Wayne Rooney can't hide true feelings after Thomas Tuchel lands the England job
Wayne Rooney has delivered his reaction to the news that Thomas Tuchel is the new head coach of England following the German's appointment earlier this week
by Ryan Taylor · The MirrorWayne Rooney has revealed his "surprise" at the FA's decision to appoint Thomas Tuchel as England's new head coach.
The 51-year-old German, who does not officially begin his role until January, was unveiled as the new Three Lions boss on Wednesday after signing an 18-month contract on October 8.
And Rooney - now in charge of Championship outfit Plymouth Argyle - has now issued his reaction to the news, stating: "I think he's [Tuchel] a very good coach. But [I am] surprised the FA have employed him."
The Three Lions and Manchester United legend is the latest high-profile figure to express surprise over the call amid the feeling an English candidate should have succeeded Gareth Southgate.
Rooney's response comes after former team-mate Gary Neville claimed it is "damaging" to accept Tuchel is better than any other English coaches.
He told Sky Sports News earlier this week: "They probably got the best available coach in the world at this moment in time. Fitting that criteria they are absolutely spot on.
"I am not sure it meets the criteria of St George's Park and the belief in English coaches and the growth in the English teams' performances over the last few years.
"Everybody in our country including myself will wish him all the best and hope we can get over the line and win a trophy, but I think there are some serious questions for the FA to answer in respect of English coaching.
"I do think we are damaging ourselves by accepting Tuchel is better than any of the other English coaches."
The FA interviewed in the region of 10 candidates for the role, including a number of English coaches who were ultimately unsuccessful.
However, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe was not among those names in the hat after he revealed he'd had no contact with the FA during a press conference on Friday, ahead of the Magpies' Premier League clash against Brighton.
He was later asked whether that offended him, to which he replied: "England have to do what is right for them and only they will know the processes they have gone through and the decisions they have made. I am certainly not the type of person that is going to analyse that.
"For me, it's about Newcastle and trying to win games and it's hard enough to do that if you are 100 per cent focused, and I will always remain that way to my work. If you drop your levels, then the job becomes impossible and at no stage have I allowed myself to do that."
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