'These games are just nonsense' - Wayne Rooney backs Thomas Tuchel ahead of England's World Cup qualifiers

Former Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain coach Tuchel has faced criticism across the opening months of his Three Lions reign. He officially took on that demanding role from January 1, 2025.

Eyebrows were raised by some of his early selections, with Tuchel seemingly favouring experience and pedigree over the potential of youth. England battled their way to a couple of uninspiring 2026 World Cup qualifying wins before losing to Senegal in an international friendly.

Ex-England captain Rooney is not reading too much into those performances or results, telling his ‘The Wayne Rooney Show’ podcast of Champions League winner Tuchel: “I think he's a top manager.

“He's maybe got a little bit of stick about the way that England played, and those games are just nonsense really. 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.”

Rooney, who scored 53 goals for the Three Lions through 120 appearances, added: “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.

“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.”

Rooney believes that England can make the most of their “one shot” at global glory next summer. They will be back in action on Saturday when facing Andorra in another World Cup qualifier, with Tuchel having drafted some fresh faces - such as Elliot Anderson and Djed Spence - into his squad for the latest round of international fixtures.