Former Manchester United and England forward Wayne Rooney, 38, has been appointed manager of Plymouth Argyle, the Championship club announced on Sunday. Rooney takes over from Ian Foster, who was sacked in April after just three months in charge. Argyle narrowly avoided relegation, finishing 21st in the Championship standings by a single point.
“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 Argyle chairman Simon Hallett in a statement.
“He reached out to the board when we started this process, attracted by the project at hand, and presented a real plan on how to lead the football club forward.”
Rooney has previously managed Birmingham City, Derby County, and Major League Soccer (MLS) side DC United. “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,” Rooney stated.
Rooney’s managerial career has been a rollercoaster. Appointed Birmingham manager in October 2023 when the club was sixth in the table, he was dismissed in January after the team slid to 20th place. Prior to Birmingham, he managed DC United, stepping down last year after the team missed out on the MLS Cup playoffs for the fourth consecutive year. Rooney also had a 17-month stint at Derby County, where his team collected 55 points but were relegated to the third tier due to points deductions amid financial troubles.
As a player, Rooney had a storied career, scoring 253 goals for Manchester United, winning five Premier League titles, and the Champions League. He also netted 53 goals for England’s national team.
Rooney’s appointment signals a new chapter for Plymouth Argyle as they aim to stabilize and improve their standing in the Championship under his leadership.
