Former England captain Wayne Rooney is poised to re-enter the world of football management, with Plymouth Argyle on the verge of finalizing his appointment as head coach within the next 24 hours. The 38-year-old is expected to sign a three-year contract with the club as he aims to rehabilitate his reputation following a turbulent tenure at the helm of Birmingham.
Rooney’s return to the Championship with Plymouth follows productive discussions with Neil Dewsnip, the club’s director of football, with whom Rooney has a positive relationship dating back to their time together at Everton. Dewsnip, who recently assumed the role of caretaker manager at Plymouth, previously worked in coaching at Everton’s academy during Rooney’s early years at the club.
After being abruptly dismissed from Birmingham in January, just a few months into a long-term contract, Rooney reportedly declined managerial offers from abroad. However, he is now eager to breathe new life into Plymouth, who narrowly avoided relegation on the final day of the season at the expense of Birmingham.
Initial discussions for Plymouth’s next manager included talks with former Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom. Nevertheless, Rooney quickly emerged as the leading candidate to fill the vacancy left by Ian Foster, the former England Under-20s coach. In his new role, Rooney is expected to have Pete Shuttleworth, a former colleague from his time at DC United and Derby, join him in the coaching staff. Meanwhile, Kevin Nancekivell, a longstanding member of Plymouth’s coaching team, is anticipated to continue in his current position.
In a statement made in February, Rooney expressed a strong determination to return to management after his disappointing tenure at Birmingham. While acknowledging the challenges that come with the role, he affirmed his resolve to make a strong comeback, stating “I’m a fighter and I want to get back into it… I’ve had some good time to reflect and will make sure I get it right next time.”
With Rooney’s imminent arrival at Plymouth, the club and its supporters are undoubtedly optimistic that the esteemed former player will bring a fresh perspective and a winning formula to the struggling team. Only time will tell if Rooney can fulfill their aspirations and leave a lasting mark on the club’s future.