Wayne Rooney, a former player for Manchester United and England, was appointed as DC United’s new head coach on Tuesday. His job is to revive the struggling Major League, football team. The 36-year-old British legend, who played for DC United from July 2018 to October 2019, reconnected with his former teammates after leaving to play and coach for Derby County in England. During his time with DC United, he scored 25 goals in 52 appearances. After the team was demoted to League One, the third tier of English football, Rooney resigned as Derby County’s head coach last month, making way for his return to Major League Soccer.
Jason Levien, the co-chairman of DC United, referred to Wayne as a soccer legend and one of the game’s most intriguing and dynamic young managers. “He has already proven in his young coaching career that he knows how to lead a group through adversity. He has an understanding of our league and what it takes to be successful in MLS thanks to his two-year stay with us as a player. “The passion he showed while wearing Black-and-Red electrified our city and our club and we are so excited to welcome him back as our head coach.” DC United, on the other hand, has had a difficult season and fired coach Hernan Losada after six games in favor of interim manager Chad Ashton.
United is tied for last place among the 28 teams in the league with a 5-10 record and two draws for 17 points. Since Rooney helped the team get there in 2019, the team hasn’t made the playoffs. Last week’s 7-0 victory over DC United by Philadelphia matched the league record for the greatest margin of defeat. The following game for DC United comes on Wednesday at home against Columbus, although Rooney won’t start in his official coaching capacity until he receives his final immigration papers. The next game for DC will be on Saturday in Minnesota.