Wayne Rooney has landed his fourth managerial job (Picture: Getty)
Wayne Rooney has landed his fourth managerial job after being appointed by Championship side Plymouth Argyle.
Plymouth identified the England and Manchester United legend as their top target after sacking Ian Foster towards the end of the 2023-24 season.
Rooney’s last job was with Birmingham City, where he spent less than three months and oversaw nine defeats from 15 games.
Before that, the 38-year-old had spells at MLS side DC United and current League One side Derby County.
Rooney said: ‘Taking this role at Plymouth Argyle feels like the perfect next step in my career – and I would like to thank the Chairman and Board for the faith they have shown in me.
‘This is an opportunity to be part of an exciting project. I look forward to helping to build a squad of players to play expansive football – and to entertain the Green Army.
‘I have experienced first-hand how talented the existing group of players is here – and also the incredible atmosphere at Home Park.
‘The club is on an exciting long-term journey, with a progressive plan in place. I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of it. I can’t wait for the Championship season to start in August.’
Plymouth narrowly avoided relegation to League One last season as Rooney’s former club Birmingham went down from the Championship along with Huddersfield Town and Rotherham United.
Rooney is hoping to re-establish his reputation as a promising coach following his dismal spell at Birmingham, having gained legendary status during his remarkable playing career.
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The ex-forward is one of the best players in Manchester United’s history and was England’s record goalscorer before Harry Kane surpassed him in March 2023.
Plymouth chairman Simon Hallett said of the appointment: ‘Throughout the interview process, Wayne showed himself to be a passionate, intelligent, and knowledgeable candidate with an appetite to prove himself and develop his managerial career.
‘So much so, that he reached out to the Board when we started this process and was attracted by the project at hand and showed a real plan on how to lead the football club forward.
Rooney’s last managerial role was with Birmingham City (Picture: Getty)
‘His ambitions and aims match ours perfectly and we feel he is the perfect candidate to provide the exciting and attacking brand of football that we all like to see and help us achieve the club’s mission.
‘We look forward to another exciting season of Championship football, and I welcome him to Argyle.’
Argyle Chief Executive Andrew Parkinson added: ‘Wayne brings a wealth of football experience to Argyle and a passion to kickstart his managerial career with an ambitious, forward-thinking and well-managed football club.
Rooney is one of Manchester United and England’s greatest players (Picture: Getty)
‘As conversations advanced, it was clear there was a natural alignment in our footballing ideals and the best way to take the club forward.
‘When you have positive conversations like that it is a perfect match, and we believe Wayne is the ideal person to help the club on its next five-year journey.
‘Focus will now switch to strengthening the squad ahead of next season, with our recruitment team working hard behind the scenes and Wayne will be an important contributor to that work.’
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