Plymouth Argyle has appointed former England captain Wayne Rooney as their new head coach. The 38-year-old takes over from Ian Foster, who was sacked on April 1 after a string of poor results.
This marks Rooney’s first role since being dismissed by Birmingham City on January 2, following a disappointing tenure where he lost nine of 15 games. Birmingham, which was in the Championship play-off places when Rooney took over, was relegated to League One earlier this month.
Rooney’s appointment at Plymouth is his fourth head coaching role. He was previously England’s top scorer with 53 goals until Harry Kane surpassed his record in March 2023. His managerial career began with Derby County during a period of financial turmoil. He guided Derby to Championship survival in May 2021 but left the club a year later following its relegation, attributed to a 21-point deduction due to financial issues.
After his stint at Derby, Rooney spent 15 months as the head coach of DC United in the United States. He left the club last October to take on the Birmingham job, failing to guide the Washington-based side to the Major League Soccer (MLS) play-offs.
Rooney will be supported by first-team coaches Kevin Nancekivell and Simon Ireland, along with goalkeeping coach Darryl Flahavan. Further additions to his backroom staff will be announced in due course.
‘The Perfect Next Step in My Career’
Rooney has already had a taste of Home Park and its passionate ‘Green Army’ fanbase during a 3-3 draw with Birmingham in December, the Pilgrims’ first game after former boss Steven Schumacher’s departure for Stoke City.
“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,” said Rooney.
“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.”
Argyle Chairman Simon Hallett’s Comments
Argyle chairman Simon Hallett shared that Rooney approached the club when they began the process of recruiting their next head coach after ensuring survival on the final day of the season.
“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,” said Hallett.
“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. 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.”
Is Plymouth the Place for Rooney to Shine?
Rooney’s managerial career has yet to mirror his illustrious playing days, which saw him rise as a teenage sensation at Everton before becoming Manchester United’s all-time top scorer and England captain. However, Plymouth might just be the ideal environment for Rooney to showcase his coaching talents.
Plymouth Argyle, while not financially comparable to some of the Championship’s big-budget ex-Premier League sides, boasts an ambitious owner in Simon Hallett who has a vision for a sustainable club. The Pilgrims have excelled in developing young talents, with players like Morgan Whittaker and Finn Azaz thriving at Home Park this season.
Rooney will also benefit from the ability to sign players, unlike during his time at financially-strapped Derby or his brief spell at Birmingham before the January transfer window. Last summer, Argyle made two club-record signings, spending £1m each on Whittaker and former loanee Bali Mumba. Similar funds are expected to be available this close season.
While the wages might not be astronomical, Rooney’s reputation could attract players to Home Park that Argyle might not have previously been able to sign.
Rooney Appointment: A Bold Move for Plymouth
Analysis by Brent Pilnick, BBC Sport, Plymouth
Rooney’s appointment is a historic moment for Plymouth Argyle, marking the arrival of one of the most high-profile figures in the game. However, it also represents a significant gamble for the Pilgrims. Despite his stellar playing career, Rooney’s managerial stints have yet to reach the same heights.
Argyle will be hoping to see the Rooney who was lauded for keeping a troubled Derby team afloat, rather than the one who struggled during a short tenure at St Andrew’s. This appointment is also a critical decision for Argyle’s director of football, Neil Dewsnip, who has now appointed a second head coach from his personal contacts.
Dewsnip previously worked with a young Rooney at Everton’s academy and had a prior association with Ian Foster during their time at the Football Association. Foster’s appointment nearly proved disastrous for the club, lasting less than three months and culminating in a last-day survival – a fate Birmingham couldn’t avoid under Rooney’s earlier management.
Rooney’s tenure at Plymouth Argyle will undoubtedly be one to watch, as both the club and the former England captain strive to achieve their shared ambitions.
Credit: BBC Sport
