Wayne Rooney praises Man City manager Pep Guardiola's influence on England national team

Wayne Rooney believes Pep Guardiola is one of the most influential coaches in English football, with the Manchester City manager's philosophy filtering into the national team.

Several of Gareth Southgate's most important players for England play their club football at the Etihad, including Phil Foden, John Stones and Jack Grealish.

Guardiola has been working with a core of Three Lions throughout his time in charge, with veterans Kyle Walker and Raheem Sterling also learning under the Catalan.

Rooney, who is cutting his teeth in management with D.C. United, will take charge of an MLS all-stars team facing Arsenal in the early hours of Thursday morning. And while the former England striker was quick to praise Mikel Arteta, he singled out Guardiola as a key figure in England's success.

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"Pep Guardiola has been one of the best things that has happened to English football, for the league and national team," Rooney said. "Some of the coaching has really helped them develop as players. [Success] goes in cycles. Unfortunately it is Man City’s time."

Guardiola has revolutionised football throughout the English pyramid since arriving in 2016, with teams lower down the leagues more inclined to play out from the back.

And the national team's fortunes have also improved massively in the last seven years, with Southgate's men reaching the World Cup semi-finals and European Championship final in 2018 and 2021 respectively.

The 52-year-old will enter his eighth season at the Etihad next month, having led the Blues to an illustrious treble last time out.