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Former England striker Wayne Rooney said he was surprised by the FA’s decision to appoint Thomas Tuchel as the new England coach.
Tuchel will replace Gareth Southgate – who resigned after England’s defeat by Spain in the 2024 European Championship final – on January 1, succeeding interim coach Lee Carsley.
“I think he (Tuchel) is a very good coach,” Rooney said. “But I am surprised that the FA have appointed him.”
Rooney is among many who have expressed surprise at the FA’s decision to appoint Tuchel over an English candidate.
The Plymouth Argyle manager praised the FA’s development of young English coaches: “What the FA have built – and I’ve been part of that and seen first-hand what they’ve built over the last 10 or 15 years – it’s been fantastic.
“It was a great platform for young coaches coming up, so I’m surprised they didn’t go with one of their own.”
England defender Kyle Walker said he understood the interest in having an English coach but added that Tuchel was a “fantastic appointment” for England.
“I can understand the English public thinking that there should be an English coach in charge of the national team,” he said on a BBC radio programme.
He added: “But for me, it’s about who will get the results. He has proven in big clubs that he is able to train big players with big personalities, like Paris Saint-Germain. He went to Chelsea and won the Champions League against Manchester City, and that is it.” That sticks strongly in my mind.
“It’s a great appointment and it would be even better if he put me in the team again.”
Before Tuchel’s appointment to the England national team, he spent two seasons at Bayern Munich, where he signed England captain Harry Kane.
“I’m looking forward to playing for the President again!” Ken said on X.
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