchel's tactical abilities.
Speaking on his BBC podcast, "The Wayne Rooney Show," the former England captain voiced his strong support for Tuchel. "I think he's a top manager," Rooney stated. "He's maybe got a little bit of stick about the way that England played, and those games are just nonsense really."
Rooney elaborated on his point, highlighting the predictable nature of these qualifying matches. "You turn up, and you just know England are going to win the game. It's 10 men sitting behind the ball, and you've got to break them down, which is not easy against any team."
Reflecting on his own experiences, Rooney, who earned 120 caps and scored 53 goals for England from 2003 to 2018, shared his perspective on playing in such matches. "I used to love playing for England. Watching England now and some of the games, you know they're going to win, it can be a bit boring. Obviously getting into the tournament, that's when you enjoy it," he admitted.
He further emphasized the monotony of certain qualifying games. "The last few games, it was against Andorra or something like that. It was painful. [I feel] sorry for Thomas Tuchel because he probably wants a decent game where he can go and show what he can do. It's a no-win [situation] really."
Tuchel's contract with England extends until the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup, set to be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Securing two victories in the upcoming week would significantly advance England's chances of qualifying for the tournament, potentially leaving them with three qualifiers to spare.
Rooney believes that Tuchel's true potential will be revealed when England faces tougher opposition. "I think for Thomas Tuchel, you want to see England having to sit back and defend and having tactically to break down teams," Rooney explained.
He concluded with an optimistic outlook on Tuchel's tenure. "Against the better teams [that chance] will come. So, I think he'll do really well for England. Whether they'll win the World Cup... you don't know, I think that he's got one shot, hasn't he?"
Fans can watch "The Wayne Rooney Show" on BBC Sport YouTube and iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds, for more of Rooney's insights and analysis.