Former England and Manchester United captain, Wayne Rooney, has been named the new manager of Championship team Plymouth Argyle, marking his fourth managerial appointment.
Rooney, whose coaching career has yet to match his illustrious playing days, expressed his enthusiasm for the role, describing it as an ideal next step.
“This opportunity at Plymouth Argyle is perfect for the next phase of my career,” Rooney stated in a club announcement.
“I’m excited to be part of this project and look forward to building a squad that plays expansive football to entertain the Green Army,” he added.
Earlier in 2024, Rooney was dismissed from his position at Birmingham City after only 83 days, following a disappointing run where he managed just two victories in 15 matches, ultimately leading to the team’s relegation to League One.
Prior to that, he had a brief stint with DC United in Major League Soccer.
Despite these setbacks, Rooney had shown resilience during his initial managerial job at Derby County, where he navigated the club through administrative challenges.
Plymouth chairman Simon Hallett commented on Rooney’s appointment, highlighting his passion, intelligence, and eagerness to develop his managerial career.
“Wayne demonstrated throughout the interview process that he is a passionate, intelligent, and knowledgeable candidate with a strong desire to prove himself.
“His ambitions align perfectly with ours, and we believe he is the ideal candidate to bring the exciting and attacking style of football we aim for and to help us achieve the club’s goals,” Hallett said.
Plymouth Argyle narrowly avoided relegation in 2023 season, finishing 21st in their first year back in the Championship after a 14-year absence.
