Manchester United icon Wayne Rooney is reportedly on the brink of being appointed as the new Plymouth Argyle manager. The English coach is set for his first job since being sacked by Birmingham City in January after a dreadful reign at St Andrew’s. He is set to join the EFL Championship outfit on a three-year deal.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed Wayne Rooney is headed for Home Park to take over a Pilgrims side who evaded relegation to League One by the slimmest of margins. They finished 21st in the EFL Championship table, just a point above Birmingham who were sent packing from the division.
Wayne Rooney oversaw just 15 games with the Blues and his side suffered nine defeats which led to his tenure abruptly ending. He faces the challenge of trying to restore his status as a promising English coach who impressed during a spell in charge of Derby County from January 2021 to June 2022.
The 38-year-old wasn’t named among the candidates to replace Erik ten Hag amid reports claiming Manchester United will sack the Dutch coach. He will take charge of the Red Devils for their FA Cup final against Manchester City on Saturday (May 25) but looks set to depart regardless of the result.
Wayne Rooney became a legend during his playing career at Old Trafford, winning 17 major trophies including five Premier League titles. The Englishman left the Red Devils in 2018 after becoming their all-time top scorer with 253 goals in 559 games. He’s expressed his desire to become United manager in the future but notes that its a process.
Wayne Rooney made a brutal assessment of Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United
Erik ten Hag has come under increasing pressure this season amid a woeful performance from Manchester United that led to an eighth-place finish in the league. His side crashed out of the UEFA Champions League in the group stages and their defense of their Carabao Cup crown lasted until the Round of 16.
The Red Devils have suffered their worst league finish since 1990 and Ten Hag’s time at Old Trafford may be up irrespective of Saturday’s FA Cup final. He has a year left on his contract after arriving in May 2022.
Wayne Rooney analyzed Manchester United’s season after they suffered a 1-0 home loss to Arsenal (May 12). The legendary former striker claimed on Sky Sports that Ten Hag’s United were performing worse than the David Moyes era:
“We finished seventh with under David Moyes when I was here. I know that Moyes lost his job, but it never, ever felt as bad as what it is now.”
Ten Hag has insisted he’s on board with the club’s new owners INEOS but speculation is growing that he’ll be leaving after Saturday. His side have suffered 19 losses and won 25 of 51 games across competitions this season.
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