Wayne Rooney’s coaching career remains an unfortunate one: Championship bottom-of-the-league Plymouth Argyle parted ways with the 39-year-old on New Year’s Day – after just half a year.
Wayne Rooney’s coaching career has yet to really build on his successes as a player. His first longer stint at Derby County (November 15, 2020 to mid-2022) was followed by shorter intermezzos at DC United and, notably, Birmingham City, which released him after just 15 games.
At the end of May 2024, Rooney took a new approach at Plymouth Argyle to recommend himself for higher tasks. However, the shot backfired again: his team only won four of 23 Championship appearances. The points average of 0.78 forced the management to act.
Plymouth, with just 18 points (22:51 goals), has now slipped to the bottom of the Championship and is four points behind the safety line, currently occupied by Hull City (one game more).
Plymouth have only managed one win in their last ten games, and have lost six of the last seven encounters. The 4-0 away defeat at Coventry City on Boxing Day was painful – Frank Lampard had clearly shown Rooney the limits.
Rooney thanks the “Green Army”
When Plymouth then also lost to Oxford United, who were also in serious danger of being relegated (0:2), and the fans openly demanded Rooney’s dismissal, the bosses saw no way out.
In a farewell statement, Rooney expressed his thanks to various parties. The 120-time England international (53 goals) also thanked the “Green Army” for “making the games at Home Park so special”. He said the club would always have a “special place in my heart”.
Until further notice, Kevin Nancekivell, who was already part of Rooney’s coaching staff, will take over the team and also look after them during the New Year home game against Bristol City (1:30 p.m.).
